Visions for Ministry – Idea Summary

VISIONS FOR MINISTRY – IDEAS SUMMARY from 2017 Visioning
UMC OF VISTA Building Inspiration, Staff & Church Council Visioning Sessions
• Children’s/Youth/Family Ministries
o Preschool
o Nursery upstairs/closer to parents in worship
o Family Friendly Events/Family Friendly Worship
o Midweek Family Program(s)/ Mid-week education
o Second Service Sunday School
o More for young adults/teens/families
o Mentoring programs
o After school programs/after school care/tutoring
o Girl Scouts
o Play Groups
o Theater productions
o Topic classes/small groups (ie cooking exercise, art)
o World religions classes
o Daytime fellowship
o Mom’s Groups
o Men’s ministry
o Sports court
o Better curriculum
o Improved Christmas Pageant
o Family counseling center/Family services
• Faith Formation & Spiritual Growth
o Education classes/faith based classes for adults (Disciple Bible study)
o Adult Sunday School classes
o More Advent studies
o “Forgiveness” certificates
o Clear narthex/entry (fewer booths, collection bins)
o One person to coordinate each special season
o Vespers worship
o Singles Club
o Community Discussion Group (current events, stress, peace)
• Music & Worship Ministries
o Expand music ministry
o More children’s music & more youth in worship
o Expand 1st service Music leadership – true contemporary service –
contemporary music leader – more modern music – Full worship team
o Outdoor music for Easter/All Music Christmas Service
o More Religion in concerts
o Music orchestra/more live music with band/live orchestra
o Tech team training
o Music academy
• Stewardship
o Blow out offering to end year in the black
o More appreciation to staff
• Mission & Outreach
o More work in community – community Hub
o Missions/outreach office & staff
o Expand And2Fishes
o More holiday outreach/Outreach Easter Sunrise activity for the
community
o Explore hands-on aspect of mission/ Invite community participation
o Expanded participation in Soup Kitchen, C & S – more hands-on
o Emergency relief cupboard
o Offer health services on campus/Health services for homeless/seniors
o Offer services such as haircuts on campus
o More outreach for homeless (ie Sleeping Mats)
o Expand youth involvement – involve kids in giving/helping
o Method for listening to/connecting with non-profits
o Outreach missions fair in fall
o Mission Events
o Give out more school supplies
o Computer training for elderly/low income/homeless
o Awareness of human trafficking
o Environmental stewardship team
o Community farm
o Non profit coop office
o Caring for abused women/support services
o Military outreach
o Dog care/Canine companions
o Counseling for drug & alcohol abuse/drug & alcohol prevention
o Fully support a missionary/ More support for missionaries
o Support a global ministry

• Inclusion and Growth
o Multi-purpose fellowship hall
o Full kitchen
o More cultural diversity
o LGBT and allies (RMN)
o Booth at No County Pride
o Video outreach (worship) to the community
o Expand outreach to homebound and seniors
o Events that gather & welcome people (ie Welcome Back Picnic, Open
House/BBQ/Church Revival/Mission Festival)
o Summer Movie Nights with food trucks
o Catered Easter breakfast
o Workshops for community
o Better connection with neighborhood
o Events with children
o Chairpersons meeting together & building communications
o Hospitality Teams to visit guests & new members
o Welcome center for new families
o Parking lot greeters
o Radio/TV/Movie advertising
o More social media
o Better showcasing of church/programs
o More ads/communication/mailing to families
o Invite principal to share about schools
o Second campus
o Develop busy ministry
o Bathroom with showers

 
VISTA UMC GOALS CHECK-UP 2/7/18
Reviewed by Consultant Mary Scifres and GAP Team
SHORT TERM (1-3 Year) GOALS
GOALS COMPLETED OR IN PROCESS TO COMPLETION
• Brainstorm 100 things to do over the next 10 years
• Offer Adult Study between services or during one of services
• Hire & grow quality accompanist
• Expand nursery for young families
GOALS IN PROCESS TO BE REVIEWED REGULARLY
• Bring Op Budget & Designated Accounts current
• Implement church finance “best practices”
• Build consensus & commitment in congregation
• First service music leader to focus on Contemporary Music
• Continue to expand communication/transparency
GOALS NOT YET COMPLETED
• Discern need for kitchen for ministry areas
• Discern need for kitchen for potlucks & congregational fellowship
• Expand missional outreach work to engage new families
• Expand And Two Fishes to add health component
• Expand concert/arts offering to community
• After school tutoring program for local families
LONG TERM (3-5 Year) GOALS
GOALS IN PROCESS TO BE REVIEWED REGULARLY
• Faith Education classes for all ages
• Increase communication for clarity & outreach – include informal
communication
• Missions & Outreach focus
• Inspire & develop lay leadership that can offer support & leadership to other UMCs
GOALS NOT YET INITIATED
• Participate in Interfaith Shelter Network for homeless ministries
• Additional paid leadership for missions & family faith education
• Build pre-school
• Build Interfaith Ministry Center
• Add mid-week music opportunities for young families
• Add alternative worship time during weekdays
• Add liturgical dance, ministry arts program
• Expand offices for appropriate ministry areas
• Expanded care & support to young families
• Build kitchen for service/missions/fellowship

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