WPC 0lXThJPh|/@{Ef И!jTڄ(NVJߞ[vVxƦQt&^Bmڶ#[E9Gp_0/X M?Hm@:y:%.w#:Fc=.sն$Qu#vO TİEHbQ3sˀoQޚN.ہ%z\ +,X<_kQ> =bUÚ"V%6{6I·źy∸TTz`z/ &e w+ Vzq|^uS>Y}s@on5\8wDͯکQ)0k6WۃkJ1 Q, Ż;Y][H2xzj !SS*d|l {NO&q)t VD$_i9ڏJ-*f,O N37#!UN# %q 0(wU6Jw@4)=L mNe-mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 0LDesktopHPLaserJet-III,,,,,,0x9 Z6Times New Roman RegularX($M@qZ 2Comic Sans MS Regular E  E   E  E  UFB)3|x U  ##Xd#>c$"Small Circle"0 !  ݛXgXXX +8Xdd8  4XXg#XgX4#,XXgEldersandPastors:   AnimatedTogetherbyaVision    #XgX,#cYXXgBarbaraBlaisdell,Keynoter    !cYDSFEldersConference   @FirstChristianChurchStockton,CAOctober21,2000#cY! #  ,+|&   4cYܟ 4Elders: ` 0 0 (# (#alongwiththepastor,thespiritual  leadersofacongregation (#(# Pastor:0 0 (# (#onesetapartbyspecialtraining  @ andcalltoenhanceandsupporttheleadershipofacongregation (#(# Leadership:0  theabilitytodiscernwhatneeds P  tobedoneandtogetpeopletowanttodowhatneedstobedone (#(# Animated:0 0 (# (# Fullofvigorandspirit,vivacious, ` lively#4 ܟ# !4(Websters7th)#4! }#ܟ 40(#(# Vision:0 ` 0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#thepoweroftheimaginationto P%  seewhatoughttobebutisnt (#(#  #4 ܟ#cY4 *&   AnIchabodTime#4cY#    Doesyourfamilyhavefallroutines,thingsyoutocelebratethe H fall?OneofourfamilysfallcelebrationsistheritualwatchingofanoldDisneyanimatedshort:TheLegendofSleepyHollow.Doyouknowit?ItisthestoryofashortsightedschoolmasternamedIchabodCrane.PoorIchabodcantseewhatsinfrontofhimbecausehealwayshashissubstantialnoseinabook,orfocusinginonfoodtofeedhissubstantialappetite,orbeingdistractedbythelovelyKatrinaandherfathersvaluablefarm.Heisafearfulman.Andhisfearsandhisfoolishnessarisebecauseofhislackofclearvision.Idontknowifthesymbolismofthenamewasknowntotheauthor,butIbetitwas.Yousee,thenameisrootedinHebrew,andinastoryIbetyouknow.  InthebeginningofthebookofISamuel,wearetoldthestoryofthebirthandcalloftheprophetSamuel.TheauthorofthisscripturedescribesthetimeandtheplaceofSamuelscallfromtheLord.Hesaysthat: thewordoftheLordwasrareinthosedays;itwasatimeofnofrequentvision.LesterPalmeroncetoldagatheringofthePensionFundBoard,thatliterally,theHebrewtherereads: Itwasanichabodtime.Andichabodtime:atimeofnofrequentvision.     IhavewonderedhowoftenGodhaslookeddownonthechurch H! andseenanichabodtime.DoesGodseeleaderswhoaresofocusedonfearsandfoodandfollythatweliveinatimeofnofrequentvision?Ifso,howcanwegetbeyondourfearsaboutbudgetandchurchroofsandparkinglotsthatneedrepairandpewsthatareincreasinglyemptyandfind,onceagain,ourvision,avisionthatanimatesandenlivens?  h+& Ї   !4AnimatedbyaVision:  EldersandPastorsWorkingTogether#4! # $ t   !4I.WhoWeAreheretoday l  ̀II.UnderstandingourVision/MissionIII.CriticalChoicesFacingtheChurch  A.Whatdoweoweourlongtermmembers?  B.Whatdoweoweourfuture?̀IV.UnderstandingWorshipandOurVisioǹV.UnderstandingOutreachandOurVision#4! U#ܟ 4#4 ܟ# ܟ 4 )$ Ї   ! ܟI.WhoWeAre HereToday     4! First,Idlikeustofindoutwhoshere,whatourplaceisinthechurch,  whatsomeofourpreferencesandvaluesare.Iwanttodothatusingwhatiscalledopenspacetechnology.Thatis,weregoingtogetupandmovearoundsome.Wouldyoupushchairsbackagainstthewallandlistentosomequestions?Ready?6c  6cA"0    Animportantthingtoknowabouteachother:atthebreakfast @  bar,didyou(orwouldyouifyouwerentbehavingyourself)pickchocolateorglazed?6cA\݌ (#(# Ќ  6c  6ct"0    Whendidyoufirstjoin/becomeactiveinaDiscipleschurch?6ct݌ (#(# Ќ  6c    6c>"0 `   Lessthantwoyearsago?6c>e݌l` (#` (# Ќ  6c    6c"0 `   Inthepastfiveyears?6c݌`` (#` (# Ќ  6c    6c"0 `   515yearsago?6c݌` (#` (# Ќ  6c    6cD"0 `   1530yearsago?6cDk݌8` (#` (# Ќ  6c    6c"0 `   Morethan30yearsago6c݌,|` (#` (# Ќ  6c  6c"0    Howlonghaveyoubeenamemberofyourcurrentchurch?(Use <" divisionsabove.)6c݌ (#(# Ќ  6c  6c"0    Howlonghaveyoubeenanelder/pastor?(Ibid.)6c݌L'"(#(# Ќ   +h& Ї    !4II.UnderstandingOurMission#4! h# D  cY4  6c  6c "0    #4cY#ChurchSize:6c '݌(#(# Ќ  0  Whatsizewouldyou like yourchurchtobe?Whatistheideal   sizeforyourcongregation? (#(# 0  0` (#(#Ifyoudlikeyourchurchtostayaboutthesamesizeasitisnow,standinthiscorner. ` (#` (# 0  0` (#(#Ifyoudliketoseeyourchurchgrowabout10percentinthenextfiveyears,standinthiscorner. ` (#` (# 0  0` (#(#Ifyoudliketoseeyourchurchdoubleinworshipattendanceoverthenextfiveyears,standinthiscorner. ` (#` (# 0  0` (#(#Ifyoudliketoseeyourattendancereachover200everySundayinthenextfiveyears,standinthiscorner. ` (#` (# 0  Whyareyoustandingwhereyouare? (#(#  @+& Ї6c  6cT"0    ݀ChurchMission/Vision:6cTo݌(#(# Ќ  0  1)Doyouseetheprimary,themostimportantpartofthemissionofthechurchas: (#(# 6c  0  0` (#(#6cp "0 ` (#` (#  primarilytakingcareofoneanother;to loveone  T anotherasChristhaslovedus.Primarilyinwardfocused(Standtooneside)6cp ݌  (# (# Ќ  6c  0  0` (#(#6c!"0 ` (#` (#  primarilytoreachouttotheworldandshareGods d  love,asinChristsGreatCommission,Gothereforeand X  spreadthenewsofGodslovetoallnations.Primarily   outwardfocused(Standtotheotherside)6c!!݌  (# (# Ќ  0  Whydoyoufeelthatway? (#(# e0  2)Whenhavingtodecidebetweentwoimportantthingstodo,doyouwantyourpastortochoose(orifyouareapastor,doyouchoose): (#(# 6c  0  0 (#(#6cv$"0m  (# (#  callingonamemberinthehospital,or,callingona P prospectivemember?6cv$$݌ m (#m (# Ќ  6c  0  0 (#(#6c%"0m  (# (#  moresermonpreparationorcallingonashutin?6c%%݌!m (#m (# Ќ  6c      6cf&"0 m   spendingtimeinpersonalprayer/devotionsorattending T$ thewomenscircleormensgroupactivity?6cf&&݌ m (#m (# Ќ  0  Whatyouexpectfromthepastorwillrevealwhatyourprimary  (p# missionis. (#(#  *%  +  8XXdXd8    0  3)RoleofPastorandEldersinMission/Vision (#(#     LeftorRight:6c      6c)"0 m   Doyouwantyourpastortoprimarilyrespondtothe   visionthattheeldershaveforyourchurch?6c)8)݌ m (#m (# Ќ  6c      6c*"0 m   ݇Doyouwantthepastortoleadyouinthinkingabout   vision?(Notdictate,lead.)6c*I*݌ m (#m (# Ќ          Askeachgroupwheretheystand:6c  0  0 (#(#6cn+"0m  (# (#  Ifyouwanttheelderstosetthevision,howdoyou 0  resourceyourselvestoimagineafaithfulvision?6cn++݌$t m (#m (# Ќ  6c  0  0 (#(#6c,"0m  (# (#  Ifyouwantyourpastortoleadyouinthinkingabout  yourvision,doyou,asaBoardofElders,advocateforthepastortospendtimeincontinuingeducationevents,andinprayerandstudyinordertohelphim/herdiscernavisionforthechurch?Ordoyouthinkhe/sheoughttodothatonhis/herowntime?6c,,݌ m (#m (# Ќ  0  4)FaithfulnesstoCall:WouldyoubewillingtochangethewayyouvealwaysdoneitifyouthinkGodiscallingyoutonewthingsorwillGodprettymuchhavetotakeyouasyouare? (#(# 0  Thanksforyourcooperationandhonesty.Comesitdownforaminute. (#(#  *% Ї  cY4 #4cY 0#4CriticalChallengesFacingtheChurch#4O0#cY4 0  #4cY0#L?M41)WhatDoWeOweOurLongTerm L  Members?#4ML?1#cY4 P   #4cY1#L?M42)WhatDoWeOweOurFuture?  $  *% ЇcYML? WhatDoWeOweOurLongtermMembers?    !cY6c    6c2"0    cY! 4cYInmostofourchurches,theaverageworshipingageofthe  L congregationgetsoldereveryyear.Stewardshipexpertstellusthat80%ofthegivingismadeby20%ofthegivers.Inourcongregation,thatislikelytobeouroldestmembers.Inaddition,itisourseniorswhoareourbestvolunteers.Seniorsarekeepingourdoorsopen!6c23݌ (#(# Ќ  #cY4\3#0  4cYxx4yearsago,theaverageageofthoseattendingourworship p  serviceswas63.Whatwouldyouguessistheaverageageofyourworshipattenders? (#(# 6c  6c)6"0    Longtermmembers,onthewhole,lovethegreatmusicandliturgy  ofthechurch(oratleastthemusicandliturgytheyareaccustomedto)andastheworldaroundchangessofast,thechurchhasbeenforthemahavenofstability.Sochangeinworshipishardonthem.6c)6D6݌ (#(# Ќ  0  xxDoyoufindchangeinworshipexcitingordifficult? (#(# 6c  6c*8"0    Asbodiesageandhealthdeclines,seniorswillincreasinglyrequire " morepastoralcareandbelessabletokeepthelawnmowedandtheroofrepairedandgetthenewsletterfoldedandmailed.Theydeservetohavetheirturnatreceivingpastoralcareandaninformativenewsletter!Isthattrueinyourcongregation?Howdowebestassurethatourseniorsgetthecaretheydeserve? 6c*8E8݌ (#(# Ќ    |+&    cY4WHATDOWEOWEOURFUTURE?#4cYu:#     6c  6c:"0    Doyoufindyourcongregationdeclininginworshipattendance?Do  youfindithardertorecruitvolunteers?Itisoftendifficultfora , churchtoofferthekindofcaretoseniorstheydeservebecausethenumbersofyoungpeoplearedeclining.6c:;݌ (#(# Ќ    Therearereasonsforthechallengesweface:   <    6c  6c="0    Theculturehaschangedtosuchadegreethatunchurchedpeople t  hearorganmusiconlyattheballgame,thepizzaparlor,orafuneral.Ourfavoritehymnsareofteninforeignstyletothosewhomightvisit.6c==݌ (#(# Ќ  0  xxA     nattractive  but   and    wou   hurting  woman  w  ,age43,joinedourcongregationlastSunday.Priortoafewweeksago, Jennifer  she hadnotsteppedfootinachurchinherlife.ShewasterrifiedtowalkthroughourdoorsthatfirstSunday.(Canyouimaginethatterrorwalkingthroughstrangedoorstoaninstitutionyouhadonlyheardaboutvaguelyanddidntunderstand?)Andinworship,therewereallkindsofrulesshedidntknow:whentosit,whentostand,whentolookup,whentobowherhead.Therewasmusictotallyunfamiliartohertoo:organmusicandthegreathymnsofthechurchwhichshehadneverheard.Therewasalsoguitarmusicandsingingthatsoundedclosertomusicshelistenedtoinherdailylife.Itmightnotseemlikealot,butthatguitarwasabridgetosomethingfamiliartoher.It(andfriendlygreetingbypeople)madeitpossibleforhertostay. (#(#  +X& 6c  6cB"0    Themediaincreasinglyportrays Christianityasunivocal:  fundamentalism.OurgentlerstyleofChristianityishardto market,thatis,itishardtocommunicatetooutsiderswhywearedifferent.6cBB݌ (#(# Ќ  0  xxLastSunday,whiledrivinghomefromlunchwithanotherprospectivemember,IheardanewsreportonNPR.TheywerereportingontheNOWmarchonWashington.Ididntevenknowamarchwashappening.ButtheytalkedaboutNOWasmarchingforequalityforwomenandforsexualminorities.ThentheydescribedthecountermarchersasChristianswhoheldbannersthatsaid: GodhatesFags,and KilltheAbortionists.Idontknowhowyoufeelabouthomosexualityorabortion,butIfoundmyselfchagrinedtobenamedthesamenameaspeoplewhowouldcarrythosesigns.Forthe8595percentofCalifornianswhodontknowchurch,howwilltheyknowthatsnotwhoweare? (#(# Ѐ6c  6cG"0    Theculturenolongersupportschurchmembershipinthewaythat   itoncedid.Itisthereforehardertorecruitnewpeopletothechurch.6cG1G݌ (#(# Ќ  0  xxYoungmother,goingthroughaspiritualcrisis,soughtusoutinordertofindwisdomandsupportinatoughtime.Andherextendedfamily,hermotherandsiblings,dontmindifshecomestochurchaslongasitdoesntinterferewiththeirfamilysplans.Theyseeherchurchattendanceassimilartoamassageorafacial;somethingitmightbeniceforhertodoforherselfbutkindof  (p# selfishifitgetsintheirway. (#(#  *% 0  xxOrconsidertherecentwidowerwhohadneverbeforeattendedchurch,thoughitwasimportanttohiswifeveryimportant.Afterhermemorialservice,hedecidedtocome.Hischildrenarealittleuncomfortablewiththis.Theythinkheisveryvulnerableandwemighttakeadvantageofhim. (#(# 0  Bothofthesefolksdesperatelyneedtohealingofthegospelandofthechurch . Butwehavetoworkextrahardtomakeit   attractive,safe,andmeaningfulforthem.  (#(#  Isitanywonderthatchurchgrowthisharderthanitseverbeen?  X   Letsgobacktotheopenspacetechnologytothinktogetheraboutsomeotherissues.  @    *% Ї !4IV.UnderstandingWorshipandOurVision#4! M#    6c    6cN"0    Whichofthefollowingchoicesshouldtheworshipcommitteealong    withthepastorofyourcongregation,make?6cN.N݌ (#(# Ќ  6c      6cO"0 m   Pickmusicthatpleasesthepeoplewhocometoworship   ortrytofindmusicthatappealstotheunchurchedinthecommunity?6cOLO݌ m (#m (# Ќ  6c      6cFP"0 m   Whatkindofmusicdoyoulikebestinworship?6cFPyP݌m (#m (# Ќ  0  0 (#(#0m  (# (#Ifyoudidnthavetothinkaboutanybodyelsesneeds,wouldyoupreferatraditionalservicewithmoretraditionalmusic? m (#m (# 0  0 (#(#0m  (# (#Ifyouagain,hadnoonebutyourselftoconsider,wouldyoupreferamorecontemporarystyleofworship,withapraiseband,etc.? m (#m (# 6c  0  0 (#(#6cR"0m  (# (#  Obviously,theWorshipCommitteeofyourchurchand H# yourpastor(s)havetothinkofavarietyofpeoplewithavarietyofneeds.Giventhatdiversityofneeds,doyouthinkyourchurchshouldhaveatraditionalservice(eventhoughitwillmeanmaintaininganolderworshipingcommunity)?6cRR݌ m (#m (# Ќ   *0&   0  0m  (# (#Or,doyouthinkyourcongregationneedstooffermorecontemporarymusicinordertoattractyoungerandnewerpeople(evenifitishardonyourlongertermmembers)? m (#m (# 6c    6cU"0    Oneofthethingsthatsociologistsaretellingusabout H  youngerandunchurchedpeopleisthattheyareveryvisual,whileourworshipservicesarelargelyoral.(Thatis,peopleareusedtolearningbyseeingandwearestilltryingtoteachandpreachandworshipprimarilywithwords.)6cUU݌  (# (# Ќ  6c  0  0 (#(#6cdW"0m  (# (#  Ifyouwouldbeopentothingslikeslides,movieclips, 0  wordsforsongsonascreenatthefrontofthesanctuarytohelpillustratemusicandsermonsinavisualwaysothatunchurchedpeopleandyoungergenerationsmightbemorelikelytounderstandthemessage,standtotheleft.6cdWW݌ m (#m (# Ќ  6c  0  0 (#(#6cBY"0m  (# (#  Ifyouwouldfindthatconcepttoodisruptivetoyour P worshipandyouarenotopentoit,standtotheright.6cBY}Y݌ m (#m (# Ќ  6c  0  0 (#(#6cpZ"0m  (# (#  Howmanyofyouwishthatthehardestchoiceinfront ! ofuswerewhattochoosefromthesnacktable?6cpZZ݌ m (#m (# Ќ   *% Ї  L?M4  !ML?V.UnderstandingOurOutreach/Vision  L 6c    4! 6c;\"0    Ifyourfinancecommitteewasfacingadeficityearahead,would  D youvotetorecommend:6c;\\݌ (#(# Ќ  6c      6cY]"0 m   thatyoucuttheoutreachgivinginordertobalancethe   budget?6cY]]݌ m (#m (# Ќ  6c      6cJ^"0 m   thatyoucutthepastorssalaryinordertobalancethe   budget?6cJ^}^݌ m (#m (# Ќ  6c      6c>_"0 m   thatyoucutprograminordertobalancethebudget?6c>_q_݌Xm (#m (# Ќ  6c      6c`"0 m   thatyoupassadeficitbudgetandworktoraisemore 0 fundsthroughouttheyear?6c`J`݌ m (#m (# Ќ  6c  6ca"0    Isyourpriorityasacongregation,outreachmissiontotheworld;  sharingthegospelofGodsloveforallinwordanddeedorisyourpriorityasacongregationselfcare?6ca3a݌ (#(# Ќ  6c  6cab"0    Howdoyourbudget,yourprogram,andyouractionsliveoutthat #  priority?6cab|b݌ (#(# Ќ  6c  6cDc"0    IsittheprioritytowhichGodiscallingyou?6cDc_c݌'"(#(# Ќ  6c  6cd"0