ashburn presbyterian church presyterian hurh — strategi plan 2 introduction ashburn presbyterian...

ASHBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH — STRATEGIC PLAN

Ashburn Presbyterian Church

STRATEGIC PLAN

ASHBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH — STRATEGIC PLAN 2

INTRODUCTION

Ashburn Presbyterian Church is a work of the Holy Spirt. For almost 150 years this congregation has stood as

a testimony to God’s faithfulness serving the Savior who alone is head of the church and the cornerstone of our

faith. We have a rich heritage of faith in Christ as we make disciples and participate in the work of God in the

larger community. Exciting opportunities are ahead as we build upon this foundation and continue to respond to

the call of Christ, trust God, and engage in the opportunities that God provides.

As we look ahead, prayerfully, we have considered how we honor and also enrich the legacy God has given to us for

a new generation. We seek to envision these opportunities with fresh eyes as we follow Christ as disciples and

welcome others to Christian life and community. We have asked where the Holy Spirit is leading us in these next

years and to what ministries and places of service Christ is calling us to engage.

The plan that follows affirms the call of Christ to do this together. Therefore, as you read the pages that follow,

ask God to show you how and where you can bring your time, talent, and treasure to help build a strong and

thriving APC today and beyond.

“Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or

imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

EPHESIANS 3:20–21

Our Vision

Our vision as a church has been expressed in three simple phrases: To Know Christ, Grow in Faith, and Serve

Others. These three statements serve as a way to affirm our identity and our call. The full reading of this vision

includes the following:

Vision: To engage our church and our community to be fully devoted followers of Christ.

Mission: To go and make Disciples of Christ.

Goals: Know Christ, Grow in Faith, and Serve Others.


Summary of the Challenge

In a rapidly changing world and community, fulfilling this plan requires that each of us engage. We do this as

we worship, make disciples, and participate in the mission of God in the world through Christian service and

witness beyond our own doors.

We need to affirm what we believe and who we seek by engaging in the careful study of Scripture. We need to

overcome the distances between us that make caring for each other difficult. We need to intentionally connect

congregation-wide learning and discipleship across ages as an intergenerational congregation. We need to engage

those around us in the community more effectively — Celebration Preschool, the community groups that use our

facility, 55 and older adult communities in our area, and families in nearby neighborhoods. We need to extend

our reach into the larger community with the message of the Gospel and the caring presence of Christ. We need

to intentionally welcome people and meaningfully engage them in the life of the congregation.

To be effective also requires attention to practical matters: that we improve our church infrastructure which in

many aspects is showing its age. We need to invest in our facilities to make them more accessible and welcoming

and address deferred maintenance of our property.

We need a more intentional model of governance and staffing that fits the size and opportunities of the con-

gregation. We need to address budget needs and increase giving to mission. We need to connect and improve

communication both within the church and into the community.

The Goals: An Overview

The goals in this plan seek to bring us together in stronger community that desires to know God more fully.

As we worship, grow as disciples, and serve others in the name of Christ, we want to develop a culture that en-

courages us all to deeper faith and attracts newcomers.

To know Christ, to grow in faith, and serve others . . .

In Worship Traditional/Contemporary Opportunities Intergenerational participation Supporting technology Supporting staff

In Discipleship

Connecting across all ages

Additional Adult Classes

Small Groups

In Mission

Increased giving

Increasing Awareness

Engaging in serving outside our doors

Sustain Together

Developing our congregation’s time, talent, and treasure

Cultivating and aligning APC’s leadership and governance

Coordinated and effective church communications

Developing online and planned giving

The Changes

For some, these changes will mean reorganizing priorities, engagement, and a higher level of financial commit-

ment. For others, the changes will require important dialogue about activities and programs that we need to stop

in order to start new ministries more in line with our vision and calling. And, for many of us, the changes will call

us to stretch ourselves to take on things we have not envisioned – but God has.

God is calling us to grow together, loving and serving in deeper ways. In this calling, we find hope, joy and ex-

citement for all God has planned for each of us and for APC.


The Commitment

Living out this vision for a stronger and deeper community rooted in our love for Christ requires commitment.

It asks each of us to give more fully of ourselves and to take part in bringing life to God’s purposes. We must

begin now.

Maturing in discipleship requires that we lay aside things that hinder us and that we cling to that which draws us

closer to God, honors God, and exhibits the Kingdom of God to the world.

PRIORITY: WORSHIP

To know Christ, grow in faith and support others through Biblically-based worship.

Christian worship joyfully ascribes all praise and honor, glory and power to the triune God. In worship the people

of God acknowledge God present in the world and in their lives. As they respond to God’s claim and redemptive

action in Jesus Christ, believers are transformed and renewed. In worship the faithful offer themselves to God and

are equipped for God’s service in the world. Directory for Worship W-1.1001

Christian Worship: An Introduction

Objectives

1. Encourage a joyful worship environment in which the people of God respond to God’s redemptive

action in Jesus Christ and are transformed and renewed.

2. Develop a strong, diverse, and connected community of believers who welcome others to participate fully

in the worship experience at APC.

3. Affirm Biblical teaching according to our reformed tradition where the faithful offer themselves to God

and respond to His calling.

“Worship begins and ends by

giving glory to God, focuses

on the crucified and risen

Christ, and highlights the

work of the Holy Spirit, while

insisting on the centrality of

Scripture, the unity of Word

and Sacrament and the

Reformed themes of grace

and gratitude.”


Goals

1. Commit to develop an engaging contemporary worship, while also continuing to affirm

our commitment to traditional worship.

APC’s traditional form of worship is deeply meaningful to many in

our congregation. Our commitment to traditional worship will not be

diminished. However, a truly contemporary form of worship, that is

consistent with the theological and reformed traditions of the church,

provides us with an opportunity to encounter God, minister to the

worship preferences of a diverse congregation, and draw in others.

Exploration of, and investment in, a contemporary worship experience

will be an important growth platform for the ministry of our church.

2. Create a worship experience that focuses on the intergenerational make-up of our

congregation by finding opportunities for children to actively participate and youth to lead

in worship alongside adults.

For the size of our church, we are blessed to have a number of young families with children

and youth. We are in a unique position with the preschool connected to our church to

continue to welcome this age group on Sundays. We are also blessed

with a congregation of faithful and experienced adults that can feed into

the lives of our children. Intergenerational worship is more than just

having everyone in the service together. Instead, it is about providing

opportunities for children and youth to enrich our services together

with adults through music, scripture reading, and prayer. We want to be committed to

growing the next generation to be people who understand, value, and long to participate in

and lead worship.

3. Use accessible and appropriate resources to support spiritual growth and community in the worship service

through the use of modern technologies.

Technology can enhance the worship experience on Sundays. Greater social

media presence will enable APC followers to receive and share information on

current church events, upcoming sermon series, and inspiring thoughts of the

week between worship services. Live internet-streaming and on-demand replay

of our Sunday Morning Worship will extend the reach of our Worship

Ministry beyond the walls of our sanctuary to allow for congregants and the

Ashburn community to experience or share APC worship. Use of these

technologies and others will support our efforts to reach out into the

community and the world to invite believers and non-believers to hear the

Good News of Jesus Christ.

4. Identify, develop and support volunteers for all worship services.

Volunteers are part of the worship experience core. From greeters, to ushers, to lay readers, to A/V support, to

Sunday school leaders, as well as people who want to help us find new ways to use current technology, these

volunteers allow the congregation to connect with Jesus Christ. We have untapped resources in our congregation

with the talent and interest to serve. It is important to provide these resources with the support they need, as well

as encourage their own spiritual growth and development.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

As the deer pants for

streams of water, so

my soul longs for

you, my God.

Psalm 42:1

For the message of

the cross is

foolishness to those

who are perishing,

but to us who are

being saved it is the

power of God

1 Corinthians 1:18

“But Jesus said, ‘Let

the children come to

me. Don’t stop

them! For the

Kingdom of Heaven

belongs to those

who are like these

children.’”

Matthew 19:14

“One generation

shall commend your

works to another,

and shall declare

your mighty acts.”

Psalm 145:4


PRIORITY: DISCIPLESHIP

To respond to the call of Christ by being and making disciples.

Because in Christ the Church is holy, the Church, its members, and those in its ordered ministries strive to lead

lives worthy of the Gospel we proclaim. In gratitude for Christ’s work of redemption, we rely upon the work of

God’s Spirit through Scripture and the means of grace (W-5.5001) to form every believer and every community for

this holy living. We confess the persistence of sin in our corporate and individual lives. At the same time, we also

confess that we are forgiven by Christ and called again and yet again to strive for the purity, righteousness, and

truth revealed to us in Jesus Christ and promised to all people in God’s new creation. Foundations -1.0302b

Book of Order

Objectives

1. Meet Jesus and cultivate space in our lives to be disciples and make disciples who know and follow Christ

in ways that are biblical, reformed, and culturally engaging, as we develop intentional opportunities to

educate and equip people.

2. Spiritually grow as a community committed to prayer, thoughtful learning, and service outside ourselves.

3. Listen, engage and impact the culture with the good news and transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Goals

1. Encourage the formation and growth of groups to

foster learning, deeper relationships, sharing and

support among the APC church family.

Small Groups connect members with each other in

more intimate ways than the Sunday worship service.

Relationships change from being just a face in the

crowd to being life-long family-like friendships. Small

groups provide a connection point and support

structure for APC members to share and work through

their daily struggles, celebrate their joys, share and

explore their faith, and love one another. Friendships

grow through fellowship, faith grows through study/

reflection/discussion and spiritual maturation occurs as these groups become central to our members lives. We

will place an emphasis on growing the number of these groups at APC, along with growing the measured

participation of the congregation in at least one group.

2. Invest in and expand adult education program that encourages spiritual growth and maturity.

APC needs to offer educational opportunities to adult members of all ages, and all spiritual maturity levels. A

focus of Discipleship needs to be about taking members from simply knowing about Jesus to becoming like

Jesus. We must recognize that while some are quite advanced in their Christian education and require a deeper

level of study for a meaningful experience, others are potentially unaware of some of the most basic tenets of our

faith. Christian education opportunities need to be relevant, interesting, and fresh to attract participation.


APC should examine educational opportunities targeted at specific groups such as men, women, couples, young

parents, divorced individuals, etc. Our education ministries must also connect with one another to embrace the

diversity of age groups represented at APC. Educational opportunities should also be planned at times that

makes sense for those who would participate (ex. - offering adult education at the same time as the children and

youth so parents can devote attention to study rather than childcare).

3. Invest in and expand children’s and youth education

programs that encourage spiritual growth and maturity.

APC has a long history of placing a high priority on

Children’s and Youth Discipleship and we have seen

God bless this emphasis with a flourishing Celebration

Preschool, annual Vacation Bible School, Sunday

School programs, Children’s

Sermons, and Youth Groups. We

recognize that our children and

youth are a blessing from God and

we believe in the amazing potential

of each one to bring glory to God.

We will continue to provide new opportunities and innovative ways to teach our children

and youth and engage them each to find their identity in Jesus Christ. Our curricula should

build upon one another from preschool through High School so that as our young ones

progress in age they also progress into spiritually mature adults. Our children have a

tremendous opportunity to reach the unchurched in our community and our children’s and

youth programs will help them each “put on the full armor of God”.

4. Develop a system of encouragement and accountability of all of our ministries according to our mission to

make disciples who Know Christ, Grow in Faith, and Serve Others.

APC must earnestly evaluate our education offerings for all age groups and maturity levels, and work to make

sure there is ample opportunity for members to engage our church and our community to be fully devoted

followers of Christ. To accomplish this we must commit to a Discipleship Process tied to our church goals of

“Know Christ, Grow in Faith, Serve Others”, and adopt a model to continuously encourage each other in this

Discipleship Process.

“‘I tell you the truth,

anyone who will not

receive the Kingdom

of God like a little

child will never enter

it.’ And he took the

children in his arms,

put his hands on

them and blessed

them.”

Mark 10:15-16


PRIORITY: MISSION/OUTREACH

To fully participate in God’s mission for humankind by furthering the work of the Holy Spirit, that is

already occurring, and to demonstrate by word and deed, the transformative power of the Gospel.

The mission of God in Christ gives shape and substance to the life and work of the Church. In Christ, the Church

participates in God’s mission for the transformation of creation and humanity by proclaiming to all people the

good news of God’s love, offering to all people the grace of God at font and table, and calling all people to

discipleship in Christ. Human beings have no higher goal in life than to glorify and enjoy God now and forever,

living in covenant fellowship with God and participating in God’s mission. Foundations -1.01 GOD’S MISSION

Book of Order

Objectives

1. To develop a missional mindset that permeates all aspects of our church

life together, and that sets an example which will remain relevant in today’s

world.

2. To empower and encourage the congregation to reach into the

community to live and share their faith through in word and deed beyond the

walls of APC.

3. To strategically expand mission scope and depth through the greater

utilization and development of our resources.

Goals

1. Provide greater insight into and awareness of supported missions to foster greater congregational engagement

and involvement.

Ashburn Presbyterian Church supports and engages in a variety of missions at the local,

regional, national, and international levels. By increasing awareness of these mission and

outreach activities the church seeks to increase the missional mindset and participation in

various mission projects. Mission work should not be confined to youth groups, special

projects, or seasonal initiatives, but should be instilled as a daily and weekly endeavor. In

order to increase participation in missions, APC will seek to partner with churches and

relevant organizations in our community to do the work of Christ.

2. Develop and promote an understanding of Christian stewardship in support of missions, in order to increase

congregational response to the call we have to provide time, talent, and treasure to support Christ’s mission for

all humankind.

Ashburn Presbyterian Church seeks to increase congregational support and engagement in mission projects

and activities. Stewardship for mission includes utilizing all of God's gifts to us, including volunteering time and

talents, deliberate and intercessory prayer support, fellowship, and kindness, as well as generous financial

support. We seek to create an environment that develops an individual and congregational accountability and

responsibility for how we support and respond to missions within and outside of the walls of the church year

round.

“For it is by grace you have been

saved, through faith--and this not

from yourselves, it is the gift of God--

not by works, so that no one can

boast. For we are God's

workmanship, created in Christ Jesus

to do good works, which God

prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:8-10

“‘He said to them

‘Go into all the world

and preach the good

news to all

creation.’”

Mark 16:15


5. Ensure that APC facilities are used to their fullest extent

in support of missions and outreach.

We are blessed with great church facilities and grounds

located in the heart of a diverse and thriving community.

Our facilities are utilized by many internal and external

groups, and we receive frequent requests for the use of our

buildings and grounds for activities ranging from recovery

and support to fellowship to celebration to nurture and

education. APC seeks to increase awareness and

involvement in how we use our facilities and to open our

doors and grounds to our community for the faithful care of

God’s people.

Priority: Sustain Together

To ensure financial stability and an organizational structure to support

Current and future needs of Ashburn Presbyterian Church.

Christ calls the Church into being, giving it all that is necessary for its mission in the world, for its sanctification,

and for its service to God. Christ is present with the Church in both Spirit and Word. Christ alone rules, calls,

teaches, and uses the Church as he wills.

Foundations -1.0202 Christ Calls and Equips the Church

Book of Order

Objectives

1. Advance APC’s presence in the community by strategically utilizing the congregation’s time, talent, and

treasure to advance the church’s priorities and the kingdom of God.

2. Invest in APC’s facilities to enable continued use for worship, discipleship, and missions so that the

church can advance its vision to engage our church and our community to be fully devoted followers of

Christ.

3. Align APC’s leadership and governance to meet the changing needs of our congregation and to

accomplish the strategic goals set forth in this plan.

4. Transform APC’s communication methods to enable varied methods of reaching the congregation and

the community to increase their effectiveness.

Goals:

1. Develop and implement system(s) to identify the

congregation’s interest in serving, specific skillsets and talents,

and greater analysis of financial standing; with focus on future

tendencies.

As we place greater emphasis on the principles of worship,

discipleship, and outreach, there is a heightened need for

volunteers (time), skills (talents), and revenue (treasure).

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I

was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a

stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you

clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in

prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will

answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed

you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did

we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing

clothes and clothe you? And when see you sick or in prison

and go visit you? The King will reply 'Truly I tell you,

whatever you did for the least of these brothers and

sisters of mine, you did for me."

Mark 10:15-16


APC offers a variety of programs and services that are fulfilled by volunteer members of our congregation.

These volunteers provide a significant amount of time to these important efforts. We cannot continue to rely on

the same people to lead these efforts every time. As we move forward, we must develop channels for people to

be aware of needs, identify and document interest, and, once committed, fully engage them. Finally, we need to

increase engagement and continually inform the congregation of the status and needs of our church.

2. Invest in APC’s facilities to meet current and future needs for our congregation plus expanding usage by our

community.

APC’s unique campus configuration of a modern sanctuary, multifunctional hall, and historical sanctuary

provides endless benefits. These edifices are utilized internally for traditional Sunday services and classes,

children and youth group activities, small groups, and other congregational activities to external usage from

outside groups ranging from Boy Scouts to numerous support groups. The aging of these structures require wide-

ranging upkeep. As these structures age, investment in the campus is essential to ensure APC continues to

provide accommodation for congregational activities to requests for usage from our community. Current and

long term maintenance strategies are needed to ensure our facilities are maintained for current and long term

usage.

3. Align APC’s leadership and governance to ensure we are meeting the needs of the congregation with a focus

on future requirements.

Current APC giving levels necessitate an assessment of our current staffing model with a focus on division of

responsibilities associated with our worship and discipleship objectives. We must determine if contributions and

campaigns will support current and future staffing requirements. Additionally, Session must continually evaluate

its organization and responsibilities to ensure current needs are being met, and future goals can be reached.

4. Transform APC’s communication methods by evaluating current tools used by staff and Session, determine

opportunities for improvement, and consider newest avenues of communication to mirror objectives associated

with Worship, Discipleship, Missions, and Stewardship objectives and goals.

APC’s current communication

methods encompass a variety of

technologies from e-mail blasts to

websites with underutilization of

several other technology channels.

There is a need for establishment

of a functional communications

team assigned to consider

improvement or addition to

communication channels for e-

mail blasts, website changes, usage

of social media tools (Facebook,

Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat),

updated Church Directory, and

analyze incorporation of Subsplash

(Podcast, Archived and Live

Sermons, and Mobile Apps).


CONCLUSION

The Ashburn Presbyterian Church stands as a testimony to God’s faithfulness serving the Savior who alone is

head of the church and the cornerstone of our faith. We are blessed with a rich heritage of faith in Christ as we

make disciples and participate in the work of God in the larger community. We seek to build upon this

foundation and respond to the ongoing call of God and engage in the opportunities that God provides. May

God give us fresh eyes to see the opportunities ahead as we follow Christ and engage others in Christian life and

community.


20962 Ashburn Road, Ashburn, VA 20147

(703) 729-2012

www.ashburnpresbyterian.org

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