Vital Signs Data Entry Suspension

Friends in Christ,

This year, COVID-19 changed our means of doing ministry in ways that we could not have imagined. Many of our churches have developed new and creative ways to engage their congregations, communities, and outreach ministries all while remaining carefully socially distanced. As a result of these new methods, it has become increasingly difficult to use Vital Signs as a means of tracking the fruitfulness of these imaginative and creative new approaches.

With that in mind, I am offering a SUSPENSION from entering data into the Vital Signs module until further notice. However, recognizing that tracking this type of information does provide validation of fruitfulness, I encourage you to find an alternative method to account for your church’s excellence, participation, and growth in our normal and new ministries. While Cabinet and the General Council on Finance & Administration are actively talking about the topic, we still anticipate that you will need to complete year-end reports. In other words, by the end of the year, you will need to provide data related to worship attendance and participation in the life of the church. We have previously provided a protocol that may help you with tracking worship attendance when most people are watching online. That protocol could certainly be applied to other participation as well.

Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and resilience during this challenging season. I give thanks every day in my prayers for you and your lay leadership.