The Cutler Story:
“The Eleventh Hour”
Church Report
Pastor David A Arruda
A Brief Summary
The basic concept of “The Eleventh Hour” Church
“The Eleventh Hour” is a call from God, to step out of the boat and follow Jesus’ to take a church teetering on closing or in extreme decline and transform it in the name of Jesus Christ. The Eleventh Hour Church is not a program, is not a boxed system, it is not even a step by step practice; however it is bringing the simplest of terms and actions to action for the sake of our lord Jesus Christ.
I believe by following Christ and standing on our Wesleyan principles we can transform our faith communities, and we must try.
The Idea
Find a closing church in the New England Conference with a true passion to continue to be a living body of Christ and transform it. This passion only needs to be in a few of the folks in the congregation for transformation to take place. (“When two or more are gathered in My name “)
The Church
“The Eleventh Hour” church must be willing to do anything and everything to follow Jesus Christ. True transformation will come only when we (the church) are willing to put it all on the line for Jesus. “The Eleventh Hour” church must fully understand that major change will take place throughout the church.
This type of transformation may not be suited for every church, so care must be taken in choosing “The Eleventh Hour” church.
The Leadership
“The Eleventh Hour” leadership must be willing to work total outside of the box. Leading “The Eleventh Hour” church will require a form of leadership that is not usually found in our seminaries, and is far from traditional. The Eleventh Hour leader must have a “Burning Bush Experience” a passion to follow Christ, a strong personality, a very straightforward approach to problem solving, and second only to a passion for Christ, a Risk Taker. Note: Leadership is not just the Pastor but also key laity of the church. However the Pastor must be willing and able to release the control and power to the laity in their individual ministries.
The Plan
“The Eleventh Hour” Transformation plan is not set in stone, the overall plan is to stand firmly on the teachings of Christ and the example of the first century church found in Acts. For true transformation to occur, we must let God lead His Church. “The Eleventh Hour” plan can not be a cookie cutter plan; each church must have a unique plan. As a part of the body of Christ, “The Eleventh Hour” church must find its uniqueness and place in Christ’s body.
Other Thoughts
“The Eleventh Hour” Church will function under The Book of Discipline and be accountable to the District Superintendent.
Cutler United Methodist Church
Cutler, Maine
The church
The church as a whole felt they had little or no hope. They had little financial support or means. They were lost, forgotten by all, attendance was low, no outreach, unsure of the viability of the church. For most Christ was not a large part in their lives. There were a few strong faith filled people willing to do whatever it took to keep the church functioning. For most of the church “Faith was like out of season clothing, It had been stored away for awhile, they still had They just not wearing It. Some of the faithful people were looking to bring the church back to what it used to be, however this would not have been the body of Christ, suppers and church gatherings would be its Major focus. The church also thought that major effort, energy and resources should be used to bring back the folks “that left”. The church in general felt that the district and the conference had abandoned them. Their cries for help fell on deaf ears and only when they held back their money did the conference and district respond. Some strongly felt that the former pastor had been directed to slowly close the Cutler church, and was doing so under the direction of the district superintendent. Major conflict between small groups, individuals and the former Pastor in the church would be an understatement. The church was fragmented but with the few strong core members. A conference consultant had been called in to work with the church’s conflict issues and they’re view of themselves. A few of the members felt the consultant was helpful, but the majority felt it was a waste of time, effort and money. The majority also felt that the consultant was being guided by the former pastor.
The conference office had little accurate information about the Cutler church, other than its mission shares. Before July of 05, If you did a church search on the Conference Website for Cutler UMC, you would get “NO CHURCH FOUND”. The Northern Maine district database of churches did not have the Cutler church list. The little information about the Cutler church was incorporated into the information of the Jacksonville church.
I feel the district superintendent had originally been looking at the Cutler church based on reports from the former Pastor, which was in the middle of conflicts with a majority of the church, a conference consultant, and the District Congregational Development Committee. After spending some time with the people of the church, I believe she realized that this church could be turned around and its value in the community, district, and conference could be realized.
The conference consultant view of the church was poor. The description of the community and the church was not accurate. Based on the report given by the consultant, I believe she had a preconceived idea about the community and the church. I feel that this preconceived idea was based on information gathered by others and not viable “hands on” research of the community and the church. I also feel that the church consultant entered into relationship with the church not as a neutral observer and objective listener but had a bias one sided view. The church and community that I found on my first visit to Cutler was in most part, the opposite of the description of the consultants. To summarize this theory I would like to quote the final statement of her report, “They are not in position to support a halftime preacher or accept one that would bring in new members, new ideas and any changes “
In the July 30, 2005 meeting I found a group of extremely angry, lost, confused, hopeless people. But I would have to say that as the meeting started “anger” would have been the greatest emotion in the room. (I felt I should have worn of flak jacket. Not that the bullets were aimed at me, but I was in the crossfire) After sometime and a lot of venting, things in the meeting started to change it was quite obvious that the Holy Spirit was moving in that room. As the district superintendent started to unfold the plan for my appointment a number of objections were raised. Based on these objections it was quite obvious that the hopelessness, defeat and uncertainty were quite real to this group. But as the district superintendent stepped up to the plate with both spiritual and financial support of the appointment and my willingness to step out in the faith, was enough to show the church we cared. This was something that they hadn’t seen or felt in a very long time. By the end of the meeting all of the objections to my appointment had been matched or exceeded.
The Agreement
They would accept the pastor with the following stipulations.
The district would pay fuel, tolls, and travel expenses for the First six months for the new pastor
The church members and attendees would feed the pastor when he was in town from the first meal of the day he arrived till the last meal of the day he left for the weekend.
The church would try to secure long-term housing for the Pastor on the weekends. In the interim the pastor would stay in a camper on the property of one of the church members.
The pastor would travel up each weekend for no salary.
The church would pay fuel, tolls and travel expenses for the last five months of the pastor’s appointment.
The church would tithe its collection plate each week to a needy church in the district.
The Rules of Transformation
Follow Our Lord Jesus Christ
If Not Sure What to Do Next, Revert Back to Rule One
The Approach to Transformation
Straight up honesty with all the church, at all times, is paramount for true transformation. What I mean is that there should be no soft sells, no coddling, no babying, just how things are perceived, where they are, where they have to go and whom we are following. However there must be understanding, compassion, empathy, and love.
Repeat!
There must be understanding, compassion, empathy, and love.
From my first day in Cutler I set out some very simple guidelines for my time there.
We will follow Jesus, right out of the boat. He calls we follow, that simple.
We will be the Hands and Feet of Christ
We will not do things as they had been done in the past.
The church was theirs, not mine
Change would happen every week.
The church will reach out to the community
Nothing was set in stone; everything was to remain very fluid.
I would only get my hands dirty, if they got their hands dirty first. ( if they weren’t willing to do the work, then neither was I)
The process
The approach
I approached the Cutler church with a very open ear; I would listen very carefully to all concerned, thoughts, opinions, and their feelings. With this approach I was able to ascertain the true issues at the church. It also allowed me to create connection and trust with the people. I have been told by a number of the people at the Cutler Church, the best thing I did was “I took time to listen to what they had to say” and in turn when I spoke they listened.
Based on the concerns and needs of the church I structured Sunday mornings messages to connect the church to the Bible passages and most importantly, with our lord Jesus Christ. First message was on the woman that had been bleeding for years. I connected that story of how this woman had gone to Physicians and others to be cured, and how she had spent all her money and no one could help. And she had to reach out, step out and reach for Jesus. And when her faith touches Jesus faith she was healed. The church saw its self as the woman, tried to get help, spend money and nothing happened. Now The church was stepping out In faith, Reaching for Jesus and things were happening, they started the healing process.
The second Sunday the message was based on last chapter of John. We’re Peter and the other fishermen tried to go back to what they did before. But without Jesus they were unsuccessful. When Jesus came to them and they follow his instructions they caught fish. The church was like Peter and the other apostles trying to do what they did before, but without Jesus they would not be successful. I explained that this is how the church was, tried and tried to do things to be the church without Jesus. It is the main reason that they have weathered such a storm. The all things that they had tried and tried over again will not work we must be made a new by Jesus Christ.
For the next eight weeks we’ve looked at the book acts, we covered from Acts 1 to Stevens’s execution. The idea here was to look at the rapid growth of the first church in just a few months. It was to send an example of what they could do with Jesus at their side.
General notes
My goals for the Cutler church
Leave the church moving forward
Set in motions a vision and mission statement
A stronger laity base
Financially sound
At least six months of the past a salary saved up, however the ultimate goal would be one year of salary
Larger percentage of church tithing
100% of mission shares (06) paid before I leave.
Meeting rules
Pray before you speak.
Be ready to ask and answer hard questions
If you don’t want an answer to your question, don’t ask
If you do ask a question, be ready for an answer that may not be the one you like
Say what you feel
Keep praying.
“When I met the people of the Cutler United Methodist Church, they were struggling to keep the doors open. Now they are working to open their doors.”
Structure of Church
A church board structure was established to replace the over burdensome “Administration Council” and committee system. The Board Structure is set up to function as all the required committees and boards. The board is made up of 8-11 persons. Several board members facilitate the functions of the required areas.
11th Hour Church Structure
With an understanding of the current life of the 11th Hour church, three assumptions are made. First the church is small in attendance, and there are not enough people to cover all the positions on all the boards and committees, Second the church is in need of radical change, and Third there are persons that have held positions in the church for so long that they are holding back the church (what I call “the church terrorist). A Church Board will be created.
The church board will be made up of the pastor, eight to eleven lay persons (must be members in good standing, see membership requirements) one District representative. This will be the only board or committee the church will have. Board members will be responsible for the functions of the church. The Church board will meet each month to oversee the church functions and conduct all church business. Each board member will oversee a specific function of the church.
Such as;
1. Spiritual Life & Vision
2. Missions
3. Worship
4. Hospitality
5. Education
6. Church Personnel (paid & unpaid)
7. Finance
8. Buildings and Grounds
Example of the Church board:
1. Spiritual Life & Vision Pastor
2. Missions 2 Laypersons(1 local & 1 Global)
3. Worship 1 Layperson
4. Hospitality 1 Layperson
5. Education 1 Layperson
6. Church Personnel (paid & unpaid) 1 Layperson
7. Finance 1 Layperson & District representative
8. Buildings and Grounds 1 Layperson
The premise of this board structure is, each board member will be the contact for the area they oversee with the church body. As the board members only oversee these functions, they will lead others into the actual ministries of the church.
Example:
The Board member overseeing “Local Missions” would find a Lay Minister (layperson) to start an “Illness Support Ministry”. The board member will help train, mentor and represent that ministry to the board. The board members in no way are doing the work.
Leadership Requirements
The leaders must have the following attributes:
1. Passion for the work of Jesus
2. Strong Entrepreneurial Spirit
3. Vision Focused
4. Goal orientated
5. Hands OFF leadership style
Membership Requirements
All members will be required to attend an eight week membership class. This class is required for all to include transfers from other UM Churches.
After the eight week membership class each potential member must meet with the Membership Panel to insure they have a full understanding of what it means to be a member in the church.
(Membership Panel is overseen by a member of the board)
Each member must commit both in writing and verbally in public to these minimum requirements:
Devoting their lives to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savoir.
Living a life that reflects their devotion to Jesus
Be actively involved in a small/cell group.
Be actively involved in a ministry of their choosing.
Attend church regularly (more than twice a month)
Tithe faithfully to the church or at least have a plan to start tithing within 12 months.
If any or all of these requirements are not met within six months, membership will be lost. Attendance and ministry involvement would continue.
Summary of the Cutler UMC
Cutler UMC January –July 2005
• Average Attendance less the 12
• No Sunday School
• Weekly Collections less than $250.00
• Nearly $20,000. in debt
• Less then 10% of 2005 Mission Shares paid
• Borrowed $5,000 to keep the church open.
• Thinking of closing the church
August –December 2005
• Tithing each Sundays collections
• Average Attendance Over 32
• 18 Children in Sunday School
• Weekly Collections averaging over $300.00
• All debts Paid in FULL
• 79% of 2005 Mission Shares paid
• $5,000 Loan paid off.
• Over $3,000 donated for fuel
• Planning for the FUTURE
January – August 2006
• Average Attendance Over 38
• 18 Children in Sunday School
• Weekly Collections averaging over $850.00
• Debt FREE
• 100% of 2006 Mission Shares paid by June 06
• Started process to buy a Parsonage
• 7 Baptisms
