e-Note from Martin - Feb 28

Dear Church Family, This week's e-note will cover the following topics: SLI Update Lenten Opportunities The Methodist Way Important Question SLI Update: Many of you know that BUMC is working with a church consulting and coaching firm called Spiritual Leadership Incorporated (SLI). SLI has done extensive and impressive work with many UMC churches and institutions. A group of twelve members of our church, both staff and lay, are currently engaged in a year-long SLI experience. At heart, SLI is a process of team development. The SLI team spends its time "loving, learning, and leading." So far, we've spent most of our time on loving (building a strong team) and learning (about BUMC specifically and about church life in general). We are now beginning to move toward the "leading" stage. We are currently having conversation around core values, mission, and vision for BUMC. When we have a tentative document in place, it will be shared with the Church Council for input and revision. After our church leaders agree upon our values, mission, and vision statement, our SLI team will develop concrete strategies for achieving our vision. Once again, this will be shared with the

Church Council and other leaders for revisions and approval. The end product, called a "ministry action plan" (MAP), should be completed by the end of the year. But that is really just the beginning. Once this year-long process is completed, other teams in the church will engage in a similar process for their specific work area. Our hope is that every major ministry team in our church (children, youth, worship, hospitality, discipleship, missions and outreach, etc.) will eventually go through a similar process. And, as time moves forward, and the world and our church continually change, our ministry teams will regularly update their MAP (ministry action plan). So in a sense, the work of SLI will never end. I wish I could give you more specific details. But we are still early in the process, so there is nothing more to report at this time. However, as more concrete progress is made, we will openly share it with the congregation. This week our Communications Department plans to interview several SLI team members. We'll post that interview on the Web site as soon as it's ready, probably early next week.

Lenten Opportunities: This Lenten season would be a great time to join the prayer group that gathers every Tuesday morning in the sanctuary at 6:30. We also started several new Lenten grouplife opportunities. For information about these groups, please click here. Finally, the season of Lent would be a good time to join the congregation in our year-long "3:45" reading plan through the New Testament. For more information, click here.

The Methodist Way: Last week we completed a five week class on "The Methodist Way." In the first class, I shared why I became a United Methodist. In the weeks that followed we covered United Methodist worship, history, theology, and organization.

Bishop Pennel taught the last class on UMC organization. If you are interested in hearing any of these classes on podcast, you can access them on our Web site by clicking here.

Important Question: During one of "The Methodist Way" classes, someone asked me, "Are you happy being the senior pastor of BUMC?" Without hesitation I enthusiastically responded, "Yes, I am extremely happy to be the senior pastor of BUMC." I can't tell you how positive I'm feeling about our church and our future. It truly is a privilege and joy to be your pastor.

I hope to see you this weekend as we continue our series, "God Questions? Jesus' Answers to Seven Big Questions." This weekend we'll explore the question, "Where Is God?" Finally, it was good to receive the following ten new members: Sadie Bordas, Julian and Emily Gibbs, Jason and Zoey Campbell, Martha Hood, Jim, Melissa, Jake and Caylee Allen. Welcome to our church family.

In Christ’s Love and Service, Martin