The National Hispanic Ministry
Challenge Fund

Faith Communities

Starting a faith community among Hispanic people means:

• Taking the church to the people, meeting informalIy in homes and other non-church settings.
• Using a methodology that integrates biblical and theological reflection with everyday life, in a rich and ongoing cycle.
• Employing the leadership of teams of lay missioners and pastor-mentors.
• Providing an alternative model for being the body of Christ.

What faith communities do:

• They gather to pray and worship, to study the Scripture, to minister to others, and to advocate God's justice in their communities.
• They maintain an organic relationship with an established United Methodist charge until they become a separate congregation.

Faith communities are related to:

• New congregational development
• Revitalized or transformed congregations
• Community ministries

Advance #982620-1

National Plan for Hispanic Ministry
The United Methodist Church