Together we steppedup to invest 472 000 Front

Together, we stepped-up to invest $472, 000 Front steps and the front brick wall have been reconstructed Exterior trim and Rose Window have been painted Fellowship Hall has been renovated We’ve replaced 6 of 8 HVAC Units Parking lots have been patched are being resealed, Funds were set aside to ramp-up our new church growth and program development including the new 11: 15 Table Worship Service.

We have yet to Revive & Rejuvenate the Sanctuary Once more research, ideas, and prices are available for updates to the Sanctuary, you’ll hear more. For now, though, it is time to close the 2017 -to-2019 Revive & Rejuvenate Capital Campaign.

Property & Finance Report 2019 has provided its share of challenges 2018 Year end reporting and understanding our financial shortfalls Financial Secretary Retirement Manage Revive & Rejuvenate Projects & HVAC failures Sanctuary Balcony Issues Rental Property Rejuvenation

2018 Budget Shortfalls We spent $84, 000 out of Endowment 3 to cover expenses in 2018 This was not a result of overspending, but rather a shortfall in meeting the budget on the income side We are trending the same direction and maybe worse in 2019

Endowment 3 & Other Funds As of September 6 th Endowment 3 was at $259, 568. 99 Endowment 3 has a floor of $200, 000 that is rapidly approaching Many of our other endowments are nearing their floors, or were given in a way that we cannot legally spend them on certain types of expenses.

So where is the bright spot? Average monthly shortfall in 2019 is $12, 625 Over a two year period of Revive & Rejuvenate we averaged $19, 600 per month – above what was given to the general fund This would easily fund our budget, allow us to invest in our endowments and provide the spending flexibility we need to be viable into the future

As we look ahead to 2020 Property & Finance will provide an accurate operational budget for 2020 We can now see trends, identify areas of revenue and expense so that we can react in real time to what we are seeing financially in 2020 I cannot stress enough that we fund our general budget to allow us to invest in our endowments and provide the spending flexibility we need to be viable into the future, without earmarking funds for special projects

Paradise Church – Celebrating the Good & recognizing the Challenges

What is the purpose, the business, the calling of the Church?

A Greater emphasis on the Great Commission and the Great Commandment Matthew 28: 19 -20 19 Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.

A Greater emphasis on the Great Commission and the Great Commandment Matthew 26: 36 -40 36 “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law? ” 37 Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself. ” 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments

Growing churches know the purpose of “the church” and the purpose of their church within their sphere of influence.

The purpose of the church is to have a great commitment to the great commission and the great commandment. In essence, the church has been left on the earth to make disciples of Jesus Christ and as a result, bring glory to God.

God has a specific plan for each local assembly rooted in their culture, time in history, spiritual gifts resident in the body and needs of their community.

There is a plan for “the church”, but there is a specific plan for Paradise Church.

What is the difference between Vision & Mission?

Vision/ Calling is aspirational, future What/who are we to become?

Mission/ Purpose is practical, present What is our purpose & direction today to get there?

Paradise Mission Statement Paradise United Church of Christ seeks to provide a window through which the warmth and wisdom of Jesus can be clearly seen by everyone. We seek to embody the love of Jesus Christ through worship, spiritual growth, Christian education and service to God and His community.

We are hiding behind the window. We are hoping that people will look through the window and see something that compels them to join us.

The “status quo” is not an option. Growing churches believe growth is normal, predictable, spiritual, and imperative for them as a congregation.

Churches that have a clearly stated vision and make it the basis for their planning and evaluation are much more likely to grow than those who do not.

“Vision is understanding what God wants to do in and through us in light of His infiniteness and our finiteness. – Jim Dethmer

Why is Vision Important? 1. It’s the north star of the church 2. Basis and criteria for decisions 3. Provides means to measure progress and evaluation 4. Inspires greatness 5. Attracts pillar people 6. Key to unity – keeps focus off problems and “pet” issues

Vision is not about today, It is about tomorrow. Vision is the Best Understanding of God’s Best Future for us as a church.

From: To: Conversion Exclusive Civic faith Good Christian Board culture Official Leadership Head/reason Separate boards Far away mission Service Inclusive Change & Healing Experiencing God Ministry Culture Gifted Leadership Heart/Mystical Faith Unity of Purpose Local Mission

What does it look like “At the intersection of faith & real life”?

Minimal Viable Involvement - MVI Worship Attendance Experience Small Groups Connect Giving Invest Community Involvement Reach Outreach/Evangelism Go

Experience Connect Invest Reach Go

To do these five words is to fulfill the idea of intersecting faith & real life. That is what we want people to see when they look through the window. And that is what we want people to see when they meet us outside the window.

How do we structure, budget, and staff to best use our resources toward a vision statement?

OFFICIAL LEADERSHIP GIFTED LEADERSHIP Elected or appointed to fill office Called or chosen to be part of team Elected to represent the larger group Called to do/act gift & passion Elected to fill a vacancy Called to use/share their gifts Make decisions, act on behalf of larger group Called to act and inspire others to act Burn out. Run out of energy No burn out. Inspiration and energy Bound and limited in scope of action according to office they hold Boundaries of mission and values are much larger Fill the office because no one else wants Enthusiasm to be part of a team Representing a group might feel as if they are not making a difference Putting their gifts into action, feeling they matter and make a difference

Traditional vs. Innovative Structure Elected service Gift Based Service – Nonelected Representative Council Leadership Council Receives reports Guides Vision Separate boards Holistic Vision-Based Ministry Maintenance and management Leadership and New Vision Manage by discussing same Manage through Policies Based on preservation Based on Relevance to the Day Process is most important Ministry/ Mission Most Important

Role of Council • The Council is the Governing body of the congregation. Not receiving reports only. • Is charged with leading and guiding the ministry and the business of the church. • Ensures that church has current vision, mission, priorities, direction and follows it providing holistic vision for whole church • Creates POLICIES for managing and efficient ministry • Evaluates the ministries of the church to ensure that ineffective “programs” die so new and relevant ones can be born • Partners with the pastor in leadership

Role of Team Leaders • Lead congregational team members in conjunction with staff to meet responsibilities assigned to their particular team • Encourage, guide and manage new and existing projects, events, and tasks with individuals and groups within the congregation

Role of the Congregation To take ownership of the current situation and to embrace the new structure via Experience, Connect, Invest, Reach, Go To complete “SHAPE INVENTORY” and greater define your gifts and areas where you can serve with passion Move from idea of filling a seat, but rather actively doing what you are passionate about Move from idea of being either off, on, or resting on time previously served – we are all on, all the time

Role of the Congregation Build out teams under team leaders to complete projects, events, and tasks as individuals and groups based on passion, gifts, and original ideas. We want people to serve in their areas of passions and gifts. We want to avoid having people serving in multiple places, we want you to serve in your best places. We want people to focus on their five, their MVI, their intersection of Faith & Real Life. Their personal discipleship processes. Go

Under Proposed New Structure Wipe Out Current Cycles. Meaning everyone serving currently goes back to zero in terms of years in a position. Some positions will change or be eliminated. Everyone will Run for a Specific Position. If you want to lead the Mission/ Outreach team, you need to sign up in the office. Pastor David will have a conversation with each candidate. Terms will be set for 3 years. Though we will stagger some at the beginning honoring time served and making sure we don’t mass exodus every 3 years. Apart from the Council, there are no Presidents or Vice Presidents. No automatic succession or automatic placement (ie the chair of this committee automatically moves to that committee next year or the vice chair becomes chair next year). We will elect 2 deacons and 2 elders yearly

Under Proposed New Structure Deacons and Elders would not be on the Council (Necessarily). Meaning if elected Deacon or Elder it would not give you a council or leadership position, it simply means you are a deacon or elder. The roles of deacons and elders will be focused and separate from the leadership structure. Deacon Duties would fall under Care & Community Team Leader Deacons would continue to assist Elders with Communion and perform Visitation / Care of Membership/ Outreach to lapsed membership / Prayer Lists

Under Proposed New Structure Head Deacon would have frequent meetings with the minister Head Deacon would not have a role in Stewardship. Deacons will focus on needs of the congregation, not finances. Elder Duties would fall under Worship & Faith Formation Mentorship for Confirmation Spiritual Council Lead in the ministry of Communion Youth are welcome to participate, but not hold elected postion.