Bishop’s Day on the District

2011

Greater New Jersey Annual Conference

Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar

The United Methodist “Call to Action”

Two key questions:What is faithful discipleship in our time?How do we as a community of faith fulfill

the mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?

A Call to Action

The United Methodist Church is called to be a world leader in developing existing churches and starting new vital congregations so that we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Disciple making and world transformation occurs through vital congregations . . .

Vital Congregations are • spirit-filled, forward-leaning

communities of believers that welcome all people (Galatians 3:28),

• make disciples of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20), and

• serve like Christ through justice and mercy ministries (Micah 6:8; Luke 4:17-21)

A vital congregation has . . . Inviting and inspiring worship Engaged disciples in mission and

outreach Gifted, equipped and empowered lay

leadership Effective, equipped and inspired

clergy leadership Small groups and strong children’s

programs and youth ministry

A vital disciple is a changed follower of Jesus . . .

Matthew 22:36-40 – The Great Commandment

Disciples Worship Disciples make new disciples Disciples engage in growing their

faith Disciples engage in mission Disciples give to mission

Developing a Ministry Plan for Vitality and Fruitfulness . . .

Vital congregations are ministries that recognize a clear calling from God and develop plans and ministries to achieve God’s purposes for their congregation.

What we measure, receives attention.

We will measure1. 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 engaged in mission (number of

disciples doing outreach in the community and the world).

5. Disciples sharing their resources for mission (amount of money given to mission).

Vital Congregations Website

umvitalcongregations.org

What this book is about

Churches are called to be fruitful for God.

We need fruitful lay and clergy leaders who believe that the church is created by God to be fruitful.

When the church is fruitful, it will have ministry that matters to its community.

‘Fruitfulness’ is Biblical Fruit appears more than 150 times in

the Bible; Fruitful appears nearly 30 times.

In Genesis God states the expectation that the fruitfulness of Abraham and Sarah’s way of life will be a blessing to others. Moreover, it will plant the seeds of God’s goodness in the barrenness that comes to those who do not know the Lord.

Pastors are called to ‘Contribute’

Working with a congregation to discern God’s vision and guiding them so they bear fruit: • Experiencing God’s presence• Transforming Lives• Growing Disciples• Serving Others

Evaluation as a Tool for Leading, not reporting

Clarify and define desired outcomes Illustration of Henry Ford:

• The task was not just to build a car but to build a car in such a way so that it could be sold for $500; only then did he unlock the manufacturing plan required to accomplish such a goal (i.e. the assembly line).

Fruitfulness

Not capitulation to the “success” culture.

Goal is not personal advancement or acclaim but the advancement of God’s reign on earth.

Seeks to shape the life and work of the congregation through a shared passion for its mission.

Fruitful Leaders . . .

Care about results because results are ways to go beyond merely filling a personal role to active participation in seeking results that we are convinced emerge from the gospel we preach.

In the Gospels . . .

Jesus uses the images of fruit and fruitfulness several times to inform followers that transformation is not possible until we find life in him.

The image of the vine and branches in John is a vivid metaphor related to the need of the follower to be fully connected to Christ if he or she is to find transformation.

What does fruitfulness look like?

≠ expanding programs and activities The question is not “Are we doing

more?” but, “Are we accomplishing more?”

It is about outcomes not activity. It is about what we are

accomplishing toward the mission of the church. Are we bearing fruit?

Says Bishop Schnase . . . To use the language of fruitfulness causes

congregations to become clearer about desired outcomes . . . Fruitfulness directs our focus to what we accomplish for God’s purposes and corrects the tendency to congratulate ourselves for all the work, resources, and people we apply to a task while ignoring or denying that our efforts may be making little difference.

For John Wesley ‘fruits of ministry’ was a key concept

He liked to ask three questions of spiritual leaders:• Have they faith?• Have they gifts?• Have they fruit?

Fruitful leadership is leadership that shapes itself around accomplishing the mission.

Two powerful words: “So that” Have them make me a sanctuary, so

that I may dwell among them (Exodus 25:8).

Having a clear “so that” statement helps to keep everyone focused on the end and not just the means.

Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Looking for God’s Vision What is God trying to accomplish

here? What can we do that would serve

God’s reign at this time in this place? How does my personal calling match

what God desires? How can my personal gifts, graces,

passion, and opportunities be put to use here?