A Window to Our Future

Crown Heights United Methodist Church

Vision Plan 2008

This is a summary of the vision-casting presentation given by Rev. Dianne Peters May 18^th.  The direction outlined below was overwhelmingly affirmed by those who were present, including members of the Administrative Council and church members at large.  The proposal is currently being reviewed by the appropriate committees and funding sources are being explored.  If all goes well, we anticipate that it will come back to the Administrative Council for approval on June 22, 2008.  If you have comments, questions or concerns, feel free to talk with Dianne or any member of the Administrative Council.

Good things have been happening the past twelve months!

• An increased spirit of hospitality has helped newcomers feel welcomed
• Ten people have joined since January 1^st
• Thanks to the sale of the parsonage and budget adjustments, we should be able to complete the year financially “in the black” without having to borrow from our designated funds
• The architectural firm is studying our building’s accessibility issues and preparing recommendations for capital improvements
• Revitalization is continuing in the Western Avenue corridor, which will include new streetscape, south to 36^th Street
• Our new landscaping has increased the attractiveness of our church
• Our reorganization has led to increased lay leadership, such as the new Care Team and the efforts of the Welcoming Committee
• 38 students were tutored in our Whiz Kids program this year and we demonstrated our commitment to missions by paying our apportionments in full, supporting Skyline Urban Ministries, and assisting with a Habitat for Humanity home

Our Challenges

• Our average worship attendance is currently the same as last year, just 119 compared with 167 in 2003.  We have been stuck in this attendance range since 1989.  Church growth experts tell us that there is a “glass ceiling” around 150 in worship attendance, making the transition to a more vital, program-driven congregation especially difficult. 
• We currently have very few active children and youth.
• Our needed building renovations present both a danger and an opportunity.  The danger is we will become consumed with fixing up the building, squabbling over carpet colors and other details, and neglecting our call to “make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”  The opportunity is we our renovations can be shaped by our emerging understanding of our specific mission in the Crown Heights area.  Visible signs of renovation will help our community know that we are alive and well.
• We need to staff for growth!  In order for our church to grow to the next level we need an additional programming person.  We are currently caught in a “catch 22”: we need more staff to help create the programs to attract new people, but we can’t afford it.  New members could help fund a larger budget, but we don’t have the staff to attract them.

 Vision for Our Future

1.  Bloom where we are planted!  Historically, Crown Heights has been most vital when we are strongly involved in our immediate area.  God has entrusted this corner of the world to our care, specifically (at least) zip code area 73118, which goes north to 63^rd Street, south to 30^th, east to I-235 and west to Penn.  We need to discover where God is already at work in the neighborhoods around us and then lend our support as the hands and feet of Christ.  This could include:

• Partnering with the Boys and Girls Club in Memorial Park, perhaps assisting in their arts programming for children and teens by converting our third floor to an arts academy; providing support groups for single parents and grandparents (43% of households in 73118 belong to single parents); offering GED classes or other opportunities as requested.
• Increasing our outreach to OCU students, faculty and staff
• Working more cooperatively with other churches in our area to do combined youth groups, special activities for children or seniors

2.  Add Rev. Jack Terrell-Wilkes to our staff as the Minister of Missional Life, which would include responsibilities for equipping and leadership in hospitality, mission, outreach and discipleship.  As an ordained deacon, Jack’s calling is to help our church be engaged with the world, while encouraging our growth as disciples of Jesus Christ.  Some of his specific responsibilities could include:

• Facilitating the formation of several small groups for study, spiritual formation, and support, such as a JustFaith.
• Assisting with designing spaces in our building that will facilitate our mission and ministries.
• Coordinating new ministries which respond to the needs of our neighbors
• Developing programming specifically for young adults
• Supervising and resourcing our Youth Director and youth ministries

3.  Expand our programming in response to current and future needs.  Together, Jack and I would help organize and give leadership to . . .

• Bible studies on Wednesday nights and during a weekday.
• An “Introduction to United Methodism and Crown Heights” course offered twice each year
• Developing a model for helping every person to discover and use his/her spiritual gifts in the world
• Expanding our spiritual growth ministries by offering prayer groups, Taize services, Companions in Christ, or Covenant Discipleship groups
• Expanding our ministries with seniors
• Exploring restarting our sports teams
• Starting at least one new adult Sunday School class each year

4. Provide space and encouragement for a new worshipping community that would meet on Saturday or Sunday nights, featuring multi-sensory worship, as led by Jack and his core team. This would be Jack’s secondary area of focus. Participants would be expected to commit to weekly participation in a small group and financial support of the ministry.  When the community is strong enough, (in approximately 3-5 years), they could begin a new church in their own facility.  The target group for this new community would be intentionally multi-ethnic and intergenerational, as well as focusing on upcoming generations (GenXers, millennials, etc.)  Jack has a passion for reaching the de-churched, the un-churched, and those who have been hurt by the church.

Investment, costs and funding

This vision will require a greater investment in time, prayer, money and energy from each and every one of us!  It could mean increasing the expectations of church membership to include participation in a small group beyond Sunday morning and serving an immediate need in our neighborhood.  It will mean making changes, which is not always easy.  Following God’s call often includes risking failure, living with anxiety, working through conflicts, and being uncertain about what comes next.  Our faith and trust in God and one another will be required to grow, but as we follow in the footsteps of Christ, guided by the Spirit, we will surely find that this vision is worth the effort!

Funding for Jack’s position will have to come from multiple sources beyond our current church budget, including:

• “Second-mile” designated gifts
• Pledges from participants in the new worshipping community
• Gifts from community stakeholders, supporters or sponsors
• Possibly a $15,000 grant from the Oklahoma City Bi-District Board of Missions
• Other grants may also be available for programming costs (not salary)

Unlike elders (such as Dianne) who are appointed by the cabinet, deacons are hired on a contract basis and then their employment is approved by the cabinet and the bishop.

We would hire Jack at ¾ time (30 hours/week) at 75% of the conference’s minimum compensation level: 

Salary and benefits:                          $23,631  (includes housing allowance, health insurance, personal pension contribution)

Church’s pension contribution:        $3,119

Accountable reimbursement:           $1,000

New community program costs:      $3,000

Total annual cost: $30,750                                  Monthly cost $2,562.50   

[Note: Jack will continue to serve as the Oklahoma Conference Ministerial Recruitment and Nurture Coordinator, which pays a stipend of $17,000]

If he were to start July 1, 2008, that would be 6 months worth of expenses which would be $15,375

In A Second Resurrection, Bill Easum writes:

The primary thrust of our church must be outward and not inward.  We must evaluate every issue by how it will honor God, transform our neighbor, and unite us in love.

Please prayerfully consider this vision and what you are willing to invest.