Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
North Highland United Methodist Church
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Pastor Mark's Yearly Report 2010

North Highland is a faith community, which exists to make disciples for
Jesus Christ: We accept you as you are while encdouraging and
equipping you to become all God intends.
 
Grow One:  Vision of the Dakotas Conference
 
Viability of the Local Church - A viable congregation of The United Methodis Church in the Dakotas Conference makes disciples by intentionally and consistently doing these things:
  • Invites people to know Christ.
  • Includes people in the fellowshhip of the church.
  • Worships regularly.
  • Nurtures spiritual growth
  • Prays for one another and the world.
  • Prticipates in local and global mission.
  • Meets financial obligations.
  • Shares in the mision and ministry of the United Methodist Church including paying apportionments.
                                                                                                                                                                               Platform for Ministry adoped by
                                                                                                                         Special Session of the Dakotas Annual Conference November 2009
 
 
     North Highland United Methodist Church is a viable congregation
 
     At Charge Conference, 2009, I reported on the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church reorganizing to try to address the decrease in worship attendance for a number of years.  For the past couple years, North Highland UMC has bucked this trend.  Instread of showing a decreasing attendance, North Highland worship attendance and membershhip have shown an upward trend.
 
     This is in large part due to the people of North Highland embracng Jesus' commands to 1)Love God with everything you have 2) Love your neighor as yourself and 3) Go into the world and make disciples for Jesus Christ.
 
     I believe the Holy Spirit is alive and working at North Highland UMC.  I also believe that there is great potential through North Highland to support and encourage each other in our faith, while working beyond the church walls to allow God to work through this congregation.  There is a world beyond our walls needing to discover the love of Jesus Christ.
 
     North Highland is a mission-minded, diverse church.  Missions are directed globally, state-wide, and locally.  People at North Highland represent all walks of life.  Each person connected to this congregation brings gifts to the Body.  We are at our best when we pool our gifts and we let the Holy Spirit work through us.
 
     If each of our smaller groups will Grow by One over the next year, North Highland will grow and develop in a way that unleases the potential of the church, and that supports and strengthens God's ministries through North Highland.
                    What If:
                    Each Sunday School class grew by one member.
                    Each music group grew by one member.
                    Each small group grew by one member.
                    What if.....
 
     The people of North Highland United Methodist Church offer their energy and individdual gifts in ways that continue to build the Body of Christ.  There are so many who willingly and generously give of their time, talents, and resources in ministry at North Highland in front and behind the scenes.  The people of  North Highland bring strong gifts in helping to fulfill the mision of this church, and in helping to grow disciples for Jesus Christ.
 
     I continue to thank God, my family, the people across the parish, and the Cabinet for the  opportunity to serve North Highland United Methodist Church.  North Highland is a parish full of individual people who come together to be part of one Body of Christ, and to willingly offer their time, talents, and resources as hands for Jesus in the world.  It is a priviledge to be appointed to this congregation.
 
In ministry with you,
 
 
Mark E.
Pastor
 
     My contuing professional development plan is two fold.  First I continue to attend seminary to make progress toward receiving a Master of Divinity through Sioux Falls Seminary while completing the required on campus United Methodist courses  at St. Paul's Theological Seminary in Kansas City.  Second, I contue to develop and refine my own personal spiritual and devotional life to make sure that I continue to grow and develop in my faith as a follower of Jesus Christ.