Congregational Vitality
What is a vital congregation? Vital congregations are:
- Spirit-filled, forward-leaning communities of believers that welcome all people (Galatians 3:28).
- Places where disciples of Jesus Christ are made through the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20).
- Communities that serve like Christ through justice and mercy ministries (Micah 6:8, Luke 4:17-21).
Building Faith Communities
Email alison.huskey@arumc.org for more information.
Building Outreach Connections
Worship Resources
Commentary on the Lectionary
Mitigated Disaster Lenten Study
This study has been prepared by Bentonville First UMC.
- Mitigated Disaster Study Book
- Mitigated Disaster Devotional
- Music sheets for two new original songs:
- “It Ain’t Over” is meant for a more modern worship context. For this, there is a Lead Sheet, Rise Up Lyrics, and Rise Up A version.
- “O Cross of Shame and Glory” for a more traditional one.
- A sound file of “It Ain’t Over” performed by Weathered Son
- Graphic files for you to use for in-house promotion: square logo and round logo
Helpful Podcasts
- Talking John – Commentary on the Gospel of John, done by a layperson and a pastor, can be used for sermon work or as a Bible study.
- The Church Digital Podcast
- Get Your Spirit in Shape – UM Communications
- Pulpit Fiction Podcast
Resources for Church Renewal/Growth
- The Future of Multisite Churches
- The Unstuck Church Podcast
- Cooperative Parish Roles and Responsibilities
- An Overview of Conference Policies on Cooperative Parish Ministry
- Cooperative Parish Ministry
- Books by Dirk Elliot: Vital Mergers and Churches Adopting Churches
- Book: An Effective Approach to Cooperative Parishes: A Congregational Guide to Discernment and Implementation
- 10 Questions to Help You Spark Church Innovation
- Cooperative parish analysis for Triangle parish
Resources for a Starting Place
- Vital signs reports
- MissionInsite reports
- Revised budgets for all congregations
- Paragraph 206 of the Book of Discipline
Additional Resources
- Smaller Membership Church
- Christian Education
- Ministry for Adults
- Local Church Communication
- Leadership Development & Nominations
- Lay Leader/Lay Member to the Annual Conference
- Family Ministries
- Stewardship
- Evangelism
- Worship
- Ministries For Men
- Pastor Parish Relations
- Small Group Ministries
- Church Council
- Scouting Ministry In the Church