A Vision for Mission
Habakkuk 2:2 “Then the LORD answered me and said: ‘Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.’”
From Pastor Ron: “God told Habakkuk to clearly communicate the vision so that even people who were jogging by might see it and read it and understanding it, take it to heart. When I served at the ELCA Board of Pensions I was involved in the design and implementation of a mission, vision and goals. Additionally, I worked on creating plans to ensure adoption and participation of strategic plans and introduction of Health Plan and Pension Plan enhancements. I know how important it is to ‘make it plain.’”
Check out the marvelous passage from Proverbs 29:18 in two different versions of the Bible: Proverbs 29:18 (The Message)
“If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.”
Proverbs 29:18 (King James Version)
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
So, it is with that in mind that the Executive Committee and Church Council has invited Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse to be a “coach” for the coaches. It is important for the leaders of any organization to have times when they are “coached” in order that they/we might perform at the top of their game, so that others can be “equipped, empowered and unleashed.”
The Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse is president of the North American Association for the Catechumenate and serves on the staff of Grand Canyon Synod-ELCA. He previously served as Senior Pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ. Prior to being called to Prince of Peace, he served as Executive Director for Church Relations and Continuing Theological Education at Pacific Lutheran University for twelve years.
He has also served as the Director of the Institute for Clergy and Congregational Renewal and is a Certified Spiritual Director. Richard Rouse has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and has had his story of forgiveness and healing reported in USA Today, Reader’s Digest, and The Lutheran. (Source: Odyssey Networks)
DECEMBER 2010: The Executive Committee entered into a “coaching agreement” with Rev. Rick Rouse.
JANUARY 11, 2011: Pr Rouse met with the pastoral staff and Executive Committee and has written up a report/proposed action plan for Bethany Lutheran Church. Click HERE to view this action plan.
MARCH 19, 2011: Pr Rouse joined us for our first Leadership Vision Retreat. Visit the Retreat #1 tab to read more about this day.
MARCH 20, 2011: Pr Rouse presented a “teaching sermon” with lots of visuals and examples (click here to view/listen to Pr Rouse’s sermon)
APRIL 2011: Communication to congregation about vision process (newsletter, temple talks, website). Begin interviewing key leaders and staff
MAY 2011: Vision Team works on drafting a “vision for mission” document and plans focus groups for summer or fall
SUMMER 2011: Vision Team meets with church leadership to finish drafting proposals
SEPTEMBER 2011: Focus Groups review “Vision for Mission” specific proposals
OCTOBER 2011: Vision Team updates “Vision for Mission” in consultation with council
NOVEMBER 5, 2011: Leadership Vision Retreat, Part 2 Click to view presentation
NOVEMBER 6, 2011: Sunday Open Forum for congregation led by Pr Rouse. Click to view presentation: Part 1, Part 2
November 13, 2011: Congregation affirms “A Vision for Mission” Strategic Plan. Click to view Strategic Plan, Pyramid including Congregational Success Factors, Timeline
Pr Ruth Ann Loughry, Ron Gusé, Marie Friedemann, Kevin McAuliffe, Rev. Rick Rouse, (Jesus, at the center of all we do), Tammy Craven, Derek Birznieks, Pr. Ron Glusenkamp
An outcome of our Leadership Vision Day was the appointment of a Vision Task Force. This is a small group that relates as a short term task force of the Executive Committee and Church Council who will serve for 8 to 10 months. Usually a member of the Executive Committee would serve as liaison from the task force to the leadership of the congregation. In addition to the pastors, the council president may also serve as an ex-officio member of the task force. Criteria for Membership
- Visionary, strategic thinker, somewhat innovative and open to new ideas
- Collegial and collaborative by nature, respectful of others, a team player
- Respected by others, trustworthy by nature, a consensus builder
- Have different generations represented with at least a couple of members under 40.
- May consider individuals who are past or future leaders of the congregation.
We are still looking for people to represent the 20s/30s demographic of our congregation. If you’d be interested in serving on this Task Force, please contact Pastor Ron or Pastor Ruth Ann at 303.758.2820.
- Share something about your area of ministry.
- Where do you see God at work in and around Bethany?
- What do you think are some of Bethany’s Core Values?
- What do you see as some of the assets/strengths of Bethany?
- What would you like to see happen in the next 5 to 10 years?
- What obstacles may stand in the way of achieving these dreams/goals?
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Click here to read the summary of these caring conversations – detailed feedback from the leaders of various Bethany ministries.
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Agenda from Leadership Vision Retreat #1
Saturday, March 19
8:30 Coffee and fellowship, hand outs, name tags, etc.
9:00 Opening Devotions (Pastors Ron or Ruth Ann)
9:10 Overview of the purpose of today’s retreat:
- Building teamwork throughout all ministry areas
- Focus on mission
- Establish an ongoing process of planning for the future
9:15 Presentation One: “Releasing Our Missional Imagination: Achieving God’s Vision for Our Congregation’s Future” (Pastor Rouse)
10:00 Short Break
10:15 Table Conversation (Small Groups)
- Where do you see God at work in and around Bethany?
- What do you think are some of Bethany’s Core Values?
- What do you see as some of the assets/strengths of Bethany?
- What would you like to see happen in the next 5 to 10 years?
- What obstacles may stand in the way of achieving these dreams/goals?
11:00 Report Back from Groups - (view summary here)
Strength, Obstacles, Opportunities, Thoughts - a summary by Vision Team Member Marie Friedemann
11:30 Presentation Two: “Why Size Matters” (Pastor Rouse) Open Discussion.
12:15 Lunch
1:00 Presentation Three: “Living into God’s Missional Future: Dealing with Change”
2:00 Discuss Next Steps
2:15 Reflections: Ron Gusé, Council President; Pastors Loughry and Glusenkamp
2:30 Closing Prayer and Dismissal
Sunday, March 20 Consultant preaches at three morning worship services; then meets with the Vision Team from about 12:15 to 2:30 pm for lunch and planning session. Will review their task, design a process, and draft a timeline.
- A Field Guide of the Missional Congregation
- Church Size Challenges
- Congregations and Innovation
- Mission Quiz
- Missional Community
- Missional Leaders Article
- Six Marks of Vibrant Congregations
- Strength, Obstacles, Opportunities, Thoughts - a summary by Vision Team Member Marie Friedemann
In addition to these resources, the Church Council has committed to reading the text, “Borderland Churches: A Congregation’s Introduction to Missional Living“ by Gary V. Nelsen. (Link to this book on Amazon.com) At each monthly meeting, a Council member leads the Council in a caring conversation about how Bethany Lutheran Church can live out their missional call, declared at Baptism, by engaging in an intentional relationship with all of those in the body of Christ – those found within our walls, and those found in the borderlands and beyond.
To read a review of this book, click here.
