Crossing the Jordan
Posted on April 30, 2010 - Filed Under |
In the Book of Joshua, the whole people of Israel crossed over Jordan River. No one was left out. It was a communal effort, even the soldiers of the “two and a half tribes” went. The high priests stand in the river with the ark of the covenant and then the people pass over on dry land. In symbol, if not in fact, the Ark embodied that which was sacred and dear and had been with them for many years. “It” went first and then it waited while the others passed. Here is the work we have accomplished in the last year.
Crossing Jordan Vision Discernment January/February 2012
Vision is made up of 3-5 key priorities for the near term (3-5 years) that will enable us to more faithfully and fruitfully fulfill our Purpose. Strategies are steps a congregation will take, to fulfill the Vision. This work will supply the eventual Pastor Search Committee with critical information to complete our profile.
All are invited from the congregation to participate in these sessions.
- Saturday Jan. 21 9am – Noon – Discerning Vision – Develop list of 10 or so items. No final decision on the list will be made at this meeting.
- Sunday Feb. 5 11am-Noon – Further Discerning Vision – selecting final 3-5 items
After these 2 sessions we will hold an after worship meeting to review the Vision, as we have with the purpose statement, for a month or two before being called to affirm the Vision(affirming could take place at our May 6 Spring meeting).
The strategy work to support these vision items will likely be completed later in 2012 by committees and council, then submitted for congregation review and affirmation.
Purpose Statement is affirmed January 15, 2012
We affirmed our new purpose statement at the annual meeting. Now we are ready to move forward with Vision and Strategy work.
Here is a letter to the congregation summarizing the work of the last year.
Purpose Discernment Launch
“It’s a Whole New World,” Saturday 26, 2011 9:00-11:00 am
Most congregations learned to be and do church in a world/society that has ceased to exist. It really is a whole new world. We can put our heads in the sand in denial, throw up our arms in dismay, or look at the changes clearly and seek ways of responding that are faithful and fruitful. While we do grieve some of the changes and the losses they bring, we may also discover that God is doing a new thing in our time and presenting the church with important and exciting new challenges and opportunities. Button with arrow has audio file of that morning.”
Accompanying AM Slide Presentation
Accompanying AM Slide Presentation
“The Power of Purpose” Saturday 26, 2011 1:30-3:30 pm
Many congregations today suffer from “mission drift.” That is, they are unclear and uncertain about who they are and where they are going. When a congregation experiences mission drift, it tends to lose health and vitality. Often there is conflict that wears down leaders and discourages new comers. But there’s power in discerning the purpose or mission God calls your church to today. There’s new life and energy in discovering and living a biblically shaped, theologically informed purpose for your church. Button with arrow has audio of that morning.
Accompanying PM Slide Presentation
Accompanying PM Slide Presentation
March 27, 2011 Congregation Discernment after Worship
Tony Robinson Preaching at 10am worship <
We held Discernment Small Groups right after worship. Groups of about 8 people were formed. 76 people participated and the notes from those meetings are posted downstairs as will all future notes. There will be multiple opportunities to engage in the questions over the coming months.