Minutes from Visioning Meeting

Visioning Meeting
TUMC
March 12, 2011

Charlie welcomed everyone and had Jeff open meeting with prayer at 9:15.

Attendees: Larry Baird, Gail Conschafter, Judy Maurer, Bob Kaiser, Sue Kaiser, Nikki Fadel, Nate Lange, Larry Baird, Elaine Johnson, Ginny Thies, Fred Claus, Chris Hipp, Anne Hipp, Jaz Jablonski, John Tommasulo, Charlie Yund, Jan Garrison.

Charlie presented the agenda for the morning and his hope to leave this morning with some action items that we can put in motion. He also reviewed the process up to this point. Hoping to polish up the mission statement and create a vision for TUMC.

Larry shared that he has been doing something similar with the District. He stated he is keeping up with trends and where things are going.

Our core values showed to be our “old” mission statement.
Worship God is worthy of our praise and worship (Rev. 5:11 -14). Jesus is present when we gather in His name (Matt 18:20)

Ginny picked one core value to speak on – worship. She shared the story about the woman at the well and read John 4:19-24. Worship is an attitude, not just a place!

Nate asked that we close our eyes and imagine living in a third world country. You are hungry due to famine. While out walking looking for shade, you see trees and head for them. Finally you arrive at the grove of trees and see they are heavy with fruit. You reach up and take a piece and eat it. Think about what you would do. He also shared another metaphor and then read Romans 10:13-15.
We have discovered a source of life and should share this with everyone we come in contact with! This is what invitation is about…. We have an endless source to share!!!
Invitation – Christ offers salvation to all people. We invite all to receive God’s grace and join us in deepening our faith and spreading the good news. (Romans 10:13-15)

We need to be equipped to share with those we encounter.

Review the new mission statement:
o Answers the WHAT questions:
 Our reason for being here
 What are we supposed to do
 What is our divine strategy supposed to be
 What does God want us to accomplish
o Mission is practical; people understand it
o Mission focuses on people
o It is a document for our church members, attendees and those interested in joining.

Trinity Church is called to… Follow Jesus and make Disciples for the Transformation of the World.
There was discussion on “making” disciples. A suggestion was to change the word MAKE to BECOME. This shows growth and more room to grow for all of us! There was discussion on the word “transformation.” Perhaps change it to “helping to transform”


TRINITY CHURCH IS CALLED TO..
FOLLOW JESUS AND BECOME DISCIPLES TO HELP TRANSFORM GOD’S WORLD.

TRINITY CHURCH IS CALLED TO…
FOLLOW JESUS AND MAKE DISCIPLES TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD.

THE FOLLOWING WAS ADDED BY NATE AFTER THE MEETING AS AN ALTERNATIVE MISSION STATEMENT:
Empowered by God, we will Follow Jesus, Make Disciples, and Transform the World.

"the first clause addresses both Larry's concern that we recognize that we are not the power behind those things and Sue's concern that we mention God; "we will" instead of "we are called" keeps it bold (for Nikki, and I believe Tom voiced a similar concern when we discussed core values a month ago), and the original 3 clauses maintain their outward/missional focus. Hope it helps.
Nate"


Both statements will be brought before the Church Council on March 21, we will take a vote on which one is preferred.

VISIONING FOR TRINITY….CONTINUING…….
Presented by John Tommasulo

• Complete the vision
• Create the strategy behind the vision
• Implementation Strategy

Defining Vision
• Vision
o A vivid mental image,
o Sight
o Imagination,
o A religious or mystical experience,
o Built form our Core Values that will not change
• Vision Statement-
o A form of mission statement, issued by a company or organization, in which its intentions for the future are stated.

The Worship Vision
o Keep these items at 30,000 feet
o Variety of options for style, time, location and diversity.
o Inspirational, biblically and engaging
o Using new technology to reach new groups
o Music – task based focus
o Full service areas
o Spiritual uplifting
o Life applicable
o Engaging
o Variety of participants
o Sound finances
o Technology (proper use)-tasked based
o Music
o Freedom of choice
o Bible Centered
o Christ Centered
o Variety of worship options (times/places)
o Inviting
o Available to all

Prioritizing Worship:
· Christ/Bible Centered
· Relevance
· Inviting/Available/Variety

Goals for Worship:
*Use of technology
Web site/Blogs/Live streaming/podcasting – video & audio
Advertisement
*Encourage Bible use
Re-intro of psalms
Use of Drama/Music
Recognition of participation
*(“low hanging fruit” – do-able in the near future)

The Fellowship Vision
o Keep these items at 30,000 feet
o Small groups for all age groups and interests
o Surround worship with fellowship
o Inviting and available to all
o Inclusive
o Greater depth – service related
o Variety of interests
o Personal-fun
o Intentional – ubiquitous
o Meaningful – expansive
o Relevance
o Sound finances

Prioritize Fellowship:
· Inclusive/ Personal/Open & Inviting/Variety
· Greater depth/Spiritual/Meaningful/ Intentional

Goals for Fellowship:
*Intergenerational activity
*Evaluate functionality of all church ministries
*Find volunteers to take responsibility
*Create attendance metric
*Create internal outreach
*Proper use of technology

The Invitation Vision
o Keep these items at 30,000 feet
o Anybody would feel comfortable
o Radical hospitality – Develop a sense of mission for invitation
o Outreach events
o Inviting and available to all


The Education Vision
o Keep these items at 30,000 feet
o Bible based with practical applications
o For all people/members
o Spiritual gift inventory
o Web based options
o Bible based
o Interactive
o Non threatening
o Focus
o Welcoming
o Short and long term
o Gifted teachers

The Service Vision
o Keep these items at 50,000 feet
o Made up of all of the previous 4 visions
o Multi mission opportunities – Local, community and national
o Membership care
o Committed and available to all – inspirational and invitational
 Spiritual gifts based
 Outreach/inreach
 Financially sound
 Rational
 Enriching
 Fruitful
 Growth
 Inspirational/Empowering
 Challenging
 Compelling
 Intentional
 Ecumenical
 Christological

Define Strategy
 An elaborate and systematic plan of action
o Otherwise known as a series of goals
 Goals (S.M.A.R.T.)
o A successful attempt at scoring
o The state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve
 Specific
 Measurable
 Attainable
 Realistic
 Timely

Next Visioning Meeting May 7 at 9 AM