The vision team and the Ad Council are continuing to work on specific goals for the congregation over the next 1-5 years. Numbers are never remotely as interesting to me as the people behind them, however setting these goals is an important part of becoming the powerful, amazing church God has created DLUMC to be. Here is some information from the vital congregations web site:
“Churches set goals to:
1. Give clarity and focus to ministry. Clarity and focus connects disciples to purpose and focuses attention toward the purpose of the church.
2. Move the church forward. Without goals, congregations can become stuck in a rut, doing the same things over and over without making progress.
3. Create greater accountability. Goals that are prayerfully developed and discerned with God in mind keep us accountable to the ministry of Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit inspired goals that are achieved make us more like the body of Christ.
4. Make the congregation better. There is a saying, “you do not have to be sick to get better.” Good goals make us better. Not for better sake but to make us better for serving the community.
Researchers have identified that goals make the difference in success or failure for people of similar backgrounds and educational standards. Studies find that 3% of people are highly successful in their life plans and careers, 30% are moderately successful and 67% just exist. The significant difference for the 3% who are highly successful is that they have written down specific goals. The 30% who are moderately successful have a general idea of where they are going but don't have any goals formalized. The rest are happy to watch the world go by.
What is interesting is that people in the 30% category only need to put in a small effort to jump into the next group. The secret behind the effort is the development of habits and strategies which support the achievement of clear goals. The same is true in church life.
What we measure receives attention. Across the denomination, we want to give attention to and, therefore, we will measure:
1. Disciples in worship - worship attendance;
2. Disciples making new disciples - number of professions of faith;
3. Disciples growing in their faith - number of small groups;
4. Disciples engaging in mission - number of disciples doing outreach in the community and the world; and
5. Disciples sharing their resources for mission - amount of money given to mission. “
In the coming months, please read the newsletter to learn about each of these areas and what goals we are setting. It will take all of us working together, and God’s help, to reach these goals.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brenda
Grace Notes Archive
Joining Detroit Lakes United Methodist Church
We welcome your interest in membership, but please don’t feel you must be a member to participate fully at DLUMC. We welcome your involvement even more! You are invited to seek out programs or people that interest you and become actively involved even before you become a member.
Periodically a series of new member orientation sessions are held during the Sunday School hour-- 9:15-10:15—on Sunday mornings. Discussions center around the structure and work of the church and how you may participate in the life of the church family. Food is often involved as well!! New member candidates are paired with sponsors from the congregation who attend the session with them and serve to help them get ever more acquainted with the people and opportunities at DLUMC.
For more information about membership, please contact the church office—phone 847-4818 or use the Contact Us link on the website to send email.
