|
The Purpose of this consultation is to raise awareness within the congregation for its mission. The leadership will be more aware of the congregation's heart. The congregation will be
more aware of a vision for Ascension.
The Hoped for Outcomes include:
1. The leadership will demonstrate genuine interest in the thoughts and feelings of the membership.
2. The leadership will better understand the diversity and unity of the membership.
3. Ascension will be better able to compare the membership with the community.
4. Ascension will be able to successfully manage the transition to the next stage of health and growth.
5. The leadership will make decisions about the future that
will honor congregational values, live out the vision, focus on strategic outcomes and accomplish the congregation's mission.
Eighty-five members participated in the Focus Groups.
This Report has aligned all the statements made during the focus groups into categories.
The following groupings were the consultant's view of major themes, truths and issues revealed by the participants. The
consultant's comments are in italics.
REPORT OUTLINE
* WORSHIP… page 3
* Space
* Number
* Time
* Style
* Music
* Effort
* BIBLE STUDY... page 7
> IMPORTANCE
* TYPE
* Small Groups
* Variety
* Sunday School
* Grouping
> SUGGESTIONS
* OUTREACH… page 10
* Importance
* Challenge
* Suggestions
* A Second Step?
* RELATIONSHIPS AND AGE GROUPS… page 13
* Importance
* Desire to be Together
* Grouping and Events
* ORGANIZATION…
page 16
* Vision
* Communication
* Leadership
* Staffing
* Space
* Programing
* ATMOSPHERE FOR GROWTH… page 19
* Gospel Centered
* Friendly
* Unity
* Trust
* Hope
* Still Uncertain
* Thoughts and feelings about Ascension
* Optimistic
* Concerned
* Both Optimistic and Concerned
* Suggestions for Hope
* Hope about Ascension's future?
WORSHIP
Space
1. no need for extra worship area or spending money
2. solve these space issues first
3. Where is contemporary going?
4. Contemporary/Fellowship time & space doesn't work
5. Worship: Problem will get solved but will have a limited life span based on Zehnder being a short lived solution for Contemporary.
6. The idea of taking out the pews in the sanctuary was a bad idea and it sends the wrong message.
7. Expand the altar area from 10-12 feet and bringing the organ and choir down front would grow relationships and maybe improve acoustics.
8. Too impersonal to have readings from the choir loft during the service.
9. One member noted that
modifications /improvements made to the sanctuary would motivate people to donate and might bring in more dechurched and unchurched.
10. Need better facilities; don't like to worship at tables even though it's temporary
11. No disagreements to time, location, style
12. Contemporary not share space with fellowship
13. contemporary in main sanctuary
14. Solve the main problem first! Contemporary service growing and we are dragging our feet.
15. Getting everyone together in one place to worship
16. The main sanctuary should be the house of
worship for all services. Accommodating all worship styles and fellowship on Sunday morning was difficult -but a way to begin was that one or two thought that perhaps summer schedules for worship should be
considered.
17. concerned for fellowship time with contemporary service has taken over the fellowship hall
18. Larger space for contemporary service
Some statements reflect a reluctance to build new structure. Others would like to see new or renovated space for
contemporary worship. In light of the above and the section on "Relationships and Age Groups" There is a strong desire to have fellowship in the fellowship hall and have different and new space for worship. It is
a good problem to have. There is enough indication of dissatisfaction for the leadership to act soon.
Number
1. Need to reduce number of services
2. like Sunday services (styles and number – traditional, contemporary, Spanish)
3. Same number of worship services
4. Like having the Praise service and the 2 traditional services and the Praise service is growing and so that situation needed to stay the same.
5. Less services (worship)
6. Only 2 services – traditional and contemporary
7. Number of services needs to change, why so many on Sunday and do we really need Monday evening? We're spread too thin.
Specific statements about
the number of services seem balanced, however, the following statements about time and staffing speak for reducing the number.
Time
1. Everybody loses out. Leaves early/arrives late
2. Burn out Pastor with schedule
3. What fits my schedule? Or (Are we willing to sacrifice?)
4. How to make equal with scheduling conflicts
5. Worship stays the same.
6. Service times change to help pastor or get assistant pastor (10:45 service go to 11:15 a.m.)
7. Worship times need adjusted (overall group agreement).
8. More time to worship.
9. Worship now is rushed – needs to change
10. Losing people if we combine both traditional services
11. There is not enough time for fellowship on Sunday morning. although no one had any specific solution.
12. worship schedules (church) match people's available times; (member) match work schedules to service time
13. Pastor's Sunday schedule: two services would run smoother.
14. Suggested Worship schedule:
Sunday -- 8-9 Trad, 9-9:30 fellowship, 9:30-10:30 Bible study, 10:45-11:45 Cont. Saturday – 5-6 Trad. Monday – delete (not all agreed)
15. Worship –
concerned about limited church hour; services are rushed; start first service at 7:45, fellowship 8:45-9:15, next service at 10:30, and last service at 11:45
16.
May have to have only 2 services on Sunday along with Bible study and fellowship time. If necessary have service on another day such as Saturday
17. Miss not being able to talk to Pastor after contemporary service
18. services are rushed
19. Adjust times of workshop so Sunday morning is not so rushed
20. Add fellowship in on Sunday morning
21. Eliminate/change worship times to be more efficient
22. Saturday night service; Use CDs or DVDs to bring in music
23. Sunday morning schedule – we want to see Pastor
24. If another worship service necessary, have one on
Saturday it would help to further unite the church. All thought it was unhealthy to continue to have
25. Rushed worship services need to be fixed; change the service times
26. Services in separate locations, and that the current sanctuary could be improved and modified to accommodate the praise service.
27. Worship: Timing and scheduling. Leadership should set schedule; cannot let everyone try to set schedule.
There is significant agreement
about the need for change. There is significant disagreement regarding the solution. Leadership will need to decide and act based upon what is the best alignment with the vision, mission and targets.
Style
1. Bring back blended service – need to see each other
2. Liturgy/Doctrine/Lutheran ways
3. Contemporary service is a vital ministry of Ascension
4. Need to keep Theology and Liturgy intact
5. Keep Traditional service and allow Contemporary to grow
6. Keep the variety of worship types (contemporary and traditional)
7. Variety of worship
8. Preach Christ crucified
9. More than 1 style and language for worship
10. Worship – basic construct the same
11. Dramas Keep the variety of worship services
12. The services are welcoming, uplifting
13. Keep the variety of worship services
14. Keep both types of worships services (contemporary and traditional)
15. Variety of worship services
16. general worship styles would stay the same
17. Core of worship would remain same
18. Variety and style of worship
19. Healing services
20. Worship. Weak on emphasizing our God given gifts & Grace of God.
21. Have a fantastic pastor – enjoy his sermons
22. Pastor has a good balance of law and grace
23. Cross over to Hispanic services
24. Music program – choir, bells
25. Spanish service Sunday morning
26. Variety and style of services
27. Contemporary service on Sunday morning
28. Shaking hands with the Pastor and times for individual prayer in the Praise service were important to these members.
29. The praise service is just fine and was a worshipful experience for his whole family.
30.
Sunday mornings feel too rushed; we need to bring back more time to "share the peace" individual prayer requests, introduce new members, etc.
31. Don't rush worship!
32. Type of service may change, i.e., fellowship of praise
33. Service makeover
34. Make music more important
35. Worship is too rushed!
36. Contemporary not only for the young; likewise, traditional not only for the old.
37. Blended service with Traditional & Contemporary (few in agreement).
38. One traditional service & one contemporary service…all in one sanctuary.
39. Bad history with discussing moving contemporary into main sanctuary (updates need made, cost associated, instruments in the Church)
40. Contemporary service is growing – need to nurture that ministry as well
41. Worship needs to meet needs of new culture
42. Strong support for contemporary worship was emphasized.
While a few people speak for a "blended" style, it is good to see so many people embrace the idea of Christ-centered worship can be in different styles. Leadership should continue to develop both the
contemporary and traditional services.
Music
1. Dedicated person as bell director
2. Children's choir – sing all services
3. Music (choir, bells, etc) more visible in traditional services – up front
i. We need a dedicated children's bell choir and children's choir
ii. Sundays are too rushed
4. We should use the hymn book more or stop buying more hymnals because he likes to try to sing harmony once in a while.
5. Music ministry very important. Sometimes the music makes the service.
6. Need for children's
choir (Diane Goodwin's "Cherub choir" from years past for example.) Choir/Bell choir move downstairs…too hot upstairs.
Music is an important part of worship. These suggestions show interest and appreciation for this aspect of the congregation's life.
Effort
1. Pastor can handle at most 2 services on Sunday
2. Need for programs to introduce unchurched/dechurched to worship/study so as to not make them feel uncomfortable
3. Having 2 pastors was discussed -but it was noted that it often complicates things as people choose a favorite pastor.
4. They noted that the current schedule puts too much pressure on the pastor on Sunday morning.
5. Everyone needs to be willing to compromise to make Sunday morning better
6. Is Pastor willing to give it up? Accept asst. Pastor?
7. Disagree with asst. Pastor Model.
8. worship should have the strongest, most important focus
9. Pastor is overbooked on Sunday mornings although nobody had any suggestions regarding changes on Sunday mornings.
10. There is too much pressure on the Pastor the way the services are scheduled and that something is lost when the Pastor is not there for the whole service.
Fellowship time that will include all services
11. We need to be united – 2 types of worship are good but groups don't mix - shouldn't be Us vs. Them
12. Top priority was Worship and if that was done well all other pillars will be enhanced.
13. concerned about pastor burnout with 3 services on Sunday and has to leave a service before it is over and join another service in progress
14. contemporary service is growing and we are not addressing the growth problem; current solution has created more problems
15. Give more thought to changes before we make them.
16. Very excited about ALC and looks forward to worship every Sunday- that he was very happy.
Significant agreement about the importance of worship
and the effort needed to keep it central in the life of the congregation. Limiting to two services would address the concern about the pastor "overworked". Other statements will follow regarding the
"spreading thin" of the staff and the need for Pastor and congregation interaction.
BIBLE STUDY
IMPORTANCE
1. Bible studies will grow the congregation
2. Bible should be prominent source, everything scripture
based. Not concerned with what "John Doe" might think. Lutherans tend to be weak in scripture knowledge.
3. Make Bible studies a priority in individuals
4. We have great Bible studies for adults
5. Challenge to accomplish openness in faith/increased study
TYPE
Small Groups
1. Small group studies (will help achieve the four pillars)
2. Small group studies are good but hard to get going
3. small group
4. Emphasis on Bible study and small groups
5. Small group study is good – provides opportunity for fellowship and outreach
6. Variety of small group Bible Studies
7. Study/Small groups: Bible Study is two words! BIBLE………STUDY
8. Study will need more small groups
9. Bible study groups – be open to new people
10. Small groups is successful. Increased relationships with fellow members. Bible study very enriching, enjoyable, increased growth.
11. Getting people to get involved in small study groups
12. Study – small groups are somewhat successful; need to find out people availability and then have; move small groups and study
opportunities
Variety
13. Diverse Bible studies
14. Selection of Bible studies
15. More options for Bible study
16. More Bible study
17. More options for Bible studies
18. Offer more during the week at different times
19. emphasis on specific topic, i.e., 40 days of purpose
20. Keep Bible study groups
21. Variety of Bible studies
22. Participation in study of scripture increases relationships. Choir & Bible study creates strongest relationships (in this person's opinion).
23. Repeat Bible studies so if you miss one you can catch it later
24. Establish more current event topical opportunities
25. More life application
26. More and different types of opportunity for the youth, and perhaps more Bible Study on different days of the week.
Sunday School
27. Dedicated Sunday school time
28. Richer Sunday school program
29. Need stronger Sunday school program and curriculum
30. We need a stronger Sunday school.
31. Tremendous challenge to improve Sunday school
Grouping
32. Parenting classes
33. larger men's Bible study
34. less mixing of high and middle school youth
35. Would like Saturday night service with family Bible study as a way to model to children
36. home-based Bible study – more of it
37. Pastor Mulder needs to be more involved in Sunday Bible Study classes and Confirmation.
38. Create fellowship opportunities like we used to so we can invite friends and guests
39. Home study more desirable for those not associated with Church.
40. Not just Sunday morning at church
41. Study on different topics or areas of interest: such as a Women's Bible Study
a. Small Bible Study Groups
i. Possible in homes
ii. Invite others to meetings at each other's houses
b. Open the church up more often for small group Bible study
c. Offer Bible studies for college/high school/and middle school students
42. More Bible Studies at different levels
43. Good Bible study programs
SUGGESTIONS
1. confirmation on Sunday morning
2. dedicated Bible study time on Sunday
3. Prayer partner concept
4. Bible study: people who haven't read Bible before aren't going to go to study because they are embarrassed.
5. separate youth Bible study on Sunday – not part of confirmation
6. More people involved in Bible study. Since moved out of fellowship hall the numbers have dwindled. Cause: schedule & location.
7. Better communication regarding Bible study effectiveness
8. Provide a mechanism for feedback re: Bible study
9. Too high level, topics desired, what was enjoyed/not enjoyed
10. Some are intimidated at high level Bible Studies like Jay offers (love Jay as a teacher but doesn't feel they are up to that level yet of study)
11. Better communication about what Bible Studies are offered
12. We need to motivate people to participate in Bible Study and more small group get togethers.
13. All
members at the table thought it would be a good idea for small group Bible study members to communicate their positive comments in the newsletter to relay what small group Bible study has done for them in their
spiritual walk.
14. study group participation will be a challenge
15. Bible study topics – good selection
16. being sensitive to others Biblical literacy
17. Study needs to be sensitive to where people are in their faith; some are advanced and some are new Christians
18. Small group Bible study made him more aware of concern for one another and the relationships
19. Make people feel comfortable to join Bible studies; learn how to make people feel more comfortable
This section clearly illustrates the congregation's
value and practice of Bible Study. The suggestions express a desire to improve a good thing. Small group ministry has had a significant and positive impact on the membership. The leadership should build upon this
strength as it aligns with the Vision and Mission.
OUTREACH
Importance
1. Study/Outreach…whatever ministry area, DEVELOP A PASSION!
2. Emphasize the "and others" in our strategic growth statement.
3. "Going & telling" is not limited
to your mouth. For business owner, for example, it is how you deal or handle yourself. Your actions should show your heart.
4. Outreach: we are not an entertainment center
5. Outreach through every member…"make it personal!"
6. Outreach: Our efforts need a lot of attention.
7. We should prioritize the inactives and the dechurched in our outreach, realizing that
Challenge
1. Lutheran mentality: Vision of outreach is to go out and 'knock on doors' mentality
2. people reluctant to ask friends to come to my church
3. Why are other churches growing – need to find out why and get people to come in
4. biggest challenge is
outreach to dechurched and unchurched need to break the mindset of "it's all about me" in each area; outreach is about them
5. need to do more outreach
6. Frustrated regarding the outreach challenge saying that it was a "tough nut to crack."
7. Outreach –
concerned about focus on family members who don't go to church; need to have better youth programs that follow through from
8. Outreach is a challenge – we haven't done a lot of it
9. Poor job of outreach. Yet, "don't make me knock on doors!"
10. Outreach weakest of four
11. Outreach – difficult to do intentional outreach personally
12. Outreach would need more involvement. In past, outreach had been committee operated. Old outreach techniques/models antiquated.
13. change will be in message/worship when we reach out to unchurched / dechurched
14. Outreach will
lead to great problems. God sends us to earth to run what we run well. Missing the boat – fix the problem first then everything else will take care of itself.
15. Walther League was only evangelism mode way back when. Wasn't the need at that time? Personal assumption most were engaged in Church?
16. Church, before there was TV, was center of social life. Bowling leagues, men's club, etc…no evangelism was used or needed.
17. Modern day sports activities (re: youth?) and such are new evangelism venues.
18. congregation needs to do more intentional outreach in community and beyond
19. people hesitate to welcome others
20. need to educate congregation as to what is outreach. It is not
the old method of evangelism such as knocking on doors and challenging people to faith
21. Dechurched – find ways to listen to reasons why they are dechurched
22. Sensitivity in Bible study and outreach
23. Regarding ethnic/culture differences
24. Outreach – being able to do it
25. Outreach -- how do we intentionally pursue??
Suggestions
1. Outreach (re:unchurched) – Two types. Those who have initial interest and initiate contact vs. those who aren't necessarily looking for 'Church'.
2. Spirit moves everyone independently. Light shines differently on/from everyone. You're on stage all the time.
3. Pastor would need to be more involved in community
4. Coalition ministry
5. Jail ministry
6. Ministry to Lily House
7. Personal ministry. More people brought to Church through personal contact with family, friends, neighbors, etc…by personal invitation.
8. Need to look at different ways to enter into our church family
9. Need more response to needs of our Community not just prayer in times of disaster
10. Outreach: Feeding the homeless – they give out new testaments and always distribute all they bring. People are hungry for the word.
11. We need to stretch our comfort level – evangelizing class
12. We need to have appropriate training for outreach, Bible study, etc.
13. One person said there should be more greeters…but another countered that each of us should seek people out.
14. Find out why people visit or attend so we can better focus on what works and meets their needs
15. Need for a strategy or game plan for outreach
16. Need to reach the local neighborhood
17. Instead of outreach maybe use "expansion".
18. Face to face interaction when inviting/outreach for target areas. Mailers/signage is not effective…impersonal?
19. Outreach: Unchurched/Dechurched – mostly younger folks with kids. Need to offer evening service with childcare provided by seniors and/or youth.
20. Outreach in unique areas; look for unique opportunities
21. Need more outreach to community; not just Thanksgiving Dinner
22. Need other people to be involved…not same old people serving/expected to do it all.
23. Compelling
small groups would be example of modern outreach (i.e., "Middle East in Crisis" series). Not in your face approach but something that can easily appeal to modern day events thus making it easier to invite/include
friends and coworkers, etc. Greatest revelations to Jesus were from non-descript people not the leaders per se.
24. Need to move outside our comfort zone
25. Be creative with our outreach efforts
26. Be better mentors/sheparding for new member and interested people
27. Congregation sharing love of Christ but ways of reaching unchurched and dechurched
28. Outreach: concentrate effort to reach neighboring community
29. Advertise the youth dinner in local paper
30. Marketing: put ads in local papers, flyers at community centers; public service announcements
31. Need to actively pursue dechurched
32. Need to focus on local area for outreach
33. Need to better market ourselves – small groups, VBS, youth activities, us in radio, Christian TV, and other available media
34. Different ways to do effective outreach – community involvement
35. Is that our main problem? Outreach??
36. Need outreach committee (evangelism) at each event to get
names and addresses of guests and visitors so we can follow up with information to be sent to them
37. Increase marketing – perhaps send postcards out to neighboring community about events
38. Teach us how to evangelize (perhaps a class like the seniors just completed)
39. More of a presence in
the community: bell choir performances, living nativity; participate in fundraising events in community likes walks or runs, sponsor tents at different community events;
40. Outreach to non-traditional places such as East Brook Gardens (Memory/Alzheimer's home); Hand bell choir could play there
41. Develop action steps for outreach; seek individuals within church who have these strengths
42. Create an outreach campaign within our congregation
43. Outreach: offer a community BBQ for area around church
44. Outreach to students: Youth, halfway houses, elementary schools, high schools, college students
The comments indicate strong agreement regarding
the need for outreach. The concerns are many and give an honest reflection of the difficulty of learning an new behavior. The wide variety of suggestions for "how to" reach out point out the lack understanding and
success in this area. The leadership will need to design, develop, implement and sustain a long term strategy which will change the culture from an inwardly focused congregation to an outward focused congregation.
A Second Step?
1. feel the worship and fellowship problems need to be resolved before we focus on outreach Acquiring
commitment of members to keep going
2. Outreach: Unchurched/Dechurched – All decisions would be different now. Not so much taking care of each other
inside these four walls now we concentrate on those outside of our church. Focus would have to be different.
3. Solve 3 problems (critical targets) first then worry about outreach.
Statements that refer to growth
and outreach as a sequential or staged strategy, miss the heart of the great commission. The body of Christ maintains health by serving and studying at the same time. There cannot be healthy in-reach without
simultaneous outreach and acts of selfless compassion.
RELATIONSHIPS AND AGE GROUPS
Importance
1. Equal priorities to critical targets not evident currently. Fellowship has been thrown out the back door. No interaction; people not involved in
making changes. Need to bring more people into fold.
2. More opportunities to fellowship stronger and more inviting and welcoming to the youth.
3. Make sure we continue to minister to the older members of the congregation
4. Need group
5. Need to capitalize on fellowship, but space limitations are a hindrance
6. fellowship activity once a quarter
7. Fellowship is not intentional; if we have a meeting event, we
hook a fellowship activity to it, but we don't have any fellowship events on a stand-alone basis; these are important in developing relationships and outreach
8. fellowship is more than Sunday morning coffee; it is relationships within a group, which provides opportunity for outreach
Desire to be Together
1. Good amount of fellowship is needed
2. Fellowship time for Sunday
3. Fellowship (time change)(more inclusive)
4. More Fellowship time is needed; we need to see others from other services/ need to interact more with Hispanic members
5. More people need to be involved in old and new areas of ministry
6. More opportunities to get to know each other
7. Capitalize on fellowship – especially Sunday mornings (hate that we have lost coffee hour and the little church gift shop has lost business)
8. Relevant fellowship opportunities (seniors, singles, youth, married, etc.)
9. Currently we encourage segregated fellowship (families over empty nesters or widows/singles)
10. Get everyone in congregation on same page; fellowship across groups
11. Getting more people involved
12. Provide opportunities for people to become involved
13. Fellowship – virtually non existent now;
can't develop relationships; limited because of insufficient facilities; need events like Octoberfest – Ascension picnic or dinners; need to have entire congregation functions; like to see day trips, especially around
holidays; must make fellowship opportunities affordable
14. Fellowship – don't let the church get too big that we lose the close feeling
15. Concerning fellowship activities – we aren't doing anything now.
16. Fellowship is not as strong as other areas; need to expand definition and activities
17. More Fellowship time is needed.
The congregation has expressed a strong value and desire to "fellowship" with one another. This
message should not be ignored. While suggestions for outreach were vague or untried, the suggestions for fellowship where specific and came from real experience. While statements noted the need for "Christian"
fellowship, most just want to "be together" The leadership should provide for this need and seek ways to align this need with the mission and vision of the church. Fellowship and Mission are not mutually exclusive.
Grouping and Events
1. Thanksgiving Feast
2. Diversity of age groups – take advantage of it
3. Emphasis on children and young adults
4. Enhanced youth program
5. Youth need to be followed up on, programs in place to keep people interested
6. Opportunities to introduce new event driven activities
7. Youth are moldable, like clay, and need to be handled with care in their spiritual immaturity.
8. Prayer partners
9. The emphasis/focus on children with young families
10. Assimilate our youth and we should do more to make the youth group
11. Need more small groups at
church but not necessarily in a Bible study setting; i.e. book clubs, crafter group, exercise class, coffee hour, etc
12. More opportunities for children
13. Sunday school needs to be revamped – many ideas
14. Stronger church based youth for programs
15. Fellowship time needs to change to be more inclusive and relax
16. More focus on relationships
17. Fellowship: a dinner once a quarter and possibly a dinner to integrate the Spanish and English services
18. Need events that cross all services – Hispanic, contemporary, etc.
19. Need to minister to elderly as well as youth
20. Need more fellowship events like the old fall festival
21. Ministry to homebound
22. Bring back the Fall Festival and church picnic; have the picnic at a
park where everyone brings their own food so nobody has to cook or prepare
23. Integrate more with the Spanish congregation/service
24. Create more fellowship opportunities for:
a. Young couples
b. Couples with young children
c. People with similar interests: sport groups, drama,
d. Perhaps a fun theme of the month
25. More fellowship: Friends in Christ; game night
26. Fellowship Sunday mornings
27. Perhaps coffee hour can be in the halls
a. Offer transportation to shut-ins or others
b. Meals for Wheels for members who have family need (death, illness, etc.)
c. Add a "sing" before the services to start services
d. Perhaps a fellowship Sunday Sing – request a song
e. More FUN offered for Fellowship
f. Gather together with Christian music
g. How can we keep high school students engaged
i. Better communication methods for high school students
ii. Perhaps e-mail
iii. Perhaps use website
28. Other fellowship events from days gone by: Youth Dinner Theater, Casino night, Talent night, games night.
29. Some attend other Churches for fellowship opportunities so that they can have that chance to participate…not offered here.
30. Integrated Bible study. Invite youth to adult Bible study. Need opportunity for seniors to connect with the youth and vice versa.
Opportunities from the past: 'Seniors' Prom where seniors sat with youth. Afforded opportunity for generations to get together.
a. Fellowship more – not just during Lent
31. Other churches incorporate all members into activities. Total integration in all aspects.
32. Youth is the future.
33. Fellowship that involves community. Outreach projects.
34. confirmation to family status; youth currently don't seem to be involved; we need to make sure we fund youth activities; need staffing to direct the youth.
35. Not enough fellowship, more dinners so non members can be invited
36. Lots of strong action verbs – but remove vagueness such as explain "the relationships"
37. We need to
motivate people to think differently about fellowship and perhaps bring in teens for dinners and get togethers for more discussions in family settings.
38. time issues for fellowship
39. Fellowship: With regard to contemporary encroaching space
40. service projects
41. sharing feelings with one another
42. How to keep kids interested
43. Fellowship and outreach deserve staff person
44. Provide more fellowship and Fellowship is not coffee time! (Poker night, softball team, etc…)
45. VBS, Sunday School, Bible studies – we need to "grow up" more leaders so we don't burn out by always using the same people
46. Not taking care of our "Singles" – both old and young
47. study opportunities – may require additional staffing or leadership
48. More Youth events and activities was mentioned.
49. need more fellowship/studies opportunities such as the 3-week middle east study to facilitate outreach opportunities
50. Opportunities for youth: formerly ALC was active in the "circuit" of 5 or 6 LCMS congregations that would corporately organize joint theater parties, hay
rides, beach parties, sport teams, excursion boat trips and so on.
51. Where do confirmands 'graduate' to?? New members?? Need to have
groups/clubs/leagues for continuity or else things eventually fade away.
Wow, Fifty one suggestions. A clear message from the members. Many include the desire to have youth ministry. These comments
seem to define youth ministry primarily as social ministry. It would be helpful to help the congregation see the potential of other models of youth ministry.
ORGANIZATION
Vision
1. It's fruit salad…tough to single out one critical target without incorporating another one. Overlapping attributes.
2. What develops passion? Thirst. Campaign not to make members passionate but, instead, make them thirsty.
3. If we adopt, members need to be "taught the program"
4. Clearly communicate to whom outreach/fellowship includes or is intended for.
5. More action words – not just offer opportunities; explain what is to be done
6. Finding ways to hold members accountable
7. The challenges regarding other activities competing with the church were discussed.
8. The challenge is to motivate members to be more responsible , as many members don't seriously consider their responsibilities.
9. Bigger challenge is making the 4 pillars the same
10. It will be difficult to have outreach on an equal level with worship, study and fellowship. It will require more members participating
11. through study and worship people need to feel compelled to get involved
12. Spreading out too far too quickly; need a strategy to move forward
13. disappointed in turnout at this meeting, especially no youth
14. Expected more people to show up for today's discussions and was disappointed that more members did not support the church.
The above comments
are not the only response to vision. These are listed here as suggestions for how to "organize" or "communicate" the vision into action. While some expressed appreciation for focus groups they also wanted more
involved.
Communication
1. The lack of communication seemed to be the theme throughout and often times misinformation caused confusion and misjudgments.
2. Website
3. Revamp newsletter
4. Is staff
sufficient? Fellowship is often handled by various individuals. Who is responsible? People in various areas of responsibilities need to be qualified
5. More communication
6. Improve communication: people don't know what is going on, more blurbs in the newsletter, more announcements
7. Better communication!!
8. Make sure we are using the website to its fullest potential for outreach
9. Need activities and events better published in the bulletin
10. Focus Group is a great meeting – allows everyone an opportunity to talk; not intimidating
11. COMMUNICATION – we can receive more and better interest from members.
12. Improve newsletter/separate mailing to preschoolers after they move up
13. There should be more
personalized telephonic contact at the office….in that perhaps there should be an easier way to contact the secretary or the pastor. Perhaps more volunteers in the office would be helpful and that office hours for
the pastor would be helpful.
14. the office secretary had too many things to do and the pastor often times was not in the office and people did not think
they could leave an emergency message. COMMUNICATION – give the results of these focus groups/Kurt Bickel meetings to the congregation
15. Be more responsible about getting the word out on the Lutheran Counseling Services.
I have yet to work with a congregation that felt they had
too much information. It is important that the leadership evaluates all the communication for purpose, clarity, frequency, and alignment with mission and vision.
Leadership
1. All agree that there is lots of confusion about how the new M & M functions and that there was more effective communication before the constitutional
change.
2. Form project teams
Staffing
1. Duty to congregation to provide staff to professionally lead the Church.
2. Another diverse pastor brought in
3. Need an associate Pastor
4. Larger ministry staff
5. Bring in Youth Pastor to focus on youth.
6. Consider Para (sp?) Church and Deacon programs
7. Blessed to have so many Pastors on hand (Foelber, Seaman, Armstrong)
8. We are trying to do a lot with volunteers; need more full-time staff
9. Future call when pastor retires – heavy workload could be detrimental when calling new pastor
10. Hire an associate/assistant pastor now that has a passion for the ministry....especially families- children and youth areas.
11. Need for additional staffing for both the pastor and the youth, as it was impossible for one pastor to do everything.
The need for staff has also
been expressed in other sections. The leadership should move forward with plans to add staff especially in areas that will enhance the vision and mission.
Space
1. More space to accommodate growth
2. Develop growth plan
3. need more useful space
4. Better signage that we can announce events to the community/be more visible
5. Need to take risks regarding modifications to existing facilities in order to get more people involved in worship. The financial condition of the
church is favorable and that now is the time to be thinking of improvements, but we should not let ourselves get overextended financially.
6. Free and open use of facilities for study, fellowship, and outreach
7. Freeing up fellowship hall to do what it was originally meant to be – fellowship & Bible study
8. More adequate Sunday school space
9. Storage space
10. Space for drama
11. Space limitations
12. Provide area for locker/shower
13. Space – need more in some areas; need to be efficient in its usage
14. Facilities seem to be a limitation; if we grow we currently do not have enough real estate to build properly
15. Financial burden for new facilities
16. "Build It and They Will Come!"
The last statement is
not a sound business plan. Ascension is, however, at a place where building is the response to growth and real need. The need for fellowship, worship and more staffing are good reasons to build. Building and
revamping the campus in light of the vision also anticipates future growth and focused plans. Align the buildings with the vision and mission.
Programing
1. Expand programs
2. Specific long term plan (i.e., in 3 yrs add staff)
3. To one it is time schedule/fellowship; to another it is outreach; yet another it is study.
4. Return to using Hymnals in the pews instead of a wasteful paper bulletin.
5. Bring back the New
Member Sunday and New Member Reception with all the opportunities for outreach, fellowship, bible study introduced
6. Challenge members to commit to more than 1 hour on Sunday.
7. Stewardship – important to consider renovate instead of building.
8. Visit other congregations to see what they are doing that might work at Ascension.
9. Should make more
effective use of people who want to volunteer in the office, etc. as many older people feel that volunteering is a way of serving and helping out other people. .and we should encourage them to volunteer.
ATMOSPHERE FOR GROWTH
Gospel Centered
1. Focus on His ministry would stay the same
2. Growth doesn't mean size but "spirit"
3. Being a Christian should be fun
4. Instilling a PASSION in congregation is Spiritual Ministry.
5. A living faith…a performing faith, should be apparent.
6. The focus needs to be on prayer and praise and not on individual members personal desires.
-
Friendly
1. Friendliness of the congregation
2. The "family-feel" at Ascension
3. Feel good about inviting people to Ascension because it is welcoming
4. Same nice people and feelings of warmth and acceptance
5. Friendliness is a strength at Ascension
6. Make guests feel welcome and wanted
Unity
1. Same spirit
2. Congregation needs to be on same page, not fighting
3. Develop feeling of "one" congregation
4. Everyone needs to be ready to make a change.
5. Keep everyone happy
6. Create an environment so members are zealful in their faith
7. Motivate people to get involved
8. Eliminate judging of others/acceptance of others; eliminate judging of looks, clothing, hairstyles, etc.
Trust
1. Leadership that listens
2. We need a good attitude – willingness to change – how do we keep everyone happy?
3. Exciting – comfort level of fellowship – eagerness
4. Sense of commitment of leadership to move forward
5. Accountability
6. Awareness of others
7. Need to make decisions for greater good and bear consequences
8. Need to make change quicker
9. Mindset of the congregation sets the tone and makes things happen…resulting in stronger youth ministry, outreach ministry, etc.
Hope
1. Want to be re-energized in the ministry
2. Break out of mold we are in
3. Keep things vibrant
4. People do not like change, but we will have to change because we can only do so much with our buildings, staff , etc.
5. Change always a challenge and difficult; change not personal but for good of ministry
6. Congregation's
responsibility to encourage attendance. How does this work? Death, baptism, absentee members, etc…generate attendance but how do you encourage?
7. Challenge to get more involved
8. Have to get out of my comfort zone instead of just doing the minimal, not being challenged
9. Need to make it action not just words
10. Getting people to do something different; not just what has always been done
11. Be diligent – don't let it become a checklist
12. Lots of "gold" (people) that we're not using
13. Sense of hope – to support the church, members need to be involved;
14. concerns are outreach and attitude….."you can make as many changes as you see fit but don't touch my service"
15. Need to become engaged; pray out loud
Still Uncertain
1. No hope at all! We will still be spinning our wheels in 4-5 years.
2. 80% of the work done by 20% of the people
3. people's attitudes need to change to make time for worship and study
4. ALC prayed for me and showed compassion;
5. Breaking the "Don't ask me to do anything" "don't ask me to get involved" frame of mind of congregation"
6. Fear of rejection
7. Eliminate "that's not how it's done" or "we don't do that here"
8. Not enough new leaders coming along or being built up. Not solely an ALC problem but a society problem.
9. Break mindset "It's all about me" in all things. How do we get away from selfishness, which we are all guilty?
The above section would indicate
to the leadership that there is an overall sense of anticipation and positive desire for change and an atmosphere of support for the vision and mission with readiness to invest in change.
What are your thoughts and feelings about Ascension in this moment?
OPTIMISTIC
1. Ascension is building lots of hope
2. We are still a growing congregation
3. excited about Ascension's opportunities as we seek God's guidance
4. optimistic because we have opportunities for change to seek and follow God's will
5. strong leadership pastor, youth, preschool, congregation leaders
6. I love my church family and friends.
7. Glad we're all trying so hard to solve our problems.
8. We are blessed to have members here of all ages.
9. There is lots of room for optimism (hope) at ALC
like small group Bible studies and Spanish services , and a willingness by some to change in order to reach out to the unchurched.
10. Thankful we have many dedicated laypersons/volunteers/Pastors
11. Use of God given talents
12. "Can only get better" – God will see us through this "time of being tested"
13. Hopeful
14. Like an infant in our vision
15. Focus group feels like a family meeting
16. Energized
17. Room for optimism – growth of Hispanic Service and Contemporary Service
18. Like being nourished spiritually and being refreshed each week
19. Need to have people prayerfully
20. consider their role but not to be a bystander
21. Feeling is Christian focus, not style being used in various services
22. Ascension has potential but we need to move ahead, unite and be more intentional about making things happen.
23. All agree that it is good to get together to talk about church .
24. More excited now…seeking God's will for our direction and ministry.
25. Optimistic about ALC's future
more than ever before. God's got a plan; we are trying to figure it out; we will either succeed or fail and we will be better for it. The point is trying. If we fail don't beat ourselves up about it.
26. We're about to bloom
27. People who are willing to work together to move forward
28. Feel God's presence
29. Feel hopeful and happy to see the passion again
30. I love my church family; we're always here for each other.
31. There's a feeling of friendship, love and caring.
32. Excited/looking forward to changes and growth
33. Great potential
34. Energy is growing again
35. We need to compromise and see each others needs and differences.
36. We must accept our imperfections.
37. Ascension has a firm foundation and many talents but we can't live on our past successes.
38. We're on the right track; we can meet the challenges of growth and rekindle fellowship.
39. Positive – people are being given opportunity to provide input, easier to accept change
40. Complements to the current part time youth director.
41. One member noted that the Pastor is great and another chimed in that he is a good teacher.
42. Interesting – learned about Ascension getting everyone involved
43. Lucky to be a part of Ascension/feel lots of love
44. Ascension at the tipping point. We are at the edge…we need pushed off to get started.
CONCERNED
1. Disappointment – we have lost people at services
2. we can be open to try new things; some will work and some won't
3. nothing will change – a lot of talk but no action
4. stopped reaching out over the years beyond ourselves – foreign missions
5. getting cliquish; failing to reach beyond our own group
6. why so strongly led, yet so lacking in outreach??
7. We are trying to grow by involving families at
early age and growing through preschool, confirmation, youth; often stop involving people after youth group – how do we keep them involved?
8. Some people may feel the need to leave us and join other congregations, that would be hard.
9. Church
is made up of mostly mature (Seniors) and we need new and younger people, but nobody could provide answers on how ALC could bring in younger people.
10. Nervous; the ball is rolling will it stop; seen it dropped before
11. Skeptical
12. Feel like the youth have been left out"
13. Feel like being pulled by a tractor through a field while spreading manure"
14. Not attracting young people and families like other churches
15. With current service and fellowship
times we can no longer interact with the Hispanic people between contemporary ending and Hispanic starting like we used to
16. We provide lip service of what we should do but haven't delivered in youth and fellowship activities and programs
17. Too few people making all the decisions for too many people
18. Not enough people actively involved
19. We are not ready to facilitate outreach until we meet the needs internally
20. Concerned we don't have enough staff and resources to run a good youth program
21. We are at a crossroads of opportunities but don't know which way the wind is blowing us
22. Need more activity leaders and participants; we have some leaders, some participants, some bystanders
23. Confusion between 8:00 and 10:45 am services; also Monday nights, not using bells for fellowship of praise or Monday night
24. We are asking the right questions in order to determine our focus – we may not be brave enough to make decisions to move us forward
25. A couple had heard comments that they were not attending focus groups because nothing ever changes.
26. Nervous about the amount of work ahead
27. Have done processes before with no results
BOTH
1. Lots of excitement and anxiety at the same time anxious.
2.
Mixed emotions – high hopes because of meetings; concern we did not ask hard questions i.e., service times, all services in sanctuary, fellowship hall for fellowship and Bible study, need to face issues
3. There has always been conflict between those who do not want to change and those who do- and that is the challenge.
SUGGESTIONS FOR HOPE
1. Need a prayer meeting
2. Push for team building – a real push to eliminate conflict
3. Conflict between people who want to change and those who don't. If we don't change we are caught in a rut.
4. Need more entire congregation gatherings
5. Would like to be more active in Stephen ministry
6. Our youth programs need help
7. Take pews out for fellowship of praise and leave altar alone; need to do something
8. We need to keep big picture in mind
9. We stopped to take a look, but now it's time to move ahead.
10. We seem to be at a standstill since Kurt was here. We need to move forward before the energy is lost.
11. We shouldn't limit our opportunities.
12. People are willing to serve but not necessarily properly trained.
WHAT GIVES YOU HOPE ABOUT ASCENSION'S FUTURE
1. We do worship very well – that is very important
2. We do funerals very well
3. We are growing – that's hope
4. People generally happy
5. Willingness to meet needs of others – be Easter People not Sunday Morning People
6. Continue to grow congregation/reach out to others
7. We see our problems and want to solve them
8. Unite everyone together; maybe everyone will give up their personal agendas
9. Hope everyone sees "it's not about me"
10. People have hung in despite many changes over the years
11. Increase in youth activities – more active
12. Bible study opportunities and attendance
13. Not much discord over changes, people generally receptive, see change as leading to greater good
14. Continue great Bible studies/variety of topics and levels
15. This is a nice problem to have – we're having focus groups
16. People are coming to the focus groups
17. God is stirring us up
18. People are willing to change
19. We want things to be better/we have lots of gold that needs to be mined (people)
20. Whatever we do it must be done well
21. all felt like the fact that we were getting together in order to grow a healthy church was positive.
22. All agreed that it was a daunting challenge to include all worships, and worship styles and Bible class with just one pastor.
23. More emphasis should be put on nurturing and there should be more inreach…taking care of the people that we have.
24. There was some frustration that reports were given back to the leadership of the church regarding wrong addresses and phone numbers and no corrected action was
taken in their shepherding process. All members agreed that we need to have better communication and that they have received more complaints about the lack of communication that any other issue. All
members agreed that there was better communication before we went to the Mission and Ministry concept. One member said that if the church is really going to follow the family concept that we should report
all transfers and those moving out of the area, so we can better track members of our family.
25. Sundays school – lost of improvements to be made; need a good balance of law, love, guidance, fun; work with the kids; kid = hope
26. Hope that people will grow and change
27. We are asking right questions
28. Appears we are trying to get to a decision
29. Sizeable group waiting to be led and stimulated to move ahead
30. Have terrific members who tend to pull together
31. Young families & youth in general…signs of a healthy Church.
32. Youth activities are trending more to service oriented, not personal/games activities. Most are required for college apps.
33. Small groups has been great.
34. Overall very optimistic about ALC's future.
35. more intentional outreach
36. members will engage more people in groups
37. more support of outreach efforts, i.e., arch books
38. Let's pack the Sanctuary!
39. Continue to grow outreach.
40. Try to accept change and be happy with what M&M has to offer.
Pastor's time is limited on Sundays and the group felt rushed during worship and fellowship.
41. More coffee hour time
42. Have done them (events) in the past so we know how
43. Did Friends in Christ events
44. Currently only 1 person does all the outreach; need everyone involved in outreach; need to follow-up with visitors better
45. Need to be more involved in prayer
46. We are open to change; have hope for a youth program that is more than lip service
47. Sense of hope in that young people involved now have a passion.
48. Healing has been going on for
years resulting in a more unified Church. Comparable to the level back when Pastor Seaman was Senior Pastor.
49. Eternal hope through Word & Sacraments. God's Will will prevail against the gates of Hell. Spiritual things will remain.
50. From Old Testament, remnant remained @ Pentecost after whole country destroyed.
51. Octoberfest type
events and fellowship opportunities. As a way of inviting other non members to attend functions at Ascension and an outreach tool.
52. Small group Bible
study groups was mentioned and it was suggested that perhaps church services could start 15 minutes earlier to provide more time for fellowship.
|
