developing a ministry plan advent lutheran church chapel hill, nc february 6 & 7, 2004
TRANSCRIPT
Developing a Ministry PlanDeveloping a Ministry Plan
Advent Lutheran Church
Chapel Hill, NC
February 6 & 7, 2004
Let’s PrayLet’s Pray
Opening Devotion
AgendaAgenda(with breaks as needed and snacks)(with breaks as needed and snacks)
Opening devotion – Friday 6:00 PM Rationale for the Process Assessing and claiming Core Values Congregational and Community Analysis Revisiting the Mission Statement Closing – Friday 9:00 PM (or sooner) Opening – Saturday 9:00 AM Visioning Desired Outcomes Reaching our Goals Accountability, Evaluation, and Follow-up Closing – 12:30 PM (or sooner)
ProcessProcess
Our Goal - to develop a ministry planPurpose - what do we need to do?Plan - how will we do it?Resources - what do we need to do it?Evaluation - how will we know when we
have done it?
RationaleRationale
Where there is no vision, the people perish – Proverbs 29:18
Lack of planning results in lack of action.
Without purpose there is confusion, chaos and conflict.
Some Foundational Some Foundational AssumptionsAssumptions
Empty HandsThe Holy SpiritIt’s Not about You – It’s All about YouThe House of DecisionsThe Circle of Faith
Empty HandsEmpty Hands
Personal Agendas– Everyone has one!– No one can set theirs aside on their own
The more experienced you are, the more convinced you become that you know what’s best!
Is this God’s way for us? Our need for prayer and the Holy
Spirit
The Holy SpiritThe Holy SpiritAccording to Martin Luther’s explanation of the 3rd Article of the Apostles’ Creed, it is the Holy Spirit who “calls, gathers, enlightens,
and sanctifies” us.
Calls Through the Gospel
To our salvation in and through Jesus Christ
Gathers Collects His children into communities
For His purposes
Enlightens With His gifts
The Gospel
Our calling in the Kingdom
Sanctifies Sets us apart from the secular
It’s not about you!It’s not about you!It’s all about you!It’s all about you!
His Call is all about you!John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
His calling (work) is not about you!– God’s work is the same . . . regardless of who
is in the pews, regardless of who is on the Boards, regardless of who is in the pulpit!
– His agenda will get done!
““The House of Decisions”The House of Decisions”
2nd Floor Decisions
1st Floor Decisions
Foundation for all decisions
These decisions should be based
on
these choices,
grounded in this understanding!
God’s Calling
God’s Word
Ministry Priorities
LandFacilitiesProgramsStaffingMoney
The Circle of FaithThe Circle of FaithFaith
Peace
Openness
Trust
EquippingStrength
Gifts
Resources
CallingHis will
His work
His time
See & Listen
Receiv
e & R
espo
nd
Surrender & Submit
God
What is our preferred future?What is our preferred future?
What is God calling us to do?
Jesus’ CommandsJesus’ Commands
Love one anotherDo good to all people – especially to those
of the household of faithFeed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the
imprisoned, give drink to the thirstyWelcome the strangerWe have a mandate – Matthew 28:18-20
““Great Commission Outreach is o.k. . . .”Great Commission Outreach is o.k. . . .”
“as long as they don’t sit in my pew!”
“as long as we stay small!”
“as long as we can all worship together!”
“as long as we worship the way I like it!”
“as long as we keep doing things the way we’re doing them!”
• Alan Klaas, “Outreach Vision for a New Century”, LCMS National District Staff Conference, San Antonio, TX, January 1998
“Great message on the church’s need to change with the times. For a minute there, I thought you were talking about our church!”
The LCMSThe LCMS 82% of LCMS congregations gain one or less adults by confirmation
or baptism. Since 1968, the number of annual adult confirmations have remained
the same, approximately 30,000. Statistically, it requires the effort of 115 members of the LCMS to
result in one adult confirmation per year! Since 1970, LCMS membership has declined from 2.8 to 2.6 million. In the last 30 years, Sunday School enrollment has dropped from
850,000 to under 500,000. Worship attendance has declined 15% in the same period. Almost 50% of the children confirmed in our congregations are not
active in them at the age of 21. Since 1988, the Synod has lost approximately 1,750 more ordained
ministers and 3,000 more commissioned ministers than we have gained.
• President Kieschnick, Installation Address, 2001***
Core ValuesCore ValuesWhy we do what we doWhy we do what we do
Constant, passionate Biblical beliefs Determine distinctive ministry Dictate personal involvement Communicate what is important Embrace good change Influence overall behavior Inspire people to action Enhance credible leadership Contribute to ministry success Influence mission and vision
We pray for ValuesWe pray for Values
Core Values AuditCore Values Audit(Handout)(Handout)
Values are historic and aspirational Rate each value 1 to 5 (1 lowest, 5 highest) Work quickly, using first impressions Try to give as few 5’s as possible Circle all values with a 4 or 5 Rank these as most important to least important. List the top 12 at the bottom of the page
Our Core ValuesOur Core Values
God’s grace Bible-centered
preaching & teaching Sacraments Biblical foundation Lordship of Christ Prayer
Great Commission Christian Education Caring Fellowship Lutheran Confessions Outreach Godly Leadership Inspiring Worship
The Congregation - HistoryThe Congregation - History
– Formed in 1988 as a mission to the Chapel Hill area
– Moved into first building in 1996– Montessori school founded in 1998– Became self-supporting in 1999– Launched Hispanic ministry in 1999– Rev. Daniel Brammeier called as second pastor
in 2003 (first called pastor)– 2004?
The Congregation- AnalysisThe Congregation- Analysis
One service on Sunday Sunday school & adult
Bible class Vacation Bible school Montessori preschool Service
– World missions– Adopt-a-Highway– Campus ministry– Local service projects
Fellowship– Women’s fellowship– Potlucks– Kids’ nights
Excellent visitors’ folder Excellent newsletter Liturgy printed Mission statement printed
on Sunday bulletins No prayer list Regional congregation
The Congregation - IIThe Congregation - II
196 baptized members 148 communicant
members 104 average
attendance Previous attendance
– 90 five years ago– 86 seven years ago
20 enrolled in Sunday school
15 in adult Bible class 2003 income -
$144,787.84 2003 expenses -
$107,636.25 1/3 65+; 1/3 30-64; 1/3 0-
29 (more under 12)
The Congregation - GroupsThe Congregation - Groups
Women of Advent Men’s Ministry Church Council ALMP Board Tuesday AM Bible
Study Tuesday PM Bible
Study Youth Group
Choir Children’s Bell Choir Adult Bell Choir Spanish Class NAMI Constitution
Committee Witness & Service
Committee
The Congregation - OutreachThe Congregation - Outreach
Chapel Hill Rehab Debtors’ Anonymous Neighborhood Civic
Associations Lord’s Literacy Grant Giving Tree Project 5000 Ronald MacDonald House
Dinners Pancake Breakfast Rummage Sale
Pregnancy Support Services
Heifer Project Crop walk Vacation Bible School ALMS Youth Project (in process) Book Sale Mr. Bill’s Bike Ministry Advent Attic
The CommunityThe Community
83% professionals Many students Caucasian 73%; Asian
11%; Black 10%; Hispanic 4%
Almost everyone’s home is $100,000+
Median family income is $80,000+
Movers & Shakers
Population (1,3,5 miles) 6978, 37052, 106,615
Projection by 2007 – 7689, 40678, 117,218
11.5% 65+; 53% 30-64; 35.5% 0-29
Average age 36 85% college educated Average travel time to
work 17.45 minutes
DenominationsDenominations
25 Baptist 22 Methodist 9 Presbyterian 6 Church of God 5 United Church of Christ 3 Bahai 3 Catholic 3 Episcopal 2 Assembly of God
2 Church of Christ 2 Unitarian 2 Wesleyan 1 ELCA 1 LCMS
1 Buddhist 1 Hindu 1 Muslim 6 Other
Advent
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Advent 2
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Pushpins
Advent members
Copyright © 1988-2001 Microsoft Corp. and/or its suppliers. All rights reserved. http://www.microsoft.com/mappoint © Copyright 2000 by Geographic Data Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. © 2000 Navigation Technologies. All rights reserved. This data includes information taken with permission from Canadian authorities © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada © Copyright 2000 by Compusearch Micromarketing Data and Systems Ltd.
QuestionsQuestions
What are the unique gifts and resources of our congregation?
How does our congregation mirror the community in which we live?– Racially and ethnically– Socially and economically– Educationally and in terms of employment
The Mission StatementThe Mission Statement
What is your current mission?What commands did Jesus give us? The “Great Commission”“God so loved the world…”Maintenance ministry versus mission
The importance of the Mission The importance of the Mission StatementStatement
Dictates the ministry’s direction Focuses on the ministry’s function Presents its preferred future Provides a template for decision making Inspires ministry unity Shapes its strategy Embraces positive change Enhances ministry’s effectiveness Facilitates evaluation
We pray for MissionWe pray for Mission
Examples of Mission Examples of Mission StatementsStatements
GE – Progress is our most important product
Burger King – Have it your wayMaxwell House – Good to the last dropDurham Life – We protect the familyMorton Salt – When it rains it pours
Developing the Mission Developing the Mission Statement - IStatement - I
What are we supposed to be doing?– What kind of ministry are you involved in?– Whom are you trying to serve?– How will your ministry serve these people?
Articulate your mission in written form– What words communicate best?– What is the simplest, most powerful way to say it?– Does your format convey your mission well?
Developing the Mission Developing the Mission Statement - IIStatement - II
Is your mission statement broad but clear?– Is it broad enough?– Is it clear?
Is the statement brief and simple?– Is there information overload?– Does it pass the t-shirt test?– Can you express it in one sentence?– Is it memorable?
Present Mission StatementPresent Mission Statement
Advent is a Community of Christians gathered around the Word and the Sacraments inviting all people to prepare for and receive the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.
Proposed Mission Proposed Mission statement/”motto”statement/”motto”
“Serving as Jesus serves us”
A Vision for Your MinistryA Vision for Your Ministry
A vision is clear Challenging A picture others can
see Shows the preferred
future Describes what can be
Describes what must occur
Biblically based Future focused Direction oriented Goal directed
We pray for VisionWe pray for Vision
Developing the Vision - IDeveloping the Vision - I
Conception of the Vision– With what are you dissatisfied?– What are the untapped opportunities?– What could be?– What are some viable alternatives?
Developing the Vision - IIDeveloping the Vision - II
Clarifying the vision– Envisioning prayer– Thinking big– Written brainstorming– Determining the contents– Questioning the dream– Demonstrating patience
Developing the vision - IIIDeveloping the vision - III
Expand the vision statement – what do I see?
Study other vision statementsDream big dreamsContinue to refine
Items for Vision Statement - IItems for Vision Statement - I 0 – new sanctuary 0 – multiple services 2 – additional staff 0 – bilingual 2 – take-out ministry 1 – T.V. ministry 9 – nursery school 2 – expanded music
ministry 7 – Christian care &
concern 2 Stephen Ministry
0 – adequate classrooms 10 – youth ministry 0 – regional high school 1 – plant sister
congregation 0 – sponsor foreign
missionary 18 – more Christian
fellowship opportunities 4 – service to college
students 2- Christ care
Items for Vision Statement - IIItems for Vision Statement - II 3 – more and varied Bible
studies 0 – young adult ministry 0 – singles ministry 1 – retreats for all interests 0 – camping ministry 0 – cultural and Christian
education opportunities for community
0 – counseling ministry 0 – nursing home 0 – multigrade Lutheran
school
2 – Interfaith Council work
0 – hospital ministry 0 – after school program 0 – recreation 0 marriage & engagement
encounters 3 – evangelism training 0 – stronger Sunday
school 0 –improved web site 5 – visitor follow-up
Proposed Vision Statement - IProposed Vision Statement - I
We see Advent Lutheran Church as a caring community, founded on the Bible and Lutheran confessions, seeking to care for and build up one another in the faith to live our lives in obedience to Christ’s command to love one another and to make disciples of all nations. We will do this through the utilization of our time, talents and gifts to reach the people of our community, especially the students on our college and university campuses, those who have special needs, and ethnic people in our community. We will do this through a number of educational, fellowship, and outreach programs that are congruent with the needs and the culture of the people of our community.
Proposed Vision Statement - IIProposed Vision Statement - II These programs may include, but are not limited to: Christian fellowship Youth ministry Early childhood education (nursery school) Christian care and concern Visitor follow-up Evangelism training Additional Bible study opportunities Stephen Ministry Christ Care Interfaith Council ministry An expanded music ministry Take-out ministry
Proposed Vision Statement - Proposed Vision Statement - IIIIII
In order to fulfill this vision it may be necessary for us to add additional staff such as a second pastor who is bilingual, a DCE, music minister, youth worker, or a vicar. It may become necessary for us to add a second service, to add additional classroom space or to build a new sanctuary.
Desired Outcomes (Goals)Desired Outcomes (Goals)
What is the one thing you want most to happen in this congregation?
What will it take to make it happen?What are the obstacles to accomplishing
this one thing?
Goal RequirementsGoal Requirements
Must be specificMust be attainableMust be measurableMust be time-defined
We pray for our GoalsWe pray for our Goals
GoalsGoals
In the next three years, what one method of achieving our vision brings the most glory
to God, has the highest potential for connecting others with Christ, and could only be accomplished by Him working
through us?
Our Goals:Our Goals:
By March, 2004 we will initiate a monthly friendship/family evening.
By Fall, 2004 we will have in place a youth ministry for 10th – 12th graders that is led by one of our adult members.
We have a goal of a new nursery school – we will work to develop this goal when we resolve our present preschool issues.
Objectives – StrategiesObjectives – Strategies
A way of accomplishing the Goal.There’s always more than one way to
consider!A strategy affects the entire
organization – it cannot be done by only a few people.
“There’s more than one way to skin a cat!”
How many Presbyterians does How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?it take to change a light bulb?
None . . . None . . . God has predestined when God has predestined when the lights will be off and on!the lights will be off and on!
How many Episcopalians How many Episcopalians does it take to change a light does it take to change a light
bulb?bulb?
Eight . . . Eight . . . One to call the electrician, One to call the electrician,
seven to say how much they seven to say how much they liked the old one better!liked the old one better!
How many Mormons does it How many Mormons does it take to change a light bulb?take to change a light bulb?
Five . . . Five . . . One man to change the bulb One man to change the bulb and four wives to tell him how and four wives to tell him how
to do it!to do it!
How many Lutherans does it How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb?take to change a light bulb?
Change?Change?
ChangeChange
The changes required will be both personal and corporate.
We cannot make changes by our own hard work alone.
Only God can change us, personally and corporately, according to His Plan.
***
ResourcesResources
LandBuilding(s)StaffProgramsFinancial Resources
Land and Facility UsageLand and Facility Usage
How can we best use the available land and facilities to accomplish our vision as stated in our goals and objectives?
What modifications or changes need to be made to do this most efficiently and economically?
StaffingStaffing
What is the best deployment of present staff to accomplish our vision as stated in the goals and objectives?
Do we need more, less, or different staff in order to best accomplish our mission?
Do we have the best system of governance for our needs?
Are we identifying and training leaders to grow our ministry?
ProgramProgram
What programs are currently part of the ministry of this congregation?
How does each fit into the vision as stated in the goals and strategies that have been identified?
What programs need to be terminated, modified or begun in order to best accomplish the mission of this congregation?
FinancesFinances
What will it cost to carry out this ministry plan?
Do we need to reallocate our financial resources?
If more resources are needed, from what sources and how can they be obtained?
Will it be necessary to modify our ministry because of limited resources?
ActionsActions
What do we need to do to accomplish our goals?
Who will be responsible?How will we know when we have reached
our goals?When will we begin?When do we plan to complete?
AccountabilityAccountability
List what we want to do Specify who is responsible - An individual who is
responsible for each action item. Who will have oversight? An individual who has
responsibility for overseeing process – that each person meets his or her deadlines
Periodic evaluation and modification of the plan– How will we know if progress is not being made?– What will we do to jump start a stalled action?
We Pray for our StrategiesWe Pray for our Strategies
Our StrategiesOur Strategies
Monthly Friendship/Family Night– March 20th is kickoff date– Lois and her board are in charge– Publicity?– Program once each month– Will be evaluated after 6 months
EvaluationEvaluation
What plan do we have to evaluate?– Nine marks of a Mission focused congregation– Twelve Keys to an effective church– Healthy Churches
When will we evaluate?What will we do with our evaluation?
Evaluation – Core ValuesEvaluation – Core Values
Shared vision Vital Spirituality Healthy Relationships Celebrative Worship Relational Outreach Life-changing Small Groups Empowered Leadership Gift-oriented Ministry Enabling Structures
The Vital Signs The Vital Signs
Worship Attendance
Guests in Worship
Volunteers in Ministry
Adult Baptisms/Confirmations
Tithes and Offerings
Trends, not quantity or percentages
Unhealthy CongregationsUnhealthy CongregationsDoing church as refuge.
“Hunker down and wait for the storm to blow over.”
Practice denial.
Try to hang onto or even recreate the past.
Insulate themselves against the world around them, which they view as hostile and threatening to their survival.
The future is viewed with fear.
Outreach consists of trying to keep the children in the faith or welcoming the newcomer in the community who already has
the faith.
Mission limited to the capacity of the pastor and staff for ministry.
“Come and get it” evangelism
Members hope the church survives long enough for their own Memorial Service.
Healthy CongregationsHealthy CongregationsDoing church as mission.
Turned outward in their thinking and agenda.
Seek cultural relevance and involvement.
Risk involvement in the world and strategize for it.
Measure their effectiveness by the number of transformed lives in their community.
Face the future with confidence and hope because it believes God is calling to His people from the better future He has
already prepared for them.
Missional vitality powered by the priesthood of all believers.
“Go and get ‘em” evangelism
Preparing the church to be vibrant and alive for their great-grandchildren’s weddings!
This is NOT the ENDThis is NOT the END
…But the Beginning of New Growth!
