All of Our Members
Ministers
Pastor Bill Knott
The first Vision for Mission congregational event - "Dreaming Dreams, Making Our Vision a Reality" was a success for the members and friends of Abiding Savior Church As we began planning for mission and ministry through the next fifty years. All who could be were there to share in the event which opened with a Pot Luck luncheon. Jerry Stephenson set the tone for our time together with an opening prayer that invited God's presence in our work for the day. The following summary outlines main topics of discussion and action planning that resulted as everyone shared in open and honest conversation about where we are and where we are going as as a congregation in this community.
AGENDA
KEYNOTE SUMMARY - Pastor Bill
After fifty years the congregation is looking forward to its next fifty years of mission and ministry. Realistically, most of us may not be here for much or all of that time and so we ask the questions today: Where are we? What shape will this congregation have in fifty years? What do we have to do now to get in shape?
 | As a relatively traditional congregation, we have been open to many experiences that stretch the boundaries of what many Lutherans might consider "traditional." We engage in a variety of worship and music styles, and have even experimented with a contemporary worship service. Our efforts to establish a choral program have met with mixed results - some successful and some not so successful. |
| Our experience with children and youth is limited and we are learning. We have made incomplete steps toward completing a Cry Room area and have developed space for a Children's Church ministry that is not yet on line. |
| While everyone expresses a keen interest in Christian education, few find the time to take advantage of opportunities that are offered real time in the congregation or on line. |
| Our Fellowship and Feasts provide world-class opportunities for sharing good company and good food thanks to the efforts of Chef Jean and Chef Ted over the past six years. All of us need to work more at being intentional in inviting others to share in these opportunities. Eating well is part of our Evangelism program only if we encourage and invite others to be a part of it all. |
| Thanks to the hard work of some of our members and the special bequest received from the Henrickson estate, our facilities are in fine condition. We do not lack in the necessary resources for worship, learning, and ministry facilities. |
| We are a technologically literate congregation. Our web presence, with skillful guidance of Dennis Jozefowicz continues to expand and truly establishes a world-wide presence for our congregation. |
| Financially we are on solid ground and will continue to be for the forseeable future. Not to discourage individual stewardship - your tithes and offerings are essential. But we have been blessed to have what many congregations have not because of the extraordinary care of others who wanted to encourage and support a ministry here for now and forever, until the Lord's return. |
| Ministry of all the baptized is a weak point. While we have been blessed with many resources, we need people to put those resources to best use. Communicating the Gospel and inviting others to share in the mission and ministry of Abiding Savior Church must be a priority for us. |
| What can we know about the church as it looks to the future? The Lutheran Church, as a denomination, is experiencing a declining trend for many reasons which might be considered common to most main line institutions. Sorry for that. We do not need to live that story as we strive to faithfully engage in seeking to know and do God's will in this place. While interest in church, per se, may declining, people continue to consider faith as an important part of their lives even while expressing a dislike or disdain for organized religion. |
"Lutheran" is an almost meaningless term to the community at large. Even though many of the guiding principals of Martin Luther are to be cherished, valued, and passed forward generation after generation, Luther was the last person who would insist his name had to be a part of it all.
These things were considered important to him:
| Sola Fide/Sola Scriptura - By faith alone through Scripture alone. The gift of God's grace does not depend on the whims of people from generation to generation, but on the unchanging truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it comes to us through scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit active in all times and places. |
| Education for all. Everyone needs to be able to search the Word, seek their life's answer's, and find the truth of the Gospel in their own time and in their own way as they are led by the Holy Spirit. |
| Excellence in all things and all things to the glory of God, whoever we are, whatever we are doing. |
| A clear distinction between what is necessary and what is nice but not necessary in faith and life - especially the life of the church. |
GROUP WORK & ACTION PLANNING - All Present
Immediate:
| Use more "contemporary" Christian music in our worship services with a blended worship style that leans more toward contemporary worship. To be implemented within four weeks. |
| More people involved in the service. Discuss with the congregation how to make this happen reliably. |
| "New Beginnings" worship on Wednesday evenings with Ted Carter this Fall. |
| Develop more "series" worship events. Even as we speak. This week was the first in our series entitled "Miracle Grow." The use of series worship planning is common outside Lutheran circles and is finding increasing popularity in Lutheran circles. |
| Children's Church ministry. Kim Kessler will lead implementation of this program immediately. |
| Use effective communication to establish a greater presence in the greater
community. Kristin Brown will work with Pastor to develop a bulk mail marketing plan. Meghan Scott will manage a FACEBOOK account for the congregation. Catherine Rene Dockweiler Vreeland will manage a MYSPACE account for the congregation. |
| Vacation Bible School. We will set a date for our VBS next summer no later than December of this year. Pastor Rosemary Backer, and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Holmes Beach, will partner with us in this event. |
On the Table:
| Advertising targeted to both our community and to specific constituent interest groups, for example, local homeowners associations, GLBT community organizations. |
| Spring Break Camp. |
| Closer association with community linked partner organizations. |
| Community movie nights (indoors/outdoors). |
| Better use of signage for information - new sign? |
| Back Yard Habitat Center |
| Support Groups |
More ideas and conversation made the morning and early afternoon move along quickly. These highlights will provide a summary view to all who could not join us. The Lord has provided a rich vision for Abiding Savior Church and though there is much labor to be done, the laborers are few. Now is a good time. JOIN US!