Robert's Ramblings

Property Development, Ministry and Staffing

Update on "A Twisted Fairytale": Property Development, Ministry and Staffing

      Remember my twisted fairytale from last Fall?  Goldilocks practices her favorite sport of breaking and entering.  In the Bear residence she finds a tall stool with one leg-highly unstable; it pitches her through the TV picture tube.  There’s a shorter stool with two legs-more stable than the first, but she gets leg cramps from trying to keep her balance.  The third stool has three legs-just right; actually, a bit low but better than the other two.

      I made the parallel between the stools and our church. Our future rests on three legs: property development, ministry and staffing.  Here’s an update:

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:  We were optimistic last fall when we announced a possible construction beginning date of early spring.  Property Development Committee has been hard at work with Jim Wilson Architects to contain costs before we let bids.  That work is almost finished.  I hesitate to project another beginning date, but we are far closer to it than we have been.

MINISTRY:  We have two levels of ministry planning:


In addition to continuing programs and ministries, each program committee has been asked to plan at least two new and/or enhanced ministries for this year, with emphasis upon outreach to the community.  The following new goals have been established:

• Re-energize the Sunday school, with emphasis upon the children’s department
• Community-wide Vacation Bible School
• "Touch Base" frequent telephone contact group
• Advent devotional guide
• Community Awareness Fair (already accomplished)
• International Awareness Fair
• Youth Choir (already begun)
• Fifth Sunday evening hymn fest
• Exchange program with a mosque.

These plans are still fluid; who knows what creative edge may emerge to allow us to "Make a Difference."

      Strategic Future Ministry Planning:  The session has approved using Appreciative Inquiry as the method for longer range ministry planning.  The Rev. Bill Bennett, pastor of DeSoto Presbyterian Church, will serve as our consultant.

      Appreciative Inquiry is a different approach to planning.  The other, older method starts with a small group analyzing an organization for problems and/or weaknesses.  An action plan is drawn up, and members are asked to subscribe to it.  Appreciative Inquiry begins by asking:  "What do we value?  What is working?  Where are our strengths?  How can we build upon them?"  (In a church the questions expand to include descriptions of memorable moments in our faith journeys.)  All of us will have the opportunity to tell our stories and give our input.  Community leaders are also interviewed to determine where we can have the most impact . From there we can determine strengths, directions and emphases for the future.  More importantly, we can expect the interest and energy generated in understanding our strengths to guide us into the future.  Our experience with Appreciative Inquiry is just beginning.  You will hear more later, and you will be involved.

      I am excited about this approach of opening up our future.  I’ve used the old model, and I know how energy demanding and tedious it can be.  Appreciative Inquiry promises to be energy generating.

STAFFING:  The third leg of our stool depends in large measure upon property and ministry development:  What opportunities for new ministry will God show us, and what should our staff configuration be?  We don’t yet know.

      In the meantime, let me celebrate the contributions of Robert M. Shelton to the congregation and to me personally.  He is a wise and willing friend who has made my job instantly more manageable.  And he is showing us that he has the truly caring heart of a pastor.

Bob M. and Bob P. join our present office staff of the finest, most congenial and conscientious people I could ever hope to work with:  Sammye Wood, Meg Richardson, Kay Wyne and Ladell Ritchey.

-- Robert E Shelton