Vision Summit

On Feb 3 we gathered together to seek God's guidance and find our path in serving God and building the Kingdom in Land O Lakes. This page is set up to spread the word and follow our progress.

In Proverbs 29:18, the writer states, “If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.” (The Message Bible Translation).

Traditionally, many know this verse quoted as, "Where there is no vision, the people perish;" (King James Version).  Either way it shows us something important:  God has revealed Himself to us in and through His Son, Jesus, and in doing so, has called all of us to accept Him as the Way; The Truth; and the Life.

For those of us in the church, 20/20 or better vision for seeing God is achieved in clearly discerning God's will. Earlier this month, 48 people from this church met for four hours on Saturday, February 2^nd to share the dreams and vision that God has placed on their hearts for First United Methodist Church. These individuals were broken into six groups to ensure every voice was heard and every idea identified. The consolidated results of these sessions were shared in one group setting followed by Communion; allowing those attending to better understand the single body connection to Jesus Christ and our future through Him.

Over the past month, the pastor, church leadership and the six facilitators from that Saturday have been reviewing the ideas, attempting to consolidated them (without eliminating any) into different categories, affording us the opportunity to act. The current list of ideas shared can be found on our website at www.lolumc.org/vision with printed copies located in the narthex or church office.

We should not however, consider this a closed or final list of ideas; rather that we want to continue adding new dreams and visions for ministries and programs. You can continue to provide your ideas via the website link above or submit them to any church leader, Peter or the church office.

As A Seed Becomes A Vision

God has planted a precious seed
Deep within our hearts
The seed of a future vision
That He wants to impart

As we are quietly being prepared
To fulfill that which He’s given
We must gently nurture the seed
Until the full grown vision

God then begins to open doors
Little by little as we are led
So each opportunity we have in Him
Is leading to what lies ahead

Then just at the time God chooses
We walk into what He has called
So we can be a blessing to others
Sharing the love of the Lord

© By M.S.Lowndes

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world. But now what? How do we (the church) turn these visions into actionable ministry and/or mission programs?

The Church Council and Peter have recommended that we establish two new groups linked in a common purpose to discern God’s will. The first group (Sowers) will focus on those ideas that we believe can be launched or implemented over the next six months. The second group (Lighthouse Keepers) will focus on those ideas that require long-term vision and planning for new ministries and/or missions.

A key condition in the commissioning of these groups will be to provide monthly updates back to the church family on the activities of both the Sowers and Lighthouse Keepers. This will allow everyone to stay informed of the ministry and/or mission plans being considered or implemented.

United Methodists have believed, from the beginning, that each of us is called to participate in the outreaching ministry of Jesus Christ. John Wesley described this work in simple, practical terms: "Do all the good you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can." Putting our faith into action is at the very heart of our Christian calling.

If you would like to volunteer to serve on the Sowers or Lighthouse Keepers, please let the church office know. It is our hope to launch these two groups within the next month, so that we can leverage the momentum from the February visioning summit. Please seek God’s guidance as you make this decision to serve, so that your full talents and gifts can be utilized for the glory of His Kingdom here in our community.

However, if you don’t felt lead by the Holy Spirit to serve as a member of either group; please know that we still need your full support. This can come in the form of prayer, that God will open our minds and hearts to His plans for our church and this community. Also, if you see a new ministry or mission is being launched or just a church beautification day being planned, please challenge yourself to jump in and participate.

Every person in the church should have the opportunity to serve and to live their calling more faithfully. If we keep our eyes on God and his will, we will not stumble or perish, but become stronger as we connect with the great community.

For those in the community along with the church, 20/20 or better vision for seeing God is achieved in our open interaction.  Our main goal for First United Methodist Church is to be a means of helping people connect to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. This begins by ensuring we have the right ministries programs, facilities and people available and engaged; especially as individuals search and inquire for the way to God, the truth of Christian faith and a life fulfilled through a relationship with God through Jesus. We accomplish this as a church by being the visible, physical entity to unite all people to God.

Please take time to consider how you can play a part in making a difference in God’s future for First United Methodist Church of Land O’Lakes and the community we serve.

Outreach Group Number

Young Families – classes, programs, financial planning,

small groups, social instruction 1,2,3,5,6

Single Parent groups – counseling, financial planning,

social instruction 1,2,3,5,6

Sunday School – more classes, organize with Sunday

Services, classes between services 1,2,5

Small Groups – Adults, Singles, Seniors 2,3

Children’s Ministry – expand 1,3,5

Shelter – start emergency shelter, Red Cross 2

Group to visit homebound and Veteran’s Home 5,6

Marketing 2,4

Music & Drama-more frequent concerts, recognize

and welcome new people 1,4

Church School – fill need in community for Christian

education 1,4

After school care 2,4

Drug and alcohol counseling 2

Health program 2

Moms Day out 3

Ministry Fair 4

House churches 6

Safety training 6

Software training 6

Churchwide Changes

Curb appeal – pave north parking lot, landscaping,

involve youth 1,2

Youth, Children & Adult Sports program – update

basketball courts 1,4

Wednesday Night Dinners, more classes and programs,

open to public, Small Group sponsors 2,3,4,6

Bus – use for mission trips, pick up homebound

and Veterans, kids & adults 2,5,6

Training for church leaders 1

Youth concerts 1

Purchase Lake Bambi for Mega Church 2

New youth center 2

Senior adult activities 2

Set goals for increasing membership 2

More volunteers and where to plug them in 2

More unity of church members-get involved 3,5

Bible study at different times & places, discipleship

studies 3

Christian Education Director 4

Family life center/multi-purpose center with bigger

Kitchen, gym, stage, meeting rooms 4

More spiritual growth options 5

Grow youth ministry 5

Pastoral Care ministry 5

Saving Souls ministry 5

Instruction – boys/men, girls/women, women mentors 6

Youth tutorial 4

Prayer ministry 5

Bloodmobile 6

Missions

Projects in community-minister to poor, immigrants,

Social issues 1,2,3,4,6

Women’s shelter-job training, dress for success 6

Handyman services 2,4,6

Food Ministry 4

Prison Ministry 1,2,4,5

Habitat for Humanity 4,5

CSS 1,2,5,6

Veterans & nursing home 2

Bilingual children 2

Mission trips – churchwide, neighborhood 2

Communication

Name Tags 5

More information in bulletin & newsletter 4,5

Email/verbal communication 2,4

Pamphlets with information about who to contact,

Sunday School and small groups, ongoing events 2

Identify details of needs of church family & community 1,5,6

Congregational life 2

TV in lobby before and after services with events

that are going on in church 6