Fifth Decade Goals

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President Gashlin's Remarks

 

 

Fifth Decade Goals were presented to the Incarnate Word congregation at a special Town Meeting on Sunday, October 27, 2002, and unanimously approved on Sunday, January 19, 2003. The goals are a distillation of ideas from members of our church, the Core Groups, and the Church Council, the result of an intensive effort over several months.

The challenge was to chart a ministry path to fulfill our mission in the years ahead. We ask for your prayerful thought, consideration, and discussion of these goals. 

The various suggestions referred to the Core Groups (see the bottom of this page) are being reviewed, discussed, and considered for implementation. These items were not voted upon at the January 19 meeting.

Our Goals

Our Goals in Detail

Goal 1

Implement ChristCare Ministry, so that in small group settings we may: build and strengthen caring Christian relationships, study scripture, pray and worship, and serve in Christ's name

Because of our size, diversity, and location, it can be easy for members of Incarnate Word to be part of this congregation and yet not really know or form relationships with other members. A vibrant small group ministry allows members to form loving relationships with their sisters and brothers in Christ, and develop a higher level of spiritual growth and discipleship within themselves.  This in turn leads to increased participation in both presently active and inactive members. A small group ministry is also a powerful means of reaching the unchurched, sharing the gospel of Christ with those who are outside of our doors.

The ChristCare Series is a comprehensive system for leading and organizing small group ministry in the congregation.  A growing healthy, effective small group ministry thrives with a systematic plan, trained leaders, and the right tools; all of which are provided by ChristCare. ChristCare groups are gatherings of three to twelve people who meet on a regular basis, once a week, a couple of times a month, and sometimes once a month. They gather for 60 to 90 minutes at a time to focus on four activities: 1) community building and care; 2) biblical study; 3) prayer and worship; 4) mission service.

Vitality, warmth, and excitement characterize ChristCare group ministry. ChristCare groups provide places of care and belonging, help build faithful disciples, and immerse group members and visitors in joy-filled Christian community. Congregations with ChristCare groups grow - in both depth and numbers - because they address deeply felt human needs with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Specific Actions:

Begin at least three small groups between now and April 2003.
Between now and April 2003 locate and contact members within Incarnate Word who are interested in leading the development of the ChristCare Series here.

Send a pastor and/or lay member(s) for training in May 2003.
Train ChristCare group leaders September 2003.
Begin formal groups fall 2003.

Measure:

Incremental - Groundwork laid.  Trainers trained.  Groups engaged. New groups developed.

Goal 2

Implement Stephen Ministries to enhance our care of each other

Stephen Ministries Series will provide Incarnate Word with the structure, training, and resources to set up and administer a complete system for lay caring ministry (Stephen Ministry) in our congregation. Through Stephen Ministry, lay care givers (called Stephen Ministers) provide one-to-one Christian care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it.

It is important to understand that Stephen Ministry does not replace pastoral care, but instead strengthens it. Typically the needs for care far exceed what the pastors can provide. As Stephen Ministers help meet those needs: pastors are freed to focus on areas of ministry where they are most needed, hurting people receive quality Christian care for as long as they need it, Stephen Ministers grow in faith as they see God working through them, and the inactive and unchurched are reached with Christ's love during times of great need.

Specific Actions:

Gather current lay visitors for enrichment program, autumn 2002.
Review current member needs and match with visitors, autumn 2002, winter 2003
Send a pastor and/or lay members for training in Spring or Summer 2003.
Train Stephen Ministers.
Match Stephen Ministers with care recipients.
Train new Stephen Ministers and match with care recipients as need dictates.

Measure: Trainers trained, Stephen Ministers Trained.  Members served.

Goal 3

Fortify efforts to invite the unchurched into the body of Christ and re-engage our inactive members, welcoming all as fellow disciples  

Rationale:  As messengers (apostles) of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, each of us is called to share the Good News with those who have no faith affiliation.  We are called to innovatively build into our congregational consciousness a genuine love for inviting others to share our vision, mission, and ministry.  When those invited are genuinely welcomed and specifically engaged as workers with us, more will be done in Christ’s name

Specific action:  Develop tools that promote individual invitation.  Re-engage inactive members in specific service.

Measure:  Continuous growth in membership and worship attendance.  More members serving others.

Goal 4

Strengthen training and inservice support to all who would teach the Word and minister in God’s name

Rationale:  There are many individuals who would like to serve in various capacities but who believe that they do not have the knowledge or skills to do so. By providing training and continued support where it is needed, we free members to pursue their passions and offer God the best that they are able. 

Specific action:  Offer various types of training and support for the ministries here at Incarnate Word by utilizing the gifts of members and nonmembers alike.  For example, initiate Sunday School teacher training, strengthen acolyte and crucifier training, utilize synod training events, strengthen lector and prayer leader training, and strengthen youth ministry training and support. 

Measure:  Incremental – Identify training and support needs.  Provide annual or as-needed training and support programs.  Evaluate and redevelop these programs as needed.  This ultimately results in the empowerment of individuals to engage in various types of ministry that they believed were beyond their grasp, and an increased level of excellence attained in the ministries of this congregation. 

Goal 5

Strengthen local outreach engaging all ages in Christian service  

Rationale:  Our very location affords us real opportunities to address issues of poverty and homelessness.  In connecting more deeply with the community, each member is provided a means by which to follow Jesus’ example of loving our neighbors.  Our young people will benefit by our example and by actively participating in a mission that puts their faith in action.

Specific action:  Focused efforts to reach our neighborhood with opportunities to worship, serve and be served by all of our ministries.  The implementation of a new outreach ministry to specifically address social issues affecting the neighborhood surrounding Incarnate Word.

Measure: Documents distributed and contacts made with neighborhood residents.  An increased number of neighborhood children, parents and individuals are served by our outreach ministries.

Goal 6

Appoint a task force to make recommendations for the strategic expansion and renovation of our church building to meet the needs of our growing ministries

Rationale:  Our building is beginning to show its age, some repairs have been deferred, and we are deeply in need of some other kinds of spaces to fulfill our mission.  Evangelism, worship, education and outreach would be enhanced and enabled by carefully thought out building renovation and expansion.

Specific Needs and Possibilities: Additional Sunday Church School classrooms; library; larger welcoming (entry) spaces; playground and landscaping; medium size flexible chapel/teaching space; dedicated community ministry space; dedicated music rehearsal and office spaces; replace organ circuitry and add 32' stop.  

Measure: Progress reports and recommendations from the task force to council and congregation. Number of projects initiated and funded.

 Goal 7

Build year-round stewardship awareness to sustain and grow our ministries

Rationale: Incarnate Word is still in the process of developing the level of financial commitment necessary to support our mission and vision.  Our average giving level must increase if we are to energetically pursue our goals.

Specific action: Develop a creative year-round stewardship program, including emphasis on a ministry each month using various media.  Re-evaluate the mission of our Permanent Endowment Fund. 

Measure:  Specific ways all communication tools (Scroll, web page, Sunday bulletins, displays, etc.) are developed and promoted each month.  Permanent Endowment Fund mission recommendations from The Word Supported.

Congregation, Core Group and Staff Recommendations

Referred to the Various Core Groups for Consideration:

 The Word in Action
In addition to continuing support of Sudanese, Dominican Republic, city schools kindergarten tutoring, Wellness Center and the Community Arts Academy outreach ministries, consider participation in the Interfaith Hospitality Network for homeless families; develop a new brochure about the congregation; expand ministry for the elderly; utilize our computer data base to catalog, "call," and equip for ministry current and new members, emphasizing discipleship; add "Reconciling in Christ" (welcome of all persons, regardless of sexual orientation) to our Core Beliefs and Values to be consistent with our Synod's policy; reach out (connect) to our immediate neighborhood with all our ministries; increase emphasis on effective communication within the congregation; draw on Christcare and Stephen ministries.

The Word Proclaimed
Develop new musical setting of our liturgy; increase participation opportunities for children in worship;  strengthen training for lectors and prayer leaders; find new ways to improve worship attendance; consider every Sunday Eucharist at 9:15; draw on Christcare and Stephen ministries.

The Word Explored
Increase adult Bible study opportunities; provide stronger training and support for all teachers, including the Sunday Church School faculty; offer individual and family retreat opportunities; increase adult education regarding important social issues, including the dialogue between religion and science; add computers, printers, and programs to SCS resources; pursue Vacation Church School opportunities, winter and summer; promote Youth Convo participation; draw on Christcare and Stephen ministries.

The Word Supported
Re-evaluate the mission of our Permanent Endowment Fund; shorten 2 pews for wheelchair access; provide banner/parament storage space; repair kneelers and railings; paint fellowship hall and replace tables and chairs; be prepared to replace boiler when necessary.

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