Highland Congregational Church

Highland Congregational Church 1605 N. Hickory Ridge Highland, MI 48357 248.887.1515 www.hccmi.org Community Profile Church Profile Pastor Profile Hope in Christ, Care for Others, Courage to Act 1

HCC Church Profile Our Mission We have the Hope in Christ for now and eternity, we Care for Others physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs, and we pursue the Courage to Act boldly in Christ s love. Hope in Christ: Our Vision for the Future We long to see people living with the wonderful hope of Jesus in their lives. In three years, because we have been faithful in finding our hope in Christ as a church body, we are seeing some amazing things happening in our midst. Our worship on Sunday morning has increased in attendance to exceed 100 people once again; many new families are worshipping with us in a vibrant and inspirational worship service. The sanctuary is filled with our singing of songs old and new. The children s ministry has seen a revival of young people and teachers, and their learning often mirrors what is going on in the worship service on Sunday! Our Wednesday night ministry is still as strong as ever. The sounds of children running and playing reverberate in the hallways, the youth ministry engages young people in conversation about the intersections of the Gospel and their lives, and the college and career group is challenged to take their faith deeper. We are also seeing a new interest in small group Bible studies, reaching up to 40% of our congregation. Care for Others We care deeply for one another, and many of our closest friends and family worship right alongside of us each week. We love to experience one another s company whether during meals together, family events, retreats, mission trips, etc In three years, this love has only grown. We are taking advantage of the surrounding parks to meet as a church for picnics, engaging in women s and men s retreats, and family camps. The sick, shut-in, and grieving know they are not alone because we have showered them with cards, meals, and visits. Our active prayer ministry has expanded to include more people willing to come pray with people in need, and our small food pantry is still available for people in need. Courage to Act: Our church is excited about missions, here and abroad. We proudly give 12% of our budget toward supporting missionaries and mission projects around the world since this is reflective of the DNA of our church body. We long to engage in mission trips local and abroad, and we pray that it is an annual event for teams of families from our church to go and support one of our missionaries. Our service to the community is also expanding through opportunities to reach out to children who need tutors and mentors, as well as, local families in need. We are seeing raised involvement and excitement from our congregants who have the courage to act. 2

HCC STRATEGIC PLAN Our Mission: Hope in Christ, Care for Others, Courage to Act Our Values: Our Actual Values Family Atmosphere Compassionate Care Bible-Based Youth and Children Prayer Missions Our Goals and Objectives 1. Re-organize the Church council underneath the mission of the church (Completed) 2. Create a Hospitality Team (Completed) 3. Vote in the Mission Statement (Completed) 4. Create a space for missions communication (in process) 5. Create a space/process for visitor recognition and follow-up (in process) Our Aspirational Values Evangelism Inspiring Worship 6. Redo bathrooms and entryways (In process) 7. Update signage (Completed) 8. Update video in sanctuary (In process) 9. Create a centralized Sunday morning planning space and process (In process) 10. Expand worship teams (In process) 11. Fix the roof (in process) 12. Children s Update/Registration Process (In process) Our Strategy (Process To Make Disciples): SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP TEAM: oversees the mission and vision Hope in Christ Care for Others Courage to Act Worship* Discipleship Fellowship In-care Hospitality* Missions Providing meaningful worship experiences through planning and technical reinforcement. Providing opportunities for all to grow spiritually in their relationship with God. To plan, promote, and facilitate various fellowship events for the members and attendees of Oversee special needs of the congregation and prepare the Holy Communion elements. Helping welcome people into the congregation and integrate them into ministry. To seek outreach opportunities, oversee missions tithe, promote supported missionaries/ Ministries: Music Service Planning AV Team Ushers Funerals Weddings Ministries: Bible Studies Children Ministry Youth Ministry VBS Nursery the church Ministries: Event Planning Worship Team Spiritual Growth Fellowship Ministries: Communion Prep Visitation/calls Meals/Cards Funeral lunches Helping Hand fund Congregational Care Ministries: Greeters Welcome STEWARDSHIP TEAM: Resources all ministries and teams PRAYER TEAM: spiritually undergirds all ministry *Non-elected Team still essential to the mission Hospitality ministries. Ministries: Community Service Missionaries Local Evangelism Simpler Times Missions 3

History: Highland Congregational Church was founded in 1877 as the Highland Station Christian Association. It was renamed Highland Congregational Church in 1884 (HCC). The church flourished until WWII then declined. In 1974, Rev. Thomas Tkachuk came and led the church, which was struggling to survive, in a time of growth and flourishing. In 1984 the church, having outgrown its original building, finished construction on the current sanctuary and moved into its new home. Also in 1984 the church switched membership to the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (CCCC or 4 C s). Rev. Dr. Pastor Gary Evans was called to serve HCC in 1986 In 1994, following years of growth, the church broke ground on a family center and completed a Sunday school classroom addition in 1997 In 2001 the church went through a split, losing 40% of its attendance, including many young families, to a local church plant. In 2008, facing decline and an aging congregation, HCC chose to begin a Redevelopment process through CCCC. While this brought spiritual revitalization, physical attendance was still declining. In 2009 the church celebrated 125 years of service to the community and to God. Between 1984 and 2012, our church has sent 9 people into ministry or missions. In 2014, Rev. Dr. Gary Evans retired after 28 years of service. HCC called Interim Pastor Ministries, who sent Rev. Thomas Rundel as an Intentional Interim to help the church grasp a new vision of becoming a church that can reach young families, as well as find a new pastor. In 2015, Rev. Dan Hanselman was called to serve at HCC. Pastors: Pastored by various candidates between 1884-1974 1974-1985 Rev. Thomas Tkachuk (9 years) 1985-1986 Rev. Douglas Forrester (Interim Pastor) 1986-2014 Rev. Dr. Gary Evans (28 years) 2014-2015 Rev. Thomas Rundel (Interim Pastor) 2015-current Rev. Dan Hanselman Current Condition: The church went through a debilitating split in 2001 which took 40% of the congregation, mostly younger families. Since this time, the congregation has gone through much healing and experienced a spiritual maturing and revitalization under the leadership of Gary Evans. Since Pastor Dan arrived in August of 2015, we have welcomed people into membership, baptized several people, paid off the church mortgage, hired a worship director, and now recognize the need to expand the support of the Christian education ministry. 4

Size: Ages: Staff: Grew from 40 in 1974 to 150 in 1984. Grew from 150 in 1984 to 174 in 1994. Slowly Descended from 174 in 1994 to 80 in in 2008. Current average Sunday attendance is: 80 Current average Wednesday attendance: 68 Membership: 91 Stable 55-74 makes up 58% of congregation 35-54 makes up 25% of congregation 20-34 makes up 3% of congregation Under 20 is 10% Full-time Senior Pastor Part-time Worship Director Part-time Administrative Assistant/Secretary. Stipend treasurer Stipend custodian Primary Ministries: Sunday School Hour 9:30 1 Sunday service at 10:30 1 Wednesday evening Family dinner night with studies for babies - adults Nursery/Children Classes during the 10:30 service. Wednesday morning prayer group August Vacation Bible School Men s and Women s Ministries Finances: Annual Budget: $186,000 with 52% for Personnel in 2014 and 56% in 2015 Annual Salary: $20,000 5

Facilities: Worship Center capacity 300. All purpose gym with kitchen that has a capacity of 350. 2 Youth rooms that can accommodate 25-35. 1 administrative office 2 offices 1 Large conference room 1 Prayer Room 6 children s classrooms All facilities are in good condition. Grounds are well cared for. Recent Accomplishments: Remodeled Women s Restroom facilities Added road signage Replaced video projectors in sanctuary Re-organized the Church council underneath the mission of the church Created a Hospitality Team Voted in the Mission Statement Paid off Mortgage Updated the commons area into a Missions café Yearly Church Activities Square Dance (Outreach of 80+ people) Trail to Bethlehem (Outreach 200 people) Simpler Times Journey to the Cross Holy Week Worship Experience Trunk or Treat Rebuilding Together Community Flint Youth Missions: www.flintmissionproject.org Operation Christmas Child (90 Boxes) Concert of Prayer and Day of Prayer Thanksgiving Celebration (Concert and Meal) Family Fall Festival Enchanted Evening Dance Teen Winter Retreats Central Detroit Christian Center Thanksgiving Dinner ministry Family Game Night Family Movie Night Wednesday Night Fall Kick-off Wednesday Night May celebration Coffee Hour in the Missions café Children s Christmas Play Youth Puppet Ministry Bell Choir 6

Christmas Caroling Meals on Wheels delivery Host facility for Narcotics Anonymous 7

Strengths: SWOT Analysis A focused congregation concentrating on The Irreducible Core. - The Irreducible Core: Love God. Love Others. Make Disciples A high value of hospitality, love, and grace (casual, come as you are, acceptance). The strong maturity in faith from majority of Congregants. A high value in service and giving. Highly active and vibrant Prayer Ministry. Missions Support (12% of budget is given to missions) A vibrant and growing, all age encompassing, Wednesday Night Ministry program. Wednesday Night meal ministry Devoted ministry teams Weaknesses: Instrumental and Vocal breadth and depth in the music department The ratio of males (40%) to females (60%) 10% of the congregation is between the ages of 18-29 years, and 10% between ages of 30-49 The Church needs up-to-date technology for worship services and classroom teaching Opportunities: The surrounding area includes highly motivated individuals interested in recreation time and family enrichment. These are high values our community at HCC. Children and family population is growing on Sunday mornings. HCC has a strong retired community willing to serve and give of their time, some offering over 10 hours a week in service. Potential for effective evangelism: HCC has a gift of caring for others in tangible ways through service and fun events. This meets the needs of the surrounding community. Large Facility: our facility is well taken care of, has recent upgrades, and can accommodate large groups, classes, and worshipers. Many mature knowledgeable congregants who can teach and lead small groups. The opportunity to reach out to the immediate community of the unchurched. Threats: We have an aging congregation that recognizes the need to reach out to the next generation. 71% of congregants live 10-20 minutes away. 8

Highland Community Profile Location Highland Congregational Church is located 30 minutes West of Pontiac, MI in the Metro Detroit area. HCC is a suburban church located in the midst of an area rich in state parks and many lakes, offering lakeside homes, boating, fishing and scenic views. The countryside around HCC is filled with fields, barns, lakes and forests as well as subdivisions, businesses, and car dealerships, truly the best of both worlds. The immediate region of Highland is a diverse community made up of about 2-3 nice subdivisions, a mobile home park, and older ranch and farm style houses. Within 7 miles of HCC reside 64,000 people. This has grown by 40% since 1990, which beats the national average of 26%. Demographics Demographically, the top household segment in HCC s ministry area is Prosperous New Country Families, representing 43.8% of all households. The largest age group in terms of numbers is Survivors (age 31 to 51) comprised of 18,502 persons or 28.8% of the total population in the area. Boomers (age 52 to 69) come in second and make up 23% of the population. The socio-economic make-up of the area is mostly white (94%), college educated (50% above national average), married (20% above national average), families (67% of households have children compared to national average of 55%), well-paid (median income is $90K) white-collar workers (67%) who commute 30-60+ minutes to work. Our surrounding community is traditionally religious with above average interest in Catholicism (30% opposed to the national average of 27%), Methodist (12% opposed to 10%), Lutheran (9.5% opposed to 7%), Presbyterian (6.5% opposed to 4.5%), and Congregational (3% compared to 2%). Schools Providing excellence in learning for all students to achieve their personal best is the core mission in our area schools. From dedicated teams fostering preschool classes, to differentiated instruction and talent development programs at all grade levels, to award winning arts and athletic, the local schools offer it all. The Huron Valley School district has a few elementary schools and a couple of middle schools in the immediate area, as well as two high schools and an international academy. Our local area consists of the following districts: 9

Huron Valley Schools (www.hvs.org) Hartland Consolidated Schools (www.hartlandschools.us) Howell Public Schools (www.howellschools.com) Holly Area Schools (www.has-k12.org) Hospitals Our surrounding area can provide everything from great family physicians and pediatricians to specialty care. Stretching from Grand Blanc to Ann Arbor, you will find hospitals and doctors that are ranked among the nation s best. Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital (www.hvsh.org) Providence Health System (www.stjohnprovidence.org) Genesys Health System (www.genesys.org) University of Michigan (www.uofmhealth.org) Recreation Within the Hartland, Highland, Milford and White Lake, Michigan area, state, regional and county recreational areas abound. No less than a dozen areas can be easily reached and many, like Kensington and Indian Springs Metroparks, Highland Recreational Area and Seven Lakes State Park, offer hiking, bicycling, nature programs, golfing, swimming and canoeing opportunities. Several have water parks and food concessions as part of their operation. All are very clean, safe and family oriented facilities. Other Community facts: 11% claim no interest in religion. 35% of the surrounding community is concerned with finding time for recreation. This is 10% higher than national averages. 34% are concerned with finding a fulfilling marriage. This is 12% higher than national average. Average cost of home is $140K-300K. There is a projected increase in Generation Z (born before 2002) from 11% to 17% by 2017. The family structure is strong in Highland with 80% of families being traditional married with children, opposed to the national average of 65%. 10

HCC CED Profile I. Character A. Has a passionate devotion for Christ B. Has a Godly Character (I Timothy 3 and Titus 1) C. Is a person of prayer and the spiritual disciplines D. Has a calling to youth and children s ministry and discipleship II. Competencies A. Strong relationship skills: Outgoing, accessible, likeable, and friendly. B. Strong Organizational Skills: Plan, Communicate, Coordinate, and Implement the Children and Youth Ministries. C. Gift of leadership: Desire to build teams, ministries, and foster discipleship of leaders Ability to keep a finger on the pulse of the children and youth ministry Motivates teachers and youth leaders to action Leads the way in gathering resources necessary to complete the tasks Manages and mentors teachers well and capable of recruiting future teachers and youth leaders Competent in Confliction Resolution D. Dynamic Teacher: Biblically accurate, clear, relevant, interesting, compelling. E. Passion and Plan for evangelism and to grow the children s and youth ministry spiritually and numerically. III. Chemistry A. The Christian Education Director Candidate s values and mission (The Irreducible Core matches ours). B. The Candidate is a cultural fit for our church, denomination, and community. C. Good affinity between the Candidate and our children and youth ministry. D. Be consistently involved in the regular ministries and services of the church. 11

IV. Job Description A. The CE Director shall be the spiritual and administrative leader of the children and youth ministries of HCC. B. Responsibilities of the CE Director: 1. Proclaiming- The Ministry of Teaching 2. Leading Teach God s Word in mid-week class opportunities and/or small group opportunities. Oversee, develop, and implement the curriculum, making sure it aligns doctrinally. Provide leadership and direction for the children and youth ministries. Recruit, equip and mentor existing and emerging leaders and teachers. 3. Discipleship of Children and Youth Ministries Love and disciple the children and youth of HCC. See to develop the children and youth ministries by reaching out to nearby communities. V. Accountability of the Christian Education Director: The CE Director shall be accountable to the Senior Pastor and shall make an annual report to the church. The Senior Pastor shall conduct an annual job review of the CE Director. Seven Distinctive Qualities Desirable in the CE Director 1. Vibrant life with God: The people at HCC have a vibrant faith with high values on prayer and personal devotions. HCC is looking for a CE Director who will be able to inspire and teach the children and youth of HCC to further their walk with God. 2. Retain and Cultivate Connection with Local Churches: HCC has great relationships with the surrounding churches and loves to connect for events and outreach opportunities. The next CE Director will need to continue to cultivate these rich relationships and seek further networking opportunities. 3. Ability to reach and relate to Young Families: HCC is looking for a CE Director who understands the times we live in and can use modern methods of communication (technology, social networking, etc ) as a way of helping our church reach out to younger families and make them feel at home in our church. 4. Vibrant Personality: HCC is a vibrant church and wishes to have a CE Director who 12

reflects this. The CE Director will be excited about life and ministry and be an innovative self-starter. 5. Dynamic Communicator and Teacher: We are looking for a CE Director who is passionate about teaching the Bible to our children and youth. Through various means of communications, we desire our children and youth to cultivate a biblical foundation for their lives. 6. Relational Leader: We are likable, warm, friendly people who give hugs and handshakes and share meals and coffee together. We desire the CE Director to be highly relational, caring, and compassionate with a sense of humor; cold fish need not apply. 7. Discipleship abilities: HCC s Irreducible Core is Love God. Love Others. And Make Disciples As We Go. Discipleship is a primary pursuit of our church. The CE Director must embrace these qualities and facilitate an environment where these pursuits can be achieved. 13