Ministry Plan Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, Marinette, WI Current Core Values (Current core values that were determined by the congregation) Faithfulness to God s Word Lay member participation in worship Children s Ministry Means of Grace Evangelism Strayed and Straying Aspirational Values (Future core values that were determined by the congregation) Family Ministry Membership Ministry Bible Knowledge Youth (Post Grade School) World Missions Team Ministry Cultural Relevance Core Mission Shining the Light of the Gospel in our community. John 8:12 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
10-Year Target (what we are aiming to become, with God s blessing, by 2024) Our goal is to engage 500 people each week in worship with the Gospel in Word and Sacrament with 60% participating in Adult discipleship and meaningful spiritual ministry. Adult discipleship will help adults grow in Christ's love and live out their calling. Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 5-Year Vision Statements (what each ministry area will look like by 2019) Worship: Our members lead 350 people weekly in Christ-centered worship in Word and Sacrament in multiple formats at multiple times. o Examples of this are planning, preparing and conducting worship services that include readings, singing and music from a variety of our members. o Worship may be on Sunday, Monday, or mid-week services, and includes Children s Chapel or other worship formats. Adult Spiritual Growth: Our members lead ministry activities that engage 180 members weekly in spiritual growth. o Examples of this are Sunday bible class, Women s bible group, Men s Breakfast, Sunshine Club, and home based small groups and hospitality ministry gatherings. Outreach & Evangelism: Our members comfortably and confidently share their faith, consistently invite their friends and neighbors to worship opportunities and support missions world-wide. We have community awareness and involvement with the people around us in our neighborhood that is realized through intentional strategies for sharing God s Word and meeting the needs of His people. 2016 Ministry Plan - Voters Approved 1-17-16 Page 2
Youth & Family Ministry: Our members understand their role in a Christian family, growing in loving relationships through training and instruction in the Lord. Group Life & Fellowship: Our members have a strong sense of belonging, participating in groups and activities that build loving and caring relationships. Our group interactions express a culture of warmth, welcome and caring. Strayed & Straying: Our members consistently reach out to strayed and straying members to communicate our care, concern and encouragement. Returning members are welcomed. Stewardship: Our members are faithful managers of the resources that God has provided (time, talent, treasures), working together to achieve our ministry goals. 3-Year Core Strategic Priorities (primarily focus on in the next three years, 2014-2017) 1 st Strategic Priority and Measurable Goal(s) Priority: Adult Discipleship Preparing for Spiritual Growth Goal: Develop/find training courses for all ministry positions o Create (10) small group ministries o Create (5) support groups 2 nd Strategic Priority and Measurable Goal(s) Priority: Preparing for Congregational Growth Goal: Develop Organizational Structure and staffing plan to best accomplish the Ministry Goals o Develop roles and responsibilities to address areas of opportunity o Prepare to address outreach to single parent families 2016 Ministry Plan - Voters Approved 1-17-16 Page 3
3 rd Strategic Priority and Measurable Goal(s) Priority: Increase Worship Attendance Goal: Increase weekly worship attendance by 100 o Create dedicated worship committee o Expand opportunities for people to get involved in worship service o Increase outreach to strayed and straying o Engage additional demographics in worship with diversity of worship types and places. 1-Year Plan (key goals we hope to accomplish, with God s blessing, in 2015-2016) 1. Adult Discipleship Preparing for Spiritual Growth A. Conduct ongoing Spiritual Gifts seminars B. Develop a way to connect people to members and ministry C. Publish Where do I fit in list of opportunities for church and community D. Connect people who share interests/challenges to form small groups E. Support current small groups i. promotions ii. materials iii. trainings iv. encouragement F. Identify/develop training materials for leadership, including strengths based leadership identification and training. G. Identify/develop training materials for volunteers H. Pair adult mentors with catechism aged children and new members i. board meetings ii. community events iii. usher event or altar guild iv. Living Nativity or VBS crew v. Footsteps I. Expand meaningful ministry opportunities for women. 2016 Ministry Plan - Voters Approved 1-17-16 Page 4
Tactics 2. Preparing for Congregational growth A. Develop a volunteer Webmaster ministry for additional support and sustaining the functionality of the website. B. Schedule opportunities for members to give feedback C. Offer online capability for offerings and tuition payments D. Review position descriptions for volunteers and leaders and adjust as needed E. Complete documentation for ministry events, and conduct post event reviews to gather lessons learned and update documentation as required. F. Develop Organizational Structure to best accomplish the Ministry Goals G. Publish organizational chart 3. Increase Worship Attendance A. Organize a Worship Committee i. Expand opportunities for people to get involved in worship service ii. Explore different Worship atmosphere B. Reactivate the Music Committee i. Offer music training for future praise leaders ii. Develop progression to grow members to serve in worship iii. Expand variety of music Place our trust in God Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Congregation embraces Ministry Plan Vision Establish job descriptions, training materials, and support start ups to empower membership Recruit key leaders and team members for committees Committees complete 1 year Ministry Action Plan 2016 Ministry Plan - Voters Approved 1-17-16 Page 5
1 st Quarter Priorities Music and Worship Committees become active, with Chairman and published membership information Incorporate better meeting planning and strategies into all committee meetings. Improve read ahead information content for all committee meetings as well as the quarterly Congregational meeting. Communication Plan Open Forums Printed Documents Website Quarterly Meetings Evaluation Plan (how you will measure progress and hold each other accountable) Detailed Ministry Action Plan (1 yr Plan) Monthly reviews on progress by church council Quarterly reports to the congregation on progress IMPORTANT: The components of this Ministry Planning Optimizer must be renewed annually prior to updating each year s council-proposed, and then voter-approved, Ministry Plan. Leaders in all areas of ministry will base their annual plans and priorities on each year s renewed Ministry Planning Optimizer 2016 Ministry Plan - Voters Approved 1-17-16 Page 6