First Presbyterian Church, Morgantown, West Virginia
2005
Vision Statement
Secure in God's love,
together,
we celebrate and share the peace of Christ,
and seek to live and serve according to God's will.
Mission Statement
Embracing our Presbyterian heritage,
we prayerfully,
and in a spirit of joy and wonder, commit to:
* deepen our spiritual lives;
* create and nurture a loving, supportive, and inclusive church family; and
* demonstrate our faith and love, in word and deed, to neighbors, near and far.
Ministry Goal: Deepen our spiritual lives
Ministry Activities:
- Enliven our regular Sunday 10:45 AM worship service with a blend of old and new, with a particular emphasis on greater inclusion of the arts - visual, musical, dramatic, literary and dance
- Establish an additional worship service, different in style, and/or time from our current Sunday 10:45 AM service, after careful study, with special consideration of youth and college students, and with care to maintain church unity.
- Create more small Bible study groups with the possibility of a common curriculum, and encourage church-wide participation
- Offer Bible study as a regular and on-going option for Sunday church school
- Expand our offering of programs, classes and guided prayer experiences to help persons develop a more regular and meaningful prayer life
NOTE: Many resources are available through the General Assembly, Synod and Presbytery which can be very helpful in implementing these ministry activities. We strongly suggest that all committees and staff persons avail themselves of these resources.
Ministry Goal: Strengthen the health and vitality of our congregation
Ministry Activities:
- Conduct an every-member/friend canvass of Time, Talent and Treasure for the purposes of increasing member participation in the life of the church, increasing numbers of pledges and financial support to the church, and keeping current a usable data base of members' talents, abilities, skills and interests
- Ensure long-term viability of our Church by requesting members to consider designating a portion of their estate to one of our two endowment funds: the Ministry Enhancement Fund or the Property Maintenance and Enhancement Fund
- Implement a long range plan, with specific dates, for the regular /ongoing assessment, maintenance, repair, and enhancement of the buildings, grounds and equipment to be funded by the endowment's Property Maintenance and Enhancement Fund
- Undertake a building renovation project, and a special capital campaign to fund it, that includes but is not limited to the following:
1) Redesign the sanctuary in order to create a space that includes and is conducive to:
a. quiet
b. quality acoustics
c. visual richness
d. congregational one-ness and participation
e. capability for diverse use
f. improved lighting
2) repointing the outside walls
3) new energy efficient windows
4) new and/or improved signage
5) repayment of the boiler expenses
- Adopt and implement a training plan for officers, leaders and other church members using materials "Healthy Congregations: A Systems Approach", as promoted by and available from the Presbytery of WV, within one year after a new pastor is installed.
Step 1) Establish a task force, including pastor, to review materials and recommend a process for training and evaluation
Step 2) Train officers, leaders and other interested church members
Step 3) Evaluate health of the congregation at end of the third year following implementation of the plan
- Develop an ongoing plan for Session to monitor progress and evaluate outcomes of Session, Board of Deacons and committees in relation to their stated purposes and goals as well as the ministry activities approved in this mission study plan
- Assess and redevelop, as needed, the Congregation's Vision and Mission Statements, and develop new Ministry Goals and Activities in 2010 and at a minimum, every five years thereafter
NOTE: Many resources are available through the General Assembly, Synod and Presbytery which can be very helpful in implementing these ministry activities. We strongly suggest that all committees and staff persons avail themselves of these resources.
Ministry Goal: Expand our love and support for one another to secure our unity and sense of belonging
Ministry Activities:
- Establish a hospitality program that involves the entire church including, but not limited to: educational initiatives, assigned greeters, name-tag promoters, assigned circulators / introducers, and information table
- Implement a three year plan to offer small groups around specific interests and needs within the church community such as a singles group, a supper club, a job transition group, etc.
- Provide a prayer basket or journal at the back of church for those with joys and concerns who do not wish to stand and announce them during the service
- Enhance Stephen ministry through increased awareness and recruitment
- Offer multiple opportunities for education and conversation concerning our congregation's hospitality to persons of all sexual orientations
NOTE: Many resources are available through the General Assembly, Synod and Presbytery which can be very helpful in implementing these ministry activities. We strongly suggest that all committees and staff persons avail themselves of these resources.
Ministry Goal: Strengthen our ministry with children, youth, and families with children and youth
Ministry Activities:
- Evaluate the music program for children and youth and implement an ongoing program with regular participation in worship
- Implement a plan to offer parenting classes and/or support groups, led by qualified resource persons for church members, PCDC parents, and the community
- Establish separate programs for older elementary, middle school, and high school students each of which will have regularly scheduled activities
- Revise our staffing patterns in the area of Nurture and Learning to include the recruitment of a Director of Youth Ministries
- Mentor high school youth on a regular basis in gender-specific, confidential, small group settings (i.e. groups of 3-5 youth ordinarily with 2 gender-specific, non-parental trained adult leaders) through Bible study, prayer, discussions, and fellowship activities
- Offer regular activities (e.g., fellowship, mission, etc.) for families to do together (e.g., Family Fun Night, church work days, etc.) and include the singing of sacred, family-friendly music, when appropriate
NOTE: Many resources are available through the General Assembly, Synod and Presbytery which can be very helpful in implementing these ministry activities. We strongly suggest that all committees and staff persons avail themselves of these resources.
Ministry Goal: Share the good news of Jesus Christ in Word and Deed
Ministry Activities:
- Strengthen and expand existing local mission outreach such as Campus Ministry Committee, the Shack, Rock Forge Neighborhood House, Canyon Community Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity and Christian Help through education and financial & volunteer support
Implement a plan for evangelism that would include:
1. Educating and equipping the congregation to do the work of evangelism
2. Developing a plan to reach out to newcomers in the church and community and those without a church home
3. Encouraging college students to become members or affiliate members
4. Recommending that session consider reaffirmation of the PC (USA)'s Commitment to Evangelism
- Develop a college student hospitality program
- Strengthen the Pancake Breakfast Program by increasing the number of teams to expand congregational participation and investigate providing other services for breakfast guests such as social service referrals and devotional time
- Expand and improve church communications to include activities such as:
1. Creatively publicizing church activities in local news outlets and other public spaces
2. Developing a "User's Guide to First Presbyterian Church"
NOTE: Many resources are available through the General Assembly, Synod and Presbytery which can be very helpful in implementing these ministry activities. We strongly suggest that all committees and staff persons avail themselves of these resources.
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