AHUMC
Planning Meeting
January 25, 2004; Noon - 6:00 p.m.
Attending: Janet Ricci, Barbara Wack, Carole Morter, Gene Anderson, Linda Oberg, Keith Wells, Jim Watson, Bill Morter, Greg Iverson, Michelle Gordon, Dave Engelhardt, Todd Levig, Donna Gapinski, Kathy Carlson, Beth Thompson, Mark Youngstrom, Karen Johnson, Liz Jones, Ron Phillippo, Betty Phillippo, Catherine Solheim, Roger Olstad
Discussion
about "Protecting Your Church" by Rick Warren
* Work together instead of pulling apart
* Sharing in one purpose, coming together
* Tension is a fact of life; manage that, compromise
* Stick it out and not flee at the first sign of difficulty
* Admonition that each of us has a responsibility
* Work together; try to find harmony
* Go beyond tolerance to embracing all ideas
* Buy-in is important
Ground
rules for today's meeting
* Time has been spent in critiquing, evaluating
* Now is the time to brainstorm and plan - look to the
future.
* Look at solutions to issues.
* All should participate
Short-term
goal for today
* Develop options for each of the six
recommendations in the report
* Vision and long-term goals developed over time
What
would successful resolution look like?
How should this be resolved to the satisfaction of the majority of the people?
Issue
#2: Worship service
* We've tried to blend these and it isn't working
* Traditional and Contemporary Worship services
* Can one service be both traditional and
contemporary? Is this possible?
* Can we separate #1 and #2 - can we design the
service apart from knowing our mission/vision/identify?
Survey community options - what is available already and how do we fit in?
Who is in the community?
Isn't worship a means to an end? Do we know and agree upon
the end?
Recommendation to have group look at elements people want in
a service
Comments -
* This church considered two services at one point in time
and decided against it.
* A vibrant community of believers attracts people to this
church - people stand around and talk, support each other
* Youth needs are not being met in current service.
Define worship as "car door to car door"
Affirmation of faith (4)
Speak joys and concerns aloud (10)
Contemporary Christian music (praise songs, praise band) (13)
Hymns (10)
Energetic songs
Testimonials (1)
Sermon (15)
Adult Sunday School (3)
Children's Sunday School
Children's and Adults' Choir
Children's Church
Bells
Consistent style of music (difficult to go from classical
organ to video clip) (7)
Responsive reading in 21st century relevant style (2)
Engagement of Confirmation/Participation
Energetic Greeters
Fewer pauses; need musical ties between elements of the
service;
Progressive energy (9)
Engage worshipers - see and experience passion (22)
End on a positive note (3)
Prayer (11)
Ebb and flow in service
Emotional level to pull you in (7)
Blessing (2)
Issue
#3 - Financial Issues and an aging, declining membership
If we are clear about our mission, the $ will take care of themselves
Our finances reflect our values
Focus more on discipleship; less on dollars
Live by faith with our finances
No more pledge cards
Need to budget
Include time and talents in giving and follow-up
Consider covenant relationships
Old Methodist commitment of time/talent/presence etc.
Look at staffing
Encourage giving to God's work via the church; do not give to the church only
Generate passion and engage people
Focus on money for God's work
Strengthen the communications about our ministries
Don't ever work to protect the institution; work to make disciples
Issue
#4: Communication needs improvement
Communicate to engage and to answer questions
Provide readily available information for those desiring detail
Take time to go see people face to face
Increase external communications
Always be open, honest, and above the table
Use concise and visual communications
Inform people who to communicate within church organization
Each team should have a communication strategy
Avoid "junk" communications
Develop a vehicle for input from non-committee members
Communicate reasons for and value of change to get buy-in
Pastor Greg's recommendations
Issue
#1 - a pastor for all
Acknowledge the complexity of this
Create a list of people (not normally communicated with) and call on them
MBWA Management by Walking Around - Use Sunday to talk to more people
Celebrate differences and make connections as a congregation; Look for
opportunities to make those connections
Communicate how pastoral care happens @AHUMC
Stand at door and greet
Isaiah Program - to talk to all
Tell people how to communicate their pastoral care needs
Connect more with youth of the church
Define and communicate who the pastoral team consists of
Use titles that reflect the roles of the pastoral team
Find champions to help Greg communicate
Start existing member orientation
Communicate 10 times
Demonstrate that it's ok to disagree
Focus on what is in common
Celebrate our differences
Continue to speak truth while demonstrating love
Encourage and allow dialogue for differing opinions
Forgiveness a critical piece of healing, Encourage this.
Healing service "if I've sinned against you, please forgive me"
Issue #2 - how do we move from speaking to enacting the vision
Related to #1 for the congregation - Define and communicate the identity and
purpose
Need a process to identify and to achieve the vision
What does God want this church to be or become? Vision
What does God want this church to do? Mission
Would help to have goals to define vision and how to achieve it
Joint meeting occasionally with another small group to meet other people
If people were more engaged in some ministries, would this be such an issue?
Weave references to activities/ministries into sermons and Builder articles to
acknowledge that these are important to the life of the church community; Be
strategically visible
Brag on Pastor Greg's leadership involvement in church activities/ministries
Visible celebration the diversity of ministry in the church
Deacons' areas of oversight and communication conduit to pastoral team
Combine social and evangelical aspects into activities/ministries
Issue
#3 - Pay attention to how words are heard; Balance good news of grace and
practical tools
Take responsibility for expressing feelings
Issue is connected to #1 - when relationships are good and built on trust,
disagreements can be better handled
Provide for a formal response to communications
Ponder communications prior to a response
How do we build an environment of trust?
If people are intimidated by Greg's theological knowledge, how can they
disagree?
Be conscious of and avoid a perception of the "bully pulpit"
Greg is setting up a listening post committee to hear how sermons are received -
be sure this group is diverse
If there's a sacred cow, it's going to have to "moo" - don't assume
people know how it's 'always been'
Invite the diverse theological perspectives in feedback and planning groups
Provide and use a variety of forums for listening
Use peers for feedback
When we hear misperceptions and/or concerns, offer to go with the person
directly to the person with whom it needs to be addressed
Issue #1: Looking to the future - Our vision
What is God calling us to be?
This involves change over the long haul…. Otherwise this church is a
"maintenance" church. Don't worry about "how"; Think about
what!
Is
inviting both internally and externally (1)
Is growing in faith
Is known for making a difference (9)
You're only new once
Is relevant to cultures around us (age, ethnicity, interests) (6)
Has something for everybody - find a place here
Is age-diverse and friendly
A community… small town (3)
Is God-centered (23)
Is vibrant and faith-filled; growing in personal relationships with Jesus (15)
Reaches the un-churched (2)
Goes visibly into the community
Meets specific community needs church that serves (5)
Is a visible presence of God in the community (25)
24/7 center for Christ centered ministry (3)
Is compassionate
Embraces open and spirited theological discussion
Feeder of sheep (3)
Fishers of men
A place of unconditional love and support (5)
A church that demonstrates love to their neighbor (9)
To be one body (5)
Continuum
of leadership and management
Vision and Mission provide direction - listen to God
Goals and action plans move us toward our vision and mission - God directs our
steps and clears the path
Goals need to be measurable and checked regularly