Long Range Plan

‘Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.’ Ephesians 4:29
We are beginning work with a Church Consultant for the purpose of developing a long range plan. It has been 13 years since this building was completed. At that time there were plans to build another section of this building with classrooms and a kitchen. The plan was to develop a weekday preschool downstairs. Those plans have never been realized but have continued to be a part of the church’s conversation about our future.
Our Church Council approved hiring the Church Consultant upon recommendation of a small group called the ‘Building Inspiration Team’ who met three times in August and September. The goal of hiring the Church Consultant is to develop a long range plan and answer the question of whether we need, want and have the capacity to finish the building. Rev. Mary Scrifers is an experienced church consultant and coach. She will be coming to meetings, running retreats and leading conversations to reflect the core values and passion of this congregation.
Entering into a time of long range planning for the discernment of our future ministry can bring out grief, anger, fear, anxiety, resentment and suspicion as well as hope, excitement, joy and renewed enthusiasm for our future. I’ve already heard every one of these from you. From the choir room to the narthex and out in the parking lot there is talk that goes on.
Paul writes to the people of Ephesus about how to be a church, and to live in community. Paul says in Ephesians 4:1-3, ‘as a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.’ As we enter into this focused time of discernment, I encourage you to take Paul’s words to heart. Be patient with one another as you speak about our future, and the future of this church for people who aren’t even born yet.
A long range plan should project out three to five to ten years. That means we will be planning for 2020 to 2022 and into 2027. I wonder who will be here and what will be the age of our congregation then? Will we have an active group of 30-somethings who are singing with the band and connected with our community partners? Who are we called to reach out to in 2027 that we don’t even know today? The work we do now, is for our children and grandchildren and other people’s children and grandchildren.
How do we stay current with everything, even as we seek to follow Jesus? The truth is if we are looking into the future, some things will change. Even when the way we do ministry changes and the people we see week to week change, the Savior we follow stays the same. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. So let us take heart and be patient and kind to one another as we look into the future and for new ways to offer Christ love to our neighbors.
Grace and peace to you,
Rev. Dr. Shaw

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