CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM REPORT

Submitted to All Church Conference, August 26, 2001

The Congregational Development Team began meeting in September of 2000. Members of the team include:

Ann Keizer, Chairperson; Jeff Bandle; Paula Baum; Dennis Dailey; Tyler Fike; Phoebe Godwin; Bennett Griffin; Chris Orlando; Carolyn Phillips; Isidro Rivera; Brenda Waite; Lee Johnson, Staff

Purpose and History:

A purpose of the team was to develop a vision for mission and ministry at Lawrence First United Methodist Church called "One Church, Two Campuses.", Guiding the vision was the belief that we can do more - - - the belief that in God's time; First Church is being called to "Build, Invite and Connect" all of God's children to a community centered in Jesus Christ and in his creative, transforming and accepting love.

With the (expected) purchase of 65 acres for a second campus, and a commitment to further extend the ministry that has been happening for more than 145 years in and around the downtown location, the mission and ministry of "One Church, Two Campuses" begin to take shape. Part of that process included a capital fund campaign completed in December of 2000. More than $1.2 million was raised to support the then emerging vision of "One Church, Two Campuses." Of that amount, $500,000 has been used to renovate the downtown building so it might serve as a more effective center of ministry. The remaining amount will be used to help with the land purchase of a second campus (the Kansas East Annual Conference has committed $750,000 toward the purchase), and to set aside money for an initial building on the new campus location.

Indeed, the vision of "One Church, Two Campuses" is fast becoming a reality. This report will further extend that vision and what it means for the mission and ministry of First Church, the people of First Church, and the community of Lawrence. If mission and ministry is understood as sharing God's accepting, creative, transforming love with “all of God’s children,” the vision provides a challenging call. To develop such a vision, then, the team has met monthly for prayer, study and dialogue. It is with humble hearts, and a deep sense of gratitude for God's grace, that we submit the following report.

One Church, Two Campuses

In Goshen Indiana:

The vision of mission and ministry as contained in "One Church, Two Campuses" is a relatively new one for most United Methodists. In the fall of 2000, two United Methodist churches were located that have developed such a vision. One is in Springfield, Illinois. The other is in Goshen, Indiana. The pastor of congregational development has visited both locations. And, in February of 2001, members of the Congregational Development Team, Lay Leadership Team, Youth Leadership Team, Site Acquisition Team, Children's Dream Team and the church staff visited the First United Methodist Church of Goshen.

Goshen is a community of 40,000 located in northeastern Indiana. During the past five years, the church has developed its vision of "One Church, Two Campuses." Part of that vision included an invitational outreach of mission and ministry to the community's un-churched (those without a church home). Primarily, the invitation was made through a non-traditional worship service held off site (from the downtown campus) on Sunday mornings. In the past five years, more than 350 people have become members of Goshen First as a result of that off-site worship experience. .

At the same time, new opportunities for mission and ministry began to be offered at Goshen's downtown campus. A weeknight time called "Thank God It's Wednesday" has provided new opportunities for individuals and groups to be in fellowship, study, and mission on the downtown campus. TGIW also serves as the primary way of bringing together those attending the off-site worship with those attending worship downtown. The Wednesday evening event also is regularly attended by more that 350 people.

With the opening of the Goshen First Campus Life Center in December of 2000, programming for children, youth, and adults begin to further reflect the vision of "One Church, Two Campuses." Activities for all age groups now are regularly held at both locations. It is not un-common to attend a fellowship, study or mission group at one Ideation and worship at another. The growth in the church, both in mission and ministry and sheer numbers, reflects the positive impact "One Church, Two Campuses" has had on the community of Goshen.

At Lawrence First:

The Congregational Development Team is excited about the impact of "One Church, Two Campuses" at Lawrence First. There is a substantiated need for additional 'study, fellowship, and mission oriented groups (of all ages) at First Church. An historic barrier always has been space and land. A second campus would speak to this need. In addition, a campus that houses a celebration center for a more non-traditional worship experience also would speak to the need of mission and ministry with the un-churched of Lawrence. At the same time, space at the downtown campus could be used in a manner that speaks more directly to the needs of the community nearby 10^th and Vermont.

It is understood the vision and reality of "One Church, Two Campuses" is a bold proposal that both challenges and threatens the traditional understanding of church, particularly church as it occurs on Sunday morning in most United Methodist churches, not just First Church in Lawrence. In supporting such a vision, the CDT is mindful of those who feel most challenged and threatened. The team encourages a spirit of continued dialogue, but also believes it is time to respond with an understanding of mission and ministry that visions a renewed witness of invitation "and grace to current members, the un-churched, and those living on the margins of life.

God's instructions through Jesus in Matthew 28.19 are clear - the ends of the earth are to hear the story of God's love. It is God's love that creatively renews arid transforms us and invites us into a good and right relationship with one another and with God. The Congregational Development Team believes "One Church, Two Campuses" is a faithful response to the instructions of Matthew 28.

The Mission and Ministry of One Church, Two Campuses

Downtown Ministries:

While the role of mission and ministry will have deep roots in both campuses and subsequent new programming, the Congregational Development Team recognizes the physical location of the downtown church offers a unique possibility for a more direct involvement in mission and ministry to an area of town where the need is often times the greatest.

Lawrence First has a well documented history of reaching out to the community by participating in the ministries of LINK, Penn House, Trinity Food Pantry, Emergency Service Council, Habitat for Humanity and Mother-to-Mother. We celebrate these ministries and the existing ministries of downtown - such as UMW Circle groups, exercise classes, youth activities, worship - and embrace their continuing vitality. Still, the CDT recognizes we can do more to extend the helping healing and accepting presence of God's love throughout Lawrence. Accordingly, the Congregational Development Team makes the following recommendations for a renewal of mission and- ministry at the Downtown Campus.

1) Through volunteer and financial assistance, support the Lawrence Coalition for Homeless Concerns in their efforts to provide year-around shelter for men, women, and children living in Lawrence without a home.

2) "Link" up with local helping agency (Drop In Center, Salvation Army) to assist in serving the needs of those who live near by.

3) Explore the possibility of hosting a Sunday morning ministry of fellowship, support, and Christian study for men, women, and children without a home.

4) Make use of the downtown campus to provide vocational training opportunities.

5) Make use of the downtown campus to sponsor and house week-night community gathering opportunities.

6) Ensure church-sponsored transportation exists between two campuses.

7) Hire staff (position) to enable church councils (Human Welfare Council, Mission and Justice Council) and other laity to plan for and carry out mission programming that speaks to the needs of the downtown community and invites current members to connect their special gifts and talents with those needs through hands on mission and ministry opportunities.

Adult Ministries:

The Congregational Development Team commends the dedication of First Church to its adult ministry programming. The mission and ministry of the First Church offers adults a variety of activities through which they might connect with one another and in relationship to the sustaining, accepting, transforming love of God and Jesus Christ. On Sunday mornings in 2001, five different adult Sunday School classes were held in addition to two Disciple Bible Study groups. A United Methodist men's group (re)formed two years ago and now has more than 50 active members. United Methodist Women account for 14 circles and is one of the largest units in the Kansas East Conference. A growing and thriving ministry for older adults is sponsored by the Older Adult Ministries Council.

Still, the finding of the CDT is that more needs to be done to invite and connect adults into the mission and ministry of First Church. At this time, no overall plan is in place to assist adults in their faith growth and connection to the church and with one another. The program survives on pieces that were put in place several years ago. That means a significant number of our adult programs are more than five years old. While some of these are excellent programs, human nature makes it difficult to assimilate new members into older, established groups. Thus, the Congregational Development Team is concerned about the lack of an overall plan for adult mission and ministry and the lack of adult ministry opportunities for new members, specifically younger new members.

Research supports the finding that growing and vital churches place an emphasis on adult ministry. Programming that invites adults into a deeper relationship with the church, makes a positive impact on all levels of church programming, including children and youth. Adults, who are happily involved in the church, make sure their children and youth also are involved.

The vision of "One Church, Two Campuses" invites First Church to evaluate and expand its ministry with adults. To plan for and carry out new adult programming at both campuses is an exciting opportunity to share the love of God with more and more adults in the Lawrence community. Thus, the Congregational Development Team makes the following recommendations in the area of Adult Ministry:

1) Ensure infra-structure is in place (such as child care, parallel activities for youth and children) to support increased adult programming at both campuses.

2) Create more multi-generational activities specific to each campus. On the new campus this would mean the development of recreational and retreat experiences. On the downtown campus this would include the development of an evening in which all ages are invited to come and share in fellowship and study.

3) Establish and support new adult study and fellowship groups that especially appeal to new members and younger adults. Activities would take place on both campuses

4) Invite all adults to discover their special talents and interest and then encourage adults to share their gifts in specific areas of mission, ministry, fellowship and study.

5) Continue to increase programming for older adults. Explore the possibility of an enrichment center for adults on the new campus where a new structure will be more accessible for older adults.

6) Hire staff position(s) to enable church councils (Adult Ministries, Fellowship Council), other laity to plan for and carry out programming to help connect members with one another and to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Position(s) should include someone to work directly with spiritual gift/talent discovery and small group formation, and with younger adults.

7) Create and carry out an overall plan for mission and ministry with adults that anticipates making extensive use of both campuses. This might mean the formation of an Adult Study Task Force.

Ministry with Children and Youth:

First Church has a long-standing tradition of commitment to excellence in its mission and ministry -with children and youth. It is no surprise, then, that both children and youth have many opportunities to become active and involved in the life of First Church and to grow in their relationship with one another and with God and Jesus.

The year 2001 has seen a creative and growing Sunday School program for the children. In addition, a large group of children have been well served by the First Church music program. To provide a way to review and evaluate such programming, a Dream Team was formed in September of 2000. The team was asked to give thanks for what has been accomplished in children's ministry and to dream about what can still be (accomplished). The team met through the fall and winter before sending the Congregational Development Team a final written report. The CDT is thankful for the work of the Children's Dream Team and has incorporated its five main recommendations into this report.

Like the children, the youth also have experienced similar opportunities for mission and ministry through learning and fellowship opportunities. In April of 2001, 36 junior high youth were continued into full-church .membership following. A three-month time of preparation. And, in the summer of 2001, First Church sent its largest number of youth in many years on a week-long summer mission experience.

Presently, though, youth ministry is in the midst of a transition. The youth director for the past eight years recently graduated from seminary and in June of 2001 moved to a new ministry setting. The Congregational Development Team is hopeful this transition will provide an opportunity for First Church youth and those in ministry with youth; to reflect upon and celebrate past accomplishments and plan for the future. Particularly, the CDT is encouraged about the opportunity to provide additional ways in which youth might experience fellowship and learning.

Once again, the vision of "One Church, Two Campuses" means exciting possibilities for mission and ministry to and with our youth and anticipated both locations will offer unique ways to help children and youth experience the accepting, esteem-building love of God and Jesus - all at an important time in their lives. It is with such hope, the Congregational Development Team makes the following recommendations:

1) Because of space limitations, both outside and inside at the downtown campus, a day care and pre-school setting for children that reflects the values of a Christian community would be better located on the new campus. It is a priority that such plans be incorporated into the design of the .second campus. '

2) Begin an after school program of mission and ministry at the downtown campus to serve children living close by.

3) Serve the needs of single parents and their children by offering an day and/or evening version of a Parents Day Out on the downtown campus. . .

4) Establish "special programming" for children - such as a day camp, Saturday story time, sports leagues. Programming should be scheduled at both campuses and meet for a duration of time with a pre-established ending date.

5) Create inter-generational activities for both children and youth that allow for adult/youth/children mentoring opportunities. Activities would take place on both campuses.

6) Provide a more structured opportunity (Sunday morning and beyond) for youth to learn about scripture and their relationship with God and Jesus.

7) Provide opportunities for youth to become more directly involved in worship through music - both vocal and instrumental.

9) Establish a Youth Dream Team to make additional youth mission and ministry recommendations.

The Un-Churched:

                                   . A recent study shows more than 50 per cent of adults living in Lawrence do not have a church home nor attend church on a frequent basis. This group has been called the "un-churched." Yet, a significant number of the "un-churched" remain interested in a relationship with God and Jesus Christ. It is this group that provides First Church with the unique opportunity of being in mission and ministry within the community through a most powerful invitational witness. If indeed a core value of First Church is that of being a church which welcomes "All of God's Children," how this welcome is extended to a group of adults who, for one reason or another, have shown little overt interest in the traditional church becomes an important question.

Both Springfield (IL.) First and Goshen (IN.) First have experienced success in mission and ministry to the un-churched through an off-site worship experience that eventually helped grow a new campus. In both cases, the worship experiences are high energy, and held in a non-traditional, less threatening environment where an emphasis placed on multi-media usage and non-traditional music and liturgy.

Still, the question of assimilating new members into the total life of the church has been a question discussed by the Congregational Development Team. The CDT feels it is important not to create an atmosphere of two campuses, two churches. Instead, the vision of "One Church, Two Campuses" where all of God's children remain welcomed and connected, is preferred. The CDT feels that by offering strong, creative and unique programming at both campuses everyone will be invited to have full access to the on-going life of First Church in a manner that allows people to connect to one another regardless of which campus they attend for their primary worship experience. The earlier recommendations for ministry and mission found in this report reflect such a vision.

The call to raise up a new generation of believers in the Lawrence community is a formidable one. However, the mission and ministry vision of "One Church, Two' Campuses" provides the .structure to respond to the calling. The Congregational Development Team makes the following recommendations in the area of mission and ministry to and with the un-churched:

1) Form a Core Group to develop support and plan for an offsite Sunday worship experience, to begin sometime in 2002.

2) Begin work immediately through multiple methods of discovery - marketing, telephone surveys - to specify a targeted audience (age-range) of un-churched adults.

3) Make it a priority that the design of a multi-purpose Celebration Center be incorporated in the plans of a second campus building.

4) Communicate to the congregation the need for and vision of a ministry of mission and witness to the un-churched.

5) As second worship site grows, plan for and carry out activities (fellowship, study) that promote the vision of "One Church, Two Campuses" welcoming all of God's children.