DISTRICT COMMITTEE FOR CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR TWENTY PERCENT FUNDS

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1 REVISED 2/9/2015 Date Received in District Office: For the May November funding cycle Deadlines are May 1 & Nov. 1 DISTRICT COMMITTEE FOR CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR TWENTY PERCENT FUNDS The purpose of the Columbia District Committee for Congregational Development is to empower local churches to fulfill their mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We seek to offer funding assistance to those congregations that offer visionary, concrete and measurable plans for growth in Christ in their churches and communities. As a partner with the Conference Committee on Congregational Development, we encourage congregations to be creative in their staffing, building usage, and plans for ministry with those beyond the church's walls. As such, our funding priorities are: New Ministries (65%), Capital Improvements (25%), and Leadership Development (10%). Our goal as a committee is to invest district funds in places of potential, planning and passion for the advancement of the Kingdom of God and the fulfillment of the Great Commission and Greatest Commandments. In order to help us discern and prioritize our resources, please tell us about your congregation and community as well as your church's mission and vision. Please show us how this proposal will equip your congregation to fulfill not only its mission locally, but will advance the Kingdom of God Please fill in all blanks on this application including all required signatures. Use whatever media you need to communicate your plan or any other needed information. Be sure to include the demographic data which is available from the Conference Office of Congregational Development at Name of Church District District Superintendent Pastor Pastor s Mailing Address City, State, Zip Telephone (H) (O)

2 I.TELL US ABOUT YOUR CONGREGATION Date Organized Present Membership Number of Households Average Worship Attendance for Last 6 Months Average attendance in Sunday School or other opportunities for Christian Education Does this church have a mission statement? If so, what is it? How are your facilities used to carry out your mission and/or Matthew 28:16-20? Church Budget Previous Four Years: Apportionments paid this year Apportionments budgeted for this year What percentage of the current budget is for staff compensation? for program/mission implementation for facility management/improvement Please furnish the following statistical information from the previous five years. Total Total Church School Apportionment Number Joined Year Members Attendance Attendance Percentage Paid. on prof. of faith What has the congregation done to connect with the surrounding community over the past five years? How effective have those efforts been? Has the church received grants or funding from the annual conference or the district in the past five years for congregational development or redevelopment?. If so, how have those funds impacted the church's mission and outreach? 2

3 II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1. Describe the project fully. Provide adequate information to support the proposed project. If attachments are included, give the essential details here. Attach floor plan if project is a building. 2. How can the District Committee equip your accountability and implementation? 3. If this funding request is approved, how will the project be evaluated during implementation? The committee would like to hear from you about how effective this project has been. Within one year, report to us about what did and did not work well and submit copies of your results. 4. Tell us specifically how your plan will equip your congregation to reach the community and impact the ministry of your church in effective ways. III. COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHICS (If applicable to the project) 1. Has the congregation conducted or received a demographic study of its community? Please attach all relevant materials including a demographic report, which is available by request from the Office of Congregational Development. 2. Does this demographic report support this proposal? 3. In your interviews of the people in the community and not members of your church, what have you learned about what outsiders think of your church? 4. What do those interviews tell you about what people will think of this proposed project? 3

4 IV. CONGREGATIONAL SUPPORT 1. Is there a commitment to growth by increased attendance and financial support and by program expansion? Please attach evidence to indicate such commitment. 2. In your listening sessions or conversations with church members beyond the leadership team, what are the questions and concerns raised? What are the hopes and dreams raised? 3. Total projected cost of project $ Cash on hand $ 4. Please answer a or b. a. Amount church will raise from its membership by project completion (if request is for building b. Amount church will raise over next 12 months (if for other than building). 5. How will this money be raised? 6. If this is a building project, is the congregation prepared for an increased budget for building support, maintenance, and staffing beyond the funds allocated for building completion? 7. Can the congregation accomplish this project on its own? 8. Can the congregation meet mortgage payments for a loan? How? 9. Other requests for funding, including sources and amounts. 4

5 V. CERTIFICATION OF APPROVAL ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL APPROVAL The Administrative Council of United Methodist Church requests a grant of $ for the above project. Date: Pastor Chair, Administrative Council DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT S APPROVAL Date: District Superintendent DISTRICT BOARD OF CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL This is an approved project of the Columbia District Chair, Columbia District Committee of Congregational Development 5