JOEL TEAMMarch 2014

“Your old shall dream dreams, your young shall

see visions.”Joel 2:28

Formation of the Joel Team

WHY WAS THE JOEL TEAM FORMED?

JOEL TEAM MEMBERS

The Church Council, in response to a “State of the Church” address from Dr. Frazier, created the Joel Team for FUMC-C.

The sole task has been a season of prayerful discernment regarding God’s call and vision for the future of FUMC-C.

Joe Babcock Susan Barrier Gary Churchill Carl Frazier Martha Glass Sean Harrison Tom Haynie Dennis Hilton Sheila Ogle Lauren Schafer

“Your old shall dream dreams, your young shall see visions.” – Joel 2:28

Joel: A minor prophet

Why Joel “God is at work in the world, there

are consequences to human behavior, lament and repentance are appropriate responses to disaster, and hope is always the last word.” Daniel Simundson, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament

“Your old shall dream dreams, your young shall see visions.” – Joel 2:28

Tasks and Processes Process to move from “dreaming dreams” of what FUMC-C

is being called to do, of who we are being called to be, and what we might look like in the years ahead- to a Vision and Mission statement.

History Presentation of our church

Read, studied and discussed

“Inside the Large

Congregation” and “Simple Church”

Engaged the

congregation with

nine focus group

sessions

Reviewed results

and crafted vision and

mission stateme

ntsP r a y e r , D i s c e r n m e n t

“Your old shall dream dreams, your young shall see visions.” – Joel 2:28

Focus Group Responses1. In one sentence (if possible),

what do you believe is God’s vision for FUMC-C?

Mission/ministry to downtown Cary Witness and share the gospel Make disciples

“Your old shall dream dreams, your young shall see visions.” – Joel 2:28

Focus Group Responses

“Your old shall dream dreams, your young shall see visions.” – Joel 2:28

2. In one sentence, what is the unique ministry to which God is calling FUMC-C (what are we called to do that no one else is called to do in quite the same way)?

To be a large church with a sense of unity and inclusiveness

To ensure those in our community feel God’s love To act with the awe-inspiring power of

Christian service

Focus Group Responses

“Your old shall dream dreams, your young shall see visions.” – Joel 2:28

3. What would be missing if FUMC-C were not here?

A variety of programs and ministries were named here*

Community services/needs that would not be met for people seeking assistance

Children and youth opportunities

*Most notably named were the garden, Scouts, Mighty Mondays, ASP, Bosnia, Table Talk, Glenaire outreach, music ministry, MotherRead, and Baskets of Hope.

Focus Group Responses

“Your old shall dream dreams, your young shall see visions.” – Joel 2:28

4. What do you think FUMC-C will look like in the year 2020?

The long range plan will be completed, the building renovated/creative use of space

Original and unique youth programming Larger young adult population Greater involvement and commitment by

members More diverse

FUMC-C: Sharing the

heart of Christ

from the heart of Cary

Vision Statement

Mission Statement

Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who grow in faith and

love by connecting…

…to God through worship… to People through fellowship

… to the world through Service and Witness.

This is our response to God’s vision for FUMC-C, inspired by the cross

and Christ’s teaching.FUMC-C: Sharing the heart of Christ from the heart of Cary

Looking Ahead Essential elements to align FUMC-C with

God’s vision: • Worship • Fellowship• Service

Incorporated with current GPS model Vision is easy to remember: If you are 9

or 90 Specific to us Offers guidelines for what we do and why

FUMC-C: Sharing the heart of Christ from the heart of Cary

Evaluation Framework

1. Vision Statement Elements2. Wesleyan Quadrilateral

Elements3. Resource Requirements4. Impact5. Sustainability

The Joel Team proposes the following framework for evaluation and decision making:

FUMC-C: Sharing the heart of Christ from the heart of Cary

Vision Statement ElementsThe Four connecting elements of the vision statement should be met to merit further consideration

New and Existing activities: Should include all connection

elements Be modified to include them Or be discontinued in favor of

other activities

WorshipFellowship

ServiceWitness

FUMC-C: Sharing the heart of Christ from the heart of Cary

Wesleyan QuadrilateralThe existing consensus-building process should include consideration of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral:

Scripture Tradition Reason Experience

* See the attached Using the Wesleyan Quadrilateral in Discernment

FUMC-C: Sharing the heart of Christ from the heart of Cary

Resources, Impact & Sustainability

The Resources required to begin and sustain the activity: time, money, staff, servants, facilities, etc. should be discussed.

  The number of people who could be

successfully Impacted by the activity should be considered.

Sustainability: Servants, finances, facilities, need etc. should be considered. Is there a measurable life cycle for this activity or is this an open-ended or ongoing activity?FUMC-C: Sharing the heart of Christ from the heart

of Cary

Council Feedback

FUMC-C: Sharing the heart of Christ from the heart of Cary

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

– Proverbs 29:18