North Congregational Church Vision Task Group

Transcription

1 North Congregational Church Vision Task Group Report to Executive Council December 21, 2016

2 Why a new vision for North Congregational Church? Relevance and Impact Our current vision statement is somewhat difficult to remember. Also it is more about 'what we will do' rather than 'what we will be' in X years. Fellowship and Commitment One goal of the process as well as the resultant vision is to reaffirm and strengthen our fellowship and commitment to the Church and to one another. Membership Our membership has been declining. Another goal of the process, new vision, and resulting actions is to reverse this, to attract new members (especially younger adults and those who do not currently attend church). 2

3 North Church s Current Vision We will share spirituallyfulfilling programs and ministries that reinforce our values and allow us to grow as individuals and as a congregation. North Church Mission Statement We are gathered for worship of God and Service to Humanity. North Church Values We are followers of Jesus. We are guided by His teachings and example. Our faith is grounded in scripture, history, and tradition. We are seekers of God's truths. We explore God's truths, beginning with those revealed to us in the Old and New Testaments. We respect diversity of thought in matters of faith and learn from ideas that enlighten the faithful of all generations We strive to be good stewards of God s love. We challenge ourselves to apply what we learn in our daily lives. We reflect God s forgiveness and grace as we care for one another in our congregation and communities. We serve God by responding to the needs of our ever-changing world. North Church Covenant Acknowledging our desire for Divine guidance, we promise to cooperate with the members of this Church in the study and practice of that law which Jesus taught as supreme: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." We do now cordially enter into covenant with this Church, engaging to submit to its order and discipline until dismissed. We promise to support its services. We seek the advancement of truth in our world and in our personal lives. 3

4 What makes a good vision statement? Clear and concise plain language, passes the elevator test. Directional and future-focused gives a view of what the organization will be in 5-10 years. Values-based aligns with and reinforces the organization s values, provides guidance in times of stress or crisis (e.g., the J&J response to the Tylenol episode). Purpose-driven provides a larger sense of purpose than (e.g., for a business) making money. Inspiring and Challenging leads to goals that motivate and stretch the organization s people. Unique and Relevant helps differentiate the organization, pertinent to today s decision-making. Vision vs. Mission A Vision statement by definition is something you want to become, to achieve, it is a seductive image of an ideal future whereas a Mission statement explains the purpose of the organization why it exists it captures the organization s soul. 4

5 Example vision statements from the business world. Anheuser-Busch Be the world's beer company. Through all of our products, services and relationships, we will add to life's enjoyment. Boeing (1950) Become the dominant player in commercial aircraft and bring the world into the jet age. DuPont The vision of DuPont is to be the world's most dynamic science company, creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer and healthier life for people everywhere. GE (1980) Become the number one or number two in every market we serve and revolutionize this company to have the strength of a big company combined with the leanness and agility of a small company. Heinz Our VISION, quite simply, is to be "THE WORLD'S PREMIER FOOD COMPANY, OFFERING NUTRITIOUS, SUPERIOR TASTING FOODS TO PEOPLE EVERYWHERE." Being the premier food company does not mean being the biggest but it does mean being the best in terms of consumer value, customer service, employee talent, and consistent and predictable growth. Starbucks To establish Starbucks as the most recognized and respected brand in the world. 5

6 Example church vision statements. Meadowbrook Congregational Church (Novi, MI): a devoted nurturing community of Christian faith that is committed to support, sacrifice and participation of all our members and friends; building upon our core values of fellowship, teaching/learning, caring, faith and celebration of life within and beyond our church. Pine Hill Congregational Church (West Bloomfield, MI): Diverse people, United by the Spirit of Christ, Worshipping and Working together by offering ourselves to God, each other, our communities, and our world. First Congregational Church of Detroit: You may not belong to this church, but this church belongs to you. Orchard United Methodist Church (Farmington Hills, MI): Connecting people to God to each other and to the best part of themselves. Christ Fellowship (Miami, FL): To make disciples of all nations. HighPoint Church (Memphis, TN): To be a place where LOVE WORKS. FairHaven (Centerville, OH): To reach the greater Dayton community and expand the Kingdom of God. Christ Church of the Valley (Peoria, AZ): Impacting 100,000 Phoenix area residents by the year Gateway Scottsdale (Scottsdale, AZ): To see people saved, healed, set free, discipled, equipped, empowered and serving. The Potter s House (Dallas, TX): We are the voice and the hand that encourages people to change their lives with hope, comfort and peace. Glide (San Francisco, CA): To create a radically inclusive, just and loving community mobilized to alleviate suffering and break the cycles of poverty and marginalization. Gateway Church (Southlake, TX): To bring people to Jesus and membership in his family, develop them to Christlike maturity, and equip them for their ministry in the church and life mission in the world, in order to magnify God s name. Phoenix First (Phoenix, AZ): To be the church that displays the love of Christ and connects with people of all walks of life through our creative services, discipleship, outreach, and the establishment of multiple campuses by streaming our Weekend Experience services globally. Mars Hill (Grandville, MI): As a community, we re devoted to building an engaged, passionate, spiritually healthy community of people that makes up Mars Hill. We re also devoted to engaging and impacting one another and others, believing that Jesus himself set an example of service and that we ve been given the responsibility to follow it. 6

7 Objectives for a new vision statement (some things the task group has discussed). Aligns with our values as followers of Jesus. Recognizes and reinforces the attributes of North Church that are important to our current friends/members (as shown by prior surveys and workshops). Attracts new friends and members, particularly millennials and those who have not been going to church, by emphasizing aspects / aspirations beyond the Sunday service. The attract element would be both the vision statement itself but, perhaps more importantly, the action it would generate. To this end, part of the vision should be making a difference, in our lives and in the community. Shifts dialog from insufficiency ( we can t do that because ) to possibility ( what if we ) Engages our people, helps inspire us to action. Emphasizes connection with the entirety of North Church, not just the minister or the music program or a few individuals. 7

8 Potential themes for a new North Church vision. God Jesus Love Welcome Faith Spirituality Worship God s Grace Community Fellowship Inclusion Spiritual Family Diversity Active Discipleship Acceptance Caring Joy of Service Service Engaged Making a Difference Selfless Growth 8

9 Next steps. Communication to the Congregation. Discernment sessions. Round table discussions (similar to those for Rev. Dr. Biedron s doctorate project). Open to all Church members and friends. One session focused on youth. Create draft(s) of a new vision for North Church. Review with Executive Council. Congregation approval target the Annual Meeting. 9