4 PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVES FOR TRANSFORMING
CONGREGATIONS AND OFFERING CHRIST TO ALL

1. Becoming evangelistic in our faith sharing:  Covenant’s beginning goals to accomplish this initiative.

a. On the 5th Sunday’s in July & September we had 8 total (4  each time- including one youth each time) people tell their faith stories.  Those who attended the services were touched to the core of their souls by these words of faith. 

b. This year we have had 60 people join our church since our last Charge Conference in Nov. 2006.
19 of these were our confirmands; all joined on profession of faith and 3 of them were baptized. 28 others joining our church joined on Profession of Faith and 13 came to us from other denominations and Certificates of Transfers from other UMC.  We have had 5 adult baptisms.

2. Strengthening our evangelistic presence in the community. Covenant’s beginning goals to accomplish this initiative.

a. We began our 1st year of our 20-year strategic plan.

b. The church took part in the Conference “Open House” program.  During September the best count I have for the amount of visitors is a “1st time visitors bag” count.  We had 38 bags taken by our 1st time visitors. 

c. I had heard of at least 3 people that were here as a direct result of our neighborhood canvassing. 

d. At our “Hi Neighbor Picnic” on Sept. 30th there were at least 3 young families that stayed and had lunch with us. 2 of them were first time visitors and for the other family it was their 2nd time. They told me that they lived next door to one of our neighbors and that they were influencal in them coming to Covenant.

e. I was involved in teaching and counseling a local Girl Scout troop in the God and Church merit badge. It was interesting to note that two of the girls were an infrequent churchgoer and now their families are frequent church attendees.

It is important for us to realize that our duty is to simply invite and invite again and again.  These figures above, although impressive on their own, are only a beginning sign of future visitors because of our efforts in September.  We need to continue to contact them again this month and continue to invite them on a monthly basis. Many times it takes several invitations for people to act upon the invitation.

3. Calling forth younger clergy. Covenant’s beginning goals to accomplish this initiative:

a. You should know that in the past 8 years we have had 5 people that have gone into or are in the process of preparing to go into the ministry from Covenant. Cindy Layton; Marty Pina; Ed Rivera and Kip and Leslie Tomlinson.

b. This summer 4 Jr. High youth responded to “being called to some sort of professional ministry.”  I was there and I know God was at work in them. It is now up to us to encourage them as they move on down the path to ministry.

4. Developing disciples and leaders: Covenant’s beginning goals to accomplish this initiative:

a. Covenant has been offering 6-7 adult Bible Studies each semester this year. We also had a major workshop with Dr. Chris Thurmand with more than 200 in attendance. There are plans shaping up to have him back again this coming January. 

b. Two major steps for us: This year we hired a Children’s Director and a Youth Director to lead our children and our youth.  Both areas are beginning to see numerical growth as they develop their discipleship programs.

Some plans for the coming year.

I have been in contact with our Conference Evangelism Consultant, Rev. Sue White. I have reserved May 2,3,4  (Friday; Saturday: Sunday morning) as a time of revival with Rev. White preaching.  On Saturday the 3rd, Rev. White will present a workshop on “seven techniques on sharing our faith.”  I am hoping that we will have standing room only at this workshop.

Also, we will be turning our attention on developing an intentional approach to evangelizing our community.  We have two new lay people to head up our E-team and they will be contacting the congregation to come and join them.

The church staff is wonderful.  I want you to know that they work hard in preparing ministry for our children, youth and worship.  

 
 It has been an honor to be the pastor this past year as well as the several years that I have been here.

Merlene and I love this congregation very much and look forward to continue working with them in the coming year. They are absolutely the best.