fbc identity plan 2013-2018

FBC EdmontonFBC EdmontonIdentity Plan

“Being the New People of God”

2013-2018[ revision Feb. 1, 2014 ]

The ProcessThe Process• Develop a plan• Seek input from outside voices, mentoring

voices• Plan developed through church council and

staff feedback• Plan presented to congregation• Plan brought to life by ministry staff, church

council, congregational activity/support

From Vision to ObjectivesFrom Vision to Objectives• VISION• Mission• Strategies• Goals• Plans & Programs• OBJECTIVES

FBC’s VisionFBC’s VisionListening to God’s Heart,Moved by the Story,Seeking the Peace and Well-being of the City.

FBC’s MissionFBC’s MissionFBC will:Listen to God’s Heart. We will worship the Living God and prioritize communion, baptism, healing, prayer, beauty, intergenerational fellowship and education [We’ll help Christians develop their “heart life”/interior life]Be moved by the GodStory. Our theological reflection and actions will be animated and informed by the Living Word and God’s Empowering Presence. [We’ll help Christians learn the Bible so that they can live it out authentically]Seek the peace & well-being of the city. We will live as everyday Christians joining in on God’s restoring work in the world. [We’ll help Christians live the way of Jesus in the world]- - end goal? Strong, generous Christians.

Stategies, Goals, P & P, Stategies, Goals, P & P, ObjectivesObjectives

Strategies produce goals, which have plans & programs and one (or more) objectivesStrategies shape our directionGoals are what we want to accomplish along the wayPlans & Programs are the “how” of achieving the goalObjectives are the “what” of achieving the goals. They are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-limited.

Listening to God’s Heart Listening to God’s Heart (slide 1)(slide 1)

STRATEGY GOAL P & P OBJECTIVE comments

1.0 Listening…

1.1 We worship as a community

1.1.1 A traditional, liturgical worship

1.1.1.1 Teaching the Christian year and liturgical worship

1.1.1.2 Teaching Spiritual disciplines/practices

Silence, Solitude, Centering prayer, Lectio

Listening to God’s Listening to God’s HeartHeart(slide 2)(slide 2)


1.0 Listening…

1.2 We “Eucharisto”

1.2.1 Communion services

1.2.1.1 teaching the importance of communion/Lord’s Supper (this is more than symbol, this is the “presence” of Christ)

1.3 We Pray 1.3.1 Prayer programs

1.3.1.1 Teaching on prayer, modeling prayer, offering prayer, healing prayer



1.0 Listening…

1.4 We pay attention to beauty, the arts

1.4.1 Sunday liturgy, symbols, worship space

1.4.1.1 Teaching about the connection between beauty, truth, goodness

1.5 Every generation learning to listen to God

1.5.1 Children’s ministry from nursery to Grade 6

1.5.1.1 Teach our children to pay attention to God: spiritual listening, spiritual practices



1.0Listening…

1.6.2 Pre-service theo. Education & spiritual formation

1.6.2.1 Teaching people to grow in the area of: spiritual listening, spiritual practices

Adult Ed.team: Anne, Allan, BeckyPlus: childrenProgram;youth, theologydonuts

1.6 Every generation “companions” together

1.6.3 Spiritual companionship small groups, duos, triads

1.6.3.1 Teaching people how to be spiritual companions with one another; this is another way to help each other “see God/hear God” in their lives

Let’s measure spiritual companionshp from 2014-2018

Moved by the StoryMoved by the Story(slide 1)(slide 1)


2.0 Moved… 2.1 Living “out of” the GodStory

2.1.1 Preaching the Narrative Lectionary, Teaching the Bible as Story

2.1.1.1 People’s lives are animated and enthused by Biblical stories and people are taught to dwell alongside characters in the complicated and messy story of God and God’s imperfect people. We are sharing how God’s living Word is changing us.



2.0 Moved… 2.2 We know the story of God

2.2.1 Theological reflection and discussion groups

2.2.1.1 In light of the GodStory, we are addressing issues with thoughtfulness and God’s wisdom (theo. reflection)

2.3 We know who we are as the New People of God (Identity)

2.3.1 Discussion groups

2.3.1.1 In light of the GodStory, we are living out our identity as God’s people, God’s beloved daughters & sons



2.0 Moved 2.4 We know how to live together as the NPOG (community)

2.3.1 Discussion groups

2.3.1.1 In the light of the GodStory, we are learning how to treat each other with honour and love within our church

2.5 We know how to interpret the world/our lives (interpretation)

2.4.1Discussion groups

2.4.1.1 In the light of the GodStory, we are learning how our personal stories find their place in the context of God’s Story and God’s work in the world (ie. David story teaches us how to live w/ failure, Daniel story teaches us how to live with persecution)

Seeking Peace & Seeking Peace & Well-beingWell-being(slide 1)(slide 1)


3.0 Seeking Peace & Well-being…

3.1 As transformed people, we join God in his restoring work in the world

3.1.1 Children’s ministry

3.1.1.1 Children learning to companion with one another and are engaging in practical acts of justice and mercy in the church and community

Hope Mission, Care packets for women’s shelter

3.1.2 Youth ministry (gr. 7-12)

3.1.2.1 Youth learning to companion with one another and engaging in practical acts of justice and mercy in the church and community

SEED, Marian Centre,Urban Promise

3.1.3 Young Adults ministry

3.1.3.1 Young Adults companioning with one another and. . .



3.0 Seeking Peace and Well-being…

3.1 …join in God’s restoring work in the world

3.1.4 Adults and Multi-generational

3.1.4.1 Engaging our partnership with Mustard Seed

10 meals served/year, $1000 for each meal = $10,000

3.1.4.2 Engaging our partnership with E4C

Poverty seminars, program partnerships

3.1.4.3 Engaging our partnership with the Bolivia Baptist Union via the STEP/CBM program (acting justly locally and globally)

New 3 year term set for Feb. 2013 to Feb. 2016



3.0 SeekingPeace and Well-being…

3.1.4.4 Engaging our partnership with ESL/MCN.

Provide volunteers, gather cookies/snacks, provide space for 60-80 students

3.1.4.5 Being a good host and mentor to the Karen Baptist Church

Shared meal & service once per year, support for them as they seek sustainability



3.0 SeekingPeace and Well-being

3.1.4.6 Keenagers and Senior Saints: caring for/honoring this group in meaningful ways, facilitating ways for them to share their spiritual stories and wisdom. Inviting them to mentor, encourage and pray for the younger generation.Help them w/ issues of aging & spirituality.



3.0 SeekingPeace and Well-being

3.2 Provide space that is easy to access and welcoming

3.2.1 Hosting programs for GA, Zumba, Toastmasters, Boys & Girls Club

3.2.1.1 People are belonging to the FBC community and then invited to believe in and find meaning in the Christian faith.

Stepping Forward:Stepping Forward:• Present plan• Enliven the plan• Pay Attention• Evaluate• Revise as needed

Being the Church in the Being the Church in the 2121stst Century: Century:

• What is our reputation in the city, what are people saying about FBC Edmonton?

• What is our “gift” to the city of Edmonton?• How do we play to our strengths and be non-

anxious about our weaknesses?- - May God enthuse us and inspire us to live into this

identity and these gifts for “such a time as this”