Evangelism Event 2004

• We began with worship and praise.
• We learned from:
• Nancy Nelson Elsenheimer, about the need for evangelism
• Ron Buford , about our God Is Still Speaking campaign
• Cruz Echevarria , about ministering to Hispanics
• We enjoyed the fellowship of lunch, followed by workshops led by ten dynamic presenters.
• We posed questions to our ten presenters.
• And we closed with the hymn, Called as Partners in Christ's Service.

The need for Evangelism: We Are Accessible to All

"We are a church which is multi-cultural, muti-racial, open and affirming, accessible to all," proclaimed Rev. Nancy Nelson Elsenheimer at the E-Vent held Saturday, March 13, 2004 at Grace Church in Manhattan.

Nancy said that spreading the good news - evangelism - is about relationships. She is the Minister of Evangelism for Local Church Development in the national office of the United Church of Christ.

A Baby Boomer, Nancy is part of this group which left anything institutional - including the Church. Yet invitations drew her to serve the Church, although when she started, there weren't many who looked like her - not many women in ministry.

As an example of how far removed are many Baby Boomers from the Church, she recalled the groom who came into the sanctuary before his wedding and said, "This is a nice room. What do you do here?"

She also told about Laura, a woman who walked by a church two to four times a day, on her way to and from work. One Tuesday Laura came into the church and said, "Can anyone help me?" Laura then recounted how, two years before, the child she and her husband loved so much died at age two months. At that time a counselor told Laura and her husband, "statistics show that a couple who loses a child is divorced in two years." The Church did help Laura, and now Laura leads small groups for those who have lost children.

"Imagine what is going on in peoples lives - their joys, their concerns," said Nancy . "No church can minister to all. You need to determine what are your offerings for the hurts and joys of those in your neighborhood. And then you need to decide how you are going to reach out to the 40 to 60% of persons who have no church home."

"We are an unchurched culture," Nancy explained. "We don't know the language of Church; we don't have the experience of Church. We have no idea what is a Gloria Patri. Yet the United Church of Christ is a church of extravagant welcome. Language need not be a barrier."

Nancy urged churches to "get the word out" - proclaim your vision, proclaim your values. "We annoy the people who annoy you" is the statement of one UCC church. Another advertises, "We're the church with the Vacation Bible School and the rock-climbing wall." "We welcome everyone who welcomes everyone else" announces yet another.

Be especially alert to getting out your message at special times like:

• The beginning of school
• Christmas
• Easter
• Mother's Day

And remember those personal relationships. "Our lives may be the only Bible people see."

Reported by Lucy Werner

Return to top of page

God is Still Speaking

"When I was about 29, I went church shopping. I started with a United Church of Christ church, but kept trying others - thinking I shouldn't stop with the first, even though it seemed to be just where I wanted to be. I came back to the UCC, and I've been there ever since. My local church with just two requirements:

•     Love the Lord.
•     Love your neighbor as yourself"

Ron Buford, Public Relations and Marketing Manager for the United Church of Christ, shared this faith journey as part of the E-Vent at Grace Church in Manhattan on Saturday, March 13, 2004.

Ron comes from a business background and says he is now having "the time of my life." Part of his work is shepherding the United Church of Christ's efforts to create an easily recognizable "brand/identity" - a set of words, graphics and experiences that help UCC churches clarify why they might be a good church home for you.

The words are "God is still speaking". The graphics are bold red and black. The experiences are those of welcome. The web site http://www.stillspeaking.com helps tell the United Church of Christ story.

Recent research showed that few people recognized the name "United Church of Christ", and if they did, they often confused it with other churches with the words "United" or " Church of Christ " in their names. Ron suggested that that we begin to pause after the first two words in our name - "The United. Church of Christ " - as a way of emphasizing both our uniting and Christian characteristics.

Ron reminded us that most people seek a church when they hit a bump in the road. When they find a United Church of Christ church they often say, "I never knew that a church like this existed." Ron urged us to Let The Secret Out!

Helping us get the secret out is a Manhattan advertising agency, Gotham, Inc. They are providing their expertise to the UCC at cost including the creation of two 30-second TV commercials that are being tested in six markets beginning March 1 and continuing through Easter 2004. As of March 13, Ron reports the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Plans include a national TV rollout between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2004.

The message of the TV commercials and the entire God is Still Speaking effort is "The United Church of Christ is an inviting church, a welcoming church, a church with a culture of belonging."

Focus groups and random testing prior to the God is Still Speaking work revealed strong negative feelings about churches in general, regardless of denomination. A large percentage of respondents said they considered churches to be responsible for past hurts in their lives.

Too many congregations, the respondents said, left them feeling unwelcomed, financially inadequate and inappropriately dressed. And too many congregations cared more about their own security than about those in need.

"People are looking for relationships," Ron said. The people in our congregations can fill that need. "People want to come home". We just need to let people know we exist.

Reported by Lucy Werner

Return to top of page

Who are the Hispanics Within the New York Metro-Suffolk Associations?

Rev. Dr. Cruz Echevarria provides insights and statistics to help us understand the role of Hispanics in the southeastern part of New York State.

According to census data, the US population was:

•    281,421,906 in 2000
•    288,386,698 in 2002
•    This was an increase of about 2.5%

For those same periods, Hispanics were:

• 35,305,818 in 2000
• 37,700,000 in 2002
• This was an increase of more than 6.7%

Forecasts for the future estimate the US Hispanic population at:

• 47,662,584 in 2010
• 156,340,462 in 2050

Cruz urges us to reach out to Hispanics in our areas.

• Invite, invite, invite
• Get to know Hispanic holy days and celebrate them
• Provide services such:
• English as a second language
• Food pantries
• Computer programs
• Reach out to the elderly
• Reach out to children - especially during vacations and Christmas
• Publicize your special services - communion, Thanksgiving

Cruz is working with two Hispanic organizations that can be helpful to your outreach to Hispanics. The Latino Connection is a group of ministers and lay leaders who meet bi-monthly for support, planning activities, study and making decisions.

The CHM Council for Hispanic Ministries is a group made up of all Hispanic ministers in the Northeast region - which includes churches in Philadelphia , New York and New Jersey . The pastor and two delegates from each church meet bi-monthly.

The Regional Councils are part of the National Council which meets twice a year - once with just the National Council and once with the Hispanic Implementation Team.

Currently there are five Hispanic Churches in the Metro and Suffolk Associations.

If you would like more information about ministry to Hispanics, contact us at Support@uccmetrosuffolk.org.

Return to top of page

We Have Some Questions

Participants in the March 13, 2004 E-Vent at Grace Church on March 13, 2004 could attend only one seminar, but all could pose questions to the presenters at the end of the day. The presenters are listed below. Here are some of the questions and answers.



What is a core value?

Edward Rivera-Santiago defined a core value as one that ties together behavior, interest and focus. If a core value is "family oriented," then behavior must support this value.


I am one person. How can "family oriented" be a value to me?

Edward explained that if you feel connected with your church family, then the church's behavior is supporting this value.


What is "nesting"?

Judith Whitehead and Jeanne Seyffarth told how St. Mark's Church has opened its doors to the Safe Haven congregation. Both worship and conduct their church activities in the building St. Mark's owns.

They said this relationship has allowed them to understand that the building belongs to God. Both congregations have come to appreciate the worship styles of each other. "It has opened up our frame of reference."

Has it been smooth? Is any marriage smooth? We keep our communication open. We don't confront; we are respectful of one another. We know we worship the same God.

Return to top of page


What is a Purpose-Driven Church ?

Jennifer Heron said this means looking at the people, looking at their needs and then fulfilling those needs.

At her church, St. Albans , they are celebrating their 50 th anniversary with fifty different programs. These range from step-dancing for youth to a joint project where youth members make sandwiches which are delivered to the hungry by the men's fellowship to programs for single members.


What's happening in ministry to Hispanics?

Not enough, said Cruz Echevarria.

In 2000, over 27% of the New York City population was Latino. By 2025 that will rise to 45 to 50%.

Pilgrim Congregational Church in the Bronx is nesting a new Latino congregation. 65% of the people in the church's zip code are Latino.

Edward Rivera-Santiago said the United Church of Christ has few Hispanic leaders to reach out to these people. He need more Hispanics on our committees and in our leadership. We need more training for Hispanics. We need more connections between the UCC and Hispanics.

Cruz continued, we need to empower leaders in Hispanic communities. We need to let Hispanics use buildings that exist in their communities. We need to reach out with English as a second language, GED programs, food pantries - build community, build relationships. Don't worry about language barriers. If there are no human barriers, the language will follow.

A representative from Suffolk reported there is also a big growth in Hispanics in Suffolk . She said they are forecast to be the majority in Suffolk by 2050.

Return to top of page


How open is the church hierarchy to using marketing techniques used by other organizations and other churches?

Ron Buford said the UCC has looked at the work of many other organizations and churches. We have looked at the campaign of the Methodists. We have looked at the techniques used by the evangelicals. We've even asked, "What would a UCC tract look like?"

Ron urged us to get outside the four walls of our own church buildings and extend our welcome to the populations we aren't reaching.


What's it like when things are changing?

Jose Lantigua said he refers to "Renewing Pain". To experience the new is to experience pain. We have to change our habits; we are too comfortable.

Gary Roberts noted that God will renew our churches with us or without us. I'm a real estate guy. The local church owns the buildings. But we must remember this is God's church. We're only one generation away from death if we don't renew our congregations.

Reported by Lucy Werner

Return to top of page

Presenters at March 13, 2004 E-Vent

Ron Buford - Ron is the public relations and marketing manager for the United Church of Christ in the Proclamation, Identity and Communication ministry.

Rev. Alan Dailey - Alan is Co-Chair of the New York Conference, UCC, Commission on Revitalization, Evangelism and Church Development.

Rev. Cruz Echevarria - Cruz is the Christian Education pastor at Iglesia La Palabra UCC in Corona , Queens , NY.

Rev. Nancy Nelson Elsenheimer - Nancy is a Minister of Evangelism for Local Church Development for the United Church of Christ.

Jennifer Heron - Jennifer is the Church School Superintendent at St. Albans Congregational Church in Queens , NY.

Rev. Jose Lantigua - Jose is the renewing pastor of Pilgrim Congregational UCC on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx.

Rev. Edward Rivera-Santiago - Edward is a Minister of Evangelism for Local Church Development for the United Church of Christ.

Rev. Gary Roberts - Gary leads the Office of Local Church Building in the Evangelism Team of Local Church Ministries for the United Church of Christ.

Jeanne Seyffarth - Jeanne is a member of St. Mark's UCC, whose church is the "nest" for Safe Haven UCC.

Judith Whitehead - Judith is a member of Safe Haven UCC, a congregation that is currently "nesting" at St. Mark's UCC.

Return to top of page