MISSION STUDY Scripture Guidance Approach to Mission Study Lenten - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
MISSION STUDY Scripture Guidance Approach to Mission Study Lenten Reflections Our Community Congregation Engagement Mission Sunday MIF Preparation Appendices A History of First Presbyterian B Statistics C Report from Holy
MISSION STUDY
Scripture Guidance Approach to Mission Study Lenten Reflections Our Community Congregation Engagement – Mission Sunday MIF Preparation Appendices
A – History of First Presbyterian B – Statistics C – Report from Holy Conversation Task Force D – Actions supporting Mission Study
The Mission Study Committee chose Isaiah 43:16-21 to help lead our work. This Scripture was written during Israel’s exile in Babylon in the sixth century B.C. The God who saved the people from Egypt will also be the God who saves them now. It is God’s grace which enables the people to look forward in hope and to not remember their sins of
the future! The Mission Study Committee, the Session, and the Nominating Committee asked members to read this and pray for the new thing God will create for First Presbyterian Church.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
16 Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings out chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18 Do not remember the former things,
19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20 The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, 21 the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.
Valued our Traditions and History Continued Work began with Holy Conversations Started with Personal Lenten Reflection Viewed Community Needs Engaged our Congregation on Mission Sunday
In the spring of 2012, Reverend Black invited several members of the church to participate in a process to discern the feelings of church members about their spiritual development and discipleship. This group, now known as the “Holy Conversations” Committee, included Megan Crum, Chris Gulotta, Jen Patterson, Bob Read, and Sylvia
valuable support to this group as it worked through the best way to listen and learn from church members about their
committee, including but not limited to demographic information about the surrounding community, information about the characteristics of different size churches, and the church’s mission and vision statements. Each member of this committee was also provided a copy of a book, Holy Conversations… Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for
FIRST RST PRESB SBYTER TERIA IAN CHUR HURCH CH MISS SSION ION STUDY DY
During this time of transition in the life of First Presbyterian Church, our leaders and congregation embarked on the important journey of examining where our Church is, where we want to go, and the qualities that we seek in a new pastor. As part of this journey, the Session will be leading discussions, activities, and opportunities for reflection that will allow our entire worship community to have a voice in this exciting and critical process. During Lent, a season of contemplation and introspection, the congregation was asked to reflect upon and respond to important questions to guide our next steps. The thoughts and
meaningful mission study for our Church. The results were compiled and shared with the congregation at a Mission Study Sunday on April 27th.
LENTEN REFLECTIONS - Week One Where do you find “Living Water” flowing for you in
thirst for God?) What drew you to First when you came? What about First inspires you to continue attending?
LENTEN REFLECTIONS – Week Two How does First feed your heart, help to grow your faith, and strengthen your Christian living? How could First further enrich your faith, its growth, and strengthen your Christian living?
LENTEN REFLECTIONS – Week Three How can we at FPC further our efforts to “unbind” people and meet the needs of our Church family? Where is our congregation already addressing the needs of our community so people are “unbound?”
Community Leaders in our congregation helped us examine the needs of our community.
Community Survey Key Informant Surveys Focus Groups Demographic Information
Population increased by 10%
The Child and Youth Population
The population of the UWCC service area
While the population 0f the African
The per cent Latino in Carlisle
Increase Access to Mental Health
Increase Availability of Public
Increase Supply of Affordable Housing Increase Employment Opportunities
(cont.) *Based on Community Stakeholders Focus Groups
Borough Overall 8.3% Census Tract 122 12.8%
Borough Overall 4.5% Census Tract 122 2.9%
WORSHIP (Led by Session Members) PRESENTATION: OPEN-ENDED SURVEY QUESTIONS PRESENTATION: “WHO ARE OUR NEIGHBORS?” VISION and MISSION STATEMENT REVIEW REVERAND MARK ENGLUND-KRIEGER
DISCUSSION OF VISION AND MISSION MINISTRY INFORMATION FORM NARRATIVE QUESTIONS DISCUSSION OF PASTORAL TRAITS/CHARACTERISTICS
Why are we here? The mission is our church! The purpose of our mission today is to give everyone the opportunity to have a “voice” during this exciting transition time at First Presbyterian Church.
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Where do you find “Living Water” flowing for you in our Church?
(What renews, refreshes, quenches thirst for God?)
133 Itemized Responses
Where do you find “Living Water” flowing for you in our Church?
(What renews, refreshes, quenches thirst for God?)
Seeing people set aside time to worship God Quality sermons and worship services Sitting and thinking quietly Having a place that makes you feel “grounded” where you are not judged Relationships and interactions with and support from other members Children participating and learning, enlivening and enlightening Singing words of anthems and hymns Mission Sundays Sunday school, small group study Flow of time, wherein we, in our time, act & serve to link our heritage to our promising future
5 10 15 20 25
What drew you to First when you came?
105 Itemized Responses
What drew you to First when you came?
FRIENDLINESS!!! Leadership, sermons, welcoming nature of Rev. Black History, character and beauty of the church The MESSAGE – how it is given, more teaching and sharing than preaching Size of the congregation Couples’, children’s activities Traditions; traditional services and atmosphere
5 10 15 20 25 30 35
What about First inspires you to continue attending?
106 Itemized Responses
What about First inspires you to continue attending?
I like being part of the extended family that I’ve come to know and love over the years. The wonderful people in our congregation. How the church works together for the common good of the church family. Worship puts my thoughts into God – starts my week off in the right direction. Sermons that make you think and reflect afterward Miss Debby – very inviting; fun; says things to make me think; a happy person. Programs for the young people Inspiring music; the choir; anthems First Pres makes me feel part of something larger than myself Service to others in the church; traditional mission outreach Desire to keep the church alive and active Our heritage Children’s fresh perspective; elderly wisdom
5 10 15 20 25 30 35
How does First Pres. feed your heart, help to grow your faith, and strengthen your Christian living?
59 Itemized Responses
How does First Pres. feed your heart, help to grow your faith, and strengthen your Christian living?
Sharing our journey in faith Traditional values steeped in the strength of history By giving me hope! Sermons that address our faith and remind us of our purpose Faithful interactions/discussion with Christian peers This is the place with the most smiles all week I am fed through connections, from people who care about me. Environment of mutual respect for differences in viewpoint Educating me and my children Other members still feed my faith, as does Deb Madden “Faith seeking understanding” in fellowship and community I always grow and am strengthened when I commit to serve Role models that others before us have provided with history, mission, faith, fellowship and frugality
5 10 15 20 25
How could First Pres. further enrich your faith, its growth, and strengthen your Christian living?
36 Itemized Responses
How could First Pres. further enrich your faith, its growth, and strengthen your Christian living?
With the progression of the Pastoral Nominating Committee A pastor that challenges and inpsires, with a message of hope and love Connect sermons with the Bible and applications in our own lives Reciting the Creeds during worship By offering opportunities to serve and thus summoning faith; increasing commitment of talent and faith to our Lord More mission-oriented outreach involving youth Continued strong Christian Education program Participate and collaborate with other Christian congregations in community outreach projects Making First Pres a renewed meeting house for Carlisle No change for me – am happy and thankful for First! Programs that speak to youth specifically
5 10 15 20 25
Where is our congregation already addressing the needs of our church family so people are “unbound?”
35 Itemized Responses
Where is our congregation already addressing the needs of our church family so people are “unbound?”
Rides, cards & phone calls Visitations to home-bound Work of deacons Christian education: Sunday School, VBS, Bible Study Sense of family and community Prayer groups Worship services, sacraments Opportunities for service; missions in the community Project Share Family activities
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Community Partnership Mission/Service Open Our Building Other
Where is our congregation already addressing the needs of our community so people are “unbound?”
62 Itemized Responses
Where is our congregation already addressing the needs of our community so people are “unbound?”
Share SPY One Great Hours of Sharing Books for Babies Dining Scarves Work of our Deacons Maranatha Mission Sundays Mission Trips Lenten Concerts Open Our Building More to Community
5 10 15 20 25 30
How can we at FPC further our efforts to “unbind” people and meet the needs of our church family?
25 Itemized Responses
How can we at FPC further our efforts to “unbind” people and meet the needs of our church family? Increase Spiritual Study Pray Build Up Attendance Visit People who are Ill or grieving Improve newsletter and other Communications Support Work of Deacons Community Partnerships Revive Small Groups Welcome Newcomers
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Assess Community Needs Community Partnership Continue To Be Welcoming Partner With Other Churches Other
How can we at FPC further our efforts to “unbind” people and meet the needs of our community?
16 Itemized Responses
How can we at FPC further our efforts to “unbind” people and meet the needs of our community?
Employee Skills Center Hope Station Summer Program for Youth Better Access Community Needs Increase Involvement with CARES Open our Building More
Increase Diverse Education Offerings Reach out to Dickinson Students
With guidance from Rev. Mark Englund-Krieger, our Executive Presbyter, the congregation divided into focus groups and discussed answers to the questions posed on the MIF . The results of focus groups were compiled for the use of the PNC. Every member in attendance selected their ten top leadership competencies for a new pastor. These were compiled into the top ten for the congregation and will be given to the PNC to use in completing the MIF .
For over 275 years, members of the First Presbyterian Church have worshiped God here in the Cumberland Valley. Our heritage goes back to 1734, when a large settlement of sturdy, God-fearing Scots- Irish from Lancaster County established a Presbyterian Church at Meeting House Springs, located on the Conodoguinet Creek about two miles west of the Carlisle Public Square. A brochure on the History of First Presbyterian, Carlisle is available and two books have recently been written: If These Stones Could Talk, by Richard Sommers, Charles Thompson, and Richard Tritt. – Here Lyes the Body, The Story of Meeting House Springs, by Richard Tritt,
The Historic Meeting House on the Square is where deep roots are nourished and growing branches are celebrated in Christ’s name.”
development and discipleship. This group, now known as the “Holy Conversations” information about the characteristics of different size churches, and the church’s Holy Conversations… Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Holy Conversations: Listening
In the spring of 2012, Reverend Black invited several members of the church to participate in a process to discern the feelings of church members about their spiritual development and discipleship. This group, now known as the “Holy Conversations” Committee, included Megan Crum, Chris Gulotta, Jen Patterson, Bob Read, and Sylvia
support to this group as it worked through the best way to listen and learn from church members about their thoughts. Jon and Debby shared several resources with this committee, including but not limited to demographic information about the surrounding community, information about the characteristics of different size churches, and the church’s mission and vision statements. Each member of this committee was also provided a copy of a book, Holy Conversations… Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations.
Seven focus groups were led by members of the Holy Conversations Committee; four of the groups included adults. One adult group included long term members primarily over the age of 60; a second group drew largely from adults between 40 and 60 years of age; a third group included those who attended the Adult Sunday School class that includes many younger adults; and a fourth adult focus group included a variety of ages. Three focus groups were held for children and youth: children from 1st-3rd grade; children from 4th-6th grade; and teens. How does our church encourage discipleship? What are the talents and gifts of our members? How does our church help our members realize their talents and gifts? How should those talents and gifts direct us in our community? In our world? What can our church do to better connect our talents and gifts with
(Complete Report from Holy Conversations Can be found on First Presbyterian’s Website.)
TASKS PERFORMED BY SESSION AND CONGREGATION
authority
10.Open-ended questions to congregation during service