Flipping the Presbytery

1. Flipping the Presbytery

2. Flipping the Presbytery 2009 – Appreciative Inquiry, Dreaming TF 2010 – Los Ranchos resources, frame Opening up the Budget Flipping TF, Co. of Elder conversations 2011 - Open Space Technology Mission @ Presby mtngs 2012 - Company of Elders

3. Flipping the Presbytery Appreciative Inquiry DISCOVER: The identification of organizational processes that work well. DREAM: The envisioning of processes that would work well in the future. DESIGN: Planning and prioritizing processes that would work well. DELIVER: The implementation of the proposed design.[

4. Flipping the Presbytery • CORE THEMES IN DISCOVERY PHASE • Building Relationships • Commitment to Something Bigger • Embracing Diversity • Empowerment • Think Tank • Worship and Music

5. Flipping the Presbytery DREAM: what would it look like if we take our core themes to the next level? BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS – tech connections: skype, facebook, video conferencing for snowbirds, virtual church for youth, shut ins info packets & orientation for new members of churches, presby reinstitute Silver Bay mtng, pastors retreats, commitment to shared ministry, tent making training & support for elders and laity throughout presby more trust, delegated authority gatherings that go beyond business

6. Flipping the Presbytery DESIGN & DELIVER – BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS – Go To Meeting, beginning use of YouTube no facebook, twitter yet, but workshops available Silver Bay reinstituted – low attendance Pastors retreats – canceled for lack of interest Road Show – greatly modified Open Space Technology used @ Presbytery mtngs Introduction of Company of Elders

7. Flipping the Presbytery • DREAM:COMMITMENT TO SOMETHING BIGGER – • sell Hebron, buy house in Arbor Hill, base for church work camps • shed our big buildings • Use our buildings for lots more community outreach • more hands on mission projects at presbytery level. • share best practices and staff to develop these practices. • make churches public buildings again, participatory mission • New church development – emergent, progressive church downtown • Use 30 million endowment of our current churches. • Create immersion experiences in mission, • get out of our churches, onto the streets – in every way –

8. Flipping the Presbytery • DESIGN & DELIVER – • COMMITMENT TO SOMETHING BIGGER – • Hebron for sale - $ provides camperships • Building Assessment & Stewardship • Grant & Loan program – initial interest, but still early • Mission scholarships ($100,000+) – very well received, but little • follow through • Proposal to bring in Ecclesiastical Facilities Consultant • At least one “hands on mission” presbytery meeting each year – • well received • No new church development yet

9. Flipping the Presbytery • DREAM:EMBRACING DIVERSITY – • more discernment opportunities before and • during presbytery meetings • opportunities to talk without imminent vote on • social issues we all face. • melt some of the old denominational boundaries • to empower and cluster small churches

10. Flipping the Presbytery • DESIGN & DELIVER:EMBRACING DIVERSITY – • Open Space Technology at presbytery meetings – well • received, but hitting a plateau, also low attendance • Attempts to coordinate our COM’s work with that of RCA – • unsuccessful • Attempts to share lists of open pulpits and pastors seeking • new calls with other judicatory executives – very limited • success

11. Flipping the Presbytery • DREAM:EMPOWERMENT – • revive Silver Bay Youth Conference, team of traveling • youth ministers at local churches in 4 week series. • bring in big name, national leaders for week at a time, • Technology training for churches • Presbytery serves as clearing house for people’s gifts. • Help fund local congregations in their mission dreams. • Become more culturally aware...space to see what God’s doing. • Realignment of leadership to inspire us • Invest in the things we’re passionate about: • social justice, evangelism, saving planet

12. Flipping the Presbytery • DESIGN & DELIVER:EMPOWERMENT – • Youth trips to Taize, Guatemala, camperships • Big name, national leaders - way beyond our price range • Technology training for churches offered – seldom used • New funds available to congregations for mission - unused • Mentor training now offered – expanding • Coaching now offered – seldom used • New staffing model proposed – in its infancy

13. Flipping the Presbytery • DREAM:THINK TANK – • concentrate on broader issues, let go of minority interests • think bigger, exploring our passions, • workshops on how to share faith, introduce people to Christ • We organize well to explore and study controversial issues. • Spend more time studying core theological issues. • spend more time on spiritual renewal, • get rid of presbytery structure, see what arises • “what can we lose, what must we keep and still be Presby?” • Let churches die gracefully so energy can go to • nurturing church development and mission. • Regional think tanks, call on CRTC

14. Flipping the Presbytery • DESIGN & DELIVER:THINK TANK – • Fiduciary, Strategic, Generative framework for Council • and all committees, task forces, boards • Unbinding the Gospel – big roll out, small return • Companies of Elders – just begun • Viability task force allows churches to close or become • fellowships – graceful closures but no fellowships • yet

15. Flipping the Presbytery • DREAM:WORSHIP/MUSIC – • create a presbytery wide “mega-church” experience • Model for all churches diversity of music, upbeat, • gather music of other cultures. • Update technology, improve sound systems. • Big music conference in local church. • Satellite reporting from afar. • Enhance our spirituality and faith • Revival type worship • Global connections through technology for • live sharing in worship

16. Flipping the Presbytery • DESIGN & DELIVER:WORSHIP/MUSIC – • Transformation & Media staff person – not well focused • Grants available to update technology, • improve sound systems– used somewhat • Difficult to be creative in presby worship aside • from offering great music

17. Flipping the Presbytery Next steps… What are we missing? Where are we over reaching, micromanaging? Where are we under performing, lacking trust, unaware?