Vision 2020

The Process So Far

Beginning in the fall of 2009, our congregation entered into a church-wide emphasis using material from Bishop Robert Schnase's Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. This experience included a five-week sermon series and several Visioning/Planning Groups based on each respective "Fruitful Practice." These groups have presented to our Church Council 24 recommendations which are listed below.

We are now in the process of discerning how to implement these recommendations. Thus far we have analyzed compiled surveys regarding our congregation's SWOTs (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and come to consensus on the most important items in each category. These are listed at the bottom of this page. In special Church Council meetings July 19 (7-9 pm) and August 28 (8:30 am--2:30 pm) we will utilize this information to craft future assumptions that will guide our setting of wildly important goals . By the completion of our August gathering we anticipate presenting to the congregation and interested people in the community a detailed execution plan for the next 12-18 months including a compelling scoreboard and accountability cadence (answering the question: who is responsible to do what when?).

Click here for Future Assumptions developed at the July 19 meeting.

The 24 Recommendations

24 Recommendations from 5 Practices Visioning/Planning Groups:

RH = Radical Hospitality PW = Passionate Worship

IFD = Intentional Faith Development RTMS = Risk-Taking Mission and

Service

Simple/Easy/Safe

RH – Conduct workshop for greeters.

RH – Maintain bulletin boards which are information centers including

informational fliers.

PW – Include 2-5 minute life or ministry experience testimonies in

worship services regularly.

PW – Incorporate annual training and a telephone tree for 930 service

worship leaders.

IFD – Provide a ministry fair every 2-3 years following a single Sunday

worship service.

IFD – Conduct a spiritual gifts workshop every 3-5 years.

RTMS – Present “mission minutes” at all three services on second

Sunday.

RTMS – Sponsor the Conference Appeals Coordinator speaking during

worship services one Sunday.

Riskier/More Challenging

RH – Use large Mt Vernon St entryway sign as message board and post

more prominent street signs to indicate handicap accessibility and

parking location.

RH – Start a “newcomers” Sunday School class.

PW – Develop an alternative worship/fellowship gathering with and for

18-30 year olds.

PW – Hold a special worship service at an alternative sight, eg: Easter

Sunrise at cemetery, or combined outdoor summer Sunday service

with all church picnic.

IFD – Develop a multi-faceted intentional faith development plan with

and for young adults 18-30.

IFD – Appoint a cyber ministry team to develop web-based electronic

communication for members and non-members to grow in faith

through prayer, support and conversation.

RTMS – Sponsor a workshop to orient people to hands-on mission

opportunities.

RTMS – Recruit two mission teams to make two trips annually to

continue Katrina recovery effort.

Big/Bold/Audacious/Scary

RH – Make entire facility handicap accessible.

RH – Encourage and nurture more youth involvement in the church’s

planning process.

PW – Develop with other churches a cooperative rotating coffee house

ministry.

PW – Compose and/or teach a new song in appropriate varying styles to

all three worship services, and then do together in a combined

service.

IFD – Schedule a monthly one day/evening super gathering with multiple

offerings of Bible studies and groups. A meal, child-care, and

transportation would be provided.

IFD -- Conduct a feasibility study for a Youth/Young Adult Christian Life

Center. The study would identify church and community needs,

costs of construction, personnel, maintenance, how it will be paid

for, and where it would be located.

RTMS – Develop a covenant relationship with a United Methodist

missionary.

RTMS – Develop a relevant prison ministry for our area which might

include: visitation in the prison for Bible study and prayer, and

supporting a transitional program for persons upon their release.

SEE 7 POTENTIAL GOALS INCORPORATING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW

7 Candidate WIGs (Wildly Important Goals) with Possible Lead/Lag Measures

Incorporating the 24 Recommendations from Five Practices Groups

Increase ministry with and for youth and young adults.

-Develop an intentional faith development plan with and for young adults 18-30.

-Create an alternative worship/fellowship gathering with and for young adults 18-30.

-Do feasibility study for new youth/young adult Christian Life Center.

-Incorporate more youth in planning.

-Explore a cooperative rotating coffee house with other churches/organizations.

Increase mission awareness among our congregation.

-Host the Conference Mission Representative for Sunday a.m. presentation.

-Present “Mission Minutes” every 2^nd Sunday.

-Hold a workshop to orient persons for hands-on mission opportunities.

Engage in more hands-on missions in the community and world:

-Plan and take 2 adult mission trips/year.

-Enter into a Covenant relationship with UM Missionary.

-Develop a local prison ministry.

Improve communication of ministry opportunities among congregation and community, matching persons’ spiritual gifts and abilities with opportunities for spiritual growth and service:

-Develop a complete cyber-ministry including full usage of email and creative, interactive website.

-Maintain centralized bulletin boards with up-to-date ministry brochures available.

-Hold a spiritual gifts workshop at least once every three years.

-Provide a ministry fair every two years following a single combined Sunday a.m. service.

Hold a monthly “Super-Gathering” with multiple offerings of Bible studies and groups. A meal, child-care, and transportation would be provided.

Improve attractiveness and accessibility of Facilities:

-Undertake signage updates and additions on W Mt Vernon St.

-Make office/chapel corridor handicap accessible.

Build unity among worshipers through periodic special services and events:

-Compose and/or teach a new song in appropriate varying styles to all three worship services, and then do together in a combined service.

-Hold special worship services at alternative sites, e.g. Easter Sunrise at cemetery, or combined outdoor summer Sunday service with all church picnic.

SWOT Consensus

(Most Important Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)

As determined by Church Council, June 21, 2010

WEAKNESSES:

* Physical plant needs remodeling and is not completely handicap accessible.

* Administration and internal communication.

* Lack of volunteer support for children and youth programs.

THREATS:

* Burden of maintenance of buildings and grounds

* Economy

* Loss of interest in church activities

* Loss of capable leadership (pastoral and lay)

* Overcommitted volunteer base

STRENGTHS:

* Welcoming atmosphere

* Pastoral leadership

* Programs for youth and children

* Mission outreach

* Sense of family

* Generous spirit of giving (time, resources, etc.)

* Inspirational worship services

* Buiding (actual church structure - inviting)

OPPORTUNITIES:

* Expand ministry with and for youth and young adults.

* Increase attendance at any and all worship services.

* Increase participation in faith development and mission outreach.

* Small group development (links to 1st and 3rd above).

* Improve attractiveness and accessibility of physical plant.

* Intergenerational activities (links to 1st and 3rd above).

Welcoming all to worship, grow, serve, and share God's love in Jesus Christ.

20-24 West Mount Vernon St.
Smyrna, DE 19977