About Us
"This has been an exciting year for the Office of Church Development as we continue to pursue the goal of starting 200 new United Methodist churches and missions by 2020. We have seen two of our new congregations chartered this year, becoming official United Methodist churches. The first was Mosaic UMC in the Augusta District. The second was The Highlands UMC in the Gainesville District. Other new congregations are approaching the time when they will charter.
"We have also started ten new ministries in 2006. Our prayer is that each of these will become chartered United Methodist churches in the future. Four of these are partnerships with other local congregations. Three are parachute drops. Three are missions to mainly ethnic groups that meet in existing churches. We are extremely grateful to those churches that have been able to partner with us to birth new ministries and to welcome the various immigrant groups in our area. We hope to continue the movement in that direction as more existing churches partner with us in this vital effort.
"The use of Natural Church Development is beginning to spread throughout our Annual Conference. We have trained 97 lay and clergy coaches to assist in this effort. This process allows a congregation to self assess its effectiveness in eight areas, then challenges the church to focus on strengthening itself in that area of ministry. Coaches are available through the Office of Church Development. Congregations of all sizes and ethnic/cultural make up can benefit from this process.
"In 2007 and in the years ahead, it will be important for the North Georgia Conference to continue the planting of new United Methodist churches. As the population shifts and new geographical areas are developed, new ministries will be needed to reach the ever-increasing number of unchurched and pre-Christian persons among us. Our prayer is that The Lord of the Harvest will continue to raise up the workers and the resources that will enable us to continue to pursue Christ’s Commission to 'make disciples of all the nations.'" (p. 51, 2007 North Georgia Conference Handbook)
E. Parks Davis, Executive Director
Board of Church Development