Dear friends,Thank you for taking time to participate in our Advent Congregational conversation this past Saturday. What a joy and blessing to see the people of Advent engaged in conversation and worship, together seeking the Holy Spirits guidance. These are exciting times in the life of Advent, times when Gods grace surprises us at every turn. Thank you again for your partnership in this ministry.
Attached are the thoughts and ideas we posted in the areas of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats along with the ranked ideas for initiatives in each of the areas. This is fertile ground for the next stage of our ongoing conversation. Please review these documents and feel free to share any of your comments or insights with the whole group. Additionally, please print out these pages and post them in place where they can be visible to everyone in the congregation, especially those who participated in the conversation.
Thank you again, and remember to keep the people of Advent and Faith in your prayers as we move forward together.
Peace,
Pastor Jim
Advent Lutheran Church
Congregation Conversation
April 28, 2012
STRENGTHS
Very Friendly congregation to visitors
Consistent, reliable
Work well together
Welcome new people
Friendliness, Welcoming
Feeling of belonging to a church family where people really care
Members make people feel comfortable
Carry on a tradition of religion that I learned as a child
Loyal to each other
Close to my home (ELCA)
Helping community: Food Banks, Back Packs
Worship
Generosity, raise funds for others
Loyalty
Outreach: Back Packs
Enthusiastic, Supportive
Willing to serve community
Friendly
Compassionate
Talented seniors/professionals
Dedicated and active members
Preach the Gospel
Traditional Lutheran Service
Caring Friendly Congregation
Good fellowship
Friendly people make you feel welcome
A lot of outreach for a small group
Enjoy sermons
ENHANCE STRENGTHS
1. Partner with local groups/schools for community service (6)
2. Reach out to current members with birthday cards (4)
3. Reach out to non-attending members to ask why not attending? (3)
4. Occasional lectures on Special Topics (3)
5. Sing-a-long evening; Blue grass vespers (2)
6. Offer focus groups to non-church families (1) Sarah
OPPORTUNITIES
Reach out with service
Communication within congregation; birthday cards, lapsed members
Reach out to keep people interested
Reach out through newspapers
Build on strengths traditional; add group of youth, starting with members families
Continue to work closely with Faith
Good value in facility sell and join with new congregation
Increase community projects: Partner with Jersey Cares of the United Way
Demographics growing area
Bible classes
Growing community of younger people, talented, educated
Visiting
Location and Parking lot
Sunday School during church to accommodate all visitors
New Family or Youth Service Saturdays, 5 pm
Partner with WHRHS to offer youth activities to the community
Change the front sign to signify and broadcast church renewal
Mailing Campaign for key services (Easter, Christmas, Reformation, etc.)
EXPLOIT OPPORTUNITIES
1. Postcards: Community mailings of Activities and Ongoings (5)
2. Press releases in newspaper (4)
3. Add event info to our sign; have events to advertise (4)
4. Newspaper ad (3)
5. Ongoing clothing drive (2)
6. Mission project (2)
7. Bible studies (1)
WEAKNESSES
Lack of program for youth
Lack of social events
Lack of young families
No longer drive
Small congregation
No Sunday School
Communication
Stewardship
Giving
Stairs from parking lot to sanctuary
Membership not diverse
Location
Stewardship
Visitation
Sunday School
Communication
Age of Congregation (skews older)
Lack of young families, young folk
Loosing ability to fund mission/help community
Slow to change
Lowering income trend
Conservative, classic Lutheran not attractive to young non-Lutherans
Shrinking
Not enough young families
Older community
Not much to draw young families
Not embracing change or starting new initiatives to get young families
Disconnect pastors dont know name
Did not have its traditional Christmas service, Christmas Day, Ash Wednesday or Good Friday
Music too somber
Service too long
No activities Ball game too expensive ($25)
ADDRESS WEAKNESS
1. Youth group; variety of music, add a different instrument or contemporary songs (6)
2. Make church more visible (4)
3. Find out why existing members dont come (3)
THREATS
Any major financial need
Complacency
Not enough active people to grow church or even hold it together
The attitude: I dont have time or Someone else can do it.
Closing
Financial
Financial Difficulties
Pastor retiring
No new members
Inadequate understanding of what youth, families need
Deaths or retirement of key members
Losing Pastor Kriesat
Closing
Unforeseen building repairs
Complacency with Advent-Faith relationship
Continued loss of members
Trying to do everything to please everyone
Lack of participation and fellowship/projects
Pastor Kriesat retires
Financial implosion from relying on small number of heavy contributors
Key volunteers move away or become unable to serve
Losing more members and having to close
Continued drop in attendance
Diminishing financial situation
Continued loss of members
Not attracting new members
Loss of donations
ADDRESS THREATS
1. Advertise in local publications (5)
2. Twitter, Facebook, Text new communication modes (3)
3. Write press releases about events at church (3)
4. Redo signage (3)
5. Regular communication during church (2)
6. Call all members, get to know them better (2)
