The 31 churches that engaged in the Recalibrate 2017 cohort continued to report their progress as this magazine neared its printer deadline. Most of the churches had a “relaunch” in the fall.
Here are four reports from these churches:
- We had 88 people in attendance. Our weekly average is at 48. We had at least 12 first-time guests, and the others hadn’t been in a long time or only had come one to two times before.
- I compared the weekly attendance figures for the first six months of 2017 with those of 2016. We have had a 10 percent increase over last year, so this was encouraging news. I think good things are happening, and I attribute it to answered prayer. I know there’s a lot of work ahead.
- We have put up our new signage all over the place, and we are getting great feedback. Our youth space is open and being used, and our property is looking more attractive for new guests. These first eight weeks have been a great start to our recalibrated church. We have had at least 14 new guests, and we have baptized two (bringing our total to seven).
- Our attendance for the day was 151, which is double our average attendance the past two months. In addition to many who have been gone for some time and returned yesterday and those who were invited by personal invitation, we had several first-time guests who came as a result of our mailings, our Facebook video and yard signs. Three individuals made commitments to Christ during the worship service and nine people have signed up for our next membership class in three weeks.
One unexpected surprise: A church in Malawi Africa has been participating. Area Director Mike Reynen took the basics of the Recalibrate process to Malawi, and one church rose to the challenge and reported, “The Mulanje Boma Free Methodist had to do its Recalibration Relaunch on Nov. 5, 2017, and it was done. We praise God for He was with us. We tested His presence and power. More than 80 people were invited, and more than 30 received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. What remains is the follow-up. We thank God for His help and that He spoke to His people.”
For the 2018 cohort, we now have accepted 33 churches. This new cohort will meet to begin their process in Tampa in January. The pastors of these churches have already begun to receive their first set of books and will soon be assigned into their regional coaching groups.
Please continue to praise the Lord of the Harvest for these laborers!
Bishop David Roller leads the Recalibrate initiative for the Free Methodist Church – USA. He served for 17 years as a Free Methodist missionary in Mexico and then for 10 years as Latin America area director for Free Methodist World Missions. He was first elected a bishop in 2007.
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