A GOOD START TO A CONGREGATIONAL CONVERSATION
We hosted our first Sunday evening forum for our church's mission study. Ever try to come up with a mission statement in a group? The larger and more diverse the group, and the more you desire inclusion and participation, the harder and longer the process. Well, our church is relatively large (not in comparison to other churches, but in comparison to other groups with which you might do a visioning process), very diverse, and seeks to foster inclusion and participation.
And yet the start of this three-month-long process has been good. Our interim pastor reviewed "The Purpose-Driven Church," a book by Rick Warren whose principles we are using to guide our new direction. Then he shared some of his ideas about focuses and opportunities he could see our church pursuing. Then (the best part), he opened things up for discussion from congregants. I'd like to summarize some of the things that were said, so you can get a sense of the content and flow of this dynamic conversation:
* With upper-income folks moving in and buying houses, and lower-income families being pushed out (i.e. gentrification), what are the ministry opportunities for our church, and what can/should we as a church do about these demographic trends?
* After many of the comments about gentrification danced around the issue of race, one of our elders said, "Race is an issue. The gospel speaks to reconciliation. So let's get that on the discussion table."
* While we assess our past and plan for our future, we should be humble enough as individuals and as a church to be repentant about ways in which we have fallen short of God's plans for us.
* With all the talk about the young scholars in this university setting, let's not forget the young people who aren't affiliated with an academic institution, but who hold down jobs and have real-world concerns.
* The elder statesmen amongst us asked that we not forget them and their faith perspective from having been in the neighborhood and in the congregation for many decades.
* One new young professional shared of how and why she decided to choose our church when their family moved to Philadelphia.
Next week we look at our church's 137-year history: who and what has been significant, so that we can build from that, and what core values God has impressed upon our collective hearts over the years. Should be yet another interesting dialogue.
We hosted our first Sunday evening forum for our church's mission study. Ever try to come up with a mission statement in a group? The larger and more diverse the group, and the more you desire inclusion and participation, the harder and longer the process. Well, our church is relatively large (not in comparison to other churches, but in comparison to other groups with which you might do a visioning process), very diverse, and seeks to foster inclusion and participation.
And yet the start of this three-month-long process has been good. Our interim pastor reviewed "The Purpose-Driven Church," a book by Rick Warren whose principles we are using to guide our new direction. Then he shared some of his ideas about focuses and opportunities he could see our church pursuing. Then (the best part), he opened things up for discussion from congregants. I'd like to summarize some of the things that were said, so you can get a sense of the content and flow of this dynamic conversation:
* With upper-income folks moving in and buying houses, and lower-income families being pushed out (i.e. gentrification), what are the ministry opportunities for our church, and what can/should we as a church do about these demographic trends?
* After many of the comments about gentrification danced around the issue of race, one of our elders said, "Race is an issue. The gospel speaks to reconciliation. So let's get that on the discussion table."
* While we assess our past and plan for our future, we should be humble enough as individuals and as a church to be repentant about ways in which we have fallen short of God's plans for us.
* With all the talk about the young scholars in this university setting, let's not forget the young people who aren't affiliated with an academic institution, but who hold down jobs and have real-world concerns.
* The elder statesmen amongst us asked that we not forget them and their faith perspective from having been in the neighborhood and in the congregation for many decades.
* One new young professional shared of how and why she decided to choose our church when their family moved to Philadelphia.
Next week we look at our church's 137-year history: who and what has been significant, so that we can build from that, and what core values God has impressed upon our collective hearts over the years. Should be yet another interesting dialogue.
Comments