Mission/Vision Group

February 11, 2009

Good Shepherd – 6:30 pm

Present:  Jim, Jerry, Judy, Art, Rhonda, Lynn

Principals guiding our study were agreed upon by the group.

The group spent time discussing our current Mission and Vision Statements.  Everyone agreed that our current mission statement has good qualities and is relevant to our congregation.  Questions posed that need to be addressed include:  Are we living our mission statement?  Is our mission statement accomplishing our vision?  

We will spend the next few weeks reviewing our current mission/vision statements so we are able to make recommendations to the TTF.  We evaluated the qualities that are beneficial for a mission statement.  We also discussed biblical references to support the areas of “Bring In, Build Up, Branch Out”, in addition to ensuring that it balances the Christian qualities of grace and truth. It was important to the group that we focus on a Christ-centered and biblical-centered church mission/vision.

We briefly examined the area of “Bring In” as it relates to the who and how. We want to determine the interests/needs of existing members as well as those outside of our congregation.  The results of the congregational survey may be a beneficial tool to further address this area.  

Items for discussion Feb 18, 2009 @ 6:30 pm:

Each member of the group should be prepared to provide input as it relates to “Bring in”:

What do we do well?  

What could we do better?

What could we add?

Submitted by R. Punt

Mission/Vision Group

February 25, 2009

Good Shepherd – 6:30 pm

Present:  Jim, Judy, Art, Lynn, Rhonda              Absent:  Jerry

Discussion was held on the “Build Up” portion of our mission while focusing on the following points relative to Matthew 28:19 -

1.)  How well do we teach and focus on the need for salvation?

2.)  Are we practicing discipleship and living like Jesus wants us to live?

3.)  Is their a balance between truth and grace?

Who are the various constituencies within our congregation and what are their needs?

• Sunday School Age:  Are we up or down in the numbers of children that attend our church school programs?  How do we meet the challenges of obtaining the volunteer help required for these programs?
• Confirmation Age:  Is the attendance in our confirmation program consistent?
• Post-Confirmation Age (High school):  Appears to be opportunities for involvement but is there good attendance at these programs?
• Young Adult (Age 18-35):  There seems to be many opportunities to build on programs aimed at this age group. 
• Adults (36-retirement):  Could we add educational programs for spiritual growth? Are the needs for men versus women different?
• Retirees: Have we identified those who are unable to attend worship?

 The group brainstormed some aspects of our Building Up that we could do better or add to our congregation?

• Post-confirmation and adult education, including pastoral-led sessions
• More college-age involvement in all aspects of our congregation
• Lay people or more pastoral involvement with hospital/nursing home/shut-in visitations
• Alter-call

 Items for Discussion March 4, 2009 @ 7:15:

Discussion on “Branch Out” portion of mission statement

Review Survey to identify “Bring In, Build Up and Branch Out” questions

Full TTF meeting March 4, 2009 @ 8:00

Mission/Vision Group

March 4, 2009

Good Shepherd – 7:15 pm

Present:  Jim, Judy, Jerry, Art, Lynn, Rhonda   

A brief meeting was held prior to the full gathering of the Transitional Task Force.  We discussed the continuous circle of “Bring In, Build Up, Branch Out”, with specific focus on the task of Branching Out and the opportunities it could provide for our congregation.

We viewed Branching Out in 3 categories:

Nationwide/Global  -  The importance of our benevolence to reach world-wide ELCA mission work was stressed.

Congregational/Community:  It is important that we are a spiritual presence in our community and examples of our involvement were identified.  We should continue to seek opportunities to reach out to others in the community, as well as those in need from our own congregation.

Individual/Personal:  It is important that members of our congregation feel that they have the tools to witness their faith and live the life Jesus would want them to live in daily words and actions. 

Next meeting to be held March 11, 2009 @ 7:15 pm

Next full TTF meeting April 1, 2009 @ 8:00 pm          

Submitted by Rhonda Punt

Mission/Vision Group

March 18, 2009

Good Shepherd – 7:15 pm

Present:  Jim, Jerry, Art, Rhonda, Pastor Sue                Absent:  Judy, Lynn

The group discussed the recent decision of the self-study group to delay the distribution on the congregational survey.  A revised schedule for Mission/Vision congregational interaction was created based upon this information:

• March 22, 2009 – Jim will inform the congregation via Temple Talk of upcoming question/answer/input session to be held in between services on March 29, 2009 when Mission/Vision Team members will be present.  An announcement will also be placed in the bulletin on this day.
• March 29, 2009 - The Mission/Vision team will be available in between services to provide members with the opportunity to express their views and opinions about the current GSLC mission.
• April 5, 2009 – Alternative date to hold another congregational session if the need arises.
• The Self-Study group has revised their questionnaire to be based on a “Bring In, Build Up and Branch Out” format.  Therefore, the Mission/Vision team sees no need to create a “Green Sheet” questionnaire to be included in the bulletin and The Voice as we had discussed at the previous meeting.  This was felt to be duplication of effort.
• Lynn and Rhonda will ensure that a brief article outlining the duties of the Mission/Vision group is included in The Voice prior to the 3/20/09 deadline.

Other opportunities for upcoming congregational interaction include:

• Temple talks on the progress of the TTF will be held on a regular basis.
• Pastor Sue passed out an Interim Time Progress Chart of the functions of the TTF. This will also be available on an ongoing basis to the congregation.
• Members of the TTF will be available in-between services on Sundays and on Wednesday evenings, identified by their “Ask Me” buttons.  All GSLC members will be encouraged to ask questions and provide input.

We did not feel there was a need to schedule a Mission/Vision team meeting on 3/25/09.

All members were requested to be available at 9:30 in conference room on 3/29/09.

Next meeting of the full TFF scheduled for 4/1/09 at 8:00.

Submitted by Rhonda