The congregational meeting is a (TED-esque) 18 minute, bi-annual meeting in which we inform our congregation of matters relevant to our vision and mission.
Many thanks to the many who were able to stay after the services yesterday. We had over 100 adults stay between the two worship sites, which is a very healthy percentage of our congregation—Thanks!
Here is a re-cap for those unable to attend and a refresher summary for those that did attend…
1) Parish and Community Group Update-
As our five parishes move into their third month of existence, Jonathan shared about the importance of each congregant first identifying with the church on the parish level rather than the community group level. Why? The parish (geographically specific!) is the best means to (1) serve our local communities, (2) connect newcomer to Christ Church, and (3) build-out our vision for neighborhood specific Christ Church sites and new church developments. Through the Parish, many people will then be able to find smaller community groups where they will have opportunities to grow deeper in their faith through prayer, study of scripture, and Christian community.
2) Online Community Network Update-
Catherine and Taylor Keep reminded us to love the OCN (formerly referred to as “The City”) for what it can do and don’t hate it for what it cannot do (don’t be a hater!). What can it do? It can (1) help us put names with faces. If you have not, would you please consider putting a face with your name on the OCN? The pastors and leaders of Christ Church want to give you the dignity you deserve by calling you by your name and not just “Hey You” or “There She is”. The OCN can (2) serve as a database and private record of your donations. If you have not, would you consider updating your address (so the church can correspond with you) and making a financial pledge through the OCN? (The OCN has advanced privacy settings that will ensure as much privacy as you desire on both counts). Finally, the OCN can (3) help you stay connected to community life and opportunities to serve. Would you consider adjusting your email settings in such a manner that you would receive direct emails from (a) messages, (b) the Christ Church group (one email per week), and © your parish and (d) community group? All other correspondence could come through one daily digest email. These settings will keep you informed without improperly inundating you with emails in your inbox.
3) Financial Advisory Team Update-
Sam Rubandhas and Bill Barness (members of the “FAT”) (1) commended our church for the ways in which we have given over this past year. When the pledge campaign contributions are taken into account, we have a one-year track record of sustainability. This is wonderful! I joined them in thanking our congregation. (2) Because our top 50 giving households account for 75% of our operating budget, and because 20% of our top 50 giving households move away every year (!!!), we want to work hard to expand our giving base this next year. It is our hope and prayer that if you have not given or are an irregular giver that you would “start somewhere” and add your regular gifts to the mission.EVERY regular gift is appreciated! (Think about it: 50 new givers giving only $50 per month is $30,000 in a year! That would pay our part for a pastoral intern!) (3) Finally, Sam and Bill reminded us that year-end giving in December usually accounts for 2 to 3 months of our total operating budget, and asked that our congregation prayerfully consider giving to Christ Church as they structure their year-end giving.
4) Vision and Mission Update-
I reminded our congregation that our “Oakland Experiment” at First Presbyterian Church would continue over three services in January (15th, 22nd, and 29th at 5:00pm). Early survey results indicate what we have known to be true: Geographic Proximity is the chief factor in determining our church’s ability to reach our friends, neighbors, and colleagues with the words and deeds of the Gospel. We tend to serve, commune, and worship in close proximity to where we live. This experiment, coupled with our current financial position, is putting us in an exciting season of opportunity in the life of our church. The first five years were often marked by “looking down” to ensure that we were getting our financial feet under us. Now, we have the opportunity to begin to “look out” as we explore how the mission of Christ Church can grow broader and deeper into our respective communities through new sites (remember, healthy and growing parishes will naturally become their own worshipping communities—this is normal!), new church plants, and further partnership with local churches. To do these things, we need staff and facilities, and to hire staff and procure facilities, we need resources. It is our hope to add two pastoral interns over this next year, which would grant us the opportunity to train future pastoral leaders while employing their gifts toward building out our vision.
It is a great privilege to be your pastor!
Bart