Spiritual Strategic Journey Fulfillment Map - Phase 2:2020-2023

“Life Around the Table”

Introduction:

In 2016 White Plains began living into the Future Story God to which God is calling us. We followed a “fulfillment map,” led by various teams, but, more importantly, we followed that “still small voice of God” calling us into new life in Christ here in the body of White Plains United Methodist Church. At times the voice was clear; at other times not so clear. At times the vision was right before us; at other times it was obscured in the fog of our own questioning, weariness, or unwillingness. Nonetheless we have moved forward as a changed people, a people who just recently committed over two million dollars to a capital campaign that could not even have been imagined before 2016.

Our initial map focused on the first three years, 2016 - 2019. This updated map will serve as a guide for our journey over the next three years, as we continue living into being a Disciple-Making Church on Mission for Christ. This means deepening our individual discipleship at all age levels and boldly letting the Holy Spirit empower us to make new disciples, to build holy community, and to spread the transformative love of Jesus. If we live fully into our calling, we will all be engaged in a cycle of worship, study, prayer, and service. And we will draw others into that cycle of discipleship alongside us. Identifying and using each person’s God-given gifts, talents, and interests is critical to fulfilling our vision.

The Next Three Years:

The Map-Making Team has laid out a template to help guide the church, but, as always, White Plains will seek to follow God’s lead as plans unfold. The intent is not to prescribe everything that will happen over the next three years, but simply to provide a starting point. This map is a living document that will evolve as we each discover our gifts and passions and as we discern how we can best serve God, each other, and the greater community. The Map-Making Team believes that we are living in a time of uncharted waters, a time where the way we have always done things is not necessarily the way forward. This does not mean that the tenets of our faith have changed. If anything, we cling all the harder to the bedrock of the Gospel. But as in the early church, who we are as a people must stand out in an inviting way and as a startling contrast to the surrounding culture. So we are prioritizing three areas over the next three years:

1. Developing connections in a disconnected society.

2. Fostering meaningful discussions in a fragmented world.

3. Deepening relationships in a culture that breeds isolation.

“These Christians… see how they

love one another!” - Tertullian

We desire for each person in the congregation to embrace the idea that there is no discipleship or mission work without relationship and community. We become better disciples of Jesus Christ as we live in connectional community with one another and our neighbors. This will foster growth more than any program or event ever could.

There is no better image of Christians connected together, loving one another, than the image of all of us gathered in our diversity around the Lord’s Table. That connection continues around our own tables, wherever they may be, just as we read in Luke’s story of Jesus being revealed in the breaking of the bread at a home in Emmaus. So we are calling the next three years “Life Around the Table.”

Key Principles of the Map: The map is not the church. What does that mean? The church is a living organism, the

body of Christ, and as such, it has many different streams of discipleship at play. It does not represent all of this ongoing activity of the church. Rather, the map focuses on specific identified areas, nurturing them for greater growth in the realization of our Future Story.

We strive to be a laity-led church, supported and guided by a strong, well-equipped staff. We live into our calling to be a welcoming and loving multigenerational, multicultural,

diverse body of Christ. VISION and RELATIONSHIP drive the car; programs and management, although important,

sit in the back seat. It’s all related! What does that mean? Each of us is challenged to see how all aspects of

discipleship and church life are related and to plan accordingly. For example, in Bible study for adults, perhaps a churchwide study, we need to ask:

- Are we only studying or are we developing relationships? Do we know each other nominally or are we beginning to share more deeply?

- If parents in the study have children or even teens, have we aligned our study with Children and Youth Ministries, so that children and teens can also have meaningful learning and deepening relationships at the same time as the adults?

- Is there a missional aspect to the study? What will change or happen as a result of the study?

- Is there a witness aspect of the study? Who will be reached outside our walls as a result of the study or as part of the study?

The same sort of questions could be asked of fellowship activities, missions, etc.

In each activity or event, look for connection points that deepen discipleship

and relationship, and invite others to join us around the table, be it a meal of

fellowship or an altar of sacrament.

A couple more points to remember:

There are no silos. Ideas for five distinct teams are represented in the map, but these

teams will work closely together. The Prayer Team might want to promote studies about

prayer but will work with Bible Study & Equipping to fulfill that goal. The Discipleship Team

will work with all the teams on developing a stronger culture of small groups. These teams

will also integrate with other existing ministry areas within the church, partnering with

them in shared mission and vision.

God is the planmaker; we are only the discerners and implementers. As such, “we walk by

faith and not by sight.” God will guide us further than we can discern right now; God may

have us camp in an area longer than we anticipate. In either case we will follow. The five

areas delineated in this map are a result of the prayerful discernment of the Catalyst Team

and the Mapmaking Team but we remain open to God’s leading even as we abide, love,

and go.

So, come join us! The journey continues! Who do you need to invite to the table? Who do you need to know better around the table? Which relationships are deepening your discipleship and which are impeding it? What new relationships do you need or desire? Where do you feel God calling you to connect? These are the deeper questions to explore over the next three years, as we gather around the table to ABIDE in God’s presence, LOVE God and God’s people, and GO into our communities to share that love around our own

DISCIPLESHIP “Being disciples on mission for Christ IS our Future Story – so the discipleship actions are “umbrella” actions which provide a structure for all other actions.” (Future Story p. 3 ¶1, 3 and p. 5 ¶3)

Over the past 3 years we have increased our focus on discipleship at White Plains by Developing and distributing The Discipleship Roadmap and the Discipleship Self-

Assessment Tool (Available at wpumc.com/discipleship) Sponsoring churchwide studies (Disciple’s Path and Disciple’s Heart), including a sermon

series, Sunday School studies, and small-group studies in homes and at church with supporting videos and curriculum.

Creating a core study curriculum for new members (Disciple’s Path, Disciple’s Heart, Get Their Name), so that we share a common understanding of what it means to be a disciple.

Nurturing an environment in which ABIDE, LOVE, GO becomes the core principle by which we live in community with one another and the world at large.

Over the next few months we will continue this focus, in conjunction with other teams, by Reviewing and revising the existing Discipleship Road Map and its implementation,

identifying elements that need to be addressed, continued, or strengthened. Working with Rev. Greg Moore from our Conference office of New Faith Communities on

developing an initiative at White Plains called Friends Around the Table. Greg's book Good Friends provides a resource for this work of creating and deepening holy friendships within our church and community. Friends Around the Table is simply one aspect of our overall focus on Life Around the Table.

Planning for a churchwide study during Lent 2020, based on Make a Difference by Dr. James Harnish, including small groups as well as Sunday School classes.

Listening to individuals as well as small and larger groups, to identify and develop high-interest on-ramps for relationship building and engagement.

Throughout the next three years the Discipleship Team will continue working to Review and revise the Discipleship Road Map and its implementation as needed. Continue to implement Friends Around the Table with Rev. Greg Moore. Engage Sunday School classes in planning for disciple-making within their group. Increase

familiarity with the Discipleship Road Map and other resources. Encourage sharing stories of strategies and curriculum.

Investigate ways to engage, reach, and develop on-ramps for our church and community in nontraditional ways, thinking outside the box.

Recommend resources for the next churchwide study and expansion of small groups. Plan a congregational prayer experience for the summer of 2020 based on the Good

Friends bands and their experiences, feedback and witness. Encourage and enable the Witness Team to contact each household in the church

(following the Heart and Home model), ensuring that this remains an annual commitment. Resource discipleship-focused groups and events as they emerge - small groups, prayer

triplets, etc.

EQUIPPING DISCIPLES VISION “Staying in the Word is critical to abiding in Christ and living like a disciple. The goal is heart change more than head knowledge.” (Future Story p. 3 ¶6 and p. 5 ¶5) “Loving is not always easy, nor is going. Sometimes we need help – training for our callings.” (Future Story p. 4 ¶5 and p. 6 ¶8) One of the main goals of the Bible Study and Equipping Teams formed in our original map of 2016-2019 was to provide White Plains members and others “food for the journey.” Through the ups and downs of the last three years we’ve found that providing this “food” requires people to gather around the table.

Over the last three years we discovered that

Bible study attendance overall has not increased, despite numerous attempts to offer different times, formats, studies, etc.

Thursday Morning Bible Study remains a strong active group, as do our Sunday school classes. At least part of the success of these groups can be found in the relationships and connections of the participants.

Churchwide studies have been well received and attended and appear to have deepened relationships and connectivity.

The issues that prevent more of our church from participating go far beyond our own congregation. So we are first going to pause and attempt to discern what the issues are. Bible study is not our only need. Our Lay Leadership Team has identified the need for focused leadership training, and they have presented several offerings. More attention over the next three years will be given to training in Christian formation, knowledge, and skills, as needed and desired.

Over the next three years this team will focus on a vision to equip disciples by focusing not on what studies are to be done but rather on assessing, enabling, and communicating. Our staff will continue to offer studies throughout this time, and we will continue to welcome those who feel called to lead a particular study to do so as it fits within our doctrine and polity. Annual churchwide studies will continue through 2020-2023 and beyond. Assessing Clarify vision and prioritize the desired goals – be willing to be flexible and change.

Survey to determine the congregation’s view on Bible study and identify target audiences. Identify preferences about curriculum, schedule, duration, location, media, homework, etc. Develop a standard form of feedback, so that we can continually monitor the process and improve. Continue to focus on the different forums and media needed for Bible study, such as online interactive study groups for the homebound or in-home small groups.

Enabling Identify committed leadership team of teachers. Develop teaching workshops and

resources. Identify and train apprentice teachers and helpers to prevent burnout. Work to be flexible and change direction based on feedback.

Communicating Offer publicity through the church webpage, bulletins, Eblasts and short testimonies

during services. Share positive experiences that clearly communicate the value of study in the life of disciples. Develop creative invitations that extend outside our church that provide on-ramps to small groups.

PRAYER “Ignite a passion for prayer by providing more opportunities to pray in and around the church and community. Opportunities will also be provided to learn more about prayer--what the Bible says about prayers, why we pray, and how we pray.” (Future Story p. 4 ¶2 and p. 6 ¶2)

Over the past three years we have increased our focus on prayer at White Plains by

Beginning our Spiritual Strategic Journey with 53 prayer triplets praying for discernment of God’s leading.

Holding prayer vigils during the year. Developing prayer guides for sermon series and certain holy seasons (Lent, Advent). Conducting sanctuary Bible readings several times a year. Calling congregants during the Heart & Home jouney to make sure they received their

materials and asking how we could pray with each of them. Sending out daily 3:13 prayer messages to the congregation. Over the coming three years we plan to continue prayer vigils, sanctuary Bible reading, daily prayer messages, and periodically calling our congregation for prayer concerns. Our goals for new initiatives over the next three years are to Partner with Youth and Children's Ministries to make prayer a vital component of our

children and youth’s discipleship. Feature prayer articles on the website and in other church-wide communications. Share testimonies on the impact of prayer in the lives of the congregation. Explore new options for small groups, e.g. covenant groups, home/family groups,

in addition to existing prayer and reunion groups. Offer a study curriculum on prayer. The goal is to make each congregant aware that prayer

is available and necessary for ALL, no special format, no big words, just intimate conversation with our Lord.

Establish a prayer room that is used exclusively for prayer. Stock it with suggested prayers, handouts on ways to pray, etc.

Schedule people to pray during worship services, funerals, weddings, and other church functions.

“The Lord is near to all who call, to all who call on the Lord in truth.“

- Psalm 145:18

CARING THROUGH FELLOWSHIP AND HOSPITALITY “Create intentional ministry areas through which visitors to White Plains are welcomed as Christ welcomed us, so that they may be drawn into the life of the congregation and into deepening discipleship.” (Future Story p. 3 ¶2, 4 and p. 6 ¶3-4) “Develop intentional ministry areas that nurture both congregation and guests spiritually, emotionally and relationally in order to grow into healthy, loving disciples of Christ, who then naturally make other disciples.” (Future Story p. 3 ¶2-3 & p. 6 ¶3-7) Over the past three years, we have emphasized fellowship and hospitality at WPUMC by Establishing a team with responsibility for a CARE (Christ’s Actions Reach Everyone) vision for

WPUMC. This team is now a part of Caring Connections and is also represented on the Catalyst Team.

Reestablishing the Fellowship Friends program to pair new visitors and members with supporters who will help them build relationships within the church and find places to plug into the fullness of Christian life at WPUMC.

Beginning development of a Worship Host initiative made up of volunteers willing to host a seating area in each worship service. These hosts will welcome visitors and notice the absence of regular attendees who may need to be checked on.

Ensuring the placement of greeters at the church entrances/exits to welcome and guide visitors.

Creating new and more visible signage to help new visitors find their way on campus. Creating a welcome cart in the Christian Life Center lobby to assist visitors in determining where

to go for worship and Sunday School and how to plug into activities in the life of the church. Although much of our focus has rightly been on hospitality, we realize more emphasis is needed now on fellowship that deepens relationships among existing members and also draws in people from within our community.

Our goals for the next three years are to:

Engage in and support the Friends Around the Table initiative.

Identify a fellowship team leader within Caring Connections. Identify and secure Fellowship Team event coordinators who have a passion for regular churchwide fellowship activities.

Survey the congregation to determine monthly or occasional fellowship activities that members want and are willing to support with their participation and service. Organize and hold fellowship events based on survey results.

Secure additional servants in the areas of hospitality (greeters, fellowship friends, worship hosts) and fellowship (Fellowship Team) using class visits, Eblast invitations, website posts, and other publicity.

Activate and train a team of worship hosts who regularly notify appropriate staff members regarding guests and missing attendees.

Continue to pair new members and regularly attending guests with fellowship friends, who will support them in their discipleship and help them engage more fully in ministry opportunities.

Establish a welcome center. Use the welcome cart until a permanent welcome center is created. Coordinate with Sunday school class leaders to discern ways to increase interclass fellowship and

offer events that can bring those without a Sunday school class into connection with one.

MISSIONS VISION

“White Plains is a disciple making church on mission for Christ— Outreach is part of our church’s DNA and will continue to grow and expand as we seek to impact our local community and beyond.” (Future Story p.6 last ¶)

Missions has always been a particular strength of our congregation, representing an outpouring of our love of Christ and our neighbors through the servant action that we take in our local community, in other parts of our country, and in other countries around the world. We did not focus on this area much in the past three years other than beginning some conversations around vision.

The Missions Vision Team is composed of the current vice-chair and several past chairs of Outreach plus a few at-large persons who are passionate about missions. An active, bilingual member of the Hispanic community is essential to this work. This team is charged with assessing, dreaming, and communicating. The Outreach Team will continue its vital function of supporting and resourcing the missions of the church.

Over the next three years this team will assess, dream and communicate a vision of missions: Assessing

Do all current missions include a focus on disciple-making and changing people’s lives? If not, how could this become a primary component? Changing lives is not just about the people we reach but also about the people involved in the service.

Engage with the latest church-area demographic data. What does this tell us about unmet needs in our area?

Are any of our current missions duplicated in the community? Should we abandon any initiatives in support of something that is NOT being done? Are there opportunities to partner with other local Methodist churches or community organizations? To what degree are we supporting initiatives recommended by the Conference?

Do we have initiatives that need expansion because of need and the heart of our people? Dreaming

What would it look like if all people at White Plains were involved in missions?

What additional on-ramps could we provide to enable all people at White Plains to be involved? If money were no object, what additional missions would we adopt?

How could we operate continually as a church that believes in loaves and fishes and not be held back by a mentality of scarcity? What change of heart or mind would that take? What communications? What actions?

Communicating

Develop a Missions Communication Plan. This plan should inform the congregation of what has been done, draw the congregation as participants into the mission, and help us in our missional assessment.

When a team returns from ASP or Peru, for example, how do we communicate the difference that took place in their lives and in the lives of the people they met? How does a team debrief?

Develop a template to help the Outreach Team evaluate over time whether a particular mission continues to fit the overall vision of the church. For example, identify the disciple-making component of each mission and assess the level of funding and support required relative to the impact to our community and the world and the level of participation by the congregation.

Develop resource materials for WPUMC mission leaders on subjects like mission development, mission funding and mission staffing. This may include Conference or District or other similar workshops and trainings.