On The Move: Toward the Future

At our 2008 Year-End Congregational meeting in December, the Business Applications Ministry (B.A.M.) Team presented the proposed new Ministry Plan for St. John’s MCC that the Strategic Planning Team has been working on since October. The responses and feedback from the presentation and about the plan for doing ministry in the future have been excellent. We are and continue to be excited and energized by what we believe is the next phase of ministry that God is calling us to step into! We want to share our excitement with you!

As we prepare to begin implementing the new plan, we want to ensure that you are informed about the five (5) major divisions that comprise the Ministry Plan, the areas of focus and responsibilities for each of the divisions and how you, as members, regular attenders and friends of St. John’s can participate and contribute to the impact, influence and effectiveness of each divisions.

It is our hope that as you read the introductions, you will prayerfully discern and consider ways in which you may be equipped and able to serve. We invite you all to join us on this new journey as we move toward the future!

Together, let’s embody and be the change
we want to see in the world!

Outreach Ministry Division

“To encounter others and enable them to encounter God”

The Outreach Ministry mission is to explore every avenue available to reach our community, along with those outside our community seeking to encounter God. Our main focus for the next few months will be birthing a new more interactive website in late February to coincide with St. John’s MCC 33rd Anniversary; re-establishing the Welcome Team in order that every visitor to St. John’s is treated as a special guest; re-formatting the Follow-Up Group to make sure that contact with new guests are done properly and timely; and to begin planning future community events including AIDS Walk / Ride and NC Pride. If you would like further information about any of these new opportunities or to if you would like to begin conversations about helping out with any of these, please contact Jason Long or David Ray.

Worship and Celebration Ministry Division

“We celebrate God presence and love through worship and communion.”

The Worship and Celebration Ministry Division is looking for individuals who are willing to serve one or more Sundays a month either during our Joyful Morning Worship or our Evening of Praise and Worship services in the following areas:

• Sound Board
• Creating and running PowerPoint presentation (worship music)
• Ushers (Offering and Communion Guides)
• Worship Service Setup
• Acolytes (hold elements during communion)
• Bible Carrier (AM)
• Candle Lighters (AM)
• Cross Carrier (AM)
• Musicians

Please contact Will Robinson or Val Webster, Directors of the Worship and Celebration Ministry Division, if you would like to volunteer. Training will be provided.

Fellowship Ministry Division

“Encouraging bonds of fellowship by linking lives together”

“I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery” Colossians 2:2,3 (The Message)

The Fellowship Ministry mission is to encourage spiritual growth by building healthy relationships within a safe environment through fellowship with one another. We feel that Fellowship is about bringing people together with their individual colors and hues weaving them in and through as God bonds us together with Love, making a tapestry flowing with beauty while inviting others to join.

This ministry embodies the following areas:

• LIFE Groups, (women’s or men’s ministry, singles, couples, etc...)
• Congregational Care
• Social outings
• Church sponsored events and sports

Over the next few weeks we will be focusing on a Covered Dish Dinner to celebrate St. John’s MCC 33rd Anniversary on March 1st. We will be birthing new LIFE Groups (Small Groups) to bring individuals together while providing safe outlets. We will have a time of fun, engaging with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We will be seeking the needs of the congregation while planning future events to build up our church and community.

If you have a passion for ministry and would like to be a part of the Fellowship Ministry Division or just be a part of a group, please contact us for further information about these exciting opportunities. Contact Scott Driver or Tara Marten.

Discipleship Ministry Division

“To equip God’s people with the training and tools to become Disciples for Christ”

The mission of the Discipleship Ministry is to provide an on-going curriculum of multi-level studies of Prayer, Worship, Biblical and Stewardship teachings for everyone interested in growing their faith and relationship with God.

Over the next six (6) months, we are looking for persons interested in becoming teachers, facilitators and mentors, as well as persons who would like to assist in creating a quarterly study curriculum around the above topics. Our hope is no matter your level of God love, self love or neighborly love … there is a place for you! We look forward to YOU joining our Team!

If you are interested in being a part of the Discipleship Ministry, please contact Shaun Harr, Heather Malobisky, or Sandra Whittington.

Each month, the Discipleship Ministry presents a short reflection related to the current ministry focus. We encourage you to read the reflection and then take an opportunity to share with us what you have done this month to Live OUT Loud as a living example of “Jesus with Skin On.” Check out the monthly reflections:

• January 2010
• February 2010
• March 2010
• April 2010
• May 2010
• June 2010
• July 2010

Also see: “St. John’s MCC Book of the Quarter”