Vital Church Project

In 2010 The Cabinet, Bishop, and other leaders of the Oregon-Idaho Conference began to focus on what was needed to bring health and vitality to the Churches of the Conference. Through study, dialog and planning a set of plans have been developed to move forward with the goal of increasing the health and vitality of existing churches and create new ministries and new churches to reach out to new populations.

The Vital Church Project is the specific ways we will focus of our Conference on the vitality of local congregations.

~ Healthy Vital Church Initiative

The Healthy Vital Church Initiative is an integrated process of Conference services designed to help existing congregations increase their health and vitality. It includes training, coaching, and consultations with local church leaders. Laity and clergy will participate together in a team approach that guides church leaders through the Congregational Leadership Development training program and optional church consultations, coaching and peer-mentoring. HVCI involves the church through self-study, town hall meetings and dialog as it determines the path the greater health and vitality.

 The  Healthy Vital Church Initiative is being managed by Rev. Steve Ross, Assistant to the Bishop for the Oregon Trail District. You can contact him if you have questions, thoughts or ideas at ross.stephen@gmail.com.

~ New Start Initiative

“I am about to do a new thing. Now it springs forth!” Isaiah 43:19

The New Start Initiative is an intentional Conference effort to plant and multiply new faith communities and churches. The New Start Initiative Team is here to be your trusted partner to help you discern your call and equip you and your congregation to do a new thing.

You can learn more on the New Start Initiative page or by contacting Beth Estock, Conference Director for New Faith Community Development at bethestock@yahoo.com.

~ Lifelong Learning Initiative (formerly known as Vitality "U")

The Lifelong Learning Initiative (LLI) provides a menu of experiential education opportunities that meet the needs of leaders throughout a lifetime of discipleship. By identifying and promoting training that supports vitality, and intentionally re- focusing existing events, the LLI provides Christian formation opportunities for people of all ages and skill development that supports healthy vital congregations.

Currently a team is looking at existing training programs to identify those that help individuals and congregations focus on vitality and will support the goals of the Vital Congregations Project. Rev. Lisa Jean Hoefner Executive Director of the Conference's Camp and Retreat Ministries is managing this effort. She can be reached at lisajean@umoi.org.

 

Health and Vitality Resources

Healthy, vital congregations are a focus across The United Methodist Church. The denomination has created a website of information at UMVitalCongregations.org. You can watch a video about healthy, vital congregations below.