Zion Visioning and Strategic Planning Process Zion Lutheran Church, Muscatine, IA 2012-2013 Date: November 15, 2012 To: Zion Lutheran Church Council From: Zion Visioning and Strategic Planning Team Subject: Team Visioning and Strategic Planning Process Report and Request for Approval Participating in God s Mission - A Shared Vision The ongoing Purpose and Goal of this Visioning and Strategic Planning Process is to strengthen our witness to build a common relationship around a shared mission in Jesus Christ. To ensure that we seek God s call of putting ourselves in His presence, the process has been and continues to be centered on prayer, the Word of God, communal discernment and conversation. The process holds these Objectives: To review, affirm and/or edit the mission, vision and core value(s) of Zion Lutheran Church, To discover, affirm and celebrate the key strengths of our congregation, To cast a vision for future ministries over the next 4-5 years, To identify our Most Compelling Issues and draft the Intentional Strategic Priorities for unfolding the vision, To communicate and implement (and over time, maintain/sustain/monitor/adjust) the Intentional Strategic Priorities and developed Action Steps. Member Input The primary source of information for this report comes from our members. At a Day to Remember congregational event, members shared our common life by remembering our past. These reflections conveyed these thoughts (Identified as Meaning Statements). 1
Meaning Statements: We have a strong foundation on which to build. It is important that we are an open, welcoming and engaging church in our community. A loving and caring fellowship has been and is present within our congregation and among our members. Our benevolence commitment to the larger church and society reflects God s mission for the world. The Search Bible Study (held on Sunday evenings over a seven year period) sent a strong message of our commitment to the word of God. Our Lenten services provide a special and moving time for reflection on what Christ did for us. Music, at all levels, is an important ministry at Zion. Youth activities (although youth numbers are decreasing) are strong and include, in recent years, an annual mission trip experience. In the weeks to follow, Cottage (small group) Meetings were held. There members discussed and expressed their thoughts on the future of our mission and ministry. This input was received: How we Best Describe Zion: Established (solid, steadfast, faithful, honest, my roots, what I grew up with, safe); Conservative; Welcoming; Friendly; Open; Loving; Caring; Giving; Comforting; Supportive; Helpful; Fellowship (personal, congregational relationships, family, home, heritage connection); Aging; Sauerkraut supper; Good facilities. Lutheran (traditional, biblical, grounded in the faith, commitment to God s word and sacraments, liturgical); Jesus Centered; Concern for an ongoing faith journey (spiritual growth for each member); Musical; Community and Mission Oriented Outreach; Connected and Engaged. Strengths to Build On: God is Present - Our strong sense of faith in God/God s Grace and in each other; Strong Foundation/Tradition (faithful, altar centered worship experiences weekly and special services throughout the year, liturgical worship setting, committed core membership); Inclusion of youth in services; Young people s fellowship; Confirmation program; Children s Sunday school and programs; Bible study; Teaching; Welcoming church. Sharing the gospel through mission outreach; Caring community (family and fellowship oriented, community and worldwide mission outreach, help/outreach to shut-ins and the less fortunate, members willing to work); In the City for Good inward and outward focus and transformation of the individual, congregation and community. Pastor; Good Preaching; Associate in Ministry, lay leadership, members talents/depth of knowledge/gifts; Music ministry (e.g., market the music talent of our choir(s); Education ministry; 2
Women s groups; Men s Bible Study; Vacation Bible school; Block party (we have a face in the community); Gateway/Pathway/LSS initiatives; Lutheran Homes history/association; Financially sound. Our Custodian does exceptional work (our facility has never looked better); Greater use of our facilities by outside groups. Concerns/Needs to be Fixed: Worship Attendance/Keeping people faithful to their worship life; Decrease in Youth (all ages); A Program that better provides for the welcoming of visitors (e.g., hand them a Visitor Packet), the integration and assimilation of new members (e.g., a Shepherding program that helps newcomers meet members and learn of opportunities for spiritual growth and service), and for the reconnection of inactive members (e.g., one-on-one home visits). The rising age of our membership and the need for attracting the next generation, especially younger families; Drop out of youth after confirmation/how to keep them coming; Programs, activities and worship service involvement for younger youth; Music programs for youth need reinstituting; The loss of musical talent in the adult choirs; Declining volunteerism in younger members. Our ability and outreach, including information and support groups, to help those with special needs (both permanent and temporary needs and within and outside of Zion); Space for wheelchairs in the sanctuary; Choir loft is not handicap accessible; Parking availability. A Welcoming place that is better reflected and/or more inviting in worship, worship opportunities and in personal communications and relationships; Concern and attention for worship attendees not familiar with a liturgical setting (and who could use some help); One Service rather than two identical services or two different services; Too much liturgy changing and deviation from the reading being used; Get more people involved - spark new interests; Use/weight of Hymnal v. entire Service printed in the Bulletin. The Stewardship Program needs to be Mission Specific, centered on and supported by a personal/spiritual commitment of our members (a spiritual giving concept and structured program was introduced October 21, 2012). Improve communications and advertisements, to include informing the community of who we are and what we do, to our members on the position of our church on social issues, to our membership to afford greater visibility and knowledge regarding Church Council considerations and decisions; timely distribution of the Contact and broader use of multimedia/electronic methods); PA system and microphone use (by some) could be improved; Ongoing information/ program on lay leadership training to include individual, committee and group opportunities; Greater focus on the Trust Fund/Scholarship program. Volunteers - While we have many unsung heroes (whose involvement should be better known), there is an ongoing need for members to step up (e.g., polishing the silver, kitchen duties/responsibilities, helping at local meal sites and in support of other local services). Primary Challenges: Changing Society/ Societal pressures, competition (including for time, talent and money); There is a delicate balance between continuing to meet the spiritual needs of current members and our efforts to reach out to new members; Adapting our ministry to meet the needs in an ever changing world for both current and future members competing with dazzle, high-tech, feel-good ministries. 3
Attracting young members/families/parents who drop off their kids but seldom attend themselves; Reaching out on a more personal basis to those in need of Christ, new and inactive members and to the un-churched; Increasing worship attendance, adult education participation and member involvement in all areas of mission and ministry. Explore an Alternative type/time of service, without compromising our traditional beliefs and practices (teenagers like drums and guitars), to compliment our Traditional service and possibly reach a younger and/or broader group. More concern of the Holy Spirit; If your church is not bible based then you should find a new church because that church s message is not based on God s word; Member Spiritual Discernment to focus on inward personal assessment of faith, worship life, mission, ministry and financial giving. Being open to change/embrace change (Is anything going to happen with these ideas? Nothing ever changes so why are we bothering with discussions); Zion is traditionally stagnant; Zion is challenged to explore new programming while maintaining the comfort level for long standing members. Aging congregation; Ensuring the continuity of our music ministry; Building a prayerful relationship with our companion congregation in Tanzania; Decreased income/a Budget that will support our mission and allow us to maintain our needs; Current economy/employment situation. What I would like to See Happen in the next 1-5 years: Grow the congregation and the committees; Evangelism outreach/attract new members; An initiative directed toward members who are moderately involved and to non-attending members; Foster growth in all senses (spiritually, the un-churched, young families, youth ministry); Develop and practice a holistic sense of community. Establish and maintain a Welcome Center (that includes ministry, special needs and care information as well as attractive brochures that promote Zion who we are, what we are about, our lifestyle and engagement both within and beyond our church). Place Bibles in the pews; Sing more familiar songs; Provide space for wheelchairs in the sanctuary; Make the choir loft handicap accessible. Greater focus on the younger youth; More children s choirs; An interesting and entertaining youth program; A Plan to attract and focus on the needs of young families and other new members; Encourage both youth and family Church camp. Program a big push on adult Bible Study; Bible study with a special focus that relates to real life (how do I relate and take this message into my everyday living); Bible study/programs that appeal to a variety of ages. Add a more relaxed service; Grow the Membership Core (those who worship regularly and are actively committed to the mission and work of our church); Reinstitute women s groups; Provide a weekly daytime program/gathering for the elderly; Use a Bulletin that includes the entire service. Understand the needs of non-attending members; Pastor needs to actively engage both active and inactive members; Have more Invite a Friend Sundays; Implement the Alpha program (a worldwide ecumenical program to introduce people to Christ). 4
Continue to be engaged in the local and global community (and continue to be a church for others ); Make Sermons available on YouTube. Financial growth; Remain financially strong; Adopt a small number of specific missions/action plans (that are defined and measurable); Concentrate our resources more on Zion and locally and less on the world; Share the church structure; Continue to acquire property on the block as it becomes available. A Time and Talent survey and/or Survey Monkey program to learn interests and/or know what people need and really want, followed by a structured and ongoing process to match people with needed positions and tasks; Reinstitute the Leadership Zion lay leadership program; The church actively follow plans as drafted by the committees and ensure that long term plans are passed on to future leadership; Monthly communion. Pastor Steve to be with us; Add a Parish Nurse; Add a Youth Leader; Add an Associate Pastor; Expansion needs due to an attendance increase. Better communications including those that communicate/advertise our mission and image to the community; Update the web page; Reach out to all people; Encourage more openness/communication between/among members and committees; Promote a broad congregational spirit and willingness to be open minded to others ideas and ideals; A vibrant church community sustained and growing and meeting the needs of our members and of others. High School Youth Input There are a lot of old people and I m not sure a younger family would feel comfortable; You can talk to others about your problems. Feel left out of the loop now that they are past confirmation; No one reaching out to them except to help with youth fundraiser meals; Wiling to help out on organized, intentional, local mission work but need advance notice; Mission trips to help others good if rewarding (the New Orleans youth gathering mission was arts and crafts at a Summer School and was not very rewarding). Worship style is stuffy but if it turns to loose like Calvary, I am leaving. Need something in between; Church needs to feel like church, not like hanging out with my Christian friends; I want to clap when good happens; We should have a good news thing similar to prayers for the sick (at Grandma s church, people stand up and share what good has happened in their week); Music is routine but five verse, multi- page hymns are too long; Try new music but not rap. Norms Identification [Norms are those unwritten rules, which can be positive or negative, by which a congregation lives - both implicit and explicit expressions of its corporate life. Input here came from a session with a group of former Zion Church Council presidents.] If it happens in the sanctuary, it must fall under the responsibility of the Worship and Music committee; Quiet in the sanctuary before service; Call to worship bell rings 28 times; No clapping during worship services; Dress code is Sunday best, although there are a lot less suits in today s services. 5
Baptisms are conducted in the baptismal font corner; Senior Choir performs from the balcony and only performs at the 10:30 service; Youth choirs perform at the 8:00 service and occasionally at the 10:30 service; Offering is taken from front to back and then returned to the front; Hospitality is becoming a routine normal practice. Altar Guild is for women only; Pastors should make hospital calls because it is felt that only his/hers counts; Parents drop kids for Sunday School but do not stay themselves for education or worship. Annual Meetings are cut and dried decisions are pre-made; Well-organized governance; Confirmed Youth are voting members of the congregation but do not get the respect or expectations afforded older voting members; Pastors and other staff stay long term. Social ministry events (e.g., Sauerkraut Supper, Block Party, Soup and Pie Supper on Election Day), are good and necessary and shall not be eliminated; Facility should only be used by member sponsored (approved) organizations with the member present at the function. Most Compelling Issues Intentional Strategic Priorities [ISP] There is an overarching message throughout our members input. It is that we continue and sustain our traditional altar centered worship, mission and ministry in-reach and outreach and personal and congregational relationships. Concurrently, there is a clear message that we be open to change. In identifying and addressing these Most Compelling Issues, such changes offered are evidenced by the intentional directives being advocated, i.e., Strategic Intentional Priorities. We believe that incorporating these directives will better enable us to engage all generations of our membership, grow spiritually and be in faithful service to others. Worship and Music: We will support and enhance our current worship and music ministry, and consistently provide quality, diverse and meaningful worship experiences for disciples and seekers. ISP: Focus on a stronger commitment to keep members faithful in their worship life. ISP: Explore and consider an Alternative type of service (to complement our Traditional service). ISP: Ensure that Music, at all levels, continues to be an important and integral ministry at Zion. Stewardship (Time, Talent, Treasurer): We will grow our stewardship by celebrating the generosity of our God and our joy in responding by emphasizing a broad view of stewardship beyond finances to include time, spiritual gifts, talents, personal wellness, and the health of creation. ISP: Adopt, implement and continue the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program. ISP: Participate in a more intentional way in the work of Hunger and Justice Advocacy. ISP: Continue and keep visible a Year Round broad view emphasis of Stewardship. 6
Children, Youth, and Family Ministry: We will minister to and serve the needs of our young families by offering meaningful ministries at convenient times, and by expecting deeper involvement in the ongoing mission of Christ and the church by children, youth and families. ISP: Focus on a stronger commitment to Children. ISP: Reach out to Youth after Confirmation by providing and systematically informing them of a broader offering of opportunities, involvement and activities. ISP: Establish an ongoing initiative and program to attract Young Families. Discipleship/Spiritual Growth: We will enhance and support each member s faith journey by helping each other develop spiritual disciplines and practice that will encourage us to live out our faith in Jesus Christ in our everyday lives. ISP: Focus on inward personal assessment of faith, worship life, mission, ministry and financial giving. ISP: We will create a culture and encourage people to express their story of how God is working in their life. ISP: Further develop and promote Bible Study offerings and participation to include programs that relate to life and that appeal to a variety of ages. ISP: Through small groups, reach out on a more personal basis to those in need of Christ. Generational Ministries: We will be intentional in serving the spiritual needs of all generations and seek vibrant life-giving ministries for people of all ages. ISP: Focus on being a Welcoming place that is more inviting in worship settings and in personal communications and relationships. ISP: Explore new programming while maintaining the comfort level for long standing members. ISP: Provide a weekly/monthly daytime program/gathering for the Elderly. ISP: Provide space for Wheelchairs in the Sanctuary. ISP: Consider the Balcony s Handicap Accessibility. Outreach (Local, Global): We will strengthen our relationship with our neighbors, encouraging our congregation to live out its faith in Jesus Christ in service to the community and world. ISP: Maintain our unique and very strong long-standing relationship with Lutheran Homes. ISP: Explore and promote a deeper understanding and involvement in local groups and organizations that we can serve in Christ s name. 7
ISP: Maintain our commitment to both domestic and world issues periodically brought to our attention by the ELCA. ISP: Build a Prayerful and Caring Relationship with the Kihurio congregation in Tanzania. Engagement of Members (In-reach): We will, as a disciple-making community of faith, be intentional as we seek to engage all members as we participate in God s mission and ministry. ISP: Conduct a Time and Talent type Survey and then put in place and maintain a structured and ongoing process to match people with opportunities and needs. ISP: Establish a Shepherding Program (matches a current member/family with a new member/family, typically for a 3 6 months period). ISP: Develop a program to Actively Engage moderately involved and non-attending members. ISP: Reinstitute the Leadership Zion lay leadership program. Communications: We will provide and implement a variety of media that provides for effective communications. ISP: Establish and maintain a Welcome Center (ministry, mission, needs information, brochures that promote Zion who we are, what we are about, our lifestyle and engagement both within and beyond our church). ISP: Develop a Visitor Packet (handout for first time visitors). ISP: Update and maintain the Zion Webpage. ISP: Promote the availability and use of electronic communications. ISP: Improve the Sound System. Action Steps and Responsibility With the Intentional Strategic Priorities having been identified, the process moves to those given the responsibility to act to make it happen. Their task is to develop and implement, in good order, Action Steps - what to do/how to do it required to actively address each Intentional Strategic Priority. In fact, throughout this report, there are numerous examples of steps that could and should be considered in addressing any given priority. For some, it will be necessary to add to the committee or group, or work with someone who has expertise and/or experience in this area. Visioning and Strategic Planning Team members should also be expected to be called upon for their guidance and assistance. It is most important to note that the Zion Church Council will have the initial responsibility to determine those committees/groups/individuals that will be given these assignments. Thereafter, it will be Council s ongoing responsibility to monitor, assess and measure the status and progress for each initiative. 8
Vision Statement, Mission Statement, Core Values Document We see no inherent conflict between the issues and actions being reported and promoted in this Visioning report and the subject Statements/Document. Notwithstanding, based upon the expected implementation and nature of the initiatives put forth by this Visioning process, a consideration of any changes in the Vision and/or Mission Statements could well be warranted in time (perhaps over the coming year). The question on the Core Values document is keeping it reasonably current. Most updates would relate to programs/practices, noted as being considered, which are now in place, and conversely, those that have been eliminated. In summary, although this subject was an Objective for our consideration, we believe that it is best left for a later date. Recommendations We submit this Report for your information and consideration. Our Recommendations are these: Council action, to accept and approve implementation of the Most Compelling Issues - Intentional Strategic Priorities as listed, and to also accept and approve the Action Steps and Responsibility plan section that explains how we continue to move the process forward. If approved, and introduced to the congregation at the 2013 Annual meeting, that the handout be limited to the sections referenced above (rather than this entire Report). We do however, recommend that this entire Report be available in the church office for any member requesting a copy. Council, and future Councils (at least in the near term), use this entire Visioning Report as a constructive resource as they carry out their duties and responsibilities. Concluding Comments We give thanks to God for this Visioning Process and opportunity to serve our church and for the prayerful and thoughtful input of so many of our members. Key to unfolding the vision will be that we promote a broad congregational spirit and willingness to be open minded to others ideas and ideals. The result, we believe, will reveal a vibrant church community sustained and growing and meeting the needs of our members and of others. Most importantly, we will be more fully participating in God s Mission to strengthen our witness to build a common relationship around a shared mission in Jesus Christ. For the Visioning and Strategic Planning Team, Richard Jacobsen, Chairperson of Planning Committee Team Members: Beth Batenhorst, Andy Fangman, Richard Jacobsen, Stan Johnson, Bob Nicolai, Christy Roby Williams, Pastor Steve Cauley (ex officio), Roger Roskins (President of Church Council) 9