July 5, 2005

Numbers ARE Important! Two months ago, at our consultation with Brian McLaren, we were shown several graphs documenting a significant decline in worship attendance. Some of those present said, “Numbers are not important.” Numbers are important. Eight churches in Baltimore Presbytery are struggling because their numbers are so small. Two of them - Hughes Memorial and Lakeland - are making difficult decisions this summer about their future. Please pray for them. Numbers are important. Over the last 10 years, only one-third of PCUSA churches have grown in worship attendance. Try any one (or all five) of the following to grow attendance in your congregation’s worship. #1. PAY MORE THAN LIP SERVICE TO GROWTH Churches often say, "We want to grow," but they have no plan to grow. In new church development, we say that the hardest thing is to gather the first fifty people; the second hardest is to gather the second fifty. Church growth is very intentional and difficult work. But it’s worth the effort. #2. ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GROW SPIRITUALLY Churches don't grow in numbers if the people in the church aren't growing spiritually. And the people in the church can't grow spiritually unless the pastor and elders are growing spiritually. #3. LIVE INTO YOUR NEW VISION Churches say, "We've created a new vision for our future, but nothing has happened." Creating a new vision is not enough. Once the vision is created, only hard work and dedication and determination will make that new vision become a reality. #4. LEARN ABOUT GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES In five years, the "Builder" generation will represent only 1% of the general population, and the "Silent" generation will represent only 12%. In the church, however, these older generations represent significantly larger percentages, and we continue to operate according to their model. Churches need to learn about younger generations in order to offer what they are looking for in a style that attracts them. #5. BURY SOME OF THE OLD MINISTRIES Churches are doing the same ministries better and better, but with static or diminishing results. Many of those ministries are no longer what is needed. Some programs may need to die for something new to happen. …Because numbers really do matter. Bill Millen

Inside this issue Take Note/Act Now § HIGHLIGHTS § CPM Retreat § Sabbatical § Church Worship Renewal § America Supports You § Job Opportunities Online § Pulpit Supply List § Local Church Announcements Prayer Concerns § Bay Fellowship NCD

People Congratulations to Jan Trammell-Savin who began a new ministry as Protestant staff chaplain for LifeBridge at Sinai Hospital on July 1. Congratulations to Wayne and Vicki Boulton on the birth of their grandson Jonah Myer Boulton on June 30. Jonah’s parents, Matthew and Elizabeth Boulton, live in Boston, MA. Wayne Boulton will leave Roland Park PC on August 10 to serve as Interim minister at New Vernon PC in New Jersey. Welcome to George Antonakos, who has been called as Associate Pastor at Central PC effective July 1.

Prayer Concerns Bay Fellowship NCD asks for prayers: § That we may hear and respond to those whom God is calling into fellowship with Bay. § That we may perceive a vision of our call that is Spirit-inspired. § That we may invite everyone in this large area to join us (southern Anne Arundel County and all of Calvert County). § That we may have strength for the journey and joy for the process.	Take Note/Act Now Rev. Mary Louise Ellenberger highly recommends the latest issue of “HIGHLIGHTS”, an excellent collection of news and features published semi-annually by the PCUSA Worldwide Ministries Division. Go to www.pcusa.org/wmd/highlights.htm to download the Spring/Summer 2005 issue. In the Letter from the Director there is a great three-point goals list for local Presbyterian churches mission committees which could be useful to pastors orienting new mission leadership. Free printed copies are available thru PDS. Members of the Presbytery are invited to join candidates under care, as well as members of the CPM, at the Saturday portion of their annual retreat. The session will feature the Rev. Jill Hudson, former executive of Whitewater Valley Presbytery and author of the book, When Better Isn’t Enough: Evaluation Tools for the 21^st Century. The retreat is August 20, 8:30 – 3:00 at Dickey Memorial PC. Registration fee is $10.00 Contact LeAnn Hodges at 410-267-8705 or at LHFPC@annapolis-presbyterian.com by Friday, August 5. Thinking of a sabbatical - check out a sample sabbatical policy at http://baltimorepresbytery.org/comformspolicies.html, and grants offered by the Lilly Foundation at http://www.louisville-institute.org/. Interested in Church Worship Renewal - grants are available at http://webapps.calvin.edu/worship/grants/ “America Supports You,” is a Department of Defense program that highlights what thousands of Americans nationwide are doing to support our service members and their families. Help strengthen and sustain the moral of our Armed Forces at: AmericaSupportsYou.Mil Also on our website The Presbytery of Baltimore posts job opportunities: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/opportunitycalls.html The updated Pulpit Supply List is now available on the website: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/documents/PulpitSupplyList2005-2006_000.pdf Past Issues of Tidings are available at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/midweekmail.html Local Church Announcements / Presbytery Yearly Calendar
Contact Us Presbytery of Baltimore 5400 Loch Raven Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21239	Office: 410-433-2012 or 800-511-0087 Fax: 410-433-2066 Online: www.baltimorepresbytery.org Email: office@baltimorepresbytery.org
Peter Nord, Executive Presbyter pnord@baltimorepresbytery.org	Bill Millen, Associate Executive bmillen@baltimorepresbytery.org	Julie Helms, Administrative Associate jhelms@baltimorepresbytery.org
Charles Forbes, Stated Clerk cforbes@baltimorepresbytery.org	Terry Martin-Minnich, Education / Resourcing tmartinmin@baltimorepresbytery.org	Judi Forrester, Coordinator of Financial Services jforrester@baltimorepresbytery.org
Alice McGee, Coordinator of Information Services amcgee@baltimorepresbytery.org	Dot Sanchez, Coordinator of Communications dsanchez@baltimorepresbytery.org	Susan Wichmann, Public Policy Advocate Annapolis Office of Public Policy susanwichmann@comcast.net
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