April 15, 2003

Dear Church friends and family,


     In my September 6, 2001 newsletter article I wrote the following:

     When the church fails to plan, the church plans to fail.

     Look at that again and let it soak in a little bit.

     You and members of your church family have taken several important steps to prevent that cycle here at First Christian. Over the last year, through several congregational meetings and the diligent work of the Visioning Committee led by Dave Taylor, we have made an important effort to diffuse our abilities to fail as a church just by failing to plan. Together in large congregational meetings we have determined what it is that we are to be about – according to God's will, Christ's teachings, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. This has been summed up in the short Mission Statement: To Receive and Share God's Love. All else that we do, from witnessing about the Good News in Jesus Christ to feeding the hungry with food items through Loaves and Fishes, Etc., is based on this statement. We want to help and love because God first loved us!

     We have gone from something like never getting around to planning things that don't get off the ground to a specific plan with measurable goals. Your fellow church members have prepared a plan that will not only continue the many good programs and ministries we currently offer but bring increased focus and increased energy to the church for the next three years. The Plan for Ministry is how (and where) the new Mission Statement lives and breathes -- where the rubber hits the road, so to speak.

     Enclosed is a copy of the New Mission Statement for you to accept at the congregational meeting following worship on April 27. Time will provide for discussion. Also in this mailing to you is a copy of the three year Plan for Ministry. The Mission Statement and Plan for Ministry have been accepted by the Board of the church. However, this means nothing if you, the congregation, do not accept them, live them, breathe through them, and make plans to participate in successfully achieving the Plan. If this Plan for Ministry or Mission Statement needs further revision, the congregation can send it back to the Visioning Committee for more attention. If accepted, in three years or less(!), when we have achieved these goals, we will again plan for ministry in the next 3 year segment. We will continue to grow and with each step become more and more of Christ's church that God calls us to be.

     At this meeting on April 27th, the congregation is also being asked to change one segment of the constitution and bylaws to allow the Plan for Ministry to be the agenda for the Board meetings. Yes, from time to time there will be other items in need of attention at Board meetings. However the central focus of the Board meeting shall be the Plan for Ministry. Each Committee Chair will report as to how that committee is working within the Plan for Ministry. S/He will report how their committee activities reflect the stated goals of the Mission Statement and the Plan for Ministry.

     You will be asked at the April 27th meeting to approve and then soon participate in a capital campaign to raise $150,000. That seems like a great sum of money. And it is. However, we have raised this much before. And the church has some seed money to help start the process. We need this capital campaign to:


     1) Repay to Farm Trust the $25,000 that we took from their interest monies to put towards the roof.

     2) give 25% of the total raised to the Region for their endowment project which will help continue the rich benefits that we have received from regional leadership and training. It appears we have never given money from a capital campaign to our Region.

     3) set aside $3000 to be spent for advertising items related to the New Mission Statement.

     4) spend $10,000 for a dedicated laptop computer, large screen projector, and slide screen for use in educational programs throughout the building.

     5) have on hand $15,000 a year to fund the specific goals in the Plan for Ministry.

     6) provide up to $12,000 ($1000 per person) to pay for specialized training in Evangelism – the very heart of who we believe God calls us to be.

     7) raise $15,000 toward exterior repairs and improvements that invite and welcome visitors.

     The Visioning Committee recommends that a committee be established to disperse the monies raised in the capital campaign. Standing Committees/Departments in the church will apply to this committee for review of their plans and approval of the money to be spent within the guidelines listed above.

     Psalm 32:8 says, "I will instruct you, says the Lord, and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress." While this is written in the personal sense, it also applies to the church. God certainly gifts us with all that we need to do the ministry of the church. We need only tap into them and offer them as available resources for the church. We will plan for success. And God will bless our efforts so that the energies and resources put forth will be multiplied many times over. Remember the song, "There shall be showers of blessing . . ."? We can live that in faith and trust. God is faithful; we are faithful, too!

     Please read through these documents carefully and have your questions prepared for the April 27th meeting. Your input has guided this process from the very beginning. Please continue in these final stages to bring the process to fruition and begin this new journey. These are exciting days to be part of the church family here at First Christian Church. Plan to attend the congregational meeting on April 27th.

     Ready? Set? Go! Let's continue to plan and work together.


Rev. Steve Workman