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Report from Discovering God’s Grace Committee
Congregation Meeting, January 24, 2010
I’d like to begin this report with a passage from Romans 12:1- 12.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
Grace Lutheran Church and School has been involved in a long range planning project, partnered with the Church Innovations organization, since late 2007. We have looked inward and outward to better understand our congregation. We have delved into our past to learn our heritage. We have described our present place in the community and our identity as a viable, vibrant congregation even in these tough times. As society, communities, technology and economics evolve, we look ahead to imagine what God’s promised and preferred future is for Grace Church and School. What are these gifts that God has provided us and how can we best use them now and in the future? What is God calling Grace to do in God’s mission here and now? That is what this project is about.
In the last year and a half, as we have continued to work through the discovery process, we have confirmed that the people of Grace Church and School are blessed with many, many gifts from God and that Grace has used these gifts to further our mission to “Bring in, build up and send out for Jesus Christ.”
After reviewing interviews, meeting minutes, workshop reports, Adult Education hour discussions, individual comments, emails and written responses compiled throughout the project, repeated themes emerged. We are blessed with gifts that allow us to excel in worship, music, education and Christian fellowship and support in the congregation.
Our challenges include reaching into the congregation: to make sure all members have the information and opportunities to be active in the daily life of the church; to bridge church and school communities; to bond members with a shared identity of Christ-centered purpose; to help each individual recognize and use their God-given gifts for their good and to the glory of God.
Our challenges include reaching out to the community: to draw in with our gifts of welcoming worship, uplifting music, Christian fellowship and education for children, youth and adults; to continue to support our benevolences and missions; to more intentionally share the Good News in word and deeds.
Our challenge includes developing a habit of faithful giving of what God first gave us, our time, talents and possessions, to insure there are hands enough, skills enough and means enough to maintain our mission at Grace.
So where does the discovery process go from here? We have already begun! As conversations about long range planning have occurred over the last year, new projects have sprung up; CAFÉ, the parents’ informal learning opportunity during Sunday School time, is in full swing! The New Members’ committee has shepherded three classes through to active membership status. A series of sessions, open to the community, on Morality in Daily Living, is in the planning process.
The formal strategy is to now focus on communicating these challenges to the congregation. The Leadership Workshop, in February, provided an opportunity to set goals and adopt specific tasks that would match each board’s charge. Now, we need to “bring it home” to the full congregation. Are you one who can bring in? Are you a builder? Are you one who will be sent out? Use your gifts! Find your bliss, the work you love to do for God’s sake! “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit. Serve the Lord!” Amen
Discovering God’s Grace Committtee: Roberta Gillespie, chair; Bryan Bernard, Phil Jimenez, Christie Pascavis, Gick Schmidt, Markus Sleuwen, Claudia Wood, Mark Bouman.
Reports from the Discovering God's Grace process
The Church Future Finder Report
Our Towns
Congregational Discovery Report
Summary Report
