What is Discernment?

What are the Presbyteries doing?

How can I get started in my Presbytery?

How can I get started in my Church?

How do Goals of Presbytery, a Church & GA Relate?

The following is a list of those congregations who have expressed an active interest in TOUCH THE FUTURE, have begun the discernment process or have completed the discernment process. Included are updates for those congregations who have reported their progress in the last year.

The Year 2000
AL, Cherokee, Allsboro (Nov. 2000) VE–Scott Sealy
The Allsboro Church identified three priorities: to reach out to members not attending and new members, to serve the elderly in their community, and to provide more community events. They set up groups to oversee these priorities. From the goals they established and assigned the work. Since they did not already have committees, they organized groups to handle the work. They decided to ordain deacons and in doing so have ordained their first woman to office in their congregation. They began workshops and programs to train for evangelism. Since they have organized these groups, they have more of a structure and ownership in the ministry that they do. This fall, they voted for the deacons to oversee serving the elderly and they have established a planning committee to plan community events.

AR, Russellville, Russellville (Sept. 2000) VE–Norlan Scrudder

MI, St. Claire Shores, Faith (Dec. 2000) VE–Frankie Dickerson

MO, Warrensburg, Warrensburg (Fall 2000) VE–Renee Curtiss
The pastor of Warrensburg reported that he attended the TTF Regional Event in Marshall, MO, in July. At the August session meeting, he proposed that they pray about pursuing TTF for the church. They resonated with the three models of discernment. Two of his elders also attended the Regional Event in September at the White Oak Pond Church. The pastor was to recommend that they begin the process.

TN, Hohenwald, Hohenwald (Sept. 2000) VEs–Donna and Robert Heflin
During the fall of 2000, Robert and Donna began the discernment process with the church. They looked at its past history, what it is doing at present, and where they feel God leading them in the future. The Hohenwald Church completed a mission statement and an in depth spiritual gifts study as a result of this process.

TX, Denton, Denton (June 2000)

TX, Longview, Longview First (Aug. 2000)

TX, Lubbock, Lubbock (already in a discernment process before TTF) VE–Pat Driskell
Lubbock Church was already involved in a discernment process before Touch the Future was developed. The pastor was able to "plug" some things from the Touch the Future process into the remainder of their process after he attended the Vision Enabler Training Event in October 2000. The congregation then began a capital campaign process. The church concluded the capital funds campaign resulting in pledges to the Sam and Louise Estes Activities Center in the amount of $850,000. The building was completed and is a much used and appreciated part of the ministry. The congregation discerned that to build a facility for church use would be counterproductive if it led to a decrease in community outreach/missions giving. The congregation has built four Habitat for Humanity houses since the capital campaign. They also made a commitment to the children and youth to insure that all are able to attend church camps/CPYC/Triennium at no cost to themselves. Discernment continues through monthly leadership breakfasts, annual leadership retreats, and through focused prayer.

The Year 2001
AL, Alabaster, Elliottsville (Feb. 2001) VE–Margaret Russo

AL, Scottsboro, Scottsboro (Jan. 2001)
The pastor reports that the congregation is aware of the program. Although they have not yet involved the congregation in the process in a formal way, he has been using the principles with the session in an effort to lead us to think, pray, and decide about the congregation's life and mission, and their role as elders, in light of discerning the Spirit, the texts, the community/world, and where they see God at work. He says "In fact, I simply know no other way to try and lead a congregation."

TN, Chattanooga, Chattanooga First (Sept. 2001) VE–Tiffany McClung

TN, Clarksville, Clarksville (Nov. 2001) VE–Jeff Stovall

TN, Halls, Poplar Grove (Jan. 2001) VE–Fran Vickers
The church have now completed the process and the task force took the plan to the congregation on the first Sunday in July 2003, finalized it and began implementing it in September.In January 2004, the congregation has decided to begin the process again to fine-tune ministries that they have already begun. The Poplar Grove Church continues to be in the discernment process. This is now a way of doing church for them and no longer just a "process." They continue to discern once a month before session meetings and continue to feel God is calling them to ministry.

TN, Memphis, Colonial (Jan. 2001) VE–Carol Scrivener
In September 2003, a small group began another discernment process in relation to a probable relocation of the church. In May 2004, the group shared with the congregation God's leadings as they discerned them. They felt the broadening and branching out of their earlier vision. An emphasis was placed on small group meetings to nurture the congregation. "Crossroads," a new parking lot outreach ministry to youth in the neighborhood was envisioned. It was begun and a part-time youth director was hired to head this program and the youth program. A praise band has also begun. From this process, the session decided not to sell the church building and instead to remain at its present location.

TN, Milan, Milan (Sept. 2001) VE–Fran Vickers

TN, Murfreesboro, Murfreesboro (Feb. 2001)

TX, Marshall, Marshall (April 2001) VE–Rose Mary Magrill

The Year 2002
MO, Lebanon, White Oak Pond (May 2002)

MO, Marshall, Marshall (Jan. 2002)–Jo Ann and Rich Shugert

OK, Tulsa, Faith (October 2002) VE–Norlan Scrudder
Norlan Scrudder led the church in a discernment process in the summer of 2003. The church identified a critical need for additional classrooms and fellowship space to fulfill various ministries. They envisioned the building and began making plans for it. Once it is done, they will be able to renovate the current space for other needs. The church had a retreat in August. They are starting to build their building and are in that process at this time. Norlan Scrudder and Jeff Gehle wrotte an article about the Faith Church's process in the November 2004 TTF newsletter.

TN, Afton, Fairview (August 2002) VE –Don Hubbard, J. David Hester
The pastor reported that Fairview's task force began the process. There are seven members on the task force. The task force has begun to meet for Bible study and prayer, a review of the discernment handbooks and to discuss the process. They are moving ahead with a good task force.

TN, Brunswick, Brunswick (Jan. 2002) VE–Davis Gray, Elinor Brown

TN, Bulls Gap, Willoughby (July 2002) VE–Gwen Roddye

TN, Chattanooga, Red Bank (Jan. 2002) VE–Jean Richardson

TN, Chattanooga, Silverdale (Nov. 2002) VE–Jean Richardson

TN, Clarksville, Bethel (Feb. 2002) VE–Jeff Stovall

TN, Coalfield, Mt. Carmel (May 2002)

TN, Germantown, Germantown (August 2002) VE–Elinor Brown, Davis Gray
In January 2004, Germantown has completed their indepth Bible study and prayer time this fall. They took the responses from the study and mailed them to members as a way to prepare members for the ideas/dreams/visioning event held January 11, 2004. The task force clarified five goals for the church. A vision statement was written as for the first goal. Two more goals will be reported to the session in May of this year. The other two goals are still in the planning process.

TN, Greeneville, Cedar Hill (May 2002) VE–Gwen Roddye

TN, Greeneville, Gass Memorial (August 2002) VE –Jane Greene

TN, Greeneville, Greeneville (August 2002) VE –Jean Richardson
The Greeneville Church had just finished a discernment process when Touch the Future began. They planned to begin the process again at the beginning of this year.

TN, Greeneville, New Bethel (June 2002) VE (to be)–Jane Greene

TN, Humboldt, Humboldt (Jan. 2002) VE–Fran Vickers

TN, Jackson, Jackson First (Jan. 2002) VEs–Jerry Smith, Fran Vickers

TN, Kingston, Young's Chapel (Nov. 2002) VE–Jean Richardson

TN, Knoxville, Marietta (Nov. 2002) VE–Gwen Roddye
Marietta was to begin the discernment process in January 2005.

TN, Knoxville, Union (Nov. 2002)

TN, Knoxville, Virtue (May 2002) VE–Jean Richardson

TN, Lawrenceburg, Lawrenceburg (May 2002) VE–Jean Grimsley

TN, Lenior City, Lenior City (August 2002) VE–J. David Hester

TN, Limestone, Philadelphia (July 2002) VE–Don Hubbard

TN, Loudon, Loudon (Aug. 2002) VE–J. David Hester

TN, Madisonville, Corntassel (July 2002) VE–Jean Richardson

TN, Maryville, Clark's Grove (Aug. 2002) VE–Gwen Roddye

TN, Memphis, Highland Heights (Oct. 2002) VE–Fran Vickers
Fran reported that she spent two years meeting with the task force once a month. They were in a unique situation since they were looking at the possibility of whether they had a future. The pastor stated that the process for them was life-giving. Fran completed her work with them in January 2004. Fran was to set a meeting before January 2005 to see where they are and how they are continuing with the discernment process.

TN, Mohawk, Mohawk (June 2002) VE (to be)–Howard Shipley

TN, Morristown, Dover (August 2002) VE –Johnny Watson

TN, Nashville, Woodbine (Jan. 2002) VEs–Gene Gough, Carolyn Hoffman, Tommy Jobe, Jeff Stovall
The pastor reported that the discernment process has helped them regain focus although they are still searching for God's will. They are planning to do a church consultation. They hope the information gained from it will help them plan for the future.

TN, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge (Nov. 2002) VE–Jean Richardson

TN, Talbott, Talbott (2002) VE –Jane Greene

TX, Olney, Olney (Nov. 2002) VE–Marilyn Watson

The Year 2003
AR, Monticello, Rose Hill (March 2003)–Skip Shanley
Rose Hill appointed a Task Force in January 2004.The task force planned and held a congregational event in February. They focused on connecting the past, present and future of the church. They shared a meal, distributed their first ever pictorial directory and displayed items from their heritage. They also had a time of prayer, Bible study and brainstorming. The ideas that were gathered at the event were sent to the appropriate committees. Several of the committees have addressed some eleven exciting possibilities such as a Hispanic ministry, solving facilities problems, a radio ministry, Habitat for Humanity, using more lay leadership in worship, evangelism concerns and other new ministries. They are continuing the process.

AR, Palestine, Palestine (June 2003)–Denise Adams
The Palestine's task force set out several objectives and presented these to various committees and the session. The pastor left Palestine, so plans are on hold at the moment.

KY, Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville (Jan. 2003) VE–Gene Gough

KY, Madisonville, First (Mar. 2003)

LA, Metairie, Faith (Jan. 2003) VE–Geoff Knight

MS, Corinth, Shiloh (Sept. 2003) VE–Tiffany McClung

TN, Camden, Camden (Jan. 2003) VE–Fran Vickers, Mike Walker
The elders and task force members have been meeting regularly for prayer and Bible study and have invited all members of the church to join them. The Camden Church decided to expand their facilities as a part of their discernment process. They are now talking with an architect and have begun the process of beginning a capital campaign.

TN, Gleason, Gleason (Oct. 2003) VE–

TN, Lexington, Lexington First (Aug. 2003) VE–William Jones
The pastor reported that they have four goals that they are working on at this time: evangelism and proclamation, community outreach and involvement, being imitators of Christ in the community, and putting God central in the life of the church. They are in the clarification stage and are meeting twice a month.

TN, South Pittsburg, Richard City (June 2003) VE–Cliff Hudson
Cliff reported that the overwhelming result of the Richard City discernment process has been the expansion of the church's ministry to the immediate neighborhood. The church now has a ministry to elementary school children on Wednesday evenings and to middle and high school youth on Sunday afternoons. The ministry includes free meals, fun activities, and Bible study. The ministry continues to grow and evolve under the leadership of their new pastor.

TX, Bedford, St. Timothy (Oct. 2003) VE–John Godwin
Roger Ricketts reported that St. Timothy started their discernment process by using Rick Warren's Forty Days of Purpose in January of 2005. John Godwin planned to meet with them in March move from that process to a vision for the future of their church using TTF.

TX, Fort Worth, St. Mark (Oct. 2003) VE–Glenda Foreman
St. Mark began the process and have been meeting steadily. Their pastor Roosevelt Baugh attended the Vision Enabler Training Event in September 2004.

TX, Jefferson, Jefferson (Sept. 2003)

The Year 2004
AL, Ashville, Oldham Chapel (Oct. 2004)–Mike Wilkinson
Mike made a presentation to the Oldham Chapel Church. He reported that they have not yet done any follow up to the initial meeting.

AL, Gadsden, Gadsden (Sept. 2004)–Aaron McMillan
The Gadsden congregation began the discernment process in September after a presentation to the session. In November, they held their first of three meetings to report the team's progress to the congregation. They have adapted the program to allow for an intensive inventory of the church's past, facilities, motives, culture and ministries. They have divided the process into three sections. The first focused upon the intangibles: history, vision, motives, demographics, etc. The second will look at the structures of their ministry: facilities and ministries. The third and longest will consist of the Touch the Future discernment process.

AL, Hueytown, First (Oct. 2004)–Mike Wilkinson
Mike reported that he is presently working with the First Church, Hueytown. He had his second meeting with them in November.

AR, Batesville, Faith-Hopewell (Apr. 2004)–Gaye Wood
Gaye made a presentation to the session of the Faith-Hopewell Church. She reported that the session is going to implement the discernment process. Since they are experiencing growth at this time, there were several things that they needed to complete before going into the discernment process.

AR, Batesville, New Hope (Jan. 2004)–Brent Ballow
Brent spoke with the session at New Hope Church and that they were interested in knowing more about Touch the Future. He suggested that Gaye meet with the sessions of New Hope and Barren Fork. Gaye made a presentation and they decided to begin the discernment process and see where the Holy Spirit may be leading them. Brent, their pastor, then attended the Vision Enabler Training Event in July. The task force is continuing to meet each month. They have recommended to the session that the church establish a CPWM. The session agreed to this and they are starting to organize. The task force is also starting a "Read the Bible through in a Year" project, supplying a method to the congregation in which they can read the entire Bible in a year. The task force has started a choir or singing group for special music. And finally, the task force is investigating the possibility of some type of newsletter for the church. Brent wrote about New Hope in the November 2004 TTF newsletter.

AR, Calico Rock, Calico Rock (Feb. 2004)–Gaye Wood
Gaye made a presentation to the session of the Calico Rock Church. The session voted to begin the discernment process. They named their task force and have been going through the "ideas, dreams, visions" stage for several months. In November, they were to start the "clarifying" stage. God is leading them to a ministry of the unchurched in the Calico Rock area. The members are excited about starting to reach out to their nearest neighbors. Many visions have been received and a lot of them have already been implemented or have been referred to one of their church committees.

AR, Dolph, Trimble Camp Ground (Sept. 2004)–Gaye Wood
Gaye made a presentation to the session and congregation of the Trimble Camp Ground Church. They recently lost their pastor and were interested in doing the Touch the Future discernment process. She reported that they were very receptive and feel that the discernment process would help the congregation as they seek pastoral leadership.

AR, Grapevine, Pine Ridge (Aug. 2004)–Lisa Scott
Lisa made a presentation to the Pine Ridge Church. Pine Ridge agreed to begin the discernment process in 2005, but we do not yet know a specific starting date.

AR, Hampton, Camp Ground (Oct. 2004)–Gaye Wood
Gaye made a presentation to the congregation of the Camp Ground Church on October 22nd. All interested church members were invited to the presentation to introduce the discernment process. There was good attendance and there appeared to be interest in the process. The CPWM was considering acting as the task force for the congregation. They were going to let Gaye know after they had an opportunity to discuss it.

AR, Mt. Pleasant, Barren Fork (Jan. 2004)–Brent Ballow
Brent spoke with the session at Barren Fork Church and they were interested in knowing more about Touch the Future. Gaye made a presentation to the Barren Fork session. They decided to begin the discernment process and see where the Holy Spirit may be leading them. They have set up their task force were planning to get started in April 2004. Barren Fork is doing an extensive Bible study on Exodus before they proceed any further. Roger Ricketts met with Gaye and their session and he gave the message on Sunday evening.

AR, Mountain Home, Fellowship (Feb. 2004)–Gaye Wood
Gaye made a presentation to the session of the Calico Rock Church. She reported that the session voted to begin the discernment process. At present they are working on naming the task force.

AR, Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff First (Aug. 2004)–Lisa Scott

AR, Pine Bluff, Shell Chapel (Aug. 2004)–Lisa Scott
Lisa made a presentation to the Shell Chapel Church. They will begin the discernment process in 2005, but we do not know the specific start date as of yet.

AR, Pineville, Pineville (Feb. 2004)–Gaye Wood
Pineville has asked Gaye to make a presentation and she is to contact them to set a date.

AR, Star City, Newton Chapel (Aug. 2004)–Lisa Scott
Lisa will be making a presentation to the Newton Chapel Church. She will report on their decision after the meeting.

AR, Viola, Byron (Sept. 2004)–Gaye Wood
Gaye made a presentation to the Byron Church and session on September 5th, and they voted to start the discernment process. They will be meeting an hour earlier on the first Sunday of each month for prayer/centering time and a Bible study before their regular Sunday school hour to evaluate their ideas, dreams, and visions. The Sunday sermons will also be directed toward discernment.

FL, Lutz, Christ (Jan. 2004)–Sidney Swindle
Christ Church, a New Church Development, did a discernment process as it prepared to move into a new facility. Even though the process did not follow precisely the Touch the Future process, it was very close in many ways. Three sessions were held and attended by some 25-30 people each session. The first session dealt with establishing a practical vision and visualizing the ideal programming and identifying categories that the church could work within, Such things as missions, spiritual growth and Christian Education, evangelism, worship, stewardship, and fellowship were identified. Session two considered roadblocks or underlying contradictions to implementing the things identified in session one. Session three looked at goals and considered the specifics, planning how it will be done, a time line and accountability of who would do it to make sure it happens. The staff and smaller groups further fleshed out the information gathered. Re-evaluation will be done as the process continues.

FL, Valrico, Hope (Feb. 2004)
Hope Church did the discernment process as a part of their annual session retreat. Their discernment process included looking at what God is calling them to and looking at whether what they had planned to do in the previous year was actually done. They had a time of prayer and worship and then talked about who they were, what strengths they had and asked the question "Now, how do we build on them?"

IL, Casey, Casey (Aug. 2004)–Debbie and Roy Shanks
Debbie and Roy went to the Casey church twice. The first time was to present an overview of TTF and the second time was to go through the TTF discernment process in small groups. The congregation participated in the discernment process with enthusiasm and the church session expressed a desire to begin the process as soon as possible. Shortly after the meeting, the pastor of the church resigned and the church has since hired a new pastor. The change in pastoral leadership has put TTF on the back burner for awhile. However, the session continues to be excited about going through discernment and Debbie and Roy plan to follow-up with them.

IL, Lincoln, Lincoln First (May 2004)–Debbie and Roy Shanks
Debbie and Roy made a presentation at the Lincoln First Church in May. They were very enthusiastic about the possibilities of Touch the Future. They have the session serve as the task force, plus the pastor. The session decided to have a one day retreat for the purpose of going through discernment. They gathered many hopes, dreams and visions, and developed priority goals to be addressed by the session. On October 24th, their usual worship was taken over by the Touch the Future worship. It was primarily a service of scripture and music. Their newsletter says "Our future is full of both questions and optimism. But even the process has reminded us that it is not just in our hands. Perhaps God is already beginning to speak anew to us."

IL, Virginia, Shiloh (Aug. 2004)–Debbie and Roy Shanks
Debbie and Roy made a presentation at the Shiloh Church on August 29th. Debbie was also the guest speaker for Shiloh's worship service on the 29th. Her sermon was on asking God for direction and listening for an answer. After the service, the congregation had a carry-in meal, followed by watching the TTF video and going through the discernment process in small groups, led by Roy. The pastor and session expressed their interest in going through the TTF process, but they have not yet set a date or chosen which model to use.

KY, Lewisburg, Green Ridge (Sept. 2004)–Tom and Resa Martin
Tom and Resa made a presentation to the church as a result of an invitation from Pastor Joe Vaught. The church has begun the discernment process and is in the Bible study and prayer time at this point.

KY, Lewisburg, Lewisburg (Jan. 2004)–Sam Romines
Sam reported that the Lewisburg Church has begun the discernment process and they were finishing up their Bible Study time in February. They are continuing through the process at this time.

KY, Sacramento, Sacramento (Jun. 2004)–John Butler
The pastor spoke to Elinor Brown at the General Assembly saying that they are wanting to begin the discernment process. He ordered handbooks and began the discernment process. Tom Martin made a presentation to the Sacramento Church on August 22nd. The pastor is leading the congregation through Bible study.

MS, Columbus, Beesheba (Mar. 2004)–Charles Studdard
Beersheba is in the discernment process. They are in the organizational process. Charles has been named the chairperson of the long range planning committee who would be in charge of getting the church started. They have lost their pastor, so are in a "regrouping" process at the moment.

TN, Bartlett, Faith (May 2004)–Fran Vickers
Fran met with the session of the Faith Church on May 16th to talk with them about TTF. They have already made a commitment to a discernment process. She has been working with the Faith task force. They have planned to begin the process of getting the church involved in the process. Kathryn Gilbert Craig wrote an article for the November 2004 TTF newsletter about Faith's progress.

TN, Bolivar, Bolivar (Aug. 2004)–William Jones
William made a presentation at the Bolivar Church in August. He reported that he would begin the process with them on September 29th.

TN, Cookeville, Cookeville (Jan. 2004)–Lee Webb
Lee was appointed chairperson for the TTF task force at the Cookeville Church in January and asked that chairpersons of their five standing ministries be a part of the task force. They started meeting in March and developed 13 sub-committees deal with study, prayer and planning. Members from the church volunteered to serve on these committees. There were 80 members who signed up to serve. They asked these groups to meet on Wednesday nights. They began with Bible study and prayer and then broke up in their sub-committees to brainstorm. At the end of June, the sub-committees had completed their work. They had a report meeting where each sub-committee shared their goals for ministry. The task force worked to prioritize these goals and met in August for an all day retreat to do this prioritizing.

TN, Dickson, Dickson (Oct. 2004)–Robert Truitt
The Dickson Church is in the discernment process. Rob is working with a Sunday evening group and they are about half way through the Bible study. They have been praying and sharing personal ideas with each other also. They are already considering facilities issues that have surfaced during this time. Rob states "I realized these ideas may seem like we are jumping the gun a bit since we are just now in the midst of the Bible study. But from the outset I have had the group thinking and praying about their vision for the future. And, these ideas surfaced quickly and seem to gain momentum with each meeting."

TN, Humboldt, Double Springs (Aug. 2004)–William Jones
William made a presentation at the Double Springs Church in August and then met with them again later. He reported that he also met with the pastor to orient him.

TN, Martin, Martin (May 2004)–Marcine Cook
Marcine has spoken to those at the Martin Church and they are interested if the materials presented will benefit them and their church.

TN, Mt. Juliet, Cloyd's (Aug. 2004)–William Jones
Cloyd's Church has begun a Bible study time due to the article William wrote in the TTF newsletter in May 2004. He reports that 12-15 people have committed to begin the process.

TN, Newbern, Newbern (Oct. 2004)–Fran Vickers
Fran and Janet Baker spent an hour with a group at Newbern on Oct. 14th at the request of the pastor. Fran will follow-up with them at a later date.

TN, Ramer, Mt. Vernon (Feb. 2004)–Tiffany McClung

TN, Savannah, Savannah (Feb. 2004)–Tiffany McClung
The Savannah session decided to have a retreat in order to discern whether it is time to enter into the process. They modeled this retreat on the one that the Camden Church did. They invited any persons from the congregation who want to attend. The church, after the session began participating in prayer and Bible study together each Sunday, decided to begin the discernment process.

TN, South Pittsburg, South Pittsburg (Jan. 2004)–Butch Tolley
Butch began as stated supply for the South Pittsburg Church and will began the discernment process with them in late January. He picked up handbooks for the session and made a presentation then. Butch reports that they are getting some of their ministries up and going that have resulted from their discernment process such as a choir and game night. They also have a Friday night prayer time at the church where people can come and go.

TN, Winchester, Winchester (Dec. 2004)–Jonathan Clark
The pastor reported to Regional Coordinator Judi Truitt that they have been doing a TTF type discernment since the late 1980's. Through this discernment process, they were able to develop new ministries, increase their building, and complete several successful capital campaigns. They have been able to do this while paying a substantial amount to Our United Outreach and supporting several second mile projects and church institutions. They are open to having someone come and make a presentation about TTF and are glad to share their story about their discernment process.

TX, Arlington, St. John (Jul. 2004)–Don Nunn
Don contacted Glenda about beginning the discernment process at St. John Church. Glenda met with Don and he met with members of the session. They have begun the process. He also attended the Vision Enabler Training Event in September.

TX, Austin, Austin First (Aug. 2004)–J.P. Kessie
The pastor was not able to attend a Vision Enabler Training Event this year, but wanted their church to begin the process as soon as possible. He reported that he talked to Vision Enablers in the area to start the ball rolling and they have begun the process. J.P. Kessie agreed to become their Vision Enabler.

TX, Austin, St. Paul (Nov. 2004)–Mark McNeese
Mark reported that the St. Paul Church is going through some changes. Their session was dissolved by Trinity Presbytery and Mark hoped that they might join with Austin First Church until they have decided what they will do. Since Mark was appointed moderator of the session for St. Paul, he wanted to include them in their church's TTF study.

TX, Troup, Concord (Jan. 2004)–Brian Martin
In January, the church began the discernment process. They had suspended the regular Bible study on Sunday nights to begin the Touch the Future process with its Bible study and prayer time. There has already been a doubling of attendance in Sunday evening attendance. Brian wrote in the May 2004 TTF newsletter that they are in the planning and clarifying stages now and are focusing on outreach, Christian Education and worship.

The Year 2005
AR, Morrilton, Trinity (Jan. 2005)–Lisa Scott
Lisa made a presentation to the Trinity Church on January 8th.

AR, Sherwood, Friends of His (Jan. 2005)–Denise Adams
Denise reported that she was contacted by the pastor of Friends of His about introducing TTF to his church. She says that they will probably start in early 2005.

TN, Nolensville, Belleview (Jan. 2005)–Susan Groce, Larry Guin, Tommy Jobe
Susan reported that they were looking at dates and times to begin the TTF discernment process with the Belleview Church.

TX, Houston, Houston (Jan. 2005)–Roger Ricketts
Roger reported that he met with the Houston Church and they have started the discernment process. He also met with them via conference call to begin to develop a plan for the process.

We hope that sessions will ask Vision Enablers to make a presentation at their church. Even if the church does not begin the process, they will be aware that there are resources available to them if they so desire in the future.

(If you have any information to further update this page, please contact the TTF office.)

Page updated on April 25, 2005