A Fruitful Jolt

For over two years now we have been involved in the District Transformation Project.  So I guess it is no surprise that many of the things I read immediately have application to where we have been living.  Recently I read the following story that I wanted to share with all my friends.

“When I was a lad of five years,” James Michanec wrote, “the farmer who lived at the end of the lane had an aging apple tree that, at one time, had been very productive.  However, it had lost its energy and the ability to bear any fruit at all.  The farmer, on an early spring day, hammered eight long and rusty nails into the trunk of the tree.  Four were driven in near the ground--north, south, east and west.  The next four were hammered in higher up, well spaced around the trunk.”

“That autumn a miracle happened.  The tired old tree, having been shocked back to life, produced a bumper crop of juicy, red apples—bigger and better than had been seen in that orchard before.”

“When asked how this had happened the farmer explained, ‘Hammering in the rusty nails gave the tree a jolt to remind it that its job was to produce apples.’”

“Will you do the same next year?” I asked.

“Well,” replied the farmer, “a substantial jolt lasts about ten years.”

In our DTP process, the consultation weekends are like driving long, rusty nails into the trunk of once-flourishing churches to remind them that their job is to produce more and more disciples for Jesus Christ.

Last night as I meditated on this story, the Holy Spirit whispered, “If you are going to have fruit, not only do you have to give a jolt to the old trees, you have to be planting new ones.  As you revitalize the older part of the orchard, at the same time you must plan for the future by planting young trees."
 

Wells DTP Consultation & Prescription

In December, Bakers Mills Wesleyan Church had a DTP Consultation and the prescription report was posted.  The update to that event is that a church vote was held on January 6, 2013.  The result of the vote is that 33 accepted the report and 2 rejected it.

This past weekend the Wells Wesleyan Church also went through the consultation process.  Below is the report.

Wells Wesleyan Church Consultation

March 1-3, 2013

STRENGTHS

1. Pastor and Spouse:  Pastor Rob Ketchum and his wife, Karen, are highly regarded as sacrificial leaders in the local church and community.  Repeatedly, the team heard that this couple was sent by God to lead the Wells Wesleyan Church (WWC).  Pastor Rob's preaching is anointed and is applicable to life situations.  Rarely have we seen a church and pastor thrive like this!

2. Children's Ministry-Tuesday and Sunday:  After years of struggle to have a viable children's program, God has blessed the church with several dozen boys and girls.  The Tuesday Clubhouse/Release Time Program and the Sunday School/Children's Church are making it possible for the church to reach young families and precious kids with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

3. Positive Momentum/Growth:  During the past eighteen months the church has grown from an average morning worship attendance of 20 to an average of over 40 persons.  In the winter month of February, the average attendance was 51!!  The Law of the Big Mo is also seen in the children’s ministry and growth groups.  The team believes that WWC is moving into a new and exciting life cycle.

4. People/Relationships/Unity: We asked people what the best thing was about their church and the congregants often replied, "The people. We feel accepted and at home here.” The team sensed the unity that accompanied these authentic statements.

5. High Participation and Interest in the Consultation Process:  The team was impressed at the high percentage of newer folk who participated in the weekend.  The focus group was filled with people who have started to attend WWC in the last eighteen months and who are interested in belonging to this transformation.

CONCERNS

1. Lack of clarity in vision and mission:  For the past few years, survival has been the focus of WWC rather than a clear and actionable vision/mission. 

2. Aging of the facility:  It is evident that the building is in need of much upgrading if it is to be used as a tool to reach the community!

3. Strengthening several ministries:  The worship ministry, while attracting new participants, needs to be enhanced to help it reach the next level.  Also, while youth ministry used to be a part of WWC, it no longer exists. This needs to be corrected.

4. Lack of an assimilation system:  An intentional system of connecting guests to the church is needed.  Informal methods are now being used but these are insufficient for this important responsibility.

5. Inadequate structure for growth:  WWC has functioned as a small church for quite some time. Now, leadership must adapt to a new and different structure if vision/mission is to be accomplished.

PRESCRIPTIONS

1. Clarity in Vision and Mission:  Upon adoption of this report, and if it is indeed implemented, the pastor will lead the congregation in a special vision service.  The target area for which the church feels responsibility will be defined.  Also, the two vision numbers will be introduced, i.e., the number of people led to Christ during the next five years and the number of people touched with the love of Christ during the next five years. 

Following the service, a prayer drive will occur throughout the target area.  Stops will be made at strategic public places and prayers offered, asking God to bring revival to this section of the Adirondacks.  This service will take place by April 28, 2013.  The pastor will also lead the congregation in four bridge events in the next twelve months.  Attention will be given to the "next date" concept that was taught to the leaders during the training seminar.  These events will be completed by Easter 2014.

2. Upgrades to the Facilities:  The basement will be filled in and ventilation put in place to alleviate the mold problem that has plagued the church for many years.  This will be completed by August 30, 2013. Outdoor and indoor signage will be put in place to make clear to guests where to park and where to enter the sanctuary, pastor's office, rest rooms, nursery, etc. The room that has been under construction for the past five years will now be completed and the décor will keep the younger children in mind.  Child-sized furniture, murals, etc. will make this a cheerful place for these children to meet.  This will be completed by April 30, 2013.  A new handicapped ramp will be added to the north entrance, a new door will be installed between the fellowship hall and the sanctuary along the north wall, pews will be sold and chairs ordered for the sanctuary, and the forty-five year old carpet will be replaced and portable risers built to increase the flexibility of the platform space.  This will be accomplished by October 1, 2013.  The rest rooms will be enlarged and modernized by December 1, 2013.  By January 1, 2014 plans and drawings for a new worship center and foyer will be completed.  A color rendition will hang in the fellowship hall and fund raising options will be explored.

3. Ministry Upgrades:  Understanding that a growing church must continually be upgrading its worship and music, weekly worship practices will be moved to an evening later in the week and instituted immediately .  The worship team will schedule two field trips to observe what is happening now in our Shokan and Cobleskill churches.  A worship coach will be employed to meet quarterly with the worship team.  If this prescription is adopted, the district will send a $750.00 check from the Vision Fund to be used in the worship ministry, as the coach directs.  These field trips will be completed by July 15, 2013 and the coach will be in place by April 15, 2013.  A small corp. of youth now are the nucleus for a dynamic youth ministry in the days to come.  Therefore, a youth leader will be appointed and youth meeting will be held at least twice monthly, beginning by July 1, 2013.

4. Assimilation:  An assimilation team will be formed by May 15, 2013.  Nelson Searcy's “The Assimilation Seminar” model will be used to organize this team. Special attention will be given to the "Pizza with the Pastor" component.  A field trip to Fusion Community Church in Cobleskill will take place by July 15, 2013.  A new fellowship time following morning worship will be instituted in the fellowship hall.  Dunkin Donuts coffee will be served and the district will provide the first 40 lbs! This will begin immediately.

5. Inadequate structure for growth:  To help the church move forward in this area, the leaders of the church will read "Winning On Purpose" by John Kaiser.  His model for church governance will be the goal that WWC will work toward.  A ministry team will be appointed and in place by May 1, 2013.  This team will consist of ministry leaders. Also, the pastor will select six individuals with leadership potential and begin monthly leadership training sessions with them.  The church will also employ a coach for the pastor to help him implement these prescriptions. Coaching costs will be $100 per month for 12 months.  

IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE PASTOR AND CHURCH LEADERS WILL IMPLEMENT FUND RAISING TO COVER THE COSTS OF THE PROJECTS CALLED FOR IN THIS PRESCRIPTION.  BELIVING THAT MONEY FOLLOWS VISION, THE TEAM PRAYERFULLY EXPECTS THAT EACH CHURCH FAMILY WILL RESPOND WITH GENEROUS GIVING TO MAKE THE DREAM POSSIBLE. THOSE WHO REGULARLY ATTEND THE CONGREGATION WILL VOTE TO EITHER ACCEPT OR REJECT THIS REPORT AND ITS PRESCRIPTIONS ON SUNDAY MARCH 17, 2013.  IF ACCEPTED, THE DISTRICT WILL DO ALL IN ITS POWER (WITH ITS LIMITED RESOURCES) TO HELP THE PASTOR AND CONGREGATION IMPLEMENT THIS PRESCRIPTION.  IF REJECTED, THE PROCESS WILL CONCLUDE SINCE THE CONGREGATION WILL HAVE SPOKEN. 

Submitted by:

Rev. Paul James

Rev. Gary Beers

Rev. Dean Brown

Rev. Andy McCutcheon