Church Profile Prepared by the Polk Grove Settled Minister Search Committee 2017 POLK GROVE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 9190 Frederick Pike Dayton, Ohio 45414 937.890.1821 www.facebook.com/polkgrove/ Part of the Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Association (S.O.N.K.A.) of the Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ (U.C.C.) 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS LISTING INFORMATION... 3 WHAT WE VALUE, MEMBERSHIP, SCOPE OF WORK... 4 SCOPE OF WORK, COMPENSATION & SUPPORT... 5 WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US?... 6 WHO IS GOD CALLING US TO BECOME?... 7 CONGREGATIONAL REFLECTIONS... 8 CONGREGATIONAL REFLECTIONS CONTINUED... 9 11 YEAR REPORT AND CONGREGATIONAL DEOMOGRAPHICS... 10 CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS CONTINUED... 11 CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS CONTINUED... 12 CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS CONTINUED/PARTICIPATION AND STAFFING... 13 PARTICIPATIONS AND STAFFING CONTINUED... 16 CHURCH FINANCES... 17 CHURCH FINANCES CONTINUED... 18 CHURCH FINANCES CONTINUED... 19 CHURCH FINANCES CONTINUED... 20 HISTORICAL INFORMATION... 21 HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTINUED... 22 HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTINUED/WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR COMMUNITY VISION... 23 COMMUNITY VISION CONTINUED... 24 COMMUNITY VISION CONTINUED/MISSIONINSITE... 25 COMMUNITY VISION CONTINUED... 26 CLOSING THOUGHTS... 28 CLOSING THOUGHTS CONTINUED... 29 2
LISTING INFORMATION Church name: Street address: Supplemental web links: Conference: Association: Summary Ministry Description: Photographs: 3
WHAT WE VALUE, MEMBERSHIP, SCOPE OF WORK What we value about living in our area: Current size of membership: 4
SCOPE OF WORK, COMPENSATION & SUPPORT Salary Basis (from the Call Agreement Workbook, equal to Cash Salary plus Value of Parsonage/Housing Allowance): Benefits: What is the expected living situation for your next minister: Comment on the residential/commuting expectations for your next minister. State any incentives (e.g. school debt reduction or retention bonus after a certain number of years in position): Describe peer and professional supports available for ministers in your association/conference: If applicable, describe how your church will adopt part-time adjustments in the pastoral schedule to support a minister s bi-vocational employment: 5
WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US? Describe the ministry goals you envision your next minister co-collaborating with the congregation to achieve. Describe how your vision of the minister you are now seeking will assist the congregation in making an impact beyond its walls. Specify language requirements or culturally-specific capacities preferred in a next ministerial leader, and why those matter to the congregation s sense of calling. Based on what you have learned about who your church is, who your church s neighbor is, and who God is calling the church to become, describe four areas of excellence from The Marks of Faithful & Effective Authorized Ministry that your next minister will display to further equip the congregation s ministry in these areas. 6
WHO IS GOD CALLING US TO BECOME? Who is God calling you to become as a Congregation? Describe how God is calling you to reach out to address the emerging challenges and opportunities of your community and congregation. For example, describe two experiments your congregation has initiated or engaged in the past year, what were the results and where do you see your next steps? Has your church had a multi-year strategic plan or vision statement; if so, where do you see that plan/vision taking you? 7
CONGREGATIONAL REFLECTIONS Describe your congregation s life of faith. For example, who is a favorite theologian admired in the congregation and why? How is God most often described in worship liturgy? In what ways would you describe the Holy Spirit in your midst? Describe several strengths or positive qualities of your congregation. Describe what worship is like when your congregation gathers. For example, where does worship take place, and what is it based around? What was a recent baptism like? What are some words used to describe good preaching? 8
CONGREGATIONAL REFLECTIONS CONTINUED Describe the educational program and/or faith formation vision of your church. For example, how are young people in leadership? How do people continue to form their faith over a lifetime? Name a topic studied or curriculum used recently; what was the impact of this study on those who attended? Describe how your congregation is organized for ministry and mission. For example, how are decisions communicated in your church? How are teams or committees organized? Where does your church struggle for vision? 13-15 hours In times of crisis, special meetings are called as designated in the Constitution. The night before the Troy Strawberry festival (an annual outreach performed by members of Polk Grove for a local charity), 2000 cannoli s worth of cream spoiled when the refrigerator stopped working. When this was discovered, a message went out to the congregation and the members jumped into action and formed a plan. Within 24 hours, the cream was remade and as a result they won best-tasting cannolis. [Yes] 9
11 YEAR REPORT AND CONGREGATIONAL DEOMOGRAPHICS 11-YEAR REPORT 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Demographics Membership on January 1 792 798 780 774 766 768 753 738 727 724 716 Transfer by letter 1 1 2 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 Confirmation 5 0 3 0 6 0 0 2 0 2 6 Faith 10 3 3 2 3 4 0 3 5 0 0 Total New Members 16 4 8 4 10 4 0 6 5 2 6 Deceased 1 17 14 8 8 9 10 15 8 10 5 Removed from roll 9 5 0 4 0 10 5 2 0 0 0 Total Reduction in Membership 10 22 14 12 8 19 15 17 8 10 5 Inactive Members 320 320 320 320 322 318 313 313 310 305 306 Active Members 478 460 454 446 446 435 425 414 414 411 411 Inactive Children of Members 67 67 67 67 65 58 52 37 34 35 35 Active Children of Members 75 75 70 75 71 63 55 55 55 38 38 Total Adherents 940 922 911 908 904 874 845 819 833 789 790 Pastoral Services Performed Funerals 4 13 14 12 8 11 3 5 1 NR Baptisms 6 4 2 8 3 7 1 3 4 NR Weddings 25 20 26 20 13 12 10 3 0 NR Home Visits 370 360 319 335 314 318 NR NR NR NR Hospital Visits 59 82 62 68 51 68 NR NR NR NR Office/Church Meetings 708 721 626 607 650 555 NR NR NR NR Meetings Outside the Church 106 93 68 111 137 155 NR NR NR NR Attendance Average Worship Attendance 161 143 141 137 124 117 124 135 131 112 118 Average Sunday School Attendance 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 *NR: Not Reported CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS Describe those who participate in your church. Is this number an estimate? (check if yes) 10
CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS CONTINUED Percentage of total participants who have been in the church: Is this percentage an estimate? (check if yes) Number of total participants by age: Are these numbers an estimate? (check if yes) Percentage of adults in various household types: Is this percentage an estimate? (check if yes) 11
CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS CONTINUED Education level of adult participants by percentage: Is this percentage an estimate? (check if yes) Percentage of adults in various employment types: Is this number an estimate? (check if yes) Describe the range of occupations of working adults in the congregation: 12
CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS CONTINUED/PARTICIPATION AND STAFFING Describe the mix of ethnic heritages in your congregation, and the overall racial makeup. Most UCC congregations tend to describe themselves as diverse. Yet, the vast majority of UCC congregations are mono-cultural. What does diversity mean in your context? List the date your congregation has had or will have a conversation using a resource such as the Welcoming Diversity Inventory. Comment on the results. PARTICIPATION AND STAFFING Complete the following chart. Please leave blank any fields that are not applicable to your congregation. (list any and all worship planners, such as various lay leaders, pastors, musicians, other staff) (number last year) 13
(served how often?) year) (number confirmed last number last year 14
number last year List all members or regular participants in your congregation who are ordained, licensed, or commissioned ministers. Indicate those with current United Church of Christ Three-Way Covenants (i.e. serving in a congregation) or Four-Way Covenants (i.e. serving in a ministry beyond a congregation). (3 or 4 or No) (Y or N) 15
PARTICIPATIONS AND STAFFING CONTINUED List all current staff, including ministers. Exclude the position you are seeking to fill. Indicate which staff person serves as head of staff. REFLECTION Reflection: After reviewing the congregational demographics and activities above, what does this information reflect about your congregation s overall ministry? 16
CHURCH FINANCES CHURCH FINANCES Current annual income (dollars used during most recent fiscal year) (as permitted within spending policy, such as a cap of typically 4.5%-5% on total return) (beyond what is permitted by spending policy, drawing down the principal ) (e.g. Women s Group) 17
CHURCH FINANCES CONTINUED Current annual expenses (dollars budgeted for most recent fiscal year): $162,656.55 Attach most recent church budget, spending plan, operating statement, or annual treasurer s report as shared publicly with the congregation, or if your church does not pass an annual budget list current budgeted expenses here. Projected Spending POLK GROVE CHURCH 2016 Actual 2016 Advertising $500.00 $0.00 $500.00 Association and Conference Fees $250.00 $250.00 $0.00 Bank Fees $250.00 $255.00 -$5.00 Building and Ground Maintenance $4,900.00 $5,915.78 -$1,015.78 Christian Education Supplies $2,500.00 $2,074.85 $425.15 Church and Office $5,200.00 $4,515.95 $684.05 Custodian Supplies $700.00 $559.36 $140.64 Equipment Repair & Maintenance $2,020.00 $3,345.31 -$1,325.31 Insurance $10,010.00 $9,210.74 $799.26 Minister Salary $61,000.00 $61,016.00 -$16.00 Minister Housing $19,000.00 $19,000.00 $0.00 Minister Mileage $5,000.00 $2,035.15 $2,964.85 Music Supplies $1,500.00 $1,127.29 $372.71 Payroll Secretary $13,728.00 $12,552.70 $1,175.30 Payroll Custodian $5,040.00 $3,725.00 $1,315.00 Payroll Minister of Music $13,704.00 $13,704.00 $0.00 Payroll Joyful Noise Director $1,500.00 $1,363.00 $137.00 Guest Musicians $500.00 $570.00 -$70.00 Guest Pastors $600.00 $1,200.00 -$600.00 Real Estate Taxes $260.00 $256.08 $3.92 Spiritual Board $600.00 $587.79 $12.21 Stewardship Committee $700.00 $204.68 $495.32 Social Security Paid by Church $2,010.00 $1,898.04 $111.96 Medicare Paid by Church $470.00 $443.89 $26.11 Utilities Electric $9,800.00 $7,745.22 $2,054.78 Utilities Heating Oil $11,400.00 $4,674.47 $6,725.53 Utilities Hauled Water $1,680.00 $1,960.00 -$280.00 Utilities Telephone/Internet $1,800.00 $1,620.74 $179.26 Utilities Trash Pick-Up $840.00 $845.51 -$5.51 Totals $177,462.00 $162,656.55 $14,805.45 18
CHURCH FINANCES CONTINUED Considering total budgeted expenses for the year, compare total ministerial support. What is the percentage? Has the church ever failed to pay its financial obligations to a minister of the church? Is your church 5-for-5, i.e. does it include each of the following contributions during the church year? (indicate those included during the most recent fiscal year) In what way is OCWM (Basic Support) gathered? If calculated as a percentage of operating budget, what is that percentage? (Recommended 10%) What is the church s current indebtedness? Total amount of loan debt: Reason for debt: Are capital and other payments current? If a building program is projected or underway, describe it, including the projected start/end date of the building project and the total project budget. If the church has had capital campaigns in the last ten years, describe: If a capital campaign is underway or anticipated, describe: 19
CHURCH FINANCES CONTINUED Describe the prominent mission component(s) involved in the most recent (or current) capital campaign. Does your church have an endowment? Other Assets: Reserves (savings): Investments (other than endowment): Does your church have a parsonage? Describe all buildings owned by the church: Describe non-owned buildings or space used or rented by the church: Which spaces are accessible to wheelchairs? (worship space, pulpit, fellowship space, facilities, etc.) Reflection: After reviewing the church s finances and assets described above, what does this information reflect about your congregation s mission and ministry? For example, when was a time the church made a major budget change? How is the budgeting process done? What new ministry initiative has your church financed? 20
HISTORICAL INFORMATION Name one to three significant happenings in the history of your church that have shaped the identity of your congregation. Add the most important event in the life of your church in the past 10 years. Describe a specific change your church has managed in the recent past. 1. 2. Every church has conflict, some minor, some larger. Where two or three are gathered, there will be disagreement. Describe your congregation s values and practices when it comes to conflict. For example, what is an example of a recent conflict and something your congregation learned from it? Describe an occasion when does your church have policies, protocols or structures for dealing with conflict?) 21
HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTINUED Ministerial History (include all previous ministerial staff for the past 30 years) Comment on what your church has learned about itself and its relationship with persons who provided ministerial leadership: 22
HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTINUED/WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR COMMUNITY VISION Has any past leader left under pressure or by involuntary termination? Has your church been involved in a Situational Support Consultation? Has a past pastor been the subject of a Fitness Review while at your church? WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR? COMMUNITY VISION MISSION INSITE COMMUNITY VISION How do the relationships and activities of your congregation extend outward in service and advocacy? For example, which service activities has your church participated in this past year? Where has the church participated in global connections of care and justice? What is currently transformational in your church s engagement with neighbors near or far? 23
COMMUNITY VISION CONTINUED Describe your congregation s participation in meetings, relationships and activities connecting the wider United Church of Christ (association / conference / national setting). Reflect on what the above statement(s) mean(s) to your community. Is your congregation interested in working toward any of the above statements of witness in the near future? Describe your congregation s participation in ecumenical and interfaith activities (with other denominations and religious groups, local and regional). If your congregation has a mission statement, how does that mission statement compare to the actual time spent engaging in different activities? Think of the range of activities from time spent gathering, to governance, to time spent going out. 24
COMMUNITY VISION CONTINUED/MISSIONINSITE Reflect on the scope of work assigned to your pastor(s). How is their community ministry and their ministry in and on behalf of the wider church accounted for in the congregation s expectations on their time? MissionInSite Comment on your congregation s MissionInsite report with data for your neighborhood(s) or area. What trends and opportunities are shown? How do your congregation s internal demographics compare or contrast to a) the neighborhoods adjacent to your church, and b) other neighborhoods with which your church connects? 25
COMMUNITY VISION CONTINUED How are the demographics of the community currently shaping ministry, or not? What do you hear when you talk to community leaders and ask them what your church is known for? What do new people in the church say when asked what got them involved? 26
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CLOSING THOUGHTS 28
CLOSING THOUGHTS CONTINUED 1. Which individuals and groups in the church contributed to the contents of this Local Church Profile? (for example, church council or consistory, transition team, etc.) 2. Additional comments for interpreting the profile: The congregation is currently in good standing with the association / conference named. Staff Comment: To the best of my knowledge, ministerial history information is complete. Staff Comment: To the best of my knowledge, available church financial information is presented thoroughly. Staff Comment: 29