You have been hearing a lot about the Holy Conservations these past few weeks, and we want to continue to keep you informed as often as possible. With that in mind, here is information from our last meeting with Rev. John Thornburg. At that meeting, he challenged the team to answer a couple of questions by talking to the congregation as well as community leaders. Those questions centered around these three questions: Who Are We? Who Are Our Neighbors? What is breaking God’s heart in our community? Melanie and Kelly did an excellent slide presentation during the All Church Council Meeting on Sunday, March 1, 2015, right after the worship service. These are highlights from that presentation.
At the Advance members of the church were asked to talk about bible stories in which we could identify with as a church. We are still discerning the meaning of the main stories that were dominant:
- Casting of the Nets – Matthew 14:22-32
- Parable of the Sower – Luke 8: 4-15
- Walking In The Wilderness – Deuteronomy 1-2
- Mary and Martha – Luke 10: 38-42
After that meeting the team discussed how to follow up by recalling memories we cling to as a church:
- Our church building used to be full and vibrant.
- Outreach was important especially for children and youth.
- The 50th anniversary was a huge positive event.
- We had pastors both positive and negative.
- We had a series of pastors that CHUMC was their last stop (that hurt the church).
We also listed values we want to carry forward:
- Dedicated to a vibrant children and youth program.
- Meaningful Outreach, especially locally.
- Bringing in new people not just receiving them when they come to visit (which we are good at).
Are we a church that is geographically based or need based?
- What are our boundaries? Forest, Josey, Midway, Beltline???
- Who are we underserving?
Finally, what can we do to help us in our discernment?
- Interview community leaders.
- Continue with conversations with our church members.
- Listen.
- Reflect on the bible stories.
- Pray for spiritual guidance.
~ Your Holy Conversations Team
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