SCARTHO METHODIST CHURCH - THREE YEAR PLAN

MAY 2007

 

WORSHIP*

AIM: To increase the awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love.

*NB: At Scartho we believe that everything that happens in the church body is part of our worship.  However, for the purposes of this document, worship refers to corporate acts of worship.

 

Now

·        We are always looking at ways to incorporate special services into our church worship life.

·        We have members of our congregation who are willing to be involved in leading worship.

·        We have seen an increase in young families in Morning worship.

·        We have a relaxed atmosphere during Morning Worship which leads to members feeling free to participate.

·        Evening worship is shared with other congregations in our section, although attendance remains relatively low.

·        Early morning communion services cater for a small number of people.

·        Our children take part in communion services.

·        We have a regular MATCH service planned for all ages.

·        Our Saturday Prayer meetings are an established and valued part of our worship.

·        The Meditation group meets monthly.

·        A dedicated Prayer room is available.

·        Regular use of projector in services.

 

Next

·        To continue to provide worship in different styles and develop further.

·        Involve more people in the leading of worship eg. drama, music, prayers etc.

·        To continue to develop the role of worship leaders.

·        To further develop a multi-media approach to worship eg. use of I.T., artwork etc.

·        Further exploration into the relevance and potential of our evening worship.

·        To continue to create an atmosphere in which people feel free to respond during worship.

·        To further develop the prayer life of the church including increasing the number of prayer meetings at a wider variety of times.

·        To continue to develop our links with other local churches and those within our section.

·        Investigate joining the Family Friendly Churches Trust.

 

 

FELLOWSHIP AND DISCIPLESHIP

AIM: To help people to grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care.

 

Now

·        We have a strong house group system and a growing Sunday Club.

·        We have recently participated in the ’40 Days of Purpose’ Campaign.

·        We have a pastoral system for church members.

·        We recognise that lots of informal pastoral work also occurs.

·        We have a new Men’s Fellowship as well as other established groups.

·        We are in the process of identifying areas in which teaching is required and providing this as necessary.

·        Organise Christian Holidays such as Easter People, Spring Harvest, Walk To Emmaus etc.

 

Next

·        Joint housegroup teaching sessions to enable specialised teaching from visiting speakers to aid our growth and development.

·        Better promotion of Housegroups.

·        A structured programme for the teaching of the major Christian doctrines in mainstream worship.

·        Monitoring and further developing the pastoral system to cover non-members.

·        To develop a system of ensuring that new people are made welcome in church and afterwards at coffee time.

·        Continue to provide opportunities to share meals together.

·        To seek other ways of having fun as a church family.

 

 

SERVICE

AIM: To be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice.

 

Now

  • Regular acts of worship are taken at local residential homes.
  • Saturday coffee provides a valued service to the community.
  • Various youth activities including, Boys Brigade, Girls Brigade and Youth Clubs provide for the younger people of the village.
  • ‘Parents and Toddlers’ provides a place for parents to meet up with others in similar circumstances.
  • As a church, we tithe (give away one tenth of) our income, supporting a variety of charitable causes including inter-national, national and local concerns.
  • We have established links with a church in the Ukraine, which we support financially. We are also regularly supporting the charity Kenya Kids and have also financially supported Kokeqolo School in the Solomon Islands.
  • We contribute regularly towards the Daily Bread Food Larder.
  • We have a Community Fund for immediate financial response when appropriate.  
  • The ‘Safe Haven’ provides a space for people to talk and opportunities for prayer as well as fellowship over a meal.
  • We provide space for community activities.

 

Next

  • Find ways to offer more practical support to members of the community.
  • To continue to increase awareness of Fair Trade issues within the church and provide opportunities for the sale of Fair Trade products.
  • As a church, increase our awareness of world issues and the wider church.
  • As a church, increase our awareness of, and our involvement in, political issues e.g. ‘Stop The Traffik’ and issues which may affect our positions as Christians.
  • As a church, become more aware of our responsibilities towards our youth activities.
  • Look towards being a ‘greener’ church using Eco-church material to aid our thinking.

 

 

EVANGELISM

AIM: To make more followers of Jesus Christ.

 

Now

  • We have a welcoming building and attractive worship area.
  • Our services and facilities are accessible as possible to all eg. provision of disabled toilets, large print books etc.
  • We are developing a higher profile in the village through our community activities.
  • Church website is now active.
  • Weekly newsletter used to communicate information to congregation.
  • Many members are involved in one to one evangelism showing Jesus through word and action.
  • Provide summer Holiday Club each year.

 

Next

  • Maintain and develop the fabric of our building.
  • Develop a more focussed approach to promoting the church through use of the local media, church website etc.
  • Create the position of a church administrator/publicity officer.
  • To develop better communication within the church.
  • Develop a more structured approach to evangelism so that outreach events are planned at regular intervals.
  • To develop more opportunities to meet with people through special services, meals and other events both on and off the premises.
  • Continue to provide teaching on evangelism within mainstream worship. 
  • Encourage people in one to one evangelism in their everyday life.
  • To develop a business plan and seek premises outside the church building for outreach into the community.
  • Develop a welcome pack for people moving into the area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRIORITIES

Prayer coordinator/ more prayer meetings

Admin/publicity

Business Plan

Anything easy to resolve