Harvest United Methodist Church Phone 540.419.2038
Ministry Plan
New Church Plant – Harvest United Methodist Church
Updated last - Wednesday, April 2, 2009
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 People and Place ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Faces of Diversity ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Community Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Faith Preferences ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Purpose........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Document Review and Updating................................................................................................................................................................ 5 MISSION & VISION STATEMENTS .................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Vision ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Mission ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 CORE VALUES .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 GOALS .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 DISCIPLESHIP.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 KEYS TO SUCCESS............................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 PRESENT EXPANSION & BUILDING IMPROVEMENT ........................................................................................................................................ 6 PRESENT DATA ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 COMMUNITY .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 What does the community need (Based on data obtained from Percept Group, Ministry Match, zip code: 22406 & 22556)? ........... 7 MARKETING STRATEGIES ................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 MINISTRY SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Present Ministries ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 GOALS & OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 1 Year........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 3 Years (by end of 2011) ............................................................................................................................................................................. 9 5 Years (by end of 2013 ) ............................................................................................................................................................................ 9 APPENDIX A – CHURCH PLEX ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 APPENDIX B – FEASIBILITY STUDY............................................................................................................................................................... 12 APPENDIX C – AERIAL PHOTO ....................................................................................................................................................................... 13
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Executive Summary
Harvest (Hartwood Plant) United Methodist Church is a new church plant on the Ashland District. The 26 acre future site is located in Stafford County on Hartwood Road across from Hartwood Elementary School next to Hartwood Presbyterian Church and extends to Hartwood Church Road/Route 17.
People and Place
The current population in the Hartwood area (Zip Code 22406) was 11,574 in the 2000 census with a 28 % projected growth rate, more than five and half times that of the national average1. Twenty-nine percent of the population is seventeen years of age or less.2 Thirty-four percent fall between the ages of twenty-four and forty-four.3 This is a young community with the average age of thirty-four. The community is likely to see continued rapid growth with the projection of an increase in military and FBI job allocations, a new hospital, and commuters looking for local jobs. Site plans for Celebrate Virginia and numerous other subdivisions along Route 17, both commercial and residential, have been approved bringing increased opportunity for growth.
Faces of Diversity
There is limited diversity in the Hartwood area. The racial and ethic make up is eighty-five percent Anglo, ten percent African-American and three percent Hispanic.4 The average household income in 2000 was $65,000. The per capita income is $26,900 compared to the national average of $21,5875. This area is considered a high cost of living area with the average price for a home at $390,000 in 2006.6 The area has a strong educational community. Eighty-seven percent of adults have graduated from high school and twenty-seven percent have bachelor degrees or higher.7
Community Issues
The Percept report found the household concerns which are likely to exceed the national average include achieving a fulfilling marriage, parenting skills, finding spiritual teaching, finding life direction, aging parent care and finding a good church.8 We also note that this is a rural area where active farms still dot the landscape. Acreage limitations (3 acre/house) for development compounded by very limited public water and sewer utilities and narrow roads also present challenges for growth. Other concerns include a lack of good affordable day care, structured preschools and financial stewardship. The Percept report shows that overall community stress levels are lower in the target area than the national average. However, this doesn’t mean that stress is not a problem. To the contrary, stress from daily commuting, the high cost of housing due to demand exceeding supply and lack of affordable and adequate day care cause significant stress in many peoples’ lives. One report also states that the average number of people in households below poverty level is four percent, low as compared to the national average
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United States Census Bureau – Zip Code 22406, http://www.census.gov 2000 United States Census Bureau – Zip Code 22406, http://www.census.gov 2000 3 First View 2005 by Percept – Zip Code 22406, http://www.percept.info 4 United States Census Bureau – Zip Code 22406, http://www.census.gov 2000 5 United States Census Bureau – Zip Code 22406, http://www.census.gov 2000 6 The Freelance Star, Feb 27, 2006, 7 United States Census Bureau – Zip Code 22406, http://www.census.gov 2000 8 First View 2005 by Percept – Zip Code 22406, http://www.percept.info
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of fifteen percent. When evaluating this statistic one must take into account that due to the high cost of living families making considerably more than the poverty level are not considered to be making livable wages for this area. In fact a full seventeen percent of the more than 600 children attending Hartwood Elementary are receiving government subsidized or free meals.9 The 2000 US Census states that thirteen percent of Stafford county residents are “working poor” their incomes fall below the two hundred percent poverty level. Thus, many residents find the high cost of living contributing to community stress.
Faith Preferences
There are four main drivers to the “faith preferences” in the Hartwood area: Family, Conservatism, Time and Affluence. People move to Stafford to provide a good, clean, safe environment for their family. However, as the population increases, crime is also increasing. This population typically chooses churches based on the strength of their children and youth programs. Families want programs that engage their children and foster Christian values. Stafford County has limited facilities available that support children activities. This is particularly true in the western side of the county inclusive of the 22406 zip code. With limited activities, churches are looked upon to fill the gap. Filling this gap provides local churches with the opportunity to reach the next generation and the twenty-nine percent of residents that have no faith involvement. Stafford is traditionally one of the most politically conservative counties in the state. This can be attributed to the heavy emphasis on traditional core family values and strong military ties. The majority of the population in eastern Stafford County works directly or indirectly as contractors in support of the military and federal government. On the western side of the county, the population has similar values but is more typical of a rural area and less dependent upon the military and government for employment. The conservatism manifests itself in people’s expectations from a church. People primarily support mainstream churches (Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic) where the risk for surprise is low. Families are looking to pass their faith experience to their children and generally are not looking to re-invent the faith. They want to feel “up to date” a little contemporary is OK, but do not want to stray far from tradition. The Hartwood area has a moderate percentage of affluent households. When considering this statistic, due to a significantly higher cost of living compounded by high transportation costs and commuting time, families’ discretionary incomes vary greatly and may not fit the patterns of affluent households. Families with the monetary resources and personal time are more willing to spend/invest money for their ideals. Additionally, families are willing to invest and sacrifice time for their families and values.
Purpose:
Matthew 28:19-20 - Teaching Mark 16:14-20 - Preaching Luke 24:44-49 - Hermeneutic John 20:19-23 – Incarnation
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Interview with Hartwood Elementary Principal – Mrs Catherine Walker, 2006
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Document Review and Updating This document shall be reviewed and updated at a minimum quarterly.
Mission & Vision Statements Vision - We envision a church in which all work together to transform lives for Jesus by helping to meet the needs of families. Mission - Win, disciple and equip for Jesus.
We seek to be a community where all people come and experience reconciliation with self, others and God. We want to assist others to the life-changing knowledge that they matter to God and travel with them into a new relationship with Jesus and with the people of Jesus through Celebratory Worship and small groups.
Core Values
We hold a faith in the mystery of salvation in and through Jesus Christ. We believe that God's redemptive love is realized in human life by the activity of the Holy Spirit, both in personal experience and in community of believers. We understand ourselves to be part of Christ's universal church when by adoration, proclamation and service we become conformed to Christ. We recognize that the reign of God is both a present and future reality. We recognize the authority of Scripture in matters of faith, the confession that our justification as sinners is by grace through faith, and the sober realization that the church is in need of continual reformation and renewal. We emphasize a practical divinity and the implementation of genuine Christianity in the lives of believers. We believe we are to summon people to experience the justifying and sanctifying grace of God. We encourage people to grow in the knowledge and love of God through the personal and corporate discipline of the Christian life. We place an emphasis upon the Christian life where faith and love are put into practice.
Goals
Discovery - The new possibility that God offers in Jesus commonly begins for people with the profound discovery that we "matter to God." Experience - Experience a new relationship with God and with the People of God through corporate worship and small groups.
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New Life - New life is doing the will of God, a love for people and a freedom in Jesus. New Lifestyle - Jesus calls us to a lifestyle of service and ministry & witness and mission. As followers of Jesus, we discover our identity and we begin to become our true selves.
Discipleship
General Rule: to witness to Jesus Christ in the world, and to follow his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship and devotion, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Leitourgia (worship): Word & Sacrament Koinonia (fellowship): Covenant groups Diakonia (service): People taking up their ministry Didache (study): Christian education
Keys to Success
• • Invitational Getting the word out
Present Expansion & Building Improvement
• • • • • • • Feasibility Study (See Appendix) Soccer Field – temp field in place House Removal Area clean up Picnic Area Sign – Two: Hartwood Road & Hartwood Church Road, “Future Home” – Ready to install onsite Church Plex – (See Appendix)
Present Data
DATA Average Attend Launch Team (Adults Attend Consistent) MBES 42 RRES 56
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40
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Avg Family First Time Visit
<1
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Community
Current Population Projected 5 year Population Change Largest Lifestyles Group 15,823 30 % Middle American Families 29 % 33.8
Households with No Faith Involvement Average Age
What does the community need (Based on data obtained from Percept Group, Ministry Match, zip code: 22406 & 22556)?
22406 – (Preference: Very High & Above Average as compared to US Average) o o o o Bible Study Discussion/Prayer Groups Marriage Enrichment Opportunities Personal or Family Counseling Youth Social Programs
22556 – (Preference: Very High & Above Average as compared to US Average) o o o o o o Day Care Programs Marriage Enrichment Opportunities Family Activities and Outings Youth Social Programs Adult Theological Discussion Groups Personal or Family Counseling
Marketing Strategies
• Custom Labeled Water o o Hand out at local events Hand out at Soccer Games
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o o •
Give out to Road Workers Give to local businesses
Adopt a Class o o Adopted Physical Education Program at Hartwood Elementary School. Adopted Physical Education Program at Margaret Brent Elementary School
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Servant Evangelism
Ministry Summary
Present Ministries • • • • • • • • • • Adopt a Classroom Program Weekly Sunday Morning Worship Volunteer in local schools Harvest Praise Team – meeting weekly` 2 Home based Covenant Groups Kids Worship – Sundays during worship for K through 3rd (Avg Attend – 8) Nursery – Sundays during worship Youth Group – 3rd through 6th grades – Meets every other week (Avg Attend – 8) Youth Group – 6th through 12 grades – Meets every week (Avg Attend – 10) Men’s Covenant Group meeting twice monthly at Chick-fil-a (Avg Attend – 8)
Goals & Objectives 1 Year • • • • • Move weekly worship to Rocky Run Elementary School – Opening Worship Attendance of 75 (Completed with average attendance 50) Spring Event on Land VBF (Vacation Bible Fun) Start Men’s Covenant Group (Started one group) Start Women’s Covenant Group
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October Open House Month – Worship Attendance of 150 Feasibility Study - Exploring possible structure on land (See Appendix B)
3 Years (by end of 2011) • • • Worship structure on Hartwood Property (Temporary Structure Start Pre-School Sport Fields on Hartwood Property (Part of Church Plex)
5 Years (by end of 2013 ) • Church Plex (Appendix A)
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Appendix A – Church Plex
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Appendix B – Feasibility Study
Harvest United Methodist Church has decided to move forward on the Feasibility Study on property located in Hartwood, Virginia. This study is necessary in order to plan usage of property. Without this study there is no way to know if property can support any type of church building. Also, this property has sat for too long without being used to expand God’s Territory. It will also be beneficial in the long term to put property in use for Tax Exempt purposes. Below is the general plan to raise the necessary funds to complete this task. Study will not be commenced until enough funds to complete task has been raised. FEASIBILITY STUDY PLAN • • • Use $5000 of grant money as initial deposit to commence work on study Apply for $10,000 grant many from United States Soccer Foundation for use in soccer field planning Fund Raising for the remaining balance
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APPENDIX C