Tag Archives: DDP

Dream Discovery Process Update from 06052012

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The group met Tuesday to make progress on the “Member Care” conversation. This grows out of the “Internal Needs” area of our diagram. At present, we are working on strengthening our response to internal needs, not because we are turning inward, but because we are aware that we cannot “love our neighbors as ourselves” unless we love ourselves, and self-love means self-care. If the Body of Christ is not internally healthy, then we have little to offer others. If we fail to “love one another as I have loved you,” then how can the world trust our words about God’s love for them?

The discussion included:

  1. How do people get connected to the congregation (New folks, or those who have been here a while but are [or are feeling] disconnected/neglected)?
    1. We need to know people enough to know what they can and desire to do
    2. We need to invite people to participate
    3. Some of us need to be willing to initiate contact through phone calls and other connections. We recognize that not everyone is comfortable with this aspect.
    4. People need to be empowered to take responsibility for their own involvement
  1. How will we care for the folks who are currently participating in the
    1. Coordination of meals in time of need – illness, bereavement, life crisis.
    2. Calling the congregation with time critical news – clarify what rises to the level of ‘time critical news’ and who needs what kind of contact – phone, email, text
    3. Prayer ministry expansion – begin the conversation and then spin it off to those who wish to develop it further
    4. Updates on participants so those providing/coordinating care have awareness of needs – this will involve coordination with clergy and elders
    5. Reaching out to people drifting away – again, how will we become aware of this? How frequently will this conversation happen and who will participate. Then, what are the follow-up options – who will contact and how

THE PLAN

WHO:     The Member Care committee – currently composed of TF (Chair), CK, KR & SS – and whoever they invite.

WHAT:     will meet to discuss and develop a plan for each of these items. They are encouraged to then share that plan with the elders and clergy for input and to see how they and others may be invited to participate in these plans.

WHEN:        Before July 10th

FOLLOWUP:    Will provide an update in two weeks (6/19) to fgccdreamdiscoveryprocess@yahoogroups.com

Notes from Tuesday night’s DDP meeting…5/22 – by SJ

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A good vision for FGCC, that we have had around us, but didn’t name and recognize until now, goes something like this :

“FGCC is a part of the body of Christ,
gathered together, growing disciples
from curious onlookers
towards spiritually mature ministers.”

As a foundational part of this vision, we see creating a scope and sequence of growing disciples at FGCC through teaching, preaching, and open discussion inclusive of diverse opinions.   Where scripture speaks we speak, and where scripture is silent we will  prayerfully with love and conversation embrace our diversity together.

This means we support inclusive coverage of scripture (entire OT and entire NT) in sermons in tandem with guided group studies.

Suggested topics for the “back to basics” which is envisioned as the first part of the scope/sequence –  basic faith foundation kinds of topics:  for example, if Ken could take some of the creeds and preach a series on each thing mentioned there – not as a statement of faith for us, but as a guide for a topic list, and we could also in tandem study them in SS.  Also, interpretation of scripture, and an overview of the Bible were mentioned.

After we cover the basic faith foundation topics, moving on to difficult topics is desired as an additional part of scope/sequence. We feel guided, small group discussions/studies done in tandem with the sermons are a necessity (or highly recommended) – We do not want to tiptoe around difficult topics (based in 2 Tim 4:1-5), and we seek a deeper prayer life together.   An authentic, shared prayer life that is spiritually stirring is desired.

Suggestions:

Let’s let the topic of spiritual gifts rest for awhile.  The group feels that topic has been covered more fully than other topics in recent memory.
For summer, and perhaps longer, maybe a year? – basic belief sermon series and guided study series
After that – move to advanced topics built on the basic beliefs, inclusive of difficult topics that are pervasive in our culture.
Additional suggestions for next week’s agenda:
Revival in the fall?
CA and CK to continue to work out details of their ideas for hospitality, etc. so we can implement those soon.