May 31st Lott Re-vitalization Meeting

Lott Re-vitalization Meeting

District Office

Sunday, May 31, 2009 5:00 P.M.

Those in attendance: D.S. Rev. Joe Fort; Rev. Larry Roberman, Pastor; Rev. Judy Draper, CLM District Chairperson; Ruth Martin, Kathy Kothmann, Charlie Ray and Judy Hedderman all certified lay ministers; Eric Dehmer, Ronald Perry and Pat Baker, all candidates for certified lay-ministry.

Rev. Joe Fort called the meeting to order with prayer and an overview of his vision for the Lott Church Re-vitalization Project. He summarized by stating that he sees this project as a group effort of at least one year duration with the following time line: Summer 2009 mapping out plans, late August—early September restart worship every Sunday using lay ministers when Rev. Roberman cannot be present. Following 6 months developing a core group of families from the community and the last 6 months of the year, solidifying programming and concentrating on leadership training for the membership.

Rev. Fort sees the project starting with several key leaders from within the CLM’s; out-reach coordinator, worship coordinator, children/youth coordinator and adult ministry coordinator. In addition there will need to be a coordinator for the painting and landscaping of the Lott Church. Rev. Thomas Robbins from the Marlin church has expressed an interest in the Marlin church playing an active part in this project by providing help and leadership. It was also suggested that the Wesley Foundation at A&M be contacted about possible painting and landscaping work. We also discussed visiting with a few members of the Marlin and Cedar Springs church to get names of possible interested people to be invited to join the revitalization team early on in the planning that will take place this summer.

Ideas discussed for kicking off the project included: late summer Bible School for the community, work day with community involvement to paint and landscape the church, bulk mailing and possible door-to-door visitation to invite the community to join the revitalization project in any way they may like to participate with anticipation that some will join the church and become a part of the core leadership of the Lott church.

Rev. Fort emphasize the need for leadership development for the 2^nd 6 months of the project so that a hand-off goal for turning the church over to local leadership could occur between 12 and 18 months following the kick-off early this fall.

Rev. Fort said that the District could come up with limited funds for revitalization but that funds would be limited.

Several CLMs and Candidates expressed an interest in getting on board with the planning process. As a result, the group present decided that all who are able will meet at the Lott church by 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 14^th to get a tour of the church and visit with members concerning their vision for the project. Those who are able are invited to 9:30 worship followed by the monthly church business meeting and a covered dish dinner.

Rev. Fort will contact Rev. Thomas Robbins and ask him to invite interested people from the Marlin church to join our group on June 14^th and Rev. Larry Roberman will visit with the members of the Lott church about the formation of the revitalization group and our visit on June 14^th.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. with prayer by Rev. Roberman.

Rev. Judy Draper, recording secretary