Team Vital, the newest phase of the Vital Congregations
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Mississippi's Team Vital collaborating with North Georgia's DCM, Mike Selleck at recent gathering in Chicago. Pictured left to right are Rev. Vickie White, Mike Selleck, Rev. Dr. Connie Shelton, Rev. Tim Thompson and Timothy Crisler.
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Initiative, includes eleven conferences of The United Methodist Church on a two-year journey of learning together, using unique and innovative strategies to grow more highly vital congregations. Team Vital is working collaboratively with the Council of Bishops to double the number of highly vital congregations over the next quadrennium.
The Council of Bishops has committed to leading the church to grow more vital congregations for the next 10 years. Bishop John Schol of the Greater New Jersey Conference was encouraged by the gathering and said, "Clearly these are conferences that are committed to moving the United Methodist mission forward by helping clergy and congregations to reach new generations of believers and engage disciples in community mission."
Team Vital leaders in Mississippi include Tim Crisler, Mississippi Conference lay leader; Rev. Vickie White, East Jackson District superintendent; Rev. Tim Thompson, assistant to the bishop and Rev. Dr. Connie Shelton, director of communications and connectional ministries.
The Vital Congregations Initiative grew out of the Call to Action Study in 2009, calling for growth of more highly vital congregations--congregations that have life changing stories, transformative mission and fruitfulness. Vital congregations come in all sizes, contexts and racial ethnic groups but what they have in common is consistent growth over time, engagement of their people in mission and small groups and generous giving.
For more information, please visit the Vital Congregations website:
www.umvitalcongregations.org.
Vital Congregations is an initiative of The United Methodist Church, supported by the Connectional Table and the Council of Bishops. Vital congregations are spirit-filled congregations welcoming all people; places where disciples of Jesus Christ are formed through the power of the Holy Spirit and communities actively engaged in ministries of justice and mercy. Vital Congregations encourages congregations and annual conferences to set specific and measurable goals for worship, evangelism, spiritual formation, mission and stewardship.
