Foothills Futures Plan

FOOTHILLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Foothills Futures Planning

Adopted by Church Council on January 20, 2009



The focus groups in the community that Foothills United Methodist Church will reach out to are people who need a church environment:

• That provides them the opportunity to experience freedom in Christ as they move to a greater depth in their relationship with Christ
• Where they are accepted and valued for who they are
• That affirms that they are already loved by God
• Where it is safe to ask questions
• Where all opinions listened to and valued
• That values active discipleship
• That provides a place they are with other seekers in order for them to continue their journey into discipleship.

The measurable results, during the next 18 months, of reaching out to this group will be 10 new families of one or more persons brought into the Foothills UMC faith community and become regular participants in worship. These are families that may have recently moved into the area or families that have lived in the area for years.

The “desired future for the congregation" 5 years from now:

• 120 “on the books” compared to 45 presently
• 120 present at Christmas and Easter
• Average worship attendance 60 to 75


To achieve these results, the Future Team identified the following as areas of focus and our recommendations:

1. Personal witnessing skills (and willingness) in order to talk one on one with individuals about faith and church.

2. Events that will connect with new people, events that have a purpose and that will give them a “taste” of the character and values of the Foothills Church. )

3. A clear Mission Statement of who we are will clearly name what new people can expect/find at Foothills UMC

In joyful response to God’s love, we center our lives in God, through Christ, to address the diverse spiritual needs of people of all ages, especially children, and to reach out and serve the community.

4. Marketing/advertising plans and what specific tools to use in order to let people in a broad, general way know about us.

5. Community service activities where we “touch” the people we want to reach and engaging in those activities in a way that also is a form of witnessing/advertising.

6. Ways to actively involve new people in ministries/service that honor their gifts and interests church directory

Elementary Sunday School Kids Live B.i.G.

Foothills Elementary Sunday School Kids live their Belief in God with Live B.i.G.

Using video, song, dance, activities, and monthly bible verses, our elementary Sunday School kids are getting to know Jesus and the Bible. This creative class keeps the kids moving, thinking, and building relationship with their teacher and each other. We welcome all 1st—5th graders, whether visiting or regular attenders, to join our class. We head out to the Sunday School room right after the Children’s Message.