Starting new congregations engages the whole church in Jesus Christ's call to go forth into the world with God's word of welcome, hope, faith and discipleship. New churches bring vital energy and fresh ideas to our Congregations, Associations, Conferences and National Ministries. Vital existing congregations and new church development are both necessary and complementary. New churches develop from partnerships with strong existing congregations, they also begin with well trained coaches and intentional planting. Dynamic existing congregations find vitality and missional fulfillment in new church development through congregational multiplication. Together, through the vitality of existing congregations and the increase of new congregations, the witness and work of the whole church is built up and strengthened for the glory of God.
If we wish to see the extravagant welcome of Jesus and the still speaking witness of the United Church of Christ continue to grow we will work to increase our capacity for new church development. Now is the time to develop and welcome:
- 250 new congregations by 2011
- Over a 15 year period more than 1600 new congregations by 2021
Check here often for updates of new congregations since 2006.
(These congregations have either been planted, or gained standing, or affiliation since 2006)
This strategy aims at growing our number of new congregations to 3% of our total number of congregations each year.
250 new churches in the next five years,
Over 1600 new churches by 2021
Now is the time to develop new churches in the United Church of Christ. God's Spirit is creating a new day among us and opening up new possibilities. This moment comes with an urgency and immediacy calling for our response. Contributions to the New and Renewing Churches Endowment Fund increase our capacity to start and support new churches.
Christ calls us to go forth into the world with an affirmation that 'the harvest is ready'. Indeed, the public response to The Stillspeaking Initiative and to the actions of General Synod 25 has shown that the harvest is ready for increased new church development in the United Church of Christ.
Reaching the goals for your outreach ministries and your church
with Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder
November 15, 2008
Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church
4126 S. Arlington Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90008
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder serves as Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship and Senior Pastor, City of Refuge United Church of Christ. Bishop Flunder founded the City of Refuge UCC in 1991 in order to unite a gospel ministry with a social ministry. City of Refuge is a thriving inner-city congregation that celebrates the radically inclusive love of Jesus Christ. Preaching a message of action, the church has experienced steady numerical and spiritual growth and is now located in multiple structures in the South of Market area of San Francisco at 1025 Howard Street.
To fund this ministry to and with people living at the margins of San Francisco, Rev. Flunder has developed a powerful funding strategy that engages the congregation, the clients of Refuge Ministries, Inc., and partners with both government agencies and individuals that want to support the work of Refuge's social ministry. On November 15, Rev. Flunder and others will be coaching churches with similar ministries how to develop the funds for the work to which they are called. If your church is called to a ministry similar to City of Refuge United Church of Christ, you need to save this date, and plan to bring a team of your church leaders to this incredible opportunity.
Now is the time!
Coaching sign up
Group Photo Summer 2008
New Church Leadership Institute
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