April 8, 2008
Dear St. Paul’s Family,
I thought I would take a bit of a departure from the normal content of my weekly message to give you an update on all the progress your 20/20 Vision Team is making in its long-term strategic planning process for the church. Read on until the end of the message to find information about this Sunday’s worship service, including a word about the special offering we are taking this Sunday for our missionaries in Zimbabwe.
CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY RESULTS
First, here are some snapshot highlights from the congregational survey. All the results in their entirety are available for your viewing in the church office or from one of the 20/20 Vision Team members.
1) There is a lot of positive energy and enthusiasm in the church!
We had a much higher response to the surveys than we were expecting, and a vast majority of them indicated strong positive feelings for the current state of the church. Many commented on the renewed energy and enthusiasm in the congregation. Among the categories receiving high favorable ratings were Sunday morning worship, the friendliness of the church, the new uses of technology, and a sense of family. One comment summed up the overall feeling of the surveys:
“St. Paul’s is not static! The best things about St. Paul’s are the feelings of love and acceptance, exceptional musical talent, the concern for children and youth, St. Paul’s sense of humor, opportunities for youth and adults to use talents and abilities, and dedicated leadership. St. Paul’s is neat!”
2) There is a need to grow deeper.
With all of the enthusiasm reflected in the results, any categories that got an indifferent or negative reactions stood out. When asked to respond to the statement, “St. Paul’s small groups have made a difference in my life,” a majority of people circled only “3” out of “5”, reflecting a lukewarm response. Also, nearly 25% of the respondents have never been a part of any small group experience at the church, and nearly 75% of the respondents were indifferent or disagreed with the statement, “The educational opportunities at St. Paul’s equip me for ministry in the world.” We can do a much better job deepening people’s sense of commitment to Jesus Christ and fostering their spiritual journeys.
3) We can be a positive influence on the community.
There is much to celebrate in the areas of missions and service, but there is a desire to do better. We have a strong record of financially giving to missions, and regular projects like donation drives and the Ingathering receive strong support. But when asked to respond to: “The ministries of mission and outreach at St. Paul’s are making a difference in my life and in the community,” 63% were indifferent or disagreed with the statement, but were keenly interested in improving our ministry to the community. We can capitalize on this interest and do a better job engaging in active mission and outreach, making a difference in the community and the world.
4) We have a desire to reach out to youth, young adults, and young families.
Many people expressed the need for more and varied programs for youth and young families. While a majority of people sense that we are adequately staffed to move us into growth for the future, many expressed a common desire for a youth director to help minister to teens and young families.
5) Now that the sanctuary’s done, what’s next?
There was clear consensus that people are very pleased with the result of the sanctuary renovation. It is also clear that several areas of the church campus now deserve our attention. All three floors of the Education Wing are badly in need of updating and upgrades to heating, cooling, and energy efficiency. The Dining Hall and Kitchen need to be renovated, and we need to improve our parking capacity, particularly for handicap accessibility.
Ultimately, your survey feedback reinforces what the team has identified as the three main goals of our work:
1) Clarifying the church’s mission and vision.
2) Deepening people’s discipleship and commitment to Christ.
3) Improving our outreach and witness to the community.
NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS
The next several weeks will be busy ones for our team, as we engage you and the community for additional insight and guidance:
1) Discussion with Community Agencies
We are having a conversation tonight with representatives from several community agencies in the area, to listen for their assessment of the greatest needs and obstacles in Cherokee. These agencies include Plains Area Mental Health, Bright Beginnings, Mid-Sioux Opportunities, Cherokee Villa, and Cherokee Work Force Development.
2) Discussion with Civic and Business Leaders
Then we will have a similar conversation next week, Wednesday, April 16, with business and civic leaders to get their sense of this area’s needs and opportunities. Members of the Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, and the school system will join us.
3) Feedback Sessions with Congregation Members
In the next few weeks, we will be hosting numerous “feedback sessions” for you to come and hear more of what we are discovering and offer your own insights.
4) Putting It All Together
By mid-May, we anticipate concluding the “data gathering” phase of our work. We will then spend the summer shaping a comprehensive plan that will be presented at this fall’s Charge Conference for your approval. Along the way, we will be working with all the necessary committees in the church to keep everyone abreast of important developments.
This has been an exciting journey so far, with some truly gifted and passionate members of the team. As always, we appreciate your prayers and your insights every step of the way. We can’t wait to see what God has in store for this church!
Grace and Peace,
Magrey
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