Report to the Annual Conference Journal from the "Congregational Development Team"

The Congregational Development Team supports the Conference in carrying out its primary focus by encouraging and supporting the development of new and established congregations.  It reports to the Primary Task Team and supports the work of the Congregational Development Coordinator in his or her responsibilities to resource the development of a Conference-wide plan for planting new churches.  The charter for this team was adopted at the 2006 Greater New Jersey Annual Conference.  Membership of the team is composed of one representative from each of the District Boards of Church Location and Building as well as five 'members at large."

During its first year the Congregational Development Team met over six times in order to define policies and procedures and begin the work of fielding applications to the Harvest Mission Fund.  The team approved the expenditure of $75,000 in calendar year 2007 to support new church development in the Raritan Valley District (the Monroe Community Church).  It approved funding of $80,000 in calendar year 2007 for a relocation/new plant of the Asbury United Methodist Church for the greater Camden urban area.  Asbury UMC relocated to Woodlynne, NJ in 2007.  The Team presented to the Primary Task Team and gained approval for $30,000 to support the costs of training coaches in the Natural Church Development process. 

During the past year the Congregational Development Team received and responded to several applications to the Harvest Mission Fund.  The team approved to continue funding the Monroe Community Church as a new church plant for a second year ($75,000).  It approved continued funding for a relocation/new plant of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Woodlynne, NJ ($60,000 in calendar year 2008).  It approved support for an ecumenical union of a Presbyterian and United Methodist Church providing a grant of $33,350 for 2008 and approving an equal amount of support for 2009.  In an effort to provide support to explore new ministry in the Logan Township and Woolwich Township area of New Jersey, a $40,000 grant was approved for the Sharptown United Methodist Church, $22,500 of this amount will be taken from Harvest Mission fund for 2008 and an additional $17,500 will be taken from Strategic Disciple Making Initiative for 2008.  This was approved by the Primary Task Team.

The Congregational Development Team formed a Task Force for the "Study on Effectively Fulfilling our Missional Responsibilities," as a result of legislation approved at the 2007 annual conference.  That report was presented yesterday.

There are many methods that a church can choose to bring about transformation and revitalization.  The Office of Congregational Development can offer local churches methods or programs that best fit their context and situation.  We have found that Natural Church Development is a proven methodology that can help bring health to a congregation.  A healthy church leads to a growing church that makes disciples of Jesus Christ.  The Conference has trained 66 persons to help a local church navigate the NCD process.  85 churches in our conference have engaged this process with 68 churches completing a survey. 

Churches who engaged the process early on have completed a cycle and are taking their second surveys in the Spring of 2008.  Results from the six churches that have completed a cycle of Natural Church Development have shown increases in both average worship attendance and overall health of the congregation. 

The office of Congregational Development of the conference has helped support participation in the annual School of Congregational Developed, which is co-sponsored by the General Boards of Discipleship and Global Ministries.  The 2007 School took place at the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, from August 2-8.  The 2008 School will be held at two venues:  Grand Rapids, Michigan and Orlando, Florida from July 31-August 5. 

Historically, churches in the Greater New Jersey Conference were planted by other existing churches.  This was the case for the Hope UMC in Voorhees, which was a plant of the Haddonfield UMC.  Haddonfield also planted two churches in Cherry Hill.  If you research the history of your local church, chances are that it was started by faithful Methodists elsewhere.  We want to encourage churches of all sizes to consider how they can help plant new churches in their area.  In this spirit we want to conclude our report with a short video presentation called, "Called To Step Outside."

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Dr. Douglas Ruffle, Team Coordinator of Congregational Development
Dr. Lloyd Preston Terrell, Chair of the Congregational Development Team