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Apportionments Congregational Development Department

New congregations are the source of rapid church growth in most in­stances. The funds from the Congregational Development apportionment are given to new or emerging congregations. But the exciting and challeng­ing task of starting new congregations is only one part of the work of this department.

Another aspect of the responsibility ofthis body is to promote the growth and development of existing churches. There are several avenues used to accomplish this, and one is consultations with local church leaders. In these sessions, detailed demographic information about the ministry area is shared and growth potential is noted. Every local church in our conference can get a great deal of information by going to www.link2lead.com and, after registering there free of charge, enter the church zip code and receive a report on the basic demographic data of that area.

Next Step is another program that provides information and inspiration from conference leaders and leaders from across the connection in two-day workshops. It is designed to assist churches that are ready to take a "next step" in attendance, programming, outreach, missions and evangelism.

Congregational Development also works specifically with the Small Membership Church Commission and the Commission on the Black Church to encourage vitality and growth.

The committee on Hispanic Ministries pro­vides funds to eight United Methodist worshipping congregations in our conference. Another part of the committee's work is to provide services and information to Spanish-speaking persons in our midst.