Developing a Ministry Plan Advent Lutheran Church Chapel

Developing a Ministry Plan Advent Lutheran Church Chapel Hill, NC February 6 & 7, 2004

Let’s Pray Opening Devotion

Agenda (with breaks as needed and �snacks) l l l Opening devotion – Friday 6: 00 PM Rationale for the Process Assessing and claiming Core Values Congregational and Community Analysis Revisiting the Mission Statement Closing – Friday 9: 00 PM (or sooner) Opening – Saturday 9: 00 AM Visioning Desired Outcomes Reaching our Goals Accountability, Evaluation, and Follow-up Closing – 12: 30 PM (or sooner)

Process l Our Goal - to develop a ministry plan l Purpose - what do we need to do? l Plan - how will we do it? l Resources - what do we need to do it? l Evaluation - how will we know when we have done it?

Rationale l. Where there is no vision, the people perish – Proverbs 29: 18 l. Lack of planning results in lack of action. l. Without purpose there is confusion, chaos and conflict.

Some Foundational Assumptions l Empty Hands l The Holy Spirit l It’s Not about You – It’s All about You l The House of Decisions l The Circle of Faith

Empty Hands l Personal Agendas – Everyone has one! – No one can set theirs aside on their own The more experienced you are, the more convinced you become that you know what’s best! l Is this God’s way for us? l Our need for prayer and the Holy Spirit l

The Holy Spirit According to Martin Luther’s explanation of the 3 rd Article of the Apostles’ Creed, it is the Holy Spirit who “calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies” us. Calls Through the Gospel To our salvation in and through Jesus Christ Gathers Collects His children into communities For His purposes Enlightens With His gifts The Gospel Our calling in the Kingdom Sanctifies Sets us apart from the secular

It’s not about you! It’s all about you! l His Call is all about you! John 3: 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ” l His calling (work) is not about you! – God’s work is the same. . . regardless of who is in the pews, regardless of who is on the Boards, regardless of who is in the pulpit! – His agenda will get done!

“The House of Decisions” 2 nd Floor Decisions 1 st Floor Decisions Foundation for all decisions Land Facilities Programs Staffing Money These decisions should be based on Ministry Priorities these choices, God’s Calling God’s Word grounded in this understanding!

The Circle of Faith es po n R R ec ei n ve te Lis & & Trust e Openness Se d Peace Equipping God Calling Strength His will Gifts His work Resources Surrender & Submit His time

What is our preferred future? What is God calling us to do?

Jesus’ Commands l Love one another l Do good to all people – especially to those of the household of faith l Feed the hungry, clothe naked, visit the imprisoned, give drink to the thirsty l Welcome the stranger l We have a mandate – Matthew 28: 18 -20

“Great Commission Outreach is o. k. . ” “as long as they don’t sit in my pew!” “as long as we stay small!” “as long as we can all worship together!” “as long as we worship the way I like it!” “as long as we keep doing things the way we’re doing them!” • Alan Klaas, “Outreach Vision for a New Century”, LCMS National District Staff Conference, San Antonio, TX, January 1998

“Great message on the church’s need to change with the times. For a minute there, I thought you were talking about our church!”

The LCMS l l l l 82% of LCMS congregations gain one or less adults by confirmation or baptism. Since 1968, the number of annual adult confirmations have remained the same, approximately 30, 000. Statistically, it requires the effort of 115 members of the LCMS to result in one adult confirmation per year! Since 1970, LCMS membership has declined from 2. 8 to 2. 6 million. In the last 30 years, Sunday School enrollment has dropped from 850, 000 to under 500, 000. Worship attendance has declined 15% in the same period. Almost 50% of the children confirmed in our congregations are not active in them at the age of 21. Since 1988, the Synod has lost approximately 1, 750 more ordained ministers and 3, 000 more commissioned ministers than we have gained. • President Kieschnick, Installation Address, 2001 ***

Core Values Why we do what we do l l l l l Constant, passionate Biblical beliefs Determine distinctive ministry Dictate personal involvement Communicate what is important Embrace good change Influence overall behavior Inspire people to action Enhance credible leadership Contribute to ministry success Influence mission and vision

We pray for Values

Core Values Audit (Handout) l l l l Values are historic and aspirational Rate each value 1 to 5 (1 lowest, 5 highest) Work quickly, using first impressions Try to give as few 5’s as possible Circle all values with a 4 or 5 Rank these as most important to least important. List the top 12 at the bottom of the page

Our Core Values l l l God’s grace Bible-centered preaching & teaching Sacraments Biblical foundation Lordship of Christ Prayer l l l l Great Commission Christian Education Caring Fellowship Lutheran Confessions Outreach Godly Leadership Inspiring Worship

The Congregation - History – Formed in 1988 as a mission to the Chapel Hill – – – area Moved into first building in 1996 Montessori school founded in 1998 Became self-supporting in 1999 Launched Hispanic ministry in 1999 Rev. Daniel Brammeier called as second pastor in 2003 (first called pastor) 2004?

The Congregation- Analysis l l l One service on Sunday school & adult Bible class Vacation Bible school Montessori preschool Service – – World missions Adopt-a-Highway Campus ministry Local service projects l Fellowship – Women’s fellowship – Potlucks – Kids’ nights l l l Excellent visitors’ folder Excellent newsletter Liturgy printed Mission statement printed on Sunday bulletins No prayer list Regional congregation

The Congregation - II 196 baptized members l 148 communicant members l 104 average attendance l Previous attendance l – 90 five years ago – 86 seven years ago l l l 20 enrolled in Sunday school 15 in adult Bible class 2003 income $144, 787. 84 2003 expenses $107, 636. 25 1/3 65+; 1/3 30 -64; 1/3 029 (more under 12)

The Congregation - Groups l l l l Women of Advent Men’s Ministry Church Council ALMP Board Tuesday AM Bible Study Tuesday PM Bible Study Youth Group l l l l Choir Children’s Bell Choir Adult Bell Choir Spanish Class NAMI Constitution Committee Witness & Service Committee

The Congregation - Outreach l l l l l Chapel Hill Rehab Debtors’ Anonymous Neighborhood Civic Associations Lord’s Literacy Grant Giving Tree Project 5000 Ronald Mac. Donald House Dinners Pancake Breakfast Rummage Sale l l l l l Pregnancy Support Services Heifer Project Crop walk Vacation Bible School ALMS Youth Project (in process) Book Sale Mr. Bill’s Bike Ministry Advent Attic

The Community l l l 83% professionals Many students Caucasian 73%; Asian 11%; Black 10%; Hispanic 4% Almost everyone’s home is $100, 000+ Median family income is $80, 000+ Movers & Shakers l l l Population (1, 3, 5 miles) 6978, 37052, 106, 615 Projection by 2007 – 7689, 40678, 117, 218 11. 5% 65+; 53% 30 -64; 35. 5% 0 -29 Average 36 85% college educated Average travel time to work 17. 45 minutes

Denominations l l l l l 25 Baptist 22 Methodist 9 Presbyterian 6 Church of God 5 United Church of Christ 3 Bahai 3 Catholic 3 Episcopal 2 Assembly of God l l l l 2 Church of Christ 2 Unitarian 2 Wesleyan 1 ELCA 1 LCMS 1 Buddhist 1 Hindu 1 Muslim 6 Other

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Advent 2 Copyright © 1988 -2001 Microsoft Corp. and/or its suppliers. All rights reserved. http: //www. microsoft. com/mappoint © Copyright 2000 by Geographic Data Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. © 2000 Navigation Technologies. All rights reserved. This data includes information taken with permission from Canadian authorities © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada © Copyright 2000 by Compusearch Micromarketing Data and Systems Ltd.

Pushpins Advent members

Questions l What are the unique gifts and resources of our congregation? l How does our congregation mirror the community in which we live? – Racially and ethnically – Socially and economically – Educationally and in terms of employment

The Mission Statement l What is your current mission? l What commands did Jesus give us? l The “Great Commission” l “God so loved the world…” l Maintenance ministry versus mission

The importance of the Mission Statement l l l l l Dictates the ministry’s direction Focuses on the ministry’s function Presents its preferred future Provides a template for decision making Inspires ministry unity Shapes its strategy Embraces positive change Enhances ministry’s effectiveness Facilitates evaluation

We pray for Mission

Examples of Mission Statements l GE – Progress is our most important product l Burger King – Have it your way l Maxwell House – Good to the last drop l Durham Life – We protect the family l Morton Salt – When it rains it pours

Developing the Mission Statement - I l What are we supposed to be doing? – What kind of ministry are you involved in? – Whom are you trying to serve? – How will your ministry serve these people? l Articulate your mission in written form – What words communicate best? – What is the simplest, most powerful way to say it? – Does your format convey your mission well?

Developing the Mission Statement - II l Is your mission statement – Is it broad enough? – Is it clear? l Is – – broad but clear? the statement brief and simple? Is there information overload? Does it pass the t-shirt test? Can you express it in one sentence? Is it memorable?

Present Mission Statement l Advent is a Community of Christians gathered around the Word and the Sacraments inviting all people to prepare for and receive the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.

Proposed Mission statement/”motto” l“Serving as Jesus serves us”

A Vision for Your Ministry l l l A vision is clear Challenging A picture others can see Shows the preferred future Describes what can be l l l Describes what must occur Biblically based Future focused Direction oriented Goal directed

We pray for Vision

Developing the Vision - I l Conception of the Vision – With what are you dissatisfied? – What are the untapped opportunities? – What could be? – What are some viable alternatives?

Developing the Vision - II l Clarifying the vision – Envisioning prayer – Thinking big – Written brainstorming – Determining the contents – Questioning the dream – Demonstrating patience

Developing the vision - III l Expand the vision statement – what do I see? l Study other vision statements l Dream big dreams l Continue to refine

Items for Vision Statement - I l l l l l 0 – new sanctuary 0 – multiple services 2 – additional staff 0 – bilingual 2 – take-out ministry 1 – T. V. ministry 9 – nursery school 2 – expanded music ministry 7 – Christian care & concern 2 Stephen Ministry l l l l 0 – adequate classrooms 10 – youth ministry 0 – regional high school 1 – plant sister congregation 0 – sponsor foreign missionary 18 – more Christian fellowship opportunities 4 – service to college students 2 - Christ care

Items for Vision Statement - II l l l l l 3 – more and varied Bible studies 0 – young adult ministry 0 – singles ministry 1 – retreats for all interests 0 – camping ministry 0 – cultural and Christian education opportunities for community 0 – counseling ministry 0 – nursing home 0 – multigrade Lutheran school l l l l 2 – Interfaith Council work 0 – hospital ministry 0 – after school program 0 – recreation 0 marriage & engagement encounters 3 – evangelism training 0 – stronger Sunday school 0 –improved web site 5 – visitor follow-up

Proposed Vision Statement - I l We see Advent Lutheran Church as a caring community, founded on the Bible and Lutheran confessions, seeking to care for and build up one another in the faith to live our lives in obedience to Christ’s command to love one another and to make disciples of all nations. We will do this through the utilization of our time, talents and gifts to reach the people of our community, especially the students on our college and university campuses, those who have special needs, and ethnic people in our community. We will do this through a number of educational, fellowship, and outreach programs that are congruent with the needs and the culture of the people of our community.

Proposed Vision Statement - II l l l l These programs may include, but are not limited to: Christian fellowship Youth ministry Early childhood education (nursery school) Christian care and concern Visitor follow-up Evangelism training Additional Bible study opportunities Stephen Ministry Christ Care Interfaith Council ministry An expanded music ministry Take-out ministry

Proposed Vision Statement III l In order to fulfill this vision it may be necessary for us to additional staff such as a second pastor who is bilingual, a DCE, music minister, youth worker, or a vicar. It may become necessary for us to add a second service, to additional classroom space or to build a new sanctuary.

Desired Outcomes (Goals) l What is the one thing you want most to happen in this congregation? l What will it take to make it happen? l What are the obstacles to accomplishing this one thing?

Goal Requirements l Must be specific l Must be attainable l Must be measurable l Must be time-defined

We pray for our Goals

Goals In the next three years, what one method of achieving our vision brings the most glory to God, has the highest potential for connecting others with Christ, and could only be accomplished by Him working through us?

Our Goals: l By March, 2004 we will initiate a monthly friendship/family evening. l By Fall, 2004 we will have in place a youth ministry for 10 th – 12 th graders that is led by one of our adult members. l We have a goal of a new nursery school – we will work to develop this goal when we resolve our present preschool issues.

Objectives – Strategies l. A way of accomplishing the Goal. l There’s always more than one way to consider! l A strategy affects the entire organization – it cannot be done by only a few people. “There’s more than one way to skin a cat!”

How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb? None. . . God has predestined when the lights will be off and on!

How many Episcopalians does it take to change a light bulb? Eight. . . One to call the electrician, seven to say how much they liked the old one better!

How many Mormons does it take to change a light bulb? Five. . . One man to change the bulb and four wives to tell him how to do it!

How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb? Change?

Change l The changes required will be both personal and corporate. l We cannot make changes by our own hard work alone. l Only God can change us, personally and corporately, according to His Plan. ***

Resources l Land l Building(s) l Staff l Programs l Financial Resources

Land Facility Usage l How can we best use the available land facilities to accomplish our vision as stated in our goals and objectives? l What modifications or changes need to be made to do this most efficiently and economically?

Staffing What is the best deployment of present staff to accomplish our vision as stated in the goals and objectives? l Do we need more, less, or different staff in order to best accomplish our mission? l Do we have the best system of governance for our needs? l Are we identifying and training leaders to grow our ministry? l

Program What programs are currently part of the ministry of this congregation? l How does each fit into the vision as stated in the goals and strategies that have been identified? l What programs need to be terminated, modified or begun in order to best accomplish the mission of this congregation? l

Finances l What will it cost to carry out this ministry plan? l Do we need to reallocate our financial resources? l If more resources are needed, from what sources and how can they be obtained? l Will it be necessary to modify our ministry because of limited resources?

Actions l What do we need to do to accomplish our goals? l Who will be responsible? l How will we know when we have reached our goals? l When will we begin? l When do we plan to complete?

Accountability List what we want to do l Specify who is responsible - An individual who is responsible for each action item. l Who will have oversight? An individual who has responsibility for overseeing process – that each person meets his or her deadlines l Periodic evaluation and modification of the plan l – How will we know if progress is not being made? – What will we do to jump start a stalled action?

We Pray for our Strategies

Our Strategies l Monthly Friendship/Family Night – March 20 th is kickoff date – Lois and her board are in charge – Publicity? – Program once each month – Will be evaluated after 6 months

Evaluation l What plan do we have to evaluate? – Nine marks of a Mission focused congregation – Twelve Keys to an effective church – Healthy Churches l When will we evaluate? l What will we do with our evaluation?

Evaluation – Core Values l l l l l Shared vision Vital Spirituality Healthy Relationships Celebrative Worship Relational Outreach Life-changing Small Groups Empowered Leadership Gift-oriented Ministry Enabling Structures

The Vital Signs Worship Attendance Guests in Worship Volunteers in Ministry Adult Baptisms/Confirmations Tithes and Offerings Trends, not quantity or percentages

Unhealthy Congregations Doing church as refuge. “Hunker down and wait for the storm to blow over. ” Practice denial. Try to hang onto or even recreate the past. Insulate themselves against the world around them, which they view as hostile and threatening to their survival. The future is viewed with fear. Outreach consists of trying to keep the children in the faith or welcoming the newcomer in the community who already has the faith. Mission limited to the capacity of the pastor and staff for ministry. “Come and get it” evangelism Members hope the church survives long enough for their own Memorial Service.

Healthy Congregations Doing church as mission. Turned outward in their thinking and agenda. Seek cultural relevance and involvement. Risk involvement in the world and strategize for it. Measure their effectiveness by the number of transformed lives in their community. Face the future with confidence and hope because it believes God is calling to His people from the better future He has already prepared for them. Missional vitality powered by the priesthood of all believers. “Go and get ‘em” evangelism Preparing the church to be vibrant and alive for their greatgrandchildren’s weddings!

This is NOT the END …But the Beginning of New Growth!