March 30, 2009

Design Charrette Steering Committee

Goals and Issues ID Session

Process StuffNext meeting: April 20Next stepsCreation of a charrette studio space-Room

212?Edward Soja’s idea of “thirdspace”To the studio or the guillotine? Planning for

success.CED Strategic Planning Website:

http://www.christchurchdearborn.org/content.cfm?id=2037

First View document (on website above)

Facts on Episcopal Church Growth*Major Findings/Contextual Factors Older suburbs and older residential areas are where most church

decline is happening. Parishes in these areas should not expect a steady supply of

newcomers. The Midwest is the worst region for church growth. There is a strong relationship between community growth and church

growth. Anglo churches are the least likely to grow. Congregations in which 75% of parishioners are 50 or older are the least

likely to grow. There is a positive correlation between the proportion of active female

participants and church decline. There is a strong correlation between clarity of mission and growth. Growth is unlikely in parishes that doubt their capacity for change.

*From Facts on Episcopal Church Growth, available on CEC’s Strategic Planning page or on the Episcopal Church’s church redevelopment microsite, found here: (http://www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/FACTs_on_Episcopal_Church_Growth.pdf )

Major Findings/Worship StyleChurch growth is correlated to parishes that

describe their worship as “joyful,” and “exciting,” (although this does not necessarily mean contemporary).

Worship styles described as “contemplative,” “disorganized,” “formal liturgy,” and “predictable” are associated with declining parishes.

Churches with more services and different styles of worship at each service are more likely to grow.

Churches with programs oriented around education, formation, and fellowship are more likely to grow.

Major Findings/OutreachPhone calls and visits to members,

newcomers, and visitors are positively associated with growth.

Church growth is correlated with active recruitment by a relatively large number of church members.

Major Findings/LeadershipFirst two years of a new priest’s tenure are

the worst for growth.The potential for growth increases over a

priest’s tenure, peaking in the 5th and 6th years, followed by decline and plateau above the valley of the first two years.

Leadership characteristics of church leaders associated with growth: generates enthusiasm, charismatic leader, clear vision for the congregation, knows how to get people to work together.

Other FindingsHaving a clear mission is strongly

associated with church growth.Conflict is the biggest factor associated

with church decline.

Church Growth ResourcesFrom the Episcopal Church’s Congregational Development microsite: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/congdev.htm

Start Up! Start Over!  5-day intensive workshop available several times a year.  Information available from Congregational Development Office, 800-334-7626 x. 6283 or at growth then click on Start Up! Start Over!—Traditional Approach

Congregational Life Cycle Presentation (Power Point) available from growth then click on Resources.

Behold I Do A New Thing, Transforming Communities of Faith, by C. Kirk Hadaway, Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, Ohio.

Natural Church Development  an evaluation and diagnostic tool for helping congregations move forward.  Materials and information can be obtained from churchsmart.com

The Great Emergence, How Christianity is Changing and Why, by Phillis Tickle

Small Church ResourcesCheck out the Small Church section of the

Episcopal Church’s Redevelopment microsite for resources, articles, and bibliographies of books and presentations. The site is found here:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/smallchurch.htm

Small Church resources: some topic headingshttp://www.episcopalchurch.org/smallchurch_5228_ENG_HTM.htmTopics listed under the heading “Small Church and the Future” Cluster Ministry: A Faithful Response To Change Innovations in Ministry: Models for the 21st Century U.S. Lifestyles and Mainline Churches -- A Key to Reaching People in the

90's

Clicking: 16 Trends to Future Fit Your Life, Your Work, and Your Business The Popcorn Report The Once and Future Church: Reinventing the Congregation for a New

Mission Frontier The Future of the Church: Where are We Headed? Ministry for a New Time: Case Study for Change Dancing With Dinosaurs: Ministry in a Hostile and Hurting World Vision for the Small Church Dying for Change A Church for the 21st Century

Charrette Scenario #1-(Quick)Milestones/Target Dates1. Steering Committee Formation (Completed-March 23, 2009)2. Goals/Issues ID (March 30)3. Needs Analysis ID-Task Assignment (April 6)4. Communication Plan Presentation (April 6)5. Facilitator Recruitment (April 27)6. Charrette Team Recruitment (April 27)7. Charrette Brief Draft (April 27)8. Charrette Planning (May 4)9. Charrette Brief (May 6)10. Design Charrette (May 8, 9, 10?, 16, 17)

1. Day 1—Session #1—Steering Committee/Charrette Team Meeting--Friday PM (May 8)2. Day 2—Session #2—context development—Saturday AM (May 9)3. Day 2—Session #3—morning interview and input sessions—Saturday PM (May 9)4. Day 2—Session #4—team analysis and issue clarification—Saturday PM (May 9)5. Day 2—Session #5—public meeting—Saturday evening/Sunday morning (May 9, 10?)6. Day 3—Session #6—development of goals/objectives—Saturday AM (May 16)7. Day 3—Session #7—present findings to community—Saturday PM (May 16)8. Day 4—Session #8—present findings to community—Sunday AM (Leon’s—May 17)

11. Post-Charrette Activities (May 30, 31/June 1, 8)1. Document and presentation preparation (May 30)2. Presentation and approval (May 31)3. Implementation plan and benchmarking (June 1, 8)

Charrette Scenario #2 (Deliberate)-Milestones/Target Dates1. Steering Committee Pre-charrette activities (April-

September 2009) Plan needs analysis Conduct data gathering and analysis Secure budget Plan and conduct focus groups/town halls/cottage meetings Read relevant research Recruit Charrette Team and Charrette Faciliator Prepare Charrette Brief

2. Design Charrette (October 2009) Plan charrette sessions

3. Post-Charrette Activities (November 2009-January 2010) Community-wide debrief (November) Preparation of Final Charrette Report (November-

December) Public Presentation of Charrette Report(Annual Meeting) Plan next steps (January 2010)

A green philosophy Center of the community Diverse religious experience Great programs Youth-centered Fun place to be Joyful worship Outdoor worship Joyful giving Revival energy Numerous prayer and study groups J2A super great

Brainstorming-Desired Qualities of Our Future Faith Community

Brainstorming—Possible FuturesDeliberate Closure—strategically plan to

closeTransformation/Metamorphosis—become

something elseChurch plus—take on an additional functionGrowth—grow back to sustainabilityContraction—downsize to sustainabilityMerger—join with another faith communityShared space—share our space with

another faith community

Deliberate ClosureExamples/Ideas/StrategiesAllows for thoughtful consideration instead

of reaction in crisisPossibility: community migrates to a

regional parish

Transformation/MetamorphosisExamples/Ideas/Strategies

Church plusExamples/Ideas/Strategies Seminary school Cultural destination Religious magnet Center of the community Fair trade café/coffee shop Social services hub Center for entrepreneurship Expanded Chapel Day Gymnasium Entertainment Destination-Dearborn Canterbury House Religious Library Yoga Community Farm/Urban Garden/Wind Farm Big TV—streaming content

GrowthExamples/Ideas/StrategiesMultiple worship styles/services—additional

clergyYouth-centeredRevival energyNumerous prayer and study groupsSuper great J2AEntertainment Destination-Dearborn

Canterbury HouseBig TV—streaming content

ContractionExamples/Ideas/StrategiesMove to a smaller space somewhere

elseTear down the church and build a

smaller spaceBuild a smaller space on site

MergerExamples/Ideas/StrategiesPartner with another parish in Dearborn

Shared spaceExamples/Ideas/StrategiesInterdenominational shared spaceInterfaith shared spaceConsolidation with other local parish

Next StepsCharrette Goals IDNeeds Analsyis Plan-task assignmentCommunication Plan