Congregational Ministry Plan* ~ 2010-2015

First United Methodist Church of the Saint Cloud Region

 Revised: July 2010

*This “Ministry Plan” does not include all programs, efforts, plans, activities we currently and will continue to offer.  It simply focuses our attention on specific areas to work towards our goals.

Vision Beyond 2015:  Our Ministry goal in this next 50 year-leg of our journey is to create a new facility which eliminates the hindrances to our current ministry and expands upon the solid base of ministry we currently offer toward a membership of 1,000 to 1,250 (worship attendance in all services 500-650).  Energy will then be directed towards an additional site (in a multi-site configuration) in the Saint Cloud region as we reach around 1,000 members. 

Background:  Now in our 153^th year in ministry, we find ourselves with vibrant energy, vision, and resources as we ponder the next 50-years of our journey.  We believe First United Methodist to be a vital, progressive, healthy, and engaged congregation blessed with gifted leadership. 

Beginning in 2005 (as a part of the Church Vitality Process funded by the Lily Endowment) we became involved in an extensive process of visioning and discernment, utilizing Dale Arendt as a consultant.   The first phase focused upon our identity and resulted in a clarification of our mission and vision priorities.  This clarity led to the next stage which looked at our ministry program and how we most effectively staff for it.  The resulting new staff configuration included more specialized personnel and is now fully in place (the fruits of which we see in marked increases in worship attendance, education/Sunday School involvement, youth ministry, church membership, and financial strength). 

The next stage of discernment had as its focus the location/facility of our ministry.  The reality of our situation (facility and ministry) brought us to see that we need to “re-pitch our tent” either in a massive renovation project or in a new location.  The decision of the church at a Church Conference on November 11^th 2007 was decisively (3-1) to pursue our ministry vision with a relocation of our ministry in mind, building a new facility.  Since then additional votes that further this direction have been affirmed 92% and 93% in favor.  Since then we’ve made progress towards a new future by securing (with the help of the Minnesota Annual Conference) land for building on Pine Cone Road, completed a successful capital campaign drive, developed preliminary architectural plans, and have brought on board a construction manager.

A.      Introduction

Reach New People Strategic Ministry Track We Are On:  Track Two—Large Church

Natural Church Development Minimum Factor:  Need oriented Evangelism & Passionate Spirituality

Natural Church Development Maximum Factor: Inspiring Worship Services & Empowering leadership

B.      Context for Ministry

1.       Community

 How do you describe the community your church is called to reach and serve?  What are the key attributes of this community?  What changes have you noticed occurring in your community that have implications for your future ministry?

The Saint Cloud region continues to grow even through the recent recession.  Our up-coming move to Pine Cone Road puts us geographically near future growth as well as the new center of the metro area.  Increasingly the growth in the region is fueled by recent immigrants as well as professionals and, to a lesser degree, laborers seeking to bring/create their families here.  Also, a steady flow of people of retirement age are coming for the medical, housing, and cultural offerings the metro area has to offer.  Demographic data indicate a great potential for people receptive to our ministry.[1]  We see our primary focus to be children and families, and persons seeking a deeper faith-relationship with God and an open, welcoming congregation—engaging them in a life of faith and service.

2.    History

Record the following information for the past eight years.

As you reflect on the data above, what explanations would you give regarding upswings or downturns in the data? 

The growth we have experienced since 2007 can be attributed to three factors:

1.  We received some of our new members from the former New Horizon’s UMC.

2.  New staffing and program configuration (part time specialists in children’s, youth and pastoral care ministries).

3.  Spiritual excitement (sense of God’s involvement, calling) and momentum as we have en-visioned, discerned, planned, raised funds for our move to a new facility and location.

C.      Clarity and Agreement on the Foundational Building Blocks of a Ministry Plan

1.       Purpose

Why do we exist?  What are we called to do and be now, in this time and place?

We exist to create and build Christian community through inviting, forming, and sending faithful, active disciples of Jesus Christ.

2.       Vision Priorities

What values will guide our life and decision making?

Spirituality: Nourish individuals in Biblical faith and Christian spirituality in a way that strengthens and transforms personal lives and this faith community.

Welcoming Community: Be an open, inviting and welcoming community practicing Christ­ like hospitality that leads to vibrant growth and connects people in meaningful Christian relationships.

Children and Families: Engage parents, grandparents, children, youth and families of all ages and configurations to nurture them in a growing faith by means of our intentional focus, vital programming, and expanded resources.

Social Justice: Live out the Biblical message of justice, peace and love in the St. Cloud region and the world through hope-filled actions of advocacy, networking, and hands-on service with the poor and marginalized.

3.       Core Values

What can the community always trust or expect from us?

We value... the building of an inclusive faith community where people's lives are enhanced by healing, reconciliation, justice and joy.

We value... theological diversity as reflected in the United Methodist heritage and within the bounds of revealed scripture, tradition, experience, and reason.

We value...faith formation in people of all ages and faith development and challenge throughout a person's lifetime.

We value... worship reflecting God's grace and initiative through strong preaching and visual messages by using the creative arts and an ardent music ministry.

We value... working with other faith communities and agencies whenever and wherever there are issues and needs which invite a common endeavor.

We value... the biblical call to social justice in the lives of all people through awareness and action.

We value... the unique and diverse gifts of each person in this faith community and the need for this giftedness to be used in God's redemptive work in the world.

We value... the encouragement and fostering of the giving of ourselves and our resources toward benevolent stewardship, toward mission, and intentional outreach.

First United Methodist Church celebrates God's transforming love as seen in Jesus Christ as we worship, learn, build spirit-filled community and reach out to our world. We seek to be a peo­ple of hope, promise, healing, justice and joy. We seek to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not belong to a faith community. We celebrate diversity, and welcome persons from all walks of life. We also strive to nurture, name, and call out the giftedness of each per­son for the work of redemptive love in all God's creation.

People

Who does our heart break for?  Who are we passionate about reaching?

The challenges facing children, youth, and families lead us to focus our energies on their support and spiritual development.

We also have a heart for those who have been hurt by injustice in society, and abuses of unhealthy religion; our hope is to provide a place of healing and wholeness where we first do “no harm” (Wesley’s rules), and secondly “do good” together.

1.       Vision

What would “success/fruitfulness” look like three to five years from now? 

Fruitfulness would look like being in a facility that is accessible, attractive, efficient, environmentally responsible, and provides the flow and space for our two growth engines—worship & programming.  In that setting we would grow our membership 20-30%, and increase our average worship attendance (all services) increases to 325+.  Increase in financial giving to service mortgage debt and expand programming (20-30%).

We would also expand of the scope of children’s, youth, and adult spiritual formation opportunities (staffing, participants, # of offerings, people involved, etc.) and be offering hands-on mission opportunities (local and world-wide).

Long Term Goals

What results will we have accomplished in order to reach our vision in three to five years?

* SMART Goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant (to Vision, Mission, and Ministry Plan), and Time-Bound

2.       Current Year Outcomes

What outcomes will we accomplish in the coming year to move us toward our long term goals?

3.       Rally Cry

What is theme or message that we will use this year to summarize our outcomes and communicate them to the congregation so that they can understand and grab onto them and see how they are guiding our work in this year?

“For a More Excellent Ministry”    (Hebrews 8:6)

4.       Benchmarks for Health and Vitality

What key indicators do we want to pay attention to about our overall congregational health, vitality and effectiveness?  (Refer to “Practices of Fruitful Congregations” for ideas.)

·         Average Worship Attendance

·         Support of Program Budget & Building debt

·         # of 1^st time resident visitors we engage

·         # of children, youth and adults in spiritual formation experiences

E.       Scorecard to Review Progress

G.  Implications for facility space, flow, design

A.         A facility that resolves the hindrances of our current building

Ø  Parking

Ø  Accessibility (ease of entry for handicapped and all persons)

Ø  Flow (one main entrance that all non-staff utilize, maximizing communication among members, security, opportunities to be welcoming…)

Ø  Large Gathering Space (for hospitality, adjacent to entrance and Sanctuary on the same level and designed so that connections with others & fellowship happens automatically w/o choice or providing an easy option to exit).

Ø  Adequate bathrooms

B.         A facility that encourages transformational worship

Ø  Welcoming (seating that is flexible &comfortable, ease of entry, visual lines to sanctuary evident from entry, open, height…)

Ø  Table-Centric Design

Ø  Flexible for various liturgies and other occasions (moveable dais, pew chairs, etc.)

Ø  Incorporation of stained glass, art (especially the Halenbeck window and O’Connell sculpture), and pipe organ.

Ø  Acoustically bright for quality music—excellent sound reinforcement for spoken word.

Ø  Ability to project video when desired, yet unseen when not in use.

Ø  Seating for 400 people with options for overflow (4,450 square feet).

C.         A facility that encourages discipleship (spiritual formation) of all ages

Ø  Designated space for Nursery, and multi-use spaces that can be used by various groups at different times to accommodate spiritual formation experiences. 

*Place for Directors to either have desk office space or storage for curricula, supplies, etc.

Nursery can be over-sized to accommodate a preschool classroom area, and then used as Nursery only with growth (preschool moved elsewhere in next phase).

D.        A facility that has spaces to support the Ministry

Ø  Mechanical                    ?

Ø  Janitorial                       65 square feet?

Ø  Kitchen                         Options:           a.  Full Commercial  640 square feet

b.  Commercial stubbed in (residential temporary)

c.  Residential kitchen

Ø  Fellowship (Hall or Gathering Space)  1750 square feet

Ø  Restrooms (three total)   470 square feet

Ø  Office:

o   Office Administrator/Secretarial (Clear visual lines to parking, front entry, and Gathering) 200 square feet.

o   Work Room (Copier, communications/mail accessible always) 180 square feet.

o   Private offices (three)     400 square feet total.

Ø  Storage:

o   Classroom materials      ?

o   Sacristy & liturgical art    100 square feet