pastor's message
February, 2022
Dear Friends,
Based on the research of 557 churches from 2004 to 2010, nine out of ten churches in the United States are declining or growing at a pace that is slower than that of their communities. (Thom S. Rainer, I Am a Church Member.) For the last twenty years, MUMC, Mequon United Methodist Church, has been consistent with this pattern. MUMC leadership was of one accord in deciding to employ professional consultations to provide the pastor, lay leadership, and congregation with the tools to guide the necessary changes brought about by our changing cultural and community context while protecting the unique values of MUMC. As an endeavoring effort to meet the undeniable need, MUMC has made a covenant to participate in a 3-year program called Transforming Church: A Visioning Roadmap in partnership with Leighton Ford Ministries & JH Consulting. The journey is designed to assist us in addressing our current challenges while leaning into our strengths. It is a process that will be a roadmap for the future that will increase our missional impact in our community. The survey taken last year is a part of the process for year one. One of other steps that needs to be done during the first year of the program is preparing a report entitled Discovery Report about MUMC and its community. The report will be available sometime in the month of February. So stay tuned! This report is a “map” that shows where we are and will help us understand the challenges that need to be overcome, and the opportunities and changes that should be embraced with boldness and confidence in God. Friends, it will take lots of discussions, prayers, and commitments to build strategies and implement them for MUMC to become a growing and vibrant church. So, I invite you to join me and our leadership in this journey by sharing your questions, dreams, faith, and commitments as proactive players and faithful disciples for Transforming Church: A Visioning Roadmap. May we joyfully obey the Holy Spirit leading us in this journey so that MUMC may become a “hill” to shine the light of Christ that brings life to many people.
In Christ,
Sue Lee
Dear Friends,
Based on the research of 557 churches from 2004 to 2010, nine out of ten churches in the United States are declining or growing at a pace that is slower than that of their communities. (Thom S. Rainer, I Am a Church Member.) For the last twenty years, MUMC, Mequon United Methodist Church, has been consistent with this pattern. MUMC leadership was of one accord in deciding to employ professional consultations to provide the pastor, lay leadership, and congregation with the tools to guide the necessary changes brought about by our changing cultural and community context while protecting the unique values of MUMC. As an endeavoring effort to meet the undeniable need, MUMC has made a covenant to participate in a 3-year program called Transforming Church: A Visioning Roadmap in partnership with Leighton Ford Ministries & JH Consulting. The journey is designed to assist us in addressing our current challenges while leaning into our strengths. It is a process that will be a roadmap for the future that will increase our missional impact in our community. The survey taken last year is a part of the process for year one. One of other steps that needs to be done during the first year of the program is preparing a report entitled Discovery Report about MUMC and its community. The report will be available sometime in the month of February. So stay tuned! This report is a “map” that shows where we are and will help us understand the challenges that need to be overcome, and the opportunities and changes that should be embraced with boldness and confidence in God. Friends, it will take lots of discussions, prayers, and commitments to build strategies and implement them for MUMC to become a growing and vibrant church. So, I invite you to join me and our leadership in this journey by sharing your questions, dreams, faith, and commitments as proactive players and faithful disciples for Transforming Church: A Visioning Roadmap. May we joyfully obey the Holy Spirit leading us in this journey so that MUMC may become a “hill” to shine the light of Christ that brings life to many people.
In Christ,
Sue Lee
