S.P.A.R.K.

Evangelism
Hermitage United Methodist Church

You might be familiar with a song in our United Methodist Hymnal entitled, “Pass It On.” 

 It only takes a spark to get a fire going,

And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.

That’s how it is with God’s love

Once you’ve experienced it;

You spread His love to everyone;

You want to pass it on.

            Our plan at Hermitage UMC for connecting with persons who are interested in understanding more about the ministries of our church and to better inform them of how they might plug into what is happening here at Hermitage UMC is defined by the acronym S.P.A.R.K. The name S.P.A.R.K. is based upon the opening line of the above song. Recognizing that it only takes a spark to get a fire going, we hope that this plan will be the spark that will ignite persons’ lives through the ministry and mission of our church.

             The letters of the acronym S.P.A.R.K. represent Seeking, Planting, Assimilating, Reflecting, and Kicking-off into mission.   Each of these aspects of Evangelism and Assimilation will have specific defining activities, as follows:

Seeking

            When persons visit the worship for the first time, they receive a mug with information about the church from Navigators who are available to answer questions and direct visitors to Sunday school classes, etc. Navigators are positioned in the welcome centers on Belinda Drive and at the Information Table at Andrew Jackson. “Starting Point” classes are held every other month on the 2^nd Sunday, at 2:00, in the afternoon. Pastors and staff share information about the United Methodist Church, and specifically about the ministries and opportunities available at Hermitage United Methodist Church. This is also an informal time of getting acquainted and responding to individual questions.

Planting

            As persons are ready to make a commitment of membership to Hermitage United Methodist Church they may do so by making a profession of faith, transferring from another United Methodist Church or transferring from another denomination. In the UMC we recognize the baptisms of other Christian denominations. The pastors will be pleased to guide persons in making their decisions of faith and commitment. An Invitation to Christian Discipleship is extended at the conclusion of each worship service. 

Assimilating

             A sponsor or sponsor couple is assigned to each new member or family as they join the church, who will maintain contact with the new member as they become assimilated into the life of the congregation. 

Reflecting

            New members will be encouraged to “Reflect Deeper” into God’s Word. Their sponsors will help direct them to various teaching opportunities, but they will specifically be invited to attend a nine-week study, “Doorways to Discipleship.” 

 Kicking-off

            At the conclusion of “Doorways to Discipleship” each new member will be invited to identify an area of mission or ministry through which they feel called and equipped to kick-off into service. There will be a time of responding to this call with short term and long term goals of commitment.