Proposed 2007 Strategic Plan
As Updated February 25, 2007
Grace United Methodist Church
320 College Street, Winfield, Kansas
Our Vision Statement: Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds!
Our Mission: CHRIST, Campus, Community
Purpose: The Strategic Planning Ministry Team has developed the proposed plan with the input and ideas of our congregation, pastor, and church council. We have proposed this living and dynamic document, which can be used to provide a context for our work by the Church Council, the Congregation, and our Community, to provide long-term direction and guidance for the development of Christ-centered strategies that can be implemented to accomplish Grace’s Vision and Mission. This Ministry Team will serve as a resource for the council and other ministry teams.
Over the years, Grace United Methodist Church has overcome many obstacles and shared many joys as a congregation of faith, serving Christ, Southwestern College, and our Community. Members have always persevered through difficult times by working and sharing together to accomplish our mission and goals, written and unwritten, to be disciples of Christ through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service.
Core Values:
We Believe in the Power of GOD accessed through Prayer (First, Last, and Always).
We Offer Caring, Loving Outreach to Others and Ourselves.
We Practice Radical Hospitality (And have Fun Doing It).
We Offer Passionate Worship.
We Practice Intentional Faith Development.
We Participate in Risk-Taking Mission and Service.
We Practice Extravagant Generosity.
Grace Ministry Goals
for 2007 and Beyond:
1. We will create a culture of Spiritual Growth and Development using Christ’s Teachings.
2. We will understand and create a Disciple Formation Process. Leadership Development and Empowerment will be critical in this.
3. We will implement an effective Shepherding Program for our members and others. We will know our current and future congregation and meet their needs.
4. We will invite new members to come to Christ through a Profession of Faith.
5. We will display our Faith through our Prayers, Presence, Gifts, and Service.
Strategies To
Achieve Goals:
Strategies will be considered by the Strategic Planning Ministry Team and recommended through our church structure using the Church Council through our various Ministry Teams and their operational goals. The following Realities will be used for developing these strategies:
Current Realities:
Local
Grace membership will be stable (450) and average attendance in worship will be 185.
Average Sunday School attendance will be 100.
We will meet our annual budget of $265,000 and meet our Mission & Ministry Giving of $30,000 per year. Overhead costs will continue to increase.
Stewardship Ministry Team will implement a new member-pledging program.
No additional staff positions will be added.
We will continue to rely on volunteers for the bulk of our ministry efforts.
Local economy will continue to expand offering continued opportunities to serve the community.
Southwestern College will continue to expand offering continued opportunities to serve students, teachers, and administrative personnel.
Affordable and adequate housing will continue to be a major concern for our community.
Our average age within our congregation will continue to increase, and thereby require certain and specific needs be met to accommodate our members.
Our community will continue to diversify ethnically, economically, and spiritually.
State/National/Global
National economy will be stable to improving.
There will be an escalation in troops to Iraq with continuing conflict in the world.
Methodist membership will decrease in the US and continue to grow in foreign countries.
Non-Profit groups will continue to proliferate and compete for donations.
Successes
Experienced in 2006:
Repair & Renovation of the Stained Glass Windows
Installation of Chair for steps from Educational Wing to Sanctuary and Reception Center
Review and Revision of Committees to Ministry Teams
We met our budgeted income and expense goals!
First Sunday Lunch and Ministry Team Meetings
Provided Ministry Team Training on Effective Meetings
Development of a Stewardship Ministry Team
Endowment Fund grew 6% to $105,000.
Above & Beyond Giving Mission Work
Ministry Programs
Offered by Grace in 2007:
Church School meets at 9:30 am on Sunday mornings
Prayer Chain
United Methodist Women
United Methodist Men meets the third Saturday at 7:30 am
Quilters
Scouts
Food Pantry
Disciple Bible Study
Student Ministry
Various Ministry Teams
Music Program
Fellowship Time & Dinners
Funerals & Funeral Dinners
Weddings
Receptions
Strengths
2006 Successes are numerous and have contributed greatly to our current position;
Food Pantry;
Stewardship Ministry Team Programs;
Above and Beyond Giving Mission;
Financial Stability (Monthly Mortgage payments of $2,200 are
reasonable for our budget of $265,000);
Weaknesses
We need to empower members to take initiative;
Develop effective processes to address needs of Campus, Congregation, and Community (through improved trust and communication);
Improve Participation among Youth (Campus, Congregation, and Community);
Opportunities
Offer Programs that people find valuable and meaningful;
Develop alliances with other groups to achieve our stated Vision, Mission, and Goals;
We need to better understand our congregation and community’s needs so we can develop strategies to address those needs;
We may need to offer alternate worship and small group meeting times to citizens in our community in order to better serve our community. This is due to both parents working and many working odd hours, including weekends (due to increased cultural and economic diversity);
Programming does not have to be costly if we utilize local and volunteer services;
Utilize the Health Ministry Fund and other available grants to help fund a paid staff position;
Threats/Barriers
Be more intentional about establishing standards and follow-through in our programs;
Balance efforts with both internal and external Mission and Outreach;
Low numbers in Sunday School (Adults & Youth);