Why is the United Methodist Church planting new faith communities?

The mission of the UMC is to make disciples for Jesus Christ and new faith communities will help the church reach persons in new ways. The new faith communities can assist existing congregations to expand ministries that reach persons in relevant ways through radical hospitality, passionate worship, faith-forming relationships, fervent prayer, diligent study of scripture and generosity. New faith communities help people come together to share the grace and love of Jesus Christ in creative new ways.

Who is missing from our existing faith communities? 

Persons who do not feel accepted and included for many reasons, broken families, people who do not feel they can be saved, children, youth, and young adults. Many are hurting privately and are reluctant to believe God can change their hurts by believing that Jesus Christ is “ready to forgive and love them.” Grace is offered to all including those who are missing from our households of faith.

When will the new faith community begin worship?

The new faith community takes time to build before it can launch as a worshipping community. The small groups will grow through biblical study, team developmental, and purposeful prayer to reach critical mass of persons gathering to support consistent worship. Worship is launched with an expectation of ongoing growth through continued invitation to keep guests coming to see what God is doing through this new faith community. Critical mass, which is the number of persons attending the preview worship services, is different for each new faith community, helps the church planter get a feel for the number of persons who will attend worship and future growth potential. The faith community begins worshipping when location, music, and critical mass are attained; it can take about 6-9 months contingent upon many factors.

What are small groups? How do they help get things moving forward?

Small groups are teams of persons who have common gifts and interests that can gather to help each other study the word of God, serve in common mission, fellowship and pray for one another. Small groups help move the body forward by connecting people together for the common good of service, study and making disciples for Jesus Christ.

How will persons join with the new faith community as it is being developed?

Persons will join these communities of faith through profession of their faith, baptism, and transfer. Although some persons who are invited to connect with this new faith community may be looking for greater maturity in the ministries, they will decide to join another UMC during this journey of development. It is our hope that all who come will pray and discern how their gifts will be used to build God’s kingdom here on earth. If they know this new faith community is for them, they are invited to connect with the portion of the launch team focused upon the gifts / area of interest. The teams have focuses for inviting, launching, prayer, worship, and outreach development.

What do these new communities need from existing churches?

Prayer, partnership, community, love and support are important to help these faith communities to grow. Existing churches have great wisdom but some have forgotten their beginnings. What a new church needs more than anything is positive prayer and loving encouragement. There should never be a spirit of competition but one of compassion for the persons who are saved by the love of Jesus Christ. Existing churches can serve as points of connection and prayer.

Who is sponsoring the initiative? How is the financial covering supported?

The people of Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church committed in November 2005 to implement a new model for ministry called Bound for Greater Things. Under the leadership of Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, the Texas Conference committed through prayer to launch 100 new faith communities in 10 years and transform existing faith communities. Announced in May 2007, 13 new faith communities will be launched throughout the conference. Ten of these communities will receive conference funds utilizing milestone management systems for accountability. These new faith communities are expected to launch throughout 2008.

If you are interested in a new faith community, how do you get involved?

Pray and discern what mission has been placed upon your heart; ask God how these gifts can be used in building a new faith community for Jesus Christ. Then search out the next informational meeting to help launch a faith community near you. Check this website out for meetings to help you get Geared UP at Gears Road – a new faith community starting at Gears Road in Houston, TX