There is fascinating and almost candid discussion between Carlton Coon, HMD director, and David Bernard, General Superintendent, in the latest HMD Live video webcast, August 10th.
http://www.homemissionsdivision.com/HMLive/
Coon speaks of internal research indicating only 3 out of 10 Home missionary works have been successful ... and those ministers who are "not effective" are leaving the fellowship in droves. (Me: Are they not effective because they can't get a plant started or have moved in a different ideological direction?)
The focus now, by the org, will be
daughter works which according to Coon are effective 7 out 10 times. A new org wide initiative called CP425 is being launched in which 425 churches a year will be planted in the next 5 years.
Also there is a recognition by both that 3rd, 4th and 5th generation UPCIers are leaving and the only way to deal with it is to reach new 1st generation converts and "grow our way out of it" ....
Coon further states that in those churches going a different direction it's the 1st generation members that find another UPCI church.
How effective is the identity campaign if it cannot survive cross-generationally? Retention would seem to be a dire need if this is the case.
They also speak of the economic cutbacks made at the WEC in the August 3rd webcast. Bernard declares that the org is healthy but there has been a "little hit" or "little bump" in which some have left who thought the org was too strict or not too strict.
Coon also feels that a new stress on "apologetics" is necessary. While Bernard feels more training is necessary but an experiential approach will reach this postmodern culture. Just bring them to an "apostolic service" then make the connection to biblical authority.
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