Memo of Understanding between the Dover District Strategic Leadership Team and _________________ United Methodist Church of ______________, Delaware The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. 2016 Book of Discipline “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Jesus Christ - Matthew 28:19 THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT is to form a partnership of support and friendship between the members of the Dover District Strategic Leadership Team (DDSLT) with the pastor and congregation of ______________ UMC in order to promote the use of STRATEGIC PLANNING and FERVENT PRAYER so together we can be more effective in our obedience of the Great Commission. On average, these Strategic Planning partnerships take about one year to complete, but can be longer or shorter. One or two members of the DDSLT are assigned by the Rev. Dr. Kyung Hee Sa as Missional Strategists to work with the local church. Usually, the Missional Strategists visit the local church just a couple of times: once at the initial meeting, and again at the presentation of an Assessment summary. Other than those two visits, monthly contacts take place over the phone or online. The DDSLT members coach, resource, and guide. The pastor and church leaders do the bulk of the work, making their decisions with authenticity and relevance to their unique local contexts. The work of Strategic Planning never ends. Once the leaders of the local church get through the cycle once, they are encouraged to revisit each phase again annually, building on their skills and passing on their knowledge to new leaders. By accepting this partnership, the pastor and members of the local church agree to devote themselves to the tasks listed in this Memo of Understanding, including: 1) Forming a Local Strategic Leadership Team to consist of six to seven persons, one of whom is the Pastor. Look to include some who are discerners, strategic thinkers, effective communicators, mobilizers, and intercessors. Please note that it is not necessary to include all persons presently serving in elected leadership roles in your congregation. In fact, you will achieve more useful outcomes if you involve a high number of persons not committed to “official” roles and time commitments. Seek newer people to your church and community, with fresh perspectives and recent experiences in pursuing their faith journeys. 2) Forming a Prayer Team to consist of those willing to devote themselves to prayer for personal, congregational, and Dover District wide revival. Again, don’t hesitate to seek newer people to your church and community, with fresh perspectives and recent experiences in pursuing their faith journeys. 3) Commit as a church to attend Training Events offered by the DDSLT. 4) Commit as a church to support and attend the Revival Prayer Days sponsored by the Dover District. 5) Commit as a church to embrace a one year cycle of the Five Phases of Strategic Planning which includes: Assessment, Identification, Vision Development, Adjustment, Implementation and Feedback. Page 1 of 5

PHASE ONE - ASSESSMENT Definition: The Assessment Phase is designed to assist local church leaders to take a fairly full and honest self-portrait of their congregation in order to identify strengths, resources, and necessary adaptations for increasing strength and vitality. Send a copy of each Assessment document to the Missional Strategist as each task is completed. 1) EZRA Assemble, evaluate, and create appropriate graphs or charts for ten years of membership and financial information for your local Church. go to www.ezra.gcfa.org username is your GCFA Church No 2) PROGRAMS & PROJECTS Assemble and evaluate documents that describe the current programs and ministries of your church. Review this information as a Local SLT. 3) LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AND TENURE Assemble and evaluate documents that describe the current leadership of your church. Review this information as a Local SLT. 4) CHURCH HEALTH SURVEY This is the only aspect of the Strategic Planning process that will cost your church money. You can choose to use either Readiness 360 or xxxxxxx. Choose the one you want, and poll your congregation. Review the results as a Local SLT. go to www.ddslt.org click on - Resources by PHASE click on - 01 ASSESSMENT Resources download church health survey.pdf 5) MISSION INSITE This web site will show you how to obtain demographic information about the area your church is located in. This service has been purchased by the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference and is part of your Apportionment dollars being used to build up local churches. go to www.ddslt.org click on the link that says How to access Mission Insite 6) FACILITIES EVALUATION This is a self-guided walk through your church buildings and grounds. Consider inviting members of the Local SLT, Prayer Team, and the Board of Trustees to do this exercise together as a joint effort. go to www.ddslt.org click on - Resources by PHASE click on - 01 ASSESSMENT Resources download facilities evaluation.pdf Page 2 of 5

7) INTERVIEW YOUR MEMBERS AND LEADERS

This is a self-guided exercise.

go to www.ddslt.org click on - Resources by PHASE click on - 01 ASSESSMENT Resources download interviews.pdf

8) DRIVE THROUGH YOUR COMMUNITY This is a self-guided exercise. go to www.ddslt.org click on - Resources by PHASE click on - 01 ASSESSMENT Resources download drive through.pdf 9) SECRET SHOPPER Recruit a friend who is unknown to most of your people to attend your church one Sunday, and fill out a report. go to www.ddslt.org click on - Resources by PHASE click on - 01 ASSESSMENT Resources download secret shopper.pdf 10) BIBLICAL/SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT This is a self-guided Bible Study for the Local SLT and the Prayer Team to learn more about the Great Commission and the nature of the Church as the Body of Christ. go to www.ddslt.org click on - Resources by PHASE click on - 01 ASSESSMENT Resources download spiritual assessment.pdf

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PHASE TWO - IDENTIFICATION Definition: This is a process making sense out of all the data provided by the assessment and getting the big picture of what needs there are. Based on new information, the leaders of the church will want to keep some things that work well, change some things that need attention, let go of things that are not helpful, and begin new ministries they feel called to do. 1) The Missional Strategist will CREATE A REPORT using all the information collected in the Assessment Phase. The Local SLT will invite the Missional Strategist to visit them for a presentation of the report. 2) BE, KNOW, DO EXERCISE for the Local SLT go to www.ddslt.org click on - Resources by PHASE click on - 02 IDENTIFICATION Resources download BE KNOW DO exercise.pdf 3) The Local SLT will begin to SET APPROPRIATE GOALS for the congregation based upon what was learned from the Assessment and Identification activities. 4) The Local SLT will create a report, based on the information gathered from the Assessment Phase, including insights provided by the Missional Strategist, and concluding with goals for church. The Local SLT will then PRESENT THEIR REPORT TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL. 5) The Local SLT will invite the Church Council to help facilitate the same presentation of the REPORT TO THE CONGREGATION, either at a special Sunday morning worship service or at an evening church dinner devoted to that purpose.

PHASE THREE - VISION DEVELOPMENT Definition: As new information about the church becomes better appreciated by church members it will be appropriate to review and perhaps reformulate the Vision and Mission statements of the church. 1) REVIEW THE VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT OF YOUR CHURCH as a Local SLT. If necessary, rewrite them. 2) START PLANNING for new and revised programs based upon your vision and mission statements. Some existing programs may need to be retired. Some brand new programs may need to be created. Some existing programs may need to be revised. 3) BRING YOUR PLANS TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL for review and endorsement. 4) PRESENT YOUR NEW PLANS TO CHURCH CONFERENCE. Depending on the time of year and your progress, either wait for the regular Charge Conference in the fall, or ask the District Superintendent for a Special Charge Conference. Page 4 of 5

PHASE FOUR - ADJUSTMENT Definition: As changes are made, attention is paid to attitudes and results. 1) KEEP MEETING MONTHLY AS A LOCAL SLT. Follow the progress of the programs you have embraced and prayed for.

PHASE FIVE - IMPLEMENTATION AND FEEDBACK Definition: Your leadership has helped the church embrace a New Normal. Live into the new reality and stay open to improvements. 1) KEEP MEETING MONTHLY AS A LOCAL SLT. Listen to feedback and suggestions, and don’t be afraid to make changes if needed.

Memo of Understanding SIGNATURES _____________________________ United Methodist Church of ______________, Delaware ____________________________ Pastor ____________________ Date ____________________________ Member ____________________ Date ____________________________ Member ____________________ Date ____________________________ Member ____________________ Date

the Dover District Strategic Leadership Team under the leadership of the Dover District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Kyung Hee Sa

___________________________ Missional Strategist ___________ Date ___________________________ Missional Strategist ___________ Date

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