CHURCH GROWTH

     During the Morning and Sunday Evening Services, both Matt and I have been mentioning the fact that our Church needs to grow—-spiritually, numerically, and financially.  Matt and I hope and pray that you will agree with our overall credo to—-GROW!  We have mentioned during and within the Worship Services the fact that we all need to be more conscious about inviting our Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances and Friends  (better known as  -  F.R.A.N.s).

    I thought you might be interested in “why” people join a Church—-as it is important for us to be knowledgeable of trends and practices of the non-Churched in our neighborhood, vicinity and Marshall County.  Here they are:

1)     6% join of their own accord

2)   10% join because of an active youth program

3)     6% join because of the pastor’s sermons

4)     3% join because of a special need

5)     2% join because of a pastor’s visit

6)     7% join because of a good church school

7)     1% join because of a revival; and

8)   65% join because they were invited by a friend or relative

     The above figures and percentages paralleled finding by the Alban Institute (Washington D. C.) when asked why “visitors” came to Church:

1)    2% saw an advertisement

2)    6% were invited by the Pastor

3)    6% were contacted by an organized group of the church; and

4)   86% were invited by a friend or family member

     Sixty-five percent of group number one and eighty-six percent of group number two come (and/or attend) because people of the Church WANT growth to happen!  Some people believe that simply serving on a committee that sets policy is the focus of exciting action.  However, those who actually ENGAGE in ministry and mission prefer promoting their church orally.    (Actually, word-of-mouth is still the best form of communication).   Think of the times when you spoke favorably about your best dining place.  You spoke of good food, attentive wait staff, and good price.  You also spoke to your friends about the “great” deal you got on a new car!   They gave you the right trade-in price for your old clunker, the salesman was low pressure, and they made arrangements for your financing at a reasonable percentage.

    We are more than willing to speak of favorable experiences in the balance of our lives—why not talk and/or promote our Church?   In the recent past, our Church has made mass-mailings, utilized marketing techniques, use of the Yellow Pages, newspaper ads, and weekly newsletters.  However, more than 60% of all first-time visitors come through the Church doors because of a personal invitation.  There is simply no substitute for your invitation to the F.R.A.N.s

     Frankly, over the past 50-60 years our Church has subtly “preached” that persons should respect the privacy of others.  And the people in our respective churches have welcomed this as an excuse to leave the inviting, recruiting and outreach to someone else.

   The BEST marketing approach to Church GROWTH continues to be a personal invitation.  If everyone in the Pew would invite and bring just ONE person, we would DOUBLE our endeavors.   I think the LORD would look favorably upon a Church group that intentionally decided to GROW in His name, don’t you?

     Come to Church and Sunday School, and bring a F.R.A.N., please.

See ya’ Sunday

     Pastor Larry

Staff Parish Committee and The Trustee Committee would like to announce  the hiring of Jeff Mills as our New Custodian. Jeff will be working Tuesday thru Friday 8:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.  and Nick Pinkerton will continue to be working as Jeff’s Assistant .

Can you believe it?   Already it is the year—2012!!  I’ll be 64 years old this year; married 39 years.  Wow, where has the time gone?   When I was younger, time moved sooo slooowwwly (like molasses in winter).   The second hand of the school clock barely moved!  Now, it seems that 10:00pm comes more rapidly than usual.

     Have you made your New Year’s Resolutions as yet?   One man said, “I am not going to break any more resolutions—-because I am not going to make any!!   Hey, that is one way out of the dilemma.

    I remember one year Faye and I bought a Membership to a local health club.  Without saying it, we were trying to “tone up” a few flabby areas of our bodies.   That lasted until Spring…….maybe.

    My resolution for 2012 to the Church of Jesus Christ is to invite and /or bring as many people to Plymouth 1^st Church as I can.  I would like to you to make the same commitment for 2012.  God will continue to set before us those unique opportunities whereby we are in the exact position to invite “others” to “COME and SEE” at 1^st Church.

     I continue to believe that Plymouth 1^st has a tremendous opportunity to share the WORD with our local community.  First Church sponsors Sunday School Classes for all ages, two Worship Events

each Sunday morning, a Sunday evening contemporary Service with a LIVE band (The Well @ 5:00PM), full adult Choir, good youth program (Pizza and ?????), open Communion (everyone welcomed and invited to participate), taped services for our Shut-Ins, an elevette for handicapping conditions, easy access, welcoming group, friendly atmosphere, lovely settings……..etc

    What we don’t have is: a full house on Sundays—-and we should have!   God depends upon our willingness and invitation(s) to bring “others” (Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, and Neighbors).

Our Church average is vacillating between 212-220 (2011), and a Church as large as ours, we should be seeing numbers between 275-300 each week.   “Not possible,” you say.  Well, let’s look at Christmas Eve and we counted 365 participants.  Granted, some folks were just visiting—but, they visited for a reason.

    My suggested number(s) for 2012 is obtainable and manageable, but it will take EFFORT on our part to see it through.   With the advent of the Vital Congregations Program (as accepted by the Church Council and the Charge Conference of October, 2011), each and every Member of this Church is asked to be conscious of inviting and bringing “new” disciples to the Church.

    Sounds simple, right?  Actually, it is.  “Making Disciples for the Transformation of the World” is the new mantra of the global (UM) Church, and both Matt and I are hoping you, too, will accept its spiritual meaning and obligation for the betterment of our Church.

     Sir Thomas Macaulay once wrote, “The measure of a person’s real character is what they would do if they would never be found out.”

    See ya’ Sunday

   Pastor Larry

Pastor Larry and Faye Marhanka invite you to attend an Open House at the Parsonage .

SATURDAY DECEMBER 3rd 2011 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.

 Parsonage located at 2001 Felix Place, Plymouth

 If you have anyquestions please contact the church office at 936-2943

Your Education/Youth Committee is chaired by Diane Laudeman and includes Robin Cupka, Sharon Balka, Matt Pickut, Barbie Pickut, Judy Goebel, LeeAnne Senter, Chris Cochern, Brittley Lewallen, Sarah Smith, Deb Jung, Andy Jackson, Stacy Jackson.

See you Sunday!

“…select for yourselves capable adults, trustworthy people, who despise dishonest gain, and appoint them as officers and officials—and have them serve…with you.”    (Exodus 19:21-ff)

     Our season of “selecting..capable of adults…” is here once again.   It is the responsibility and duty of the Nominations Committee to select and ask the “capable” persons to serve on the many, and varied boards and agencies of this Church.   There are some committees (Trustees, Nominations, and S/PRC) that have a limited serving date of three (3) years maximum.  The representative(s) to the Annual Conference is a four (4) year obligation.  The term of office for both of these committees are mandated by the Book of Discipline.  And there are some Churches which have passed three-year limiting offices via the Church Council for ALL offices and committees.

     It appears, as of today’s writing, the Nominations Committee will need to select a multitude of Officers for 2012-13 and 14.   Offices such as:  Delegates to the Annual Conference, Trustees, Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee, persons for the Finance Committee, Administrative Board, Education, Membership Secretary, and Nominations—to name a few. 

     Those persons on the Nominations Committee(the Pastor of  the Church ALWAYS chairs this committee), we will gather in the very near future and begin the process of replacing Offiers who will rotate off. 

    Should you be called, please give yourself a prayerful moment to answer.  Everyone’s first inclination is to say “NO”—utilizing the age-old reasons:  I’m too busy, lack of time, I have no experience—-believe me, I’ve heard them all!), when in fact, you are given a true opportunity to make a significant contribution to the future of your Church….AND, to honor our God by real, intentional service.

       None of us are overly experienced, nobody has the time, we are all too busy—-yet, God calls us for His service, to serve His people.

   See ya’ Sunday  (bring someone who knows how to say ‘yes”)

   Pastor Larry

Friends,

     I wanted you to know of an upcoming program for our Church.   The Council of Bishops has asked each UM Church to comply with a new approach for ministry.   The Council of Bishops is requiring each UM Church to predict a numerical increase for the following categories—

1)  Average Attendance; 2)  professions of faith; 3)  number of small groups; 4)  number of people engage in Mission; and 5)  amount of money given to Mission.

    Each pastor was asked to “back average” from 2008 through 2011 and then, predict what percentage of increase our Church produce for 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.  Each Church is asked to provide numerical evidence of growth by submitting a weekly report to the Conference.

     Our Church Council met on July 26^th and set the following numbers to the above categories.

Average Attendance:   for 2012 is set for 212, for 2013 is set for 223, for 2014 is set for 234 and 2015 is set for 245.  Professions of Faith:  for 2012 is set for 4; for 2013 is set for 9; for 2014 is 5; and 2015 is set for 10.  Number of Small Groups:  for 2012 is set for 15; for 2013 is set for 16; 2014 is set for 17; and 2015 is set for 18.  Number of People Engaged in Mission:   for 2012 is set for 15; for 2013 is set for 18; for 2014 is set for 21; and 2015 is set for 24.  Amount of Money Give to Mission: for 2012 is set for $2400;  for 2013 is set for $2600; for 2014 is set for $2800; and for 2015 is set for $3000.

      Each of these numbers and the proposed increase will be sent via email transmission to the Council of Bishops for referral and prayer.  And to allow compliance and accountability, each Church will be asked by their Cluster Group to report on their respective progress.  Each pastor will now have to report these figures and progress in our paperwork for the annual Charge Conference in the Fall.

     There are many good reasons for the Council of Bishops to ask each Church to comply with accountability and ensure growth.  For the first time since the 1968 merger with the former Evangelical Brethren Church we have suffered an average decline in average attendance, professions of faith, number of small groups, number of persons engaged in Mission and the amount of money given to Mission——until last year.  For the first time since 1968, our Church showed an INCREASE in average attendance!

     Of course, these categories will not be realized unless each and every person of our Church is willing to shoulder their portion of the responsibility to find legitimate reasons to HELP the local Church make these increases come true.  Each of us would prefer to see a “filled” Church each week.  We do desire to support our missionaries…..but it will take a concerted effort on all our parts.  

    As your senior pastor I would recommend your participation in helping our Church meet the Council averages, and your part to make our dreams come true!!

    See ya’ Sunday,

    Larry

Andy and Stacey Jackson are proud parents of a bouncing baby girl Lillian Grace.  She was brought into this world at

Monday April 18, 2011 @ 4:14 P.M. she weighed

7lbs 2 oz and she was 19 1/2 inches long.

Please enjoy our audio of the service 04/10/2011

2011-04-10 Service Audio Recording