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"Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations" Stimulates Growth and Excitement

Written: 4/30/2009

During Lent members and congregational leaders from six United Methodist churches in the northeast cluster of the Bowling Green District participated in a study of the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, by Bishop Robert Schnase. Seminar sessions were held each Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:15 at First UMC in Munfordville. In spite of bad weather and several school and civic conflicts, attendance at the seminars remained strong. Average attendance was 43. Additionally, comments during the breaks and following the seminars were overwhelmingly positive. Many people expressed appreciation that this was done as a cluster and that the cluster pastors were involved. 

Interest in the seminars was generated by bulletin and pulpit announcements in each of the cluster churches. Pre-seminar sales of Bishop Schnase’s original book also helped spark enthusiasm. On Shrove Tuesday a free pancake dinner was served by the United Methodist Men of First UMC and a brief introduction to the seminar series was held. Each family unit was urged at that time to purchase the daily devotional guide “Cultivating Fruitfulness” and to begin reading, praying, and using the daily meditations. Ed Montgomery, pastor at Wilkerson Temple and Dorsey’s Chapel UMC, commented that use of the devotional “Cultivating Fruitfulness” helped prepare a foundation for each week’s seminar lesson.

Each cluster pastor and Dr. Mike Powers, the District Superintendent, taught one of the practices, but all pastors were engaged in the class discussions and seminar sharing times. As Bishop Schnase suggests, the real value of the seminars is the growth, inspiration, transformation, and empowerment of our congregations to view these five common practices of the church in a different and more dynamic way. Rick Johnson, pastor of Mt. Beulah and First UMC in Munfordville, expressed his confidence when he said, “The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations program will continue to impact the churches and the congregations in a powerful way as each congregation continues to implement and explore the individual practices.” Connie Cissna, pastor of Horse Cave UMC, observed that the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations program compliments and supports Natural Church Development.

The leader’s manual and media kit for the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations has a wealth of additional information that helps engage the entire church.  Bulletin announcements, liturgy resources, and even sample sermons are provided. The individual workbooks that are available for each practice make it easy for a committee or study group to go into greater depth in that particular area. Donna Aros, pastor of Cave City and Highland UMC, praised the program for helping to refocus congregational priorities. “This is particularly important following what we have faced after the fire at Highland UMC,” she said.

Rick Johnson said, “The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations program is definitely a program that will challenge and re-energize congregations concerning their primary roles and ministries. Its greatest strength, however, lies in the ongoing and continual improvements that it will stimulate. Ideally, each of the “five practices” should be considered in greater depth by work groups and committees willing to study the church’s response in the individual practices. There is certainly enough material in the leader’s kit to do so, and I recommend spending 3-4 additional sessions (perhaps spread over several weeks or even months) on each practice.”

Richard Johnson, pastor, Munfordville First and Mt. Beulah UMC

This news story is related to:
Bowling Green district