Lost and Found

http://amzn.com/0805448780

 

This book has great statistics and research to back up their findings. Here's the application information that stood out to me. Young unchurched people value COMMUNITY, DEPTH, RESPONSIBILITY, and CONNECTION.  This means that a church who encourages young people to become part of the family, teaches them with depth, and shows through works that the church is responsible for taking care of others, might have what it takes to reach them. The book discusses our need as a society for a "third place." For many of us, our third place of connection, outside of work and home, is our church. These are things that PVUMC is already doing well. By intentionally making new places for new people, we can bring new people in to share in the experience. We can demonstrate that Christians care for one another and the world. They may be skeptical, but they are open to learning about Jesus.

I'm interested in your response. How might PVUMC play to its strengths? What ministries might we include that would more intentionally reach out to young, unchurched people?

Dreaming About Our Future Together

A team from PV spent Thursday evening and all day Friday learning together and being recharged at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection's Leadership Institute in Leawood, KS. Our learning focused around enriching lives, renewing the church, and transforming the world. By focusing on these, we began to picture the future of the church -- a church that would be relevant and active, in and for the world of the 21st century. This is a picture of hope! God is doing good things through the love and ministries of PVUMC. 

As we begin to intentionally plan to share His love with people who are not actively participating in a church family, what dreams for our future do you have? How might we ENRICH LIVES, RENEW HIS CHURCH, and TRANSFORM THE WORLD?