Growing into Our Future:Church Growth Task Force

First Lutheran ChurchLake City, MN

November 5, 2011

CGTF Mission StatementThe purpose of the Church Growth Task Force is to identify the critical drivers and barriers to congregational growth and create a plan to address them in the context of our historical values, our discerned calling, and the current projected needs of the congregation and surrounding community.

First Lutheran Church’s GrowthCongregation

chartered 1869Facilities:First worship facility

1875Multiple renovationsEducation Building

begun in 1972Completed Education

Building in 1988Current facility in 2005

Changes in StaffCongregation

existed 11 yrs w/o full-time pastor

Succession of ordained pastors (solo)

Volunteer Musicians

Part-time secretaryPaid OrganistFull-time SecretaryFirst Associate

Pastor added in 2000

Pastor & Lay Minister arrangement in 2002

P/T Visitation Pastor in 2011

Currently 3 F/T Staff and 3 P/T

Changes in MembershipMembership Worship Pct.

1990 731 184 25%2000 807 210 26%2010 926 307 33%First 2 weeks in Sept. (avg.)355!

* From the ELCA statistical reports

Constants – Faith and MissionThe mission of our congregation shall be to motivate, equip, and support our members for the ministry of Jesus Christ in our congregation, our community and our world.

Small Group DiscussionIdentify a facilitator/recorder.1. What qualities are First Lutheran

Church known for?2. What is your vision for First

Lutheran 5 years from now? What will define/identify our ministry?

12 minutes of discussion. Each group report back on one highlight.

Growth Task Force HistoryEarly stagesSystems Change IndexDetermines

“readiness” for a congregation to make needed changes for future growth

Summary: we are “behind the curve” in making systematic changes to accommodate our growth and fulfill our mission

Spiritual giftsThe Spiritual Gifts Inventory is a

discovery tool that provides you with a personalized analysis.

Not a test, but a simple questionnaire giving you a profile of your God given spiritual gifts.

Based upon resources that individuals bring, not upon the volunteer needs of a congregation (Not “This is what WE need.” but “This is what YOU have to offer.”)

Discovering and exercising your God-given spiritual gifts allows you to experience maximum fulfillment with minimum frustration in your Christian life and ministry.

Examples:AdministrationArtistryDiscernmentEvangelismFaithHospitalityLeadershipMercyMusicServiceSkilled craftTeachingWriting

Drivers for GrowthNew church buildingForward thinking leadership (pastors, staff,

council)Growing community(s) around usProgressive members who are resilient and

courageousEstablished children’s ministry programsSolid music ministryWell planned, varied and meaningful worship

servicesWillingness to grow

Barriers to GrowthVolunteerism (burnout, availability, perceived

competency)Integration of new membersParking lot size (being addressed!)Lack of shared ownershipCrowding at increasingly more worship

servicesNeed to identify change championsNeed to discover individual spiritual giftsLack of task groups to address specific

challengesBudgetary constraints (competition for

“dollars”)

Small Group DiscussionIdentify a NEW facilitator/recorder.1. How does your assigned topic present

a barrier for growth?2. What factors contribute to this barrier?3. Brainstorm possible solutions to this

barrier. (How would YOU resolve this problem?)

15 minutes of discussion. Each group report back on one highlight.

Thank you for your insights!Please leave pages with presenter.The power of this time together will be in the ongoing conversations that you will have with your church and community! Keep it going!

Go in peace – serve the Lord!