CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM REPORT ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING March

CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM REPORT ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING March 3, 2013

THE JOURNEY • • SIGNIFICANT LEARNINGS PARKMINSTER’S STATEMENTS MOTION ACTION PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS QUESTIONS MOTIONS

SIGNIFICANT LEARNINGS • DIVERSITY • CHANGE • EVOLUTION

SIGNIFICANT LEARNINGS • MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS • DYNAMIC & GROWING CHURCHES

ACTION PLAN 1. PARKMINSTER’S STATEMENTS 2. SUPPORT AND CARING 3. SPIRITUAL GROWTH 4. OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIPS

ACTION PLAN 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. COMMUNICATION LEADERSHIP, STRUCTURE RESOURCES CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT JOINT NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE

1. PARKMINSTER’S STATEMENTS • Foundation for our future • Reflect input from the congregation • Have essential agreement (Nov. 4, 2012) • Feedback process (Nov. -Jan 15)

“Who We Are” Parkminster is a theologically evolving community of faith that: • Celebrates the rich heritage of our Christian faith • Takes seriously the spiritual search as believers, questioners and questioning believers

“Who We Are” • Celebrates music as a key expression of the Spirit • Nurtures children and youth in their spiritual journey • Is welcoming, open, inclusive • Respects our diversity as we seek unity in the Spirit

“Who We Are” • Has a wealth of gifts, talents and passions • Practices our spirituality by serving others and reaching out to the community beyond our doors

“Who We Are” • Demonstrates a strong sense of fellowship and commitment to caring for each other, and our world • Embraces the sacredness of all life and the living earth.

“What God Is Calling Us To Be & Do” God is calling us to be an evolving community of faith inspired to embrace our future as we: • Deepen our commitment to each other • Nurture our spiritual vitality and growth • Live a life of loving influence in the world.

“Who We Are” “What God Is Calling Us to Be & Do” MOTION: THAT Parkminster United Church approve the “Who We Are” &“What God Is Calling Us to Be and Do” statements and use them as a foundation for our work

ACTION PLAN 2. SUPPORT & CARING • CONTINUUM OF CARING • Begins at first connection and continues until exit • Welcome Belong Care Spiritual Support • Encompasses everyone

2. SUPPORT & CARING MINISTRY OF CARING • As a community of faith we ALL need to take responsibility in this caring ministry BELONGING • People seek first to belong • Important to connect them with others having common interests

2. SUPPORT & CARING GIFTS & TALENTS • Connects people, involves them • Could do a better job of knowing and asking people to share these • More concerted effort needed

2. SUPPORT & CARING Recommendations: THAT Parkminster investigate the possibility of adding lay leaders with special training in pastoral care THAT Parkminster support a new role of a Gifts and Talents Coordinator

3. SPIRITUAL GROWTH • No one program fits all • Areas to continue, explore, and/or pilot: § Innovative worship services § Funding for the spiritual development of Ministry staff § Expansion of current small interest groups § Alternative ways and times of worship

3. SPIRITUAL GROWTH • Areas to continue, explore, and/or pilot: § Small Group Ministry § Friendship, Support, Spiritual Growth § Intentional small group process § Ministry staff support needed for training/support of spiritual component § A team of interested people would explore what currently exists and develop a model to pilot

3. SPIRITUAL GROWTH Recommendations: THAT Parkminster embrace the concept of Small Group Ministry THAT Parkminster initiate a pilot project for this purpose in 2013

4. OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIPS • Scope § Peace, justice, environmental issues § Local and international outreach • Awareness Celebrate • New partnering initiatives

4. OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIPS Recommendations: THAT Parkminster continue to expand our involvement and outreach in the wider community where there is interest and energy

4. OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIPS Recommendations: THAT Parkminster look for natural ways to partner with other congregations and community organizations as opportunities arise

5. COMMUNICATION STRATEGY • Provide critical and timely information • Celebrate achievements of individuals and groups • Advertise and celebrate being an open and affirming community

5. COMMUNICATION STRATEGY • Help people feel more connected • Allow others to find us for partnership • Integrate internal and external information (written, verbal, electronic, social media)

5. COMMUNICATION Recommendations: THAT Parkminster support the formation of a Communications Committee THAT Parkminster explore contracting a trained communications specialist

6. LEADERSHIP, STRUCTURE & EMPOWERMENT LEADERSHIP • Strong Ministerial leadership champions a strong vision • Each Minister has their own style • Board leadership focused on strategic items • Spiritual development is a priority for all leaders

6. LEADERSHIP, STRUCTURE & EMPOWERMENT STRUCTURE • Boards less than 15 members • Nimble, Clear and Transparent Decision Making

6. LEADERSHIP, STRUCTURE & EMPOWERMENT • Further develop our culture of lay leadership § Consistent leadership principles § Supports and encourages new leaders § Provides new leader training

6. LEADERSHIP, STRUCTURE & EMPOWERMENT • Further develop our culture of lay leadership § Ongoing education and growth § Ministerial staff to encourage and support lay leaders

6. LEADERSHIP, STRUCTURE & EMPOWERMENT Recommendations: THAT Parkminster explore a model of a smaller board structure

6. LEADERSHIP, STRUCTURE & EMPOWERMENT Recommendations: THAT Parkminster review its current Committee structure, responsibilities, & descriptions to: § Address overlap § Clarify decision making § Clarify Committee relationship to staff positions

6. LEADERSHIP, STRUCTURE & EMPOWERMENT Recommendations: THAT Parkminster further develop and foster a culture of lay leadership

6. LEADERSHIP, STRUCTURE & EMPOWERMENT Recommendations: THAT Parkminster review current policies as opportunities present themselves to support our vision and structure

7. RESOURCES • Look differently at how we fund the work of the church • Appreciate and use abundance wisely • Use a creative approach

7. RESOURCES • Other changes suggested can increase membership § Focus on all aspects of the continuum of caring § Small Group Ministry § Communications

8. CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT • Churches must evolve to meet the changing needs of their congregation • Foster a culture that embraces § learning, changing, growing, seeking • Dialogue must continue • Action Plan identifies continued work

8. CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY OF POSSIBILITIES COMMITTEE • Mandated to: § Further the work of the Action Plan § Explore areas of interest § Share information gathered • Chaired by a member of the CD Team

8. CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY OF POSSIBILITIES COMMITTEE • Act as a steering group having 3 -4 core members • Add additional resources as needed • Report to Council

8. CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Recommendations: THAT Parkminster continue with Meaningful Conversations THAT Parkminster set aside funds annually for congregational development

8. CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Recommendations: THAT Parkminster create a Ministry of Possibilities Committee

9. JOINT NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE (JNAC) • The information gathered and this report form the basis from which the JNAC will do its work • Input from the Congregation was gathered Meaningful Conversations

9. JOINT NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE (JNAC) Recommendation 1: THAT the JNAC explore ministry to include both Ordered and lay persons

9. JOINT NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE (JNAC) Recommendation 2: THAT the JNAC explore and make recommendations regarding staffing structure including: • A staff leadership model

• Staff roles § Timely decision making and communication • All staff positions § Clarify and decrease areas of overlap • Position descriptions that define: § Relationships with lay leaders § Support for lay roles involved in small group ministries & pastoral care

9. JOINT NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE (JNAC) Recommendation 3: THAT the JNAC explore and consider creative ways for filling staff positions including: • The possibility of a Gifts and Talents Coordinator position • The possibility of a contract position for communications

• Support for trained Small Group Ministry from Ministry staff • Explore various ways of leading Christian Education/development (adults and children)

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES • We appreciate the trust and support that we have received • It has been an honour and an amazing experience • The possibilities are endless and that is truly exciting!

QUESTIONS?

MOTION: THAT Parkminster United Church accept the Congregational Development Team Report dated March 3, 2013

MOTION: THAT Parkminster United Church create a Ministry of Possibilities Committee to further the work identified in the Action Plan

MOTION: THAT Parkminster United Church create a Communications Committee for the Purpose of creating a communications strategy