Christ Church Rector Search Results from Parish Conversation Cafés

Transcription

1 Christ Church Rector Search Results from Parish Conversation Cafés The Christ Church Search Committee convened 3 Conversation Café s during March. They yielded the following participation: March 2, following 10am service; 16 parishioners plus 2 facilitators March 9, after 8am service; 16 parishioners plus 2 facilitators March 9, after the 5:30pm service; 12 parishioners plus 2 facilitators After the sessions we asked for feedback or conversation continued with these themes: Should we more explicitly discuss the identity of the rector i.e. identity, race, gender? We should have at least one open ended question so we can focus on what s broken We should use the same questions for the 8am conversation café to see if there is any difference in answers) After the 8 am session conversation focused on our lack of youth and need to focus on a program that appeals to high school age kids and provides them with community service work We need to be sure we have a Rector who has a sense of humor because we can be a dour and serious congregation. Are we dour and in need of livening up? It s part of inspirational leadership. Question 1: If you were stuck in an elevator with an episcopal minister, what would you say to convince them to come to Christ Church? Welcoming Supportive structure Ready and open for the next spiritual journey. Not stuck in our ways. Parish with resources and opportunity for outreach (which maybe other parishes don t have) Signature parish buildings, grounds and 20 th (approx.) in $ to the Dioceses Opportunity for growth for the rector and for the church Well located. Beautiful worship space, garden of the resurrection. Join us now, stay forever Family oriented but also diverse Financially sound (endowment and balanced budget) Unified parish and open to new leader and ideas Pieces are all in place strong financial footing, desirable location and excellent physical plant Strong lay leadership Also one page with all this. Worship, music, facilities, people and congregation big mix of diversity e.g. socio and economic, positive, friendly and welcoming. Children s services, rectory, community, strong quality of life and opportunities for a family to join. Parish has strong structure but not set in stone there are opportunities to grow.

2 March 9, 8am Nice physical church Open minded parish with moderate views Family oriented Close knit congregation; togetherness feeling; try to get everyone involved Physical campus architectural beauty and beautiful rectory Needs strong managerial skills because it will come up eventually Someone who is compassionate Solid spiritual foundation We have a vibrant congregation interested in intellectually stimulating sermons from someone who is very spiritual Strong in growing a younger congregation Very diversified church with lots of families who want to grow their faith Not only families within the church but a family that extends out into the community On the waterfront. Good music. Maritime ministry. Have a boat? Historic. Well educated. Cardinal grounds. Nice rectory. Attractive community at large (school system, close to NYC, and culture in Westchester). March 9, 5:30 pm Supportive community Financially stable Talented parishioners Community already exists of people who want to be part of a growing parish Great place to raise a family close to the city, nice area, membership to PCC Broad range of people young, old, diverse, black/white, socioeconomic, gay/straight Clean slate to work with committed community but we know we need new blood and we know we can be more than we are. Strong sense of history, the community and this church buildings, community connections, music for the broader community Congregation that appreciates the power of the spoken word sermons and our liturgy Very spiritual and compassionate but need new growth with too few age groups Next chapter we have pockets of expectations and inertia but want a leader to take us to the next level especially with youth and children and the elderly. Reach beyond our demographics. We are not entrenched. Change is possible Community of Pelham A friendly and inviting parish that welcomes new perspectives A friendly and inviting parish that needs help connecting.

3 Question 2: What can the new Rector expect from us? Good parties new comers and parish picnic Supportive leadership in vestry. No rubber stamp. Good supply of own ideas and open to new direction A congregation that will listen to his/her sermons (eager listeners) Parish will recognize the balance between work and personal life Parish that is hungry to do more outreach Expect us to be nervous, excited and supportive of whomever we choose Welcoming parish that would have the rector s back. We are all humans in different stages of our journey. Rector can count on calls from those in need. Will provide a honeymoon period but then a strong core of willing volunteers Primary challenge: open and willing to listen but may strong and diverse voices (double edged sword) Effective administration. Interim leadership, administrator and effective transition team. Open to change -- recognition of change as catalyst for growth Small but committed base of lay leadership to partner with new rector to grow Best parish administrator ever March 9, 8am Good coffee, tea, plenty of food. We ll introduce you around. Will be sure to transfer parish knowledge (corporate history). Partnership and support. Civic calling minded. Respect and interest in him/her Hope and desire for someone to grow the church and attract younger teens but also recognize older community Qualities we need are empathy, spiritual, internet savvy, social minded Initial grace period but needs vary they will be held to a high standard Cooperation and assistance and good relationships with other local houses of worship Cooperation and help. People willing to be active in committees. What did we say to get your attention? We d like to know that in reverse. We would be open to new ideas from the new rector Cooperation and support willingness to work on committees and accept new ideas related to them.

4 March 9, 5:30pm service Competing organizations for the time of parishioners; Strong ask to involve people who are busy; Children s time Competing faith based organizations and opportunities; beyond Pelham; beyond Episcopal Reluctance to change in ways necessary for growth youth and kids vs. music Welcome Refreshed commitments and new voices Challenge to maintain initial enthusiasm Pledging up Expand to children Pastoral care for elderly Where for music? Talented energetic parish people who want to help and see the parish grow Caveat to that is people need inspirational leadership to be motivated or inspired We need inspirational leadership in our next Rector someone who can recognize their own skillset and delegate when necessary Expect to encounter pockets of resistance to change liturgy, outreach, music, youth program Question 3: Years from now, what do you hope we accomplished together? Large, vibrant youth program Bigger and stronger congregation more people, more balanced by age and economics, financially stronger, stewardship Known for broad and ongoing outreach programs and activities with strong ties to our community Growth in numbers of parishioners and spiritual depth. Greater stewardship and support for the budget with less reliance on the endowment. Stronger outreach program especially for the youth. Spiritual growth individually, adult education and youth group Broader base of lay involvement including trees of pastoral care and congregation wide attendance Stronger place for young people to develop a connection to God. Wanting to come on their own and not out of obligation. Feeling they have a home here. Stronger program for kids. We should have sound proofing of the undercroft! Congregation experience spiritual growth Active ministry to young people including age group represented on the Vestry Greater community love/identity. Greater internal support. More parish participation. Increased sense of family and its responsibilities. Growing impact of parish on community and the world including hands-on outreach program

5 March 9, 8am Survival and growth (financial, families, curate, youth program and director) Superb reputation magnet a place to grow in my lifetime spiritually (lifecycle of family to older) More outreach and charitable work in partnership with religious organizations True bonding of the parish including intergenerational and mutual respect More wide range involvement and participation in church life Strong foundation and process of welcoming new members Activities for all ages. Hope confirmands continue to come to church. Draw out people s talents more not all the same people Follow up on people we have not seen in a while More pledging units. Visit us in the columbarium Lively parish still thriving March 9, 5:30pm Grown in community connections outreach, pastoral care, youth, steady stream of young families, vibrant church school Broader and wider lay leadership more people and different people and multiple people Broader menu of worship options music, liturgy, time of day, style Stronger finances and better cash flow. Preserve the endowment. Continue maintenance of the property. Increased pledging. Youth great teen and children s programs. Sustainable pipeline. Robust and keep attracting. Demographics reflecting the community. Younger families. Deeper involvement in Pelham and surroundings. Taken to higher levels of spiritual growth. Spouse Pledging is up All around growth More voices from soft-spoken members of our community More participation amongst the community Robust youth group, senior support and pastoral care Spiritual growth Striking balance between continuity and change you can t save souls in an empty church Maybe certain seasons for different music