From the Pastor - November 2008
The survey says…we’ve made great strides in two short years! In the fall of 2006, we took our first ever Natural Church Development Survey. In September of this year, we took it again. Our scores have improved dramatically.
· Empowering Leadership increased from 58 to 64 (a 10.3% increase)
· Gift Oriented Ministry increased from 38 to 49 (a 28.9% increase)
· Passionate Spirituality increased from 27 to 48 (a 77.8%increase)
· Effective Structures increased from 42 to 52 (a 23.8% increase)
· Inspired Worship increased from 33 to 50 (a 51.5% increase)
· Holistic Small Groups increased from 40 to 61(a 52.5% increase)
· Need-oriented Evangelism increased from 33 to 63 (our biggest increase: 90.9%!)
· Loving Relationships increased from 47 to 67 (a 42.6% increase)
The letter that accompanied the results noted that “It is common to see some areas rise and others fall when working on a minimum factor.” That did not happen at First Community, every single quality characteristic increased! This is indeed a cause for celebration!
To me, this points out that when you concentrate your efforts on one thing, everything else improves with it. We have concentrated on Passionate Spirituality, and have grown in the other areas as well.
We will grow even stronger and healthier this month as we continue to explore “Irresistible Invitation; Responding to the Extravagant Heart of God.” I hope that you have been reading Rev. Dunham’s book and have found it useful in your own “Passionate Spirituality.”
Also this month, our Church Council/Health Team will once again meet with our Natural Church Development coach, the Rev. Sarah Mount, to discuss what steps we can make in the coming year to continue the progress that we’ve made. If you’d like to be a part of the team, you would be most welcome. We will be meeting on the 20th at 8pm.
Pastor Tony
