Jeremiah 29
The Lord promises that he will redeem and restore the people of God. In the meantime, we are called to bless those around us –for “your welfare depends on the welfare of your community around you.”
THE FOUR STEP PROCESS
Our Quest From Numbers 1-3 & 13, we are instructed to “take a census of the people” (making an assessment of our group/congregation), and to “scout out the land” (making an assessment of our neighbors).
- Taking the Census: Compile the congregational data on internal needs, resources, and current energy focus.
- Scouting the Land: Gather community demographic information from Link2Lead and other sources. Survey the community regarding “ministry gaps” and untapped resources – door to door in the surrounding neighborhood, among our own neighbors and friends and our circles of acquaintance.
- Articulate a focused vision: within this vision diverse folks can find a place to be served and to serve.
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Determine how to live into that dream: In light of the needs and resources of congregation and community, (#1 & #2 above) how will we fulfill God’s call on our congregation (#3 above) – God’s dream for us of “a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11)? This will be a concrete plan with action steps to be carried out by a variety of smaller teams (the ministry and administrative committees, for instance) gathering probably monthly for celebration and calibration to keep on track.
PRAY: All of this of course is bathed in prayer and guided by biblical and theological reflection.
NEXT STEPS:
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Internal
- Needs – CA and CK
- Gifts – GP and TF
- Energies – KR and JM
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External
- Gather Demographic Info – KC
- Describe the “Door to Door” survey process – SJ & GW
*** Meet on Tuesday, 5/8 from 6:30-8pm at FGCC to share our results of this work and decide what’s next
In the meantime, we’ll keep in mind: a) How to get buy in from the congregation? If we are engaging them fully in the process, this won’t be a problem because the vision will be shared by them and grow from what God has placed in their own hearts and minds. B) Don’t take on too much. We will need to understand how the vision honors the capacities of the congregation – an honest assessement of “Internal Needs and Resources” will take this into account. C) Getting “back to basics”. The essence of our life of faith together is represented by our ministry areas – Worship, Fellowship, Member Care, Discipleship, Evangelism and Outreach – each of these need to be lived out deeply. D) To be “fed spiritually”. We need to recognize that this means different things for each of us. How do we help each person take responsibility for their own spiritual growth while also attending to the needs of one another?
THE DREAM: What do we recognize now as a part of God’s Dream/Vision for FGCC? Whatever else is true, it will be marked by: 1) a strong and central commitment to serving those outside the congregation – the church exists for the sake of the world. It will also be 2) rooted and grounded in a comprehensive life of prayer, bible study and theological reflection – the basics of formation for Christian discipleship.
Leadership and Life Development Coaching. Ken G Crawford. Synchronous Life. 
Two things – (1) I was very taken with the term “bathed in prayer”. I have not heard that pharase before, and I like the mental picture it presented to me: fully enveloped (or baptised?) in prayer. And (2): how do I apply the four criteria to a personal dream, leaving God’s Kingdom, of course, in the center. Is there any reason to change the formula, or does it fit the analysis of, say, publc speaking or writing a book?
I think it can apply, though I’d like to talk with you more specifically before saying for sure.
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