This document describes the status of the work by the Growth of Mission group. It will be a work in progress for the foreseeable future. If you have a printed copy, it may be out of date. Compare the `Last Updated:' field at the bottom of the online web page with the same field at the bottom of the last printed page.
In January of 2007, the Vestry announced its intention to grow Saint Philip's, and that accepting a budget deficit to fund programs that would contribute to growth was a worthwhile and necessary investment. Paul Utgoff later asked Father Ray Howe how the Vestry planned to bring about the envisioned growth. Would funding programs be enough? How does one grow a church? What do the experts have to say? This problem would have received considerable study and attention. Father Ray recommended the book by Howard Hanchey entitled Church Growth and the Power of Evangelism. Paul Utgoff read this book over a period of three weeks and was very excited about what it had to say. There were important insights that could be of great help to Saint Philip's. This led to Father Ray forming a group whose initial goal was to read, discuss, and understand what Hanchey had to say. This group started meeting in February 2007, and finished its study of Hanchey in mid-July 2007.
Father Ray asked Paul Utgoff to lead the discussions of the book and the issues it raised (due to Paul's strong interest and his professional skills). Father Ray and Paul conferred regularly outside of these group discussion meetings. To faciliate discussion, for each of the sixteen chapters, Paul prepared written discussion points, usually posed as questions, including his own answers and thoughts, to serve as a starting point. In most cases, one finds the answers in Hanchey's text; it is mostly a matter of understanding, relating, and emphasizing the main points. The complete set of these is available. They assume that the reader has read the corresponding Hanchey chapter, but most of the questions and answers are quite informative even so. A few of the points are not found in Hanchey, and these were included because they spoke to issues that came to light along the way. Those who attended all or most of the meetings were Paul Utgoff, Ray Howe, Joyce Dupont, Anne Bezio, Janet Couch, Paul Rattelle, David Brown, Steve Slezek, Janet Gallenstein, Faith Hall, Fran Hewes, and Ann Truehart. It was very rewarding, and it is good for Saint Philip's, to have had so many learn about growth of mission.
We highlight a few major themes that run through Hanchey and through the discussion points. This is no substitute for reading, but it does serve as a brief reminder for why certain adjustments or actions that we contemplate for Saint Philip's are important. Our group has worked through a fascinating body of knowledge, and we have discussed much of it in the context of Saint Philip's. The group has continued to meet, in order to try to realize more of the vision that the group has attained through study and prayer. There is much for us to do.
We have a mission at Saint Philip's, which is that of the Episcopal Church, which is stated on page 855 in the Book of Common Prayer, in the Catechism: The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. It is up to us to determine how to be most effective in this mission, and much of what we do takes its form because we believe that it is the most effective. The people of one time or place will differ in some ways from those of another. How can we restore the people who are here now? A church has to challenge itself to be effective in its mission. If the world and its people did not change around us, our task would be less dynamic. Of course there is much about God's people that is more fundamental in nature. At Saint Philip's we need to keep all that is good, and there is plenty, but we are called upon to consider adjustments that we believe would make us even more effective in our mission. The phrase `grow the mission' refers to our becoming more effective in our mission, which means that more people would be brought closer to God and to each other.
Our Saint Philip's mission statement is: Saint Philip's Episcopal Church strives to be a family devoted to extending the hand of Christ, while seeking an understanding of God's will for us. Through sharing the gifts that God has given us, we, as living members of Jesus' body, proclaim our faith by living the gospel and nurturing the seeds of God's love. We welcome our neighbors to join us in our walk with Christ.
A congregation can be considered to be mission-oriented when its focus is its mission. The conversations among its members, the energy expended, the many ministries, and the church's agenda speak of mission. The extent to which a church is mission-oriented has everything to do with its vitality. In contrast, a maintenance-oriented congregation focuses its conversations and energy on covering expenses, maintaining buildings and property in good repair, and otherwise perpetuating the status quo. Such a congregation has lost its way, because its focus has become the necessary maintenance, not the necessary mission. Of course every congregation must attend to keeping its property, institutions, and accounts in good shape, and this is important, but for a mission-minded congregation, these necessities are not the focus. Rather, the center of attention is how to fulfill mission as well as possible.
In a mission-oriented congregation, a new idea for fulfilling mission is accepted as a gift, from yea-sayers who approach it with a can-do attitude. In a maintenance-oriented congregation, a new idea is met with doubt and skepticism, by a chorus of nay-sayers, who approach it with a can't-do attitude. In a mission-oriented congregation, the discussion focuses on how to modify or implement ministries that improve mission. In a maintenance-oriented congregation, the discussion focuses on why such modifications or implementations cannot be done now, if ever.
People attend church to receive spiritual nourishment. Of primary interest is how God acts in their lives in the here and now. People want to become better at recognizing God speaking and acting today. They are especially intrigued by, and drawn to, fellow members who speak freely and comfortably of God's actions. To speak of God's love or action by offering personal experience of God's love or action is to bear witness. People attend worship service with an eye and ear toward becoming more skilled at recognizing God in their own lives. They also share stories while talking one-on-one or in small groups. The congregation serves as a group of witnesses, from whom one can learn much. Bearing witness is both worship and celebration.
The congregation functions as a spiritual family. Many of the social aspects of relating to family members apply. How does someone join a family where strong and long-lived bonds already exist among the regulars?
Congregation members form friendships. Members attend church, in part, to celebrate with their friends, and to enjoy being with their friends. Many of these friendships take on a life outside of church functions. How does someone find friendships, coming in as an outsider?
Telling stories about God is a form of worship. These stories may come from scripture, or from song, or from personal experience. To tell a personal story is to bear witness. Worshipers yearn to hear personal stories, and they long to have their own personal stories by becoming adept at recognizing God acting in their own lives. If a church and its people can help someone in this way, this fulfills mission by restoring that person to God and to that person's fellow believers. This is evangelism, helping others to recognize God in the here and now. Episcopalians may be less inclined to have these conversations, but this works against, rather than for, mission. Personal sharing, including careful listening, is nevertheless critical for mission.
We celebrate God's love and grace, and we celebrate our redemption. We celebrate witness, and we celebrate someone coming closer to God. We celebrate visitors, each other, and all that is good. The list is long, and it is important to keep in mind that our worship is fundamentally celebration.
It is important, especially for visitors and newcomers, that all aspects of church life be easy. For example, one needs to learn names easily, make friends easily, be welcomed and accepted warmly and readily, follow and understand the worship services with ease, and be able to join church life and its ministries easily. It is important for a parent to be able to see that all of these aspects will be easy for one's children as well. To the extent that something is not easy, it becomes frustrating, possibly to the point of constituting a barrier. Any sense of something being difficult to overcome can discourage a person to the point of that person giving up on us at Saint Philip's and perhaps even giving up on all churches.
Excellence is essential, everywhere, but especially in the worship services and the various ministries. In the worship services, the order of service needs to be crystal clear, and all of its elements need to be executed smoothly. The time before the worship service needs to be prayerful, without signs of last minute preparation. All steps and components need to appear planned and intentional. Readings, prayers, sermon, music, all need to be practiced ahead of time in order to be delivered well.
All aspects of organized worship need to be excellent and prepared at all times. We cannot plan to adopt an above-average performance when a visitor is in our midst. We cannot in general have advanced notice that a visitor will be present at a given moment, and even if we could, the visitor would eventually see on a later visit what happens more typically. One has to have the welcome mat out at all times in all ways. One has to do good work at all times. One needs to figure out how to do a better job at all times. One bad impression is enough for a visitor or newcomer not to return, reducing effectiveness of mission.
It is human nature to want to be a part of successful efforts, and to want not to be a part of unsuccessful efforts. For this reason, it is important to work to be successful and to accentuate the successful aspects of all that transpires. Participation in a ministry needs to come across as an opportunity to participate in a successful venture. Participation can manifest itself through the giving of time, expertise, or financial support. To try to enlist people to participate by appealing to obligation or a sense of duty is not likely to be effective. Participation of any kind needs to be seen an opportunity to be part of success.
Everyone likes to be praised for a job well done. It is important to be genuine, generous and vocal with praise. Private praise and gratitude has a place, but so too does public praise and gratitude. Even the smaller contributions deserve recognition. Praise is a tremendous motivator, but it is also a manifestation of celebration and appreciation.
We come together to celebrate God in our lives, his many gifts, and we celebrate our ability to help God minister to the world through our participation in various ministries. It is important to enjoy being part of God's world, and it is important to help others find this joy.
Much of what happens, especially within a church such as Saint Philip's can be described as one or more ministries. To minister is to attend to or fulfill one or more needs, and much of what we do can be seen in this light. Our notion of ministry is quite broad, and a ministry can be described at varying levels of detail.
We describe briefly some of the ministries at Saint Philip's. These descriptions are intentionally brief, leaving out for the moment how they operate or how they could operate more effectively.
Through God's grace, we know that God acts in our lives. This is his loving service, to help us to lead lives that bring us and others closer to him. Jesus ministered to the needy, the infirm, and in his teachings to all who would listen or observe. When we help in this minstry of bringing people closer to God and to each other, we worship God.
It is essential to share our stories of God acting in our lives, even when these acts may seem minor compared to some others. By sharing our experiences in becoming aware of God's actions, we help those who listen to become more skilled at participating in God's Kingdom. Similarly, it is as important to listen when others share their experiences, so that we may benefit from such testimony.
Preaching at its best brings the Holy Scriptures to life. It speaks to the heart and from the heart. It bears witness to God's presence, power and loving action in everyday life. It helps the seeker to understand, celebrate and articulate the wonder and mystery of God.
Music provides a direct path to the heart and soul. Music that opens the listener's heart to God serves as prayer. Music with words makes a strong combination, where each reinforces the other. Worshipers can derive even greater joy and involvement by participating, usually through hymns and other sung music such as the ordinaries. Choir members, music director, and other musicians adopt an even more dedicated role. Leading of music, such as that provided by the choir and organist, is part of the spiritual leadership during worship services.
Christian youth education brings our children into the community of faith. The children learn of the Bible, God, and Jesus in terms that they can understand. They worship in ways that are meaningful to them, by acting out bible stories, participating in crafts that create banners, pictures, and other artifacts that help them to understand. Parents want their children to become able to sense when God is acting in their lives.
Christian adult education aims to explain the church's mission, ministries, rites, and customs to visitors, newcomers, and members of the congregation. This education can be organized by way of a short course for newcomers, and a longer course for members who may be considering confirmation. People want to know how to use the Bible, prayer book, and hymnal.
There is a need to meet every visitor to our parish, to be sure that each is welcomed warmly. A visitor will likely have many questions, and the nature of a visit is one of trying something new. How easy is it to talk to people, to follow the worship service, to learn names, to form friendships, and to join ministries or other groups?
It needs to be easy for visitors, newcomers, and new or old members to learn names. A name tag eliminates the need to ask someone's name, and the awkwardness that this can sometimes bring. It is a good jog to the memory too, when a second or third asking of a name, or waiting for it to come up in conversation, are the alternatives. Spiritual family members and spiritual friends need to know each other's names.
The refreshments of food and drink following worship service provide a good time for all to make new acquaintances, refresh old ones, and to enjoy each other's company. It is an important occasion for visitors to see how congregation members relate to one another. There is also the opportunity for sharing stories with smaller groups. In the company of spiritual family and friends, one may feel comfortable in sharing with each other the ways in which God is having an impact on our lives today, and how God is working through the parishioners at St Philip's. Some may actually be hungry or thirsty for the good food and drink.
A lay Reader of the lessons for the service of worship participates in providing the required readings from the official Lectionary of the Episcopal Church to the body of Christ. This ministry allows those trained in reading and pronunciation to be actively involved in the liturgy by an essential process of building the understanding of the faithful. On a rotating basis, the members of this ministry are assigned a weekly service where they can proceed from the congregation to the lectern, reading the assigned Old Testament passage, and then introduce and lead the congregation in the reading of the Psalm for the Sunday.
As a Lay Eucharist Minister, the trained and licensed member of the Church can assist the Priest by administering the consecrated wine to the congregation. The duties also include reading of the Epistle from the official Lectionary of the Episcopal Church and the Prayers of the People. Occasionally, at the discretion of the Priest, the Lay Eucharist Minister will provide other readings and functions during the service.
If a person is licensed and assigned to bring the elements of Holy Communion to a person unable to attend the main service at Church, this Lay Eucharistic Visitor will prepare the communion kit with the appropriate amount of host and wine by placing them on the altar before the main service so they can be consecrated. After the main service is completed, this person will bring the consecrated items to the homebound person, administering the shortened version of the service and the elements, then cleaning the items and returning them to the Church.
A member of the Church's Prayer Chain ministry will receive notification of a person requesting prayer, either for a specific situation or for a general need. This is a rewarding ministry provided by the community for the community with an essential element of trust and confidentiality accorded. The request can be made to the Church office, the Priest, or any member of the Prayer Chain team where the individual will know that they are being kept in the hearts and minds of their fellow parishioners. These prayer requests can be added to the worship service's reading of the Prayers of the People or kept private within the Prayer Chain.
No matter what we "do" for a living, we can bear witness to God, his impact on our lives, and his work in the world around us. Our jobs are all connected, and the attitude that we put forth in the workplace demonstrates that we know our lives are linked to our faith in our one true God. We all help to make possible `Give us this day our daily bread.'
The gift of our time, talents, and treasure is an expression of our love and commitment toward God, our neighbor, and to our Church. These gifts provide essential support for our mission and ministries. When we give generously through our hearts, we are able to be open and to trust our lord. Only through our commitment to stewardship can a mission-minded church be successful.
Some congregation members may have been away for an extended period, and be missed. Sometimes, there are issues that have nothing to do with church life. At other times, there may be problems that have arisen in various ways. It is important to contact those who are noticeably absent, just to let them know that they are missed and that we care about them. If a deeper conversation develops, so be it, but it is really just the step of reaching out that is essential.
We need to help strangers to find us. We are listed in various directories, and we maintain those nice blue and white signs around town. We have a weekly entry in the newspaper, and we have a web site as well. These can all help someone who is in search of a church. One may decide to do more, such as make a mass mailing of our brochure to residents of certain zipcodes, or make a comprehensive telephone campaign. Inviting a friend may also bring someone to our door. Of course, a visitor needs to come back, which will be based on what he or she finds at Saint Philip's.
It is important to keep church members informed, and ideally to bring those who may be on the fringe back into active participation. Our newsletter can reach those already on our mailing list.
A newcomer will typically have many questions. To make it easy for the newcomer to obtain answers, it is helpful to assign a sponsor. In this way, the newcomer has at least one person who has volunteered to answer questions and otherwise provide information and support. The sponsor attends newcomer classes with the newcomer. The sponsor can augment the information presented at the newcomer classes, which is intentionally light. Simple questions are most likely, but the newcomer may wish to learn more about our Christian faith, or to hear more about our church's physical and spiritual history. We do not yet have enough newcomers at one time to organize a class, so the sponsor may need to serve as one-on-one teacher too.
The quiet ministry of the altar guild prepares the church for sunday services and other special services so we all may celebrate in the holy eucharist. The members set up for all services and adorn the altar and lecturns with proper colors and all the necessary accessories for all to enjoy special days and the seasons of the church year. Altar guild is God's work behind the scenes.
The church growth discussion group has already recommended several changes along the way. There is much more to do, and the discussion group has evolved into a body of dedicated advocates who wish to see their vision of stronger mission orientation and more effective ministries realized. Many, if not all, of us feel that this vision is an answer to our earlier prayer for vision. We are now focusing our efforts into formulating action steps and plans that come from this vision and that are tailored to Saint Philip's.
Our method is to discuss and prioritize action items. Those that are designed well, and that are vetted and supported by the group are recommended to Father Ray for acceptance and implementation. There is no intention of stepping on anyone's toes, and coordination with any and all interested parties can be achieved as appropriate. This web page is updated periodically to describe the actions that are being formulated and considered. If you are not currently involved, and would like to become more involved, let us know.
These action items, below, are stated somewhat briefly. In particular, the reasons and justification follow from what we have learned, as indicated by the discussion points and the themes summarized above. There are two groups, those that are substantially completed, and those that require attention.