Link to complete FG Fully Functional Site Document

Executive Summary

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

In 2005, a group of BUMC members and Pastor Mike attended a multi-church conference.  As a result, a BUMC vision was cast in 2005 that “We are called to go forward and make disciples by proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.  We will seek to meet the growing needs of our present congregation and respond to our missionary call by reproducing one church in multiple locations to bring more people to God.”  Shortly after, Flowing Grace was conceived and launched.  The evangelical and mission-focused people at Batavia raised $200,000 to launch the new worship site.   Prayers were offered and leaders sent forth to meet the new community expected to be built in Aurora.  Due to the economy, the homes remained as empty fields.  The mission field of 15,000 people was reduced to 4 as one home was built.  Not unlike the Israelites who desired the quick deliverance to the land of milk and honey, the planters and church base were eager for Flowing Grace to grow.  The economic conditions forced us to be, like the Israelites, patient to God’s timing.  The prayers, patience and wisdom of the Council and leadership of the church remained steadfast to God’s call, and we did not shut the doors.

Over the next four years, we saw small, incremental growth and even many growing pains.  Both campuses sought to understand what it was God intended for us.  Both campuses desired desperately to see greater growth.  But, in the midst, miracles were happening and indeed even in the barren fields of Aurora, people were meeting Christ for the first time, lives were being changed, and the community was being impacted.  Then God offered a gift.  Aurora Christian School was offered to Flowing Grace to worship in.  Since that move, we have seen dramatic growth and change.

As a part of revisiting the overall church vision, we are discerning God’s call to our Christian community for the next few years. In Phase 1, the next steps for Flowing Grace’s continued growth are being defined. We have the opportunity to transition Flowing Grace to a fully functional site model where the community increases significantly in programming autonomy while maintaining connectivity with Batavia United Methodist through Disciplinary governance.  It is in the spirit of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ that we put together this model to expand our church and make disciples. It also furthers our commitment to "Love God, Love Others, and Serve."  Under this proposed model, all BUMC sites remain united by a single vision and demonstrate to the community that BUMC is committed to continual growth.  In the new model, Flowing Grace’s financial giving and expenses will be managed separately with Flowing Grace responsible for balancing its annual budget.  Target date for the transition is currently September 2012 with some changes occurring before this date.  The transition plan includes Pastor Jeffry Bross moving to 100% time at Flowing Grace, but the timing for this transition item is still to be determined by the Staff Parish Committee.

You are encouraged to invest the time to understand the proposed new model for Flowing Grace.  Any questions or feedback can be directed to Pastor Stoner, Pastor Bross, any Church Council member, or any Flowing Grace Vision Team member.  In addition, communication and listening sessions are scheduled for both sites on October 23 and 30.  We rejoice in the good things God is doing in our community at Batavia United Methodist Church and we look forward to being called to do great things in His name.

~Dream Team, Church Council sub-group