Church Solutions Summary of Dialogue Sessions - Group 1

Assets

Bethany is a place to recharge spiritually
Bethany is a giving congregation in all ways: time, talent, money
Bethany has a proud heritage: history, family, building, ministry
Bethany is a welcoming place with a loving family of believers
Bethany has a traditional, stable and comforting worship service
Bethany is located close to both small and large communities

Challenges

To provide spiritual development and Christian Education for all ages
To grow in membership
To involve the youth
To provide a full time ministry with or without a full time minister
To communicate more effectively
To be more effeciently organized

Resources

Fiscal and financial health
Faithful, committed members, volunteers and staff
Land for expansion
Well-maintained building and parsonage
Other area churches and many Lutheran service providers nearby
Multi-talented congregation

Resource needs

An organizational structure which uses assets more effectively and provides a foundation for a "bigger" vision and minstry to all ages
More direct involvement with Kelley and the surrounding communities
More effective communication with members and prospective members
Better use of physical assets i.e., building, library, parsonage
Better use of congregational assets i.e., volunteers
Better collaboration withother Lutheran Churches in the area

 

Strategies

1. Create a worship service that incorporates the old with the new energy and variety

SUGGESTIONS

*Create a Worship Cimmittee that includes Youth to explore changes in the existing worship service
*Consider ways to encourage quiet time prior to worship

2. Improve contact with Kelley and other communitites to increase overall membership and attract young families.

SUGGESTIONS

*Create an Outreach Committee to explore marketing strategies including a website
*Develop a calling/visitation program to reach inactive members and the un-churched
*Support BLT

3. Create/ modify a mission statement, organizational structure and suporting bylaws

SUGGESTIONS

*Create committees with guidelines for positions
*Better organize and direct volunteers
*Create job descriptions for volunteers

4. Create opportunities for spiritual growth by strengthening the spiritual foundation of existing programs and by providing new programs and support services.

SUGGESTIONS

*Youth Sunday School class
*Youth Alpha Men's Group
*Prayer Group and Bible study
*Vacation Bible School
*More family activities
*Build the Library

5. Provide staff and volunteer support to strengthen current programs and add new programs

6. Provide new strategies for Bethany's financial future.

SUGGESTIONS

*Consider a Bethany Foundation
*Consider a stewardship program that includes time and money

 

 

Vision Statement

Bethany Lutheran Church will become a creative congregation that meets the needs of its current members and reaches out to the local community(ies) to provide spiritual growth, fellowship, frienship and family.