West Side Exploration Team Frequently Asked Questions What is the “West Side Exploration Team”? Over the years, many inside Cross Winds and the Minnesota Annual Conference have sensed a calling to establish a UMC Church beyond the west side of Maple Grove. That calling was affirmed as a prescription inside our “Missional Church Consultation Initiative” (MCCI) Report from February 2016, which stated, “The purpose is to evaluate opportunities on the west side for a possible satellite worshipping community, new church plant or other prospect.” Laura & Brent Cottington and Pastor Mike are co-leading this team. What have we already committed to up to this point? Our Congregation committed to our exploration by approving the MCCI Report in March 2016. Our Team and Church Leadership have committed to prayer and discernment of our exploration. To work with our assigned coach Cathy Townley and Ben Ingebretson, the Director of Church Development for the Minnesota Annual Conference. A $500 fee to participate in the “Multiply” program. The “Multiply” program is a nine session training module, that helps prepare for launching our church start to reach more disciples. Is this a “done deal”? No. We have permission to pause or stop our exploration at any time. We will continue to update church leadership and the congregation on our progress. Final decisions will be made through a Church Conference vote, so you will know when we have moved on or ended the process. Throughout using the “Multiply” process, things will change as we continually evaluate every step along the way. What is considered the “west side”? The “west side” is the growing area bordering the northwest metro, consisting of St. Michael, Albertville, Otsego and Hanover. This has been an area of growth like Maple Grove, and is anticipated to grow with expansions of entertainment and shopping west of Albertville. There is a need for more churches. Sociology models suggest 1 church per 1,000 people. o St. Michael - currently 6 churches for over 16,000 residents. The St. Michael population is forecast to grow to 31,000 in 2025, and 45,000 by 2040. o Albertville - currently 3 churches for over 7,000 residents o Hanover - currently 2 churches for over 3,000 residents
West Side Exploration Team - Frequently Asked Questions The Albertville/St. Michael/Otsego area is targeted for State and Federal Transportation studies due to growth expectations in northwest Wright County. Albertville; Otsego; St. Michael was 19,066 persons in year 2000 and is currently 37,000. The tri-cities anticipate their populations to grow by 90,000 persons by the year 2040. Over time we will narrow our definition of the “west side”. o
I thought our relationship with Hanover was our West Side Exploration? While the Hanover Zion United Methodist Church is in our west side exploration area, our role in joining a cooperative parish with the congregation was not to fulfill the west side exploration prescription. Our commitment through the cooperative parish relationship was to support this neighbor UMC congregation through the provision of Pastor Mike as their lead pastor and a commitment to arrange pulpit supply through Pastor Mike and other retired clergy and lay people. We have also supported other Hanover ministries such as Vacation Bible School and Parent’s Night out. Why should we plant a church? The mission of The United Methodist Church is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” (p. v, The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2008). We plant new churches to reach persons who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ or those who presently are outside the Church. New church development is a faithful response to God’s redemptive act in Christ Jesus and not primarily a strategy for denominational growth or survival. (from the General Board of Discipleship, United Methodist Church) II Timothy 2:2 “The things you have heard from me with many witnesses, these same things commit to faithful ones who will share with others also.” Paul to Timothy. Planting a new church is a pure way to address in the “E” of Evangelism in our core Cross Winds’ “NEWS” values. Cross Winds was started by people with this same vision, in 1992…and now we can “pay it forward”. What does planting a church look like? New churches are formed many ways. Best practices today, show that successful church plants have a relationship with a supportive parent church, which prays for and guides them. Have we done this before? Cross Winds itself was a successful new church launch in 1992, with the help of Brooklyn, Osseo and Brunswick members. Our MCCI report states, Cross Winds could use its “strength of experience and history of successfully launching a dream to launch or establish another one”. (from MCCI Report) Because of our DNA and who we are, we have the ability to bless and share Christ’s vision for His Church with another growing community.
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West Side Exploration Team - Frequently Asked Questions Will Cross Winds-Maple Grove “lose” members? We hope so. From the very beginning in Jerusalem, the purpose of the church was to send people out to help others find faith in Jesus Christ. Every healthy church will always be in the process of receiving newcomers and sending out others to spread the faith. We are glad Brooklyn, Osseo, and Brunswick UMC members left their congregations to plant Cross Winds almost 25 years ago. What is the timeline for adding a new site? Our coaches and best practices tell us to expect a 12-18-month process. The process includes permission for us to pause or stop at any time. Timing depends on community networking in our designated area. It is suggested to take a year to network in the community. By the end of the timeline, a “Launch Team” of 40-50 people, including Cross Winds leads committed to plant there, along with new community members ready to begin worship. How is the Minnesota Annual Conference supporting this? Planting a UMC church on the West Side is a Conference priority. We have begun a coaching process with Cathy Townley, a local coach, and will continue to receive support from our Director of Church Development-Ben Ingebretson, and our District Superintendent- Susan Nienaber. Church planting is supported through money raised through the Minnesota Annual Conference’s Reach –Renew – Rejoice campaign. Cross Winds is a tithe partner in this campaign and has pledged $54,000 from 2015-2019 ($21,000 remaining at December 31, 2016). In addition to our church planting work, our involvement in the MCCI Process was also underwritten by Reach-Renew-Rejoice. What is the cost? A budget is being developed along with a ministry plan for our exploration activities as well as what will be needed post launch. Beyond Conference support through “Reach-Renew-Rejoice Campaign” and our own fundraising activities, we will likely be looking at grant writing and seek support from other partnerships. Financial costs will ultimately include staffing, space rental, equipment, promotion, worship resources, and hospitality. Our biggest cost now is our time. We have been advised that Pastor Mike and Laura & Brent Cottington should expect to spend 3-5 hours per week on this initiative. Additional volunteer participants would spend 3-5 hours per month. How can we support or help? PRAY – Pray for the people on the west side that do not know Jesus or currently have a church home. Pray for God’s guidance for Cross Winds becoming a Multiplying congregation. Pray for guidance for our team. Pray about what your role may be.
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West Side Exploration Team - Frequently Asked Questions
SHARE – Share ideas and raise concerns and uncertainties. We want to know what is on your mind! PARTICIPATE – There will be two specific teams that will be formed: a Launch Team to begin our work in the west side and potentially be a part of a new site; and, a Lead Team to work inside Cross Winds Maple Grove to provide support to a new site.
Who do we talk to if we have questions? Pastor Mike or Laura & Brent Cottington Laura’s cell: 612-384-9842; email:
[email protected]
(Watch the website for changes, new questions or updated answers as our exploration continues.)
(Updated February 5, 2017)
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