The 2017-2018 Ministry Plan - Amazon S3 · 2017-06-29 · Page 4, 2017-18 Ministry Plan Florence Christian Church is a part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US

2017-18 Ministry Plan, Page

The 2017-2018 Ministry Plan

Florence Christian Church

300 Main Street

Florence KY 41042

(859)647-5000 ext. 550

Page 2, 2017-18 Ministry Plan

Dear Church Family,

I am excited to present the 2017-2018 Florence Christian Church

Narrative Ministry Plan!

Really???? Yes, REALLY!

Stewardship campaigns are often regarded with a sense of dread and

anxiety in congregations. Why? I think there are two primary factors:

First, there’s a misunderstanding of stewardship as simply “raising mon-

ey for the church.” Stewardship isn’t about another bill to pay…it’s

about our lives as believers in the risen Christ, both individually and as a

community of faith.

Secondly, most of us don’t really get excited looking a numbers on a

spreadsheet; especially when they are categorized by dull words like

“Administration” and “Property.”

The Narrative Ministry Plan tells a story—our story of mission and vision

for the future. It highlights the ministries of Florence Christian Church in

such a way as to encourage you to see how your giving changes lives!

Our theme for 2017-2018 is “A Year of Wholeness.” What does it mean

to be whole persons? What does it mean to be whole as a church? We

considered this as we developed this year’s ministry plan. It consolidates

all the ministries of Florence Christian Church, including the Discover

Zone Preschool and Childcare Center. We hope you will see the impact

we are making through our whole ministry for Christ’s Kingdom in our

community!

May we be faithful,

Pastor Susan Diamond

Stewardship is…

all I do with all I have…

once I say, “Lord Jesus,

I believe.”

2017-18 Ministry Plan, Page 3

Celebrating God’s Welcome Table Through

Abundant Mission and Outreach Support

Since 1978, Florence Christian

Church has been serving chil-

dren and families in our area

through our weekday childcare/

preschool ministry known as

the Discover Zone. With our

afterschool program, the

Adventure Zone, we have liter-

ally touched thousands of fami-

lies with God’s love and excep-

tional care. Currently we host

150+ children from the Tri-

State every week of the year!

Our pastors and support staff

contribute a significant portion

of time and resources to this

ministry, along with our excel-

lent Discover Zone director

and staff. These re-

sources and the housing

of this ministry on our

campus, are just a few of

the ways that Florence

Christian Church is mak-

ing a forever difference

in the lives of families in

Northern Kentucky.

“Let the little children come to me

and do not stop them. For the

kingdom of God belongs to such

as these.” (Matthew 19:15)


Florence Christian Church is a part of the Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada. We partner with our

district, region and general ministries of our denomination in an

effort to reach beyond our local community as we support global

mission, social justice efforts, ministries to the poor and marginal-

ized, seeking reconciliation and wholeness through our witness.

In addition, we are involved in

community outreach partner-

ship through ministries like

Mary Rose Mission, Isaiah

House, Action Ministries,

Florence Christian’s School

Supply Drive, Angel Tree and

Turkey Supper.

Over all, our Ministry Plan

giving for Outreach and

Mission will be $807,264 or

61% of our overall Ministry

Plan!

“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.

Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:13)

OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

Christmas Offering

Easter Offering

Pentecost Offering

Thanksgiving Offering



Abundant Faith Formation and Worship

“To equip God’s people for works of service,

so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

(Ephesians 4:12)

Faith Formation is about helping

children, youth and adults to

grow in knowledge and love of

God as we learn how to incorpo-

rate faith into daily living. We

believe Faith Formation is a life-

long process. Through classes,

small groups meeting at church

and in homes, through intergen-

erational gatherings and more…

we create opportunities to bring

faith in God into real life.

New Traditions, Wired Worship, Kid’s Quest and Children Worship &

Wonder offer meaningful times to grow in love of God and each oth-

er for everyone every Sunday. Relevant preaching, lively and inspira-

tional singing, and gathering around the

Table of our Lord where EVERYONE is wel-

come is offered each time we gather for

worship.

These ministries of Faith Formation and

Worship make up 24% of our Ministry Plan.



Abundant Pastoral Care &

Membership Development

“For wherever two or three are gathered together in my name,

there I am among them.”

Matthew 18:20

As a congregation, we engage in a variety of acts of care for mem-

bers, friends, and our community. Births, dedications, baptisms,

weddings, illnesses, family struggles and conflict, and funerals are

all times when we, the church, respond to people’s pastoral needs.

Our pastors and elders visit the sick and homebound, bringing

communion, encouragement and prayer. Members of the Home

Touch and Pie Day Ministry visit our homebound each month with

treats, church information and gifts made by our children. Our

prayer team prays each week for those who have specific prayer

concerns. Our youth engage in loving mission to those who strug-

gle. Pastor Susan leads a weekly chapel

at Arcadia Senior Center as a way of

connecting with our members and

friends there.

Our pastors provide counseling and

guidance when appropriate. Hours are

spent by our pastors and staff for mem-

bers, friends and the community, cele-

brating life through weddings and fu-

nerals and new births. Hours are spent

by our ministers with individuals and

families, preparing for and during sur-

gery or illness, experiencing life transi-

tions when other stressful circumstances

occur. Milestones of life are recognized

and celebrated as well through our

presence and support. They also share

by having fun with our church family

and friends!


Our ministry offers the congregation opportunities for fellowship ac-

tivities that help connect members as friends as they live out their

faith as one body of Christ.

We do this through:

Coffee fellowship between worship services each week

Special events like church-wide dances, Trunk or Treat, Turkey

Supper and Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt

Small groups that meet at church and in homes

Community meals and conversations

Our ministry enables us

to enjoy fun, food and

fellowship in Christian

love!

The ministries of Pasto-

ral Care and Member-

ship Development Sup-

port make up 13% of

our Ministry Plan.


Abundant Evangelism, Information Technology

and Communications

“How can they call on him to save them

unless they believe in Him?

And how can they believe in him if they have never heard of him?

And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

(Romans 10:14)

There are many ways we are “spreading the word” about God’s amaz-

ing grace, love and acceptance at Florence Christian Church. We are

reaching folks through our weekly and monthly publications in print,

email and social media. This year, in an effort to improve communica-

tion, we are expanding our information technology to include Wi-Fi,


faster Internet, and a new phone

system.

But we are also spreading the

word literally…person to per-

son…through word of mouth.

We’re telling friends, co-workers

and family members about all

the ways God is doing great

things through Florence Chris-

tian. And for those who are try-

ing to grow in faithfulness in sharing faith, we’ve offered sermons and

courses that help us “Talk Faith.”

We’re growing…

Through Membership!

Through Service!

Through Discipleship!

The ministries of evangelism,

Information Technology and

Communications Support is

11% of our Ministry Plan


Abundant Facilities and Administration Support

“Like good stewards of the

manifold grace of God, serve

one another with whatever gift

each of you has received.”

(I Peter 4:10)

florencechristian.org


God has given us so much to be thankful for: our health, our fami-

lies, our material blessings to be sure. But the GREATEST gift we

have been given is faith in God’s abundant love, grace, acceptance

and salvation!

One of the means by which we recognize and develop that gift of

faith is the church. And while Florence Christian Church is not a

building, but a people…we have been given an amazing church fa-

cility out of which we worship, learn, grow, and do amazing mission.

Between our weekday childcare ministry, the Discover Zone and

Church ministry programs, Florence Christian Church has a $1.3

MILLION Ministry Plan. Part of that Ministry Plan ensures excellent

leadership and staff support, but

another significant portion of

our giving ensures the sustaina-

bility of our amazing “HOUSE”…

God’s house of worship, learn-

ing, fellowship and mission.

The ministries of Facilities and

Administration Support is 36%

of our total Ministry Plan.

Your giving provides the means to make all this happen!


All of this, and so much more…happens because of the faithful

gifts of each one of you. Thank you!

Thank you for being a ministry partner in the mission of

Florence Christian Church.

YOU are making a difference in God’s Kingdom!



There are many ways that follow-

ers of Jesus can make a difference

in the lives of those we touch

every day, demonstrating God’s

love and grace by our thoughts,

words and actions. Every Chris-

tian is called to the Way Christ

showed us and taught us to live.

One of the many ways we sup-

port the mission and ministry of

our congregation is through our

financial giving. Each year, we are

encouraged to offer a pledge of

support for the annual ministry

plan that is reflected through the

church budget. This enables us

to keep moving

forward to make

a difference in

our community.

Another opportunity that Florence

Christian Church is making availa-

ble to “make a difference forever”

is through our Permanent Fund, a

continuous stream of income for

mission and ministry in addition to

the regular tithes and offerings of

our congregation. Becoming a

“Legacy Builder” is as easy as

remembering the church in your

will or naming the church as a

beneficiary of a life insurance or

401K, along with other possibili-

ties.

If you are interested in learning

how you can become a Legacy

Builder, please be in touch with

Glenna Galbraith

(859-371-1643).

BUILDING A LEGACY...WHO ME?

Do you want your life to make a difference? Yes?

How about forever?

Documents

The 2017-2018 Ministry Plan - Amazon S3 · 2017-06-29 · Page 4, 2017-18 Ministry Plan Florence Christian Church is a part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US