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THE "SEND" MISSIONAL PLAN November 2011

The Alabama West Florida Conference is inviting every church and pastor to form teams and plan using the "SEND" model missional plan, as a guide. What is the SEND model? "SEND" is an acronym for SEEK, ENGAGE, NURTURE, and DEPLOY. This simple word helps us stay focused on our mission of "making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

SEEK comes from Matthew 6:33..."Seek ye first the Kingdom of God." Seeking is a beginning point of all that happens in "making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." We are to seek the hurting and lost. We are to seek new leaders who are eager to be new workers in the harvest that is plentiful in the Kingdom! (Matthew 9:37-38)

ENGAGE is about the context in which we are in mission for Jesus Christ. Large churches, small, rural, or suburbs all have a context. We are all called to follow Jesus in whatever context we find ourselves (Matthew 16:24). Every church can be "fruitful" in ministry. The fruit is not the same but every congregation can bear fruit. In all communities there are people as "sheep without a shepherd" and every church can identify ways to serve for Jesus.

NURTURE reminds us we must equip and deepen the discipleship of all the people in our church. Small groups are a great way to grow and help others grow as disciples. Every church can offer Bible studies, prayer teams, and covenant as John Wesley advocated to "watch over one another in love." As we participate in small groups we will have a better chance of abiding in Christ and being fruitful (John 15:5). Every church can abide and grow deeper in Christ.

DEPLOY is about sending people from our church building to our community. Our Bishop, Paul Leeland is challenging us to not only think about how many people are attending our churches but how many disciples are we sending out to serve our communities and world. Deploy is about moving beyond our church buildings for the transformation of the world. Our Lord does SEND us out in His name to the world (John 20:21).

I am excited about this SEND plan that is inspiring our conference to work together and form teams. In doing so we can better mobilize the United Methodist Church for mission. Is there anything more important than "making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?" May God bless our planning to be fruitful for the Kingdom.

Shalom,

Philip