Congregational Plan for Shiloh Network
I. Profile:
a. In narrative form, describe the unique context and traits of the church. Include information about the demographics of the congregation and ministries.
b. Give a brief history of the church’s practices in regards to vocation and calling.
II. Plan:
Your plan will describe the practices and/or programs the church will implement that nurture calling, qualify ministers, and connect with churches. Nurturing calling involves the ways congregants are invited to think about vocation. Practices in this area can range from sermon emphases about vocation to inviting specific young people to consider ministry and mentoring for candidates for ministry. Qualifying the called involves the training of ministers for ministry: partnerships with theological education, programs such as summer or academic year internships, or residency programs for seminary graduates. Connecting with other churches means the ways in which congregations come together to share in this work and, specifically, how your church will partner with existing structures in Baptist life and theological education.
A. Description: Give a brief description of how the church intends to nurture vocation and calling in the congregation and how the church intends to become a teaching congregation.
B. Goals: Indicate the results that the church envisions as effects of this plan, including the short-term and long-term goals.
C. Implementation Calendar: List and discuss briefly the activities to be undertaken, explaining how each will add up to the coherent endeavor to nurture a sense of calling within the congregation. Include in this description elements intended for the congregation.
D. Scope: Describe connections between the church and the local community, state agencies and other organizations, considering any points of connection to your church.
E. Key People: List the key people who will be responsible for the plan, both clergy and laity.
F. Evaluation: Explain how this plan will be carried out within the congregational leadership and strategic planning of the church.
G. Funding Sources: Describe any other resources of funding for this project (either procured or planned), including those internal to the church.
