Mission Engagement Team Western North Carolina Conference THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Equipping the local church to be in the mission of God focusing on communication, resourcing, and collaboration WNCC UMC Office of Discipleship Ministry A STATEWIDE INITIATIVE WNCCUMC and NCCUMC Congregations for Children (C4C) is transforming the lives of children and families impacted by poverty through collaboration with public schools.
The he Issue ssue is s Poverty • Many would argue that child poverty is our largest crisis and greatest failure as a civilized nation. • Nearly one quarter of North Carolina children live below the poverty line; many ny more from low socio-economic homes. • Children impacted by poverty are often hidden, living in rural areas and concentrated in high poverty neighborhoods.
There is s a profound relati tion onsh ship betwee bet een p poverty a and i illiteracy. • Poverty can negatively affect a child's cognitive development and academic performance. • Over 40% of North Carolina’s children are not proficient readers by third grade. • 74% of 3rd graders who read poorly struggle in ninth grade. • Reading on grade level by the end of third grade is one the best predictors of high school graduation. • 85 percent of all juveniles who interface with the juvenile court system are functionally low literate. • 75% of prison inmates are high school dropouts.
K-3 Literac acy: y: Literac acy Is Direct ectly y Related to Scho hool Suc uccess
Where is s th the Pr Propheti tic V Voice o of the C Chur urch? ch? Who i o is s Resp sponsi sible f for Least st o of What t is Transformatio tional? ? Th These?
Models/Partner erships • One Church-One School Partnership • One School-Multiple Churches • Missional Networks Unite to Support High Priority School/Schools • Support of Reading/Mentoring Initiatives • Inclusive After-School • Inclusive Pre-School Programming • Inclusive Summer Programming
Develo eloping ping P Partner nerships F hips Focused sed on C Child P Poverty The Initiative is organic It is relationship-focused There is a written plan of action with goals and outcomes Community collaboration is key Collaboration within the church is equally important
System ems A s Approach System Sy ems Appr proac ach “Culture e ea eats s st strateg egy for brea eakfast st.” Peter Drucker Why aren’t things changing? • The system is designed to produce the • results we are getting Reality is shaped by daily habits and • interactions We cannot ‘Food Pantry’ Children out of Poverty
Aligning Res esou ources wi within the e Church
Beg egin wi with Pr Prayer FORM a prayer team within the community of faith. PRAY… – for direction in ministry, – for preparation of all who serve; their leadership, support, clear vision – for the school, children and families – WITH the congregation on Sundays ASK each Sunday School Class, Prayer Team, UMW, UMM Discerning, Contemplative Prayer! to put this on What does God say? their prayer list 12
Be sur ure of f the he call! Seek clarity from the Lord in regards to what school and how the church will respond. Be sure there is a c cor ore grou oup of of p peop ople committed to this call so it will continue and grow. Where and how is God calling the church to respond? Where is the church called to be the prophetic voice and response to child poverty? Where is the church called to transformational ministry wi with children and families impacted by poverty? Where is the Lord seeking transformation from within? Engage a diverse team committed to joining God in God’s mission.
Vision an and Drea eam! Our mission is to make disciples for the transformation of the world. How does transformation look? Plan with the end in mind. Seek truth though local data. What are your strengths? What challenges might take this off course? We serve with a Mighty God!
Alig ligning R Res esource ces wit within a and Building lding Partner nerships ships Focused sed on Transfor ormat ation on! Leaders Brigh Resource t s Spots Commun Instituti ity ons Members Service Provider s
Collaboration is Vital al Problems regarding child poverty are huge and cannot be solved by collecting items and sending things to children and people we do not know Nor is working in isolation successful Begin collaboration within the church. Making sure all groups are connected to the ministry Model this collaborative attitude in the school and community. Are other churches interested in collaborating in this initiative? Are businesses or service agencies willing to engage in the planning?
What at Par artner ners ar are e Need eeded? What partners are needed? What partners have been presented? Build relationships. Seek to understand their dreams, needs, goals. Take it slow. Keep it simple. Success comes at the speed of trust. Always keep the Lord’s vision and the children in the forefront. Shift as needed and stay firm as needed.
Seek Da Data Dri Driven Out Outcomes How do we know when transformation happens? What measurements have been put in place? How are we being changed? How is our church being changed? How is our community being changed? If participation in God’s mission is truly transformational- WE will be changed! Consider the disciples and the transformation of their lives.
Iden entify Need eeds, Res esources, an and d Develop a a Written Plan an Dream and vision! Developing a written plan may take multiple sessions to complete Establish a final, needs-based written plan for the school year Plans should focus on needs of students and resources of congregation Consider school committee and school board participation Listen – sometimes our great ideas do not fit needs Start small, intentional, with plans for expansion Under promise and over deliver! Consistency, with follow-up builds trust
Refle lection ion We learn from reflection on experience. This is where transformation takes place. Ask ourselves questions— What is transformational? How are we being intentional-over responsive? Where could we be more collaborative?
Kee eep the e mem embership p informed ed an and d the e par artne nership p bef efore e the e co cong ngreg egat ation Keep the congregation informed- from the pulpit, in the bulletin, newsletter, etc. VARY SPEAKERS! Present to every group, every year. Someone missed it last year! Prayer time, speakers, pulpit, inviting speakers from the school offer opportunities to make this part of worship Most volunteers will join because they were personally asked by name
Tips for succe ccess Start With a PRAYER Team In Place and Continue to PRAY START SMALL with Plans for Expansion Be a Resource in Reaching Outside Your Church for Support Stay Focused On Your Plan A COLLABORATIVE Attitude is Essential Educate the Membership! Keep The Partnership Before Your Congregation Have an Attitude of Gratitude!
Res esou ources Congregations4children.org Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Report NC Child - Formerly Action for Children NC Roadmap of Need - Public School Forum of NC NC Center for Afterschool Programs https://ncafterschool.org/
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