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5433 Madison Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 513-271-4147 MIMIC (Ministry In Mission In Christ) Steering CommitteeReports Notes from MIMIC review meeting
Gates and Kathy Smith, Bob and Sandy Mercer, Emily Tomes, Ken Wichman, Emily Wichman Another excellent meeting with good ideas and a sense of direction for this effort. Time was spent discussing a single phrase message around which our congregation can focus, which brings meaning and direction for the various efforts of the How To groups. It was noted that many of the subjects are those with which all congregations struggle and know that we are at a point in time to identify a statement of purpose or existence if not a mission statement. That is to say...why are we here...what is our purpose, what is St Paul to you, what can St Paul be to you as a "stranger"/ visitor... what is our message. We all tried to say in one or two words what St Paul meant to
us (understanding that we are just a few of many)...here is what came up
from this little exercise:
Then we got into some phrases: "A traditional church growing and showing Christ's love", "This IS your father's house", and the all around favorite "A place to come Home to" We proposed to have our congregation go through the same exercise and ask all members to contribute words or phrases, i.e. "Describe our church/spiritual community/congregation in a phrase of no more than 6 words.. what would they be for you???? We then reviewed the reports: Reports were delivered on the following: Communication, Outreach, Education, Fellowship, Music, Worship, Young Adults... (We did not get reports from Attitude and Caring, Visitors and Missions Evangelism.) For the latter we have not been able to get a volunteer facilitator for Missions... Gates is working on this one...) It was not clear whether the groups had completed their brainstorming. We need to get feedback from each facilitator as to whether they consider the work of their How To" group finished at this stage. It was also noted that there was a fair amount of "overlap" amongst groups. A date was set for Visitors to meet on Sunday Feb 24th at 1pm in the church Bible study room. A number of those in attendance at the mimic meeting (gates, Kathy, Emily, Emily, and Sandy) had signed up for this. Sandy will contact the others who signed up and invite them to the meeting next Sunday. It was felt that this was a critical meeting and though there were some personal family challenges that prevented this group from being called to meet, we determined that we should hold it Sunday and not wait any longer. I contacted John List and he will be there. Many good ideas have been brought forward. We will begin communicating not only what is on the agenda, but more importantly what has already been done. It was also noted that some participants had passion around specific items in their groups and might likely be the advocates and "workers" on those items. The bottom line is that all the good ideas in the world are not worth anything without someone making them happen. To coin a book title: "Ideas are a Dime a Dozen; the Person who puts them into practice is Priceless". In reviewing the many suggestions and ideas, it became VERY obvious that as a congregation we need to be setting up a calendar of events a YEAR in advance. Advance planning and calendaring as well as continuous communication in various mediums will be essential to most of the programs covering literally all of the How To subjects.... A review of the reports with key actionable items that were noted:
Do an inventory of all technology in the church (computers, websites, membership info, phone systems internal and external, lighting, audio, chimes, printing, and other equipment that we have available and its potential value and currency against what is out there now. Noted that technology moves exceedingly fast. A small group will begin this task. Evaluate Shepherd's staff (membership database) and implementation of Member Connect (secure church website). An on site demo has been scheduled. Estimated cost annually: under $1000. Review internal signage at all entrances to the church, as well as a welcoming portal at each entrance. Mailbox center. A number of specific suggestions for improving this tool of communication "How are we doing" communications to all members separate from Epistle and bulletin, to keep members involved in this process and soliciting feedback and suggestions. Narthex monitor or white board for the "latest Happenings". To be changed weekly.(a possible expense item ultimately) COMMUNITY OUTREACH Immediate actionable items: Make venue(s) available for both Pastor
Ewells Recover Ministry and Pastor Parviz Mission to the Jews (Lutherans
In Jewish Evangelism). All agreed that we can find and make space available
for a base of operations for each of these ministries.
EDUCATION Young adult Bible study. Tom Ritter will be heading this up starting
in the April, Russ and Ken W will step in for the Bible study in the upper
Bible classroom between services on Sunday.
FELLOWSHIP (#1&2 considered HIGH priority) Keep the following, plan in advance: Holly Follies, Family Congregational
Banquet, Family picnic, Valentines Dance
WORSHIP Great sermons develop growing churches (call committee referral) Keep
traditional worship, children's sermons, personalized prayers, pastor
to move about chancel. More lay people in service (men and women): readers
, ushers, children's sermons
YOUNG ADULTS Social interaction very important. Activities to be scheduled outside
of homes, rather at some venue, i.e. game nights, volleyball, movies, bowling,
picnics after church, progressive dinners
MUSIC Familiar hymns and liturgies
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