This document summarizes the state of the United Methodist Church of Hartford from 2000-2007. It reports that over this period attendance and membership declined while income fluctuated, and deficits occurred some years. The church's vision is to be rooted in God's love and make disciples. It identifies three focus areas: church growth and vitality through improved marketing, signage and welcoming training; addressing facility issues like the facade and parking; and leadership development to address burnout and generational changes through training and mentoring. The church sees potential to partner with the nearby West End Community Center to further its growth and vitality goals.

1. State of the Church
2008
United Methodist Church of Hartford

2. Twin Engine Church
• Level of Participation (personal investment/
social capital)
• Level of Financial Viability (financial
investment/traditional capital)

3. Core Indicators
• Attendance
• Membership
• Income
• Giving
• Deficit/Surplus

4. Attendance
Attendance
110.0
102.5
95.0
87.5
80.0
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

5. Membership
Membership
260
235
210
185
160
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

6. Income Income
$250,000
$232,500
$215,000
$197,500
$180,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

7. Giving Giving
$190,000
$166,250
$142,500
$118,750
$95,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

8. Deficit/Surplus Deficit/Surplus
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$0
$-5,000
$-10,000
$-15,000
$-20,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

9. A Map for the Future
• Mission/Vision Driven
• Be Rooted in God’s love. Grow in grace.
Bear fruit of justice and peace.
• Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the
transformation of the world.

10. Three Areas of Focus
• Church Growth and Vitality
• Facilities
• Leadership Development

11. Church Growth/Vitality
• Getting the word out
• Advertising/Marketing
• Improved signage
• Becoming “welcoming”
• Welcoming training
• Connecting with the community

12. Church Growth/Vitality

13. Church Growth/Vitality

14. Church Growth/Vitality

15. Church Growth/Vitality

16. Church Growth/Vitality
West End Community Center

17. Church Growth/Vitality
West End Community Center

18. Facilities
• Excellent location
• Underutilized - room to grow
• 80% rule

19. Facilities
• Facade concerns
• Space that is unusable
• Parking needs

20. Leadership
Development
• Concern about burn-out
• Generational changes/shifts

21. Leadership
Development
• Our biggest asset/greatest resource: Our
people!
• Intentional leadership development
• Training
• Mentoring
• Diversity

22. State of the Church
2008
United Methodist Church of Hartford