270 likes | 487 Views
WCC 2020 Vision: Strategic Plan. Phase 1 Update May 5, 2013. Agenda. Where we’ve been: A roadmap What’s happened since Our options What we envision Our strategic imperatives What we want from you today What’s next in the process. Where we’ve been. Since that time: .
E N D
WCC 2020 Vision: Strategic Plan Phase 1 Update May 5, 2013
Agenda • Where we’ve been: A roadmap • What’s happened since • Our options • What we envision • Our strategic imperatives • What we want from you today • What’s next in the process
Since that time: SPSC has consolidated and reviewed the input Made our recommendation to Council, which approved the draft plan April 9
Key things we pondered: • Lifecycles of Churches • External Environment • Internal Assessment: Stable, but Declining • Trends are not our Friends
Life Cycle of Churches We identified WCC as a Third Quadrant Church Although presently sustainable, we need more ENERGY for a new, rapidly changing time and ministry.
External Environment • Then and Now • Sports on Sunday • Church Shopping • Worship was broadcast and sermons were quoted • People want to be Spiritual, not Religious The burning platform for change
Stable, but Declining? • Stemmed decline despite significant headwinds • There is much good going on at WCC we can build on • Blessed with excellent staff • Have been the chapel/chaplain” to Winnetka Really? Consistent strengths Presently sustainable We’re resting on our laurels and the headwinds are not going to cease
Up Our Game • Now is the time to act decisively for renewal and greater future vitality. • Process will require sustained focus, capacity to endure some resistance and distress, and time. • We are looking at a five year piece of work to put key building blocks in place and then another five years to make it work.
Three Alternatives Alt 1: “Status Quo” Alt 2: “Up Our Game” Alt 3: “Merge, Rent, or Sell”
What we envision Begin with the End in Mind …. • In 2020 WCC will be a vibrant and energizedprogressiveChristian church with 250 highly engaged members who: • Regularly attend Sunday services • Participate at least monthly in some other activity • Has a lesser engaged but involved population of 500+ who are inclined to become more engaged members “We will be a church that welcomes all, but may not be the best fit for everyone”
The 2020 Strategy Two Strategic Imperatives • Growing WCC Through Faith • Centered: A mission focused faith community • Faith Based: A vibrant faith community • Engaged: An energized faith community • Service: A supportive faith community • Stewardship: A spiritual practice • Successfully Transitioning Pastoral Leadership
1. Growing WCC Through Faith Priority A: Getting centered to be a mission-focused faith community Requires: • Fresh discernment and articulation of identity, core values and core purpose (mission) of Winnetka Congregational Church. • A transition from a generic community church identity with high historic emphasis to a clear, compelling and contemporary sense and statement of • WCC identity (who we are), • Our core values (what we believe), and • Our core purpose (what we are called by God to do). • Define our “deep well”
1. Growing WCC Through Faith (Cont.) Priority B: Deepening Faith to be a vibrant faith community • Thriving congregations deeply explore, and challenge, their faith understanding. WCC does this fairly well. • And particularly well with children (grade school through Servants). • However, WCC can broaden its offerings and provide more challenging and thought provoking opportunities that will collectively deepen our faith. Requires: • Transitioning from a primary emphasis on faith formation of youth and children to faith growth and deepening of all ages and stages.
1. Growing WCC Through Faith (Cont.) Priority C: Engagement for an energized faith community. • Worship is central to Christian life; therefore, a strong component of our membership guidelines. • Yet on a typical Sunday morning there are only 150 members in attendance. We have a beautiful, yet “uncomfortably empty” sanctuary as compared to other mainline Protestant churches. Requires: • Increasing worship attendance by 50 to 100 people will strengthen the service by contributing to a sanctuary that is “comfortably full” • Increasing overall Worship energy • The pulpit and sermons should continue to be core to our worship
1. Growing WCC Through Faith (Cont.) Priority D: Service as a supportive faith community • Service ministry/mission is a strength of WCC and a part of the ethos of the congregation, however we aren’t affecting our members or the community to our full potential. • For most of our members, service has focused on financial giving, interspersed with some limited hands-on experiences (Family Promise, A Just Harvest, Wish Tree, etc.) Requires: • Increased understanding of service as a necessary part of our faith and commitment to God. • Renewed outward orientation from a strong emphasis on responding to needs of our members to a new and deepened emphasis for WCC members to engage with and respond to the wider community. • As part of our faith which we embrace, we will invite others to share with us and make this an expectation of membership.
1. Growing WCC Through Faith (Cont.) Priority E: Stewardship as a Spiritual Practice Our members think of stewardship as an annual discussion about money rather than a faith challenge to grow in the practice of generosity and giving as a part of their faith. Our focus needs to be on our mission and vision for 2020 and the lives we are changing. Requires: • Expand spiritual position on Stewardship • Stewardship should reflect the deepening faith changes that we should all experience • Continued transparency, but less time talking about money • An appropriate challenge pledge goal • Emphasis on Endowment Growth – framed as “Stewardship of Assets”
2. Successfully Transitioning Pastoral Leadership One of the most frequently mentioned “best practices” of successful churches is: “Effective and Empowered Pastoral Leadership”. • Led and directed by the Personnel Committee • Focus and consideration on possible transitions of all Pastors and key Lay Ministers • Proactive alignment with the developing 2020 Strategy
In Summary:The 2020 Strategy Two Strategic Imperatives • Growing WCC Through Faith • Centered: A mission focused faith community • Faith Based: A vibrant faith community • Engaged: An energized faith community • Service: A supportive faith community • Stewardship: A spiritual practice • 2. Successfully Transitioning Pastoral Leadership
WCC 2020 Vision • In 2020 WCC will be a vibrant and energizedprogressiveChristian church with 250 highly engaged members who: • Regularly attend Sunday services • Participate at least monthly in some other activity • Has a lesser engaged but involved population of 500+ who are inclined to become more engaged members “We will be a church that welcomes all, but may not be the best fit for everyone”
What we want from you today? • Understanding of our progress to date • Participate in this or another small group discussion over the next few weeks. • Read, discern and pray about the plan so far. • Vote to approve this Phase and to commit to Phase 2 at the June 2 Annual Congregational Meeting. • Join us in the Fall as we start Phase 2.
What’s next for Phase 2? Fall 2014 WCC 2020 A New Beginning