September 6, 2007

Dear Trinity Member,

Please find attached a copy of the final report “Future Mission and Ministry Proposal” which was prepared by our consultant, Pastor Keith Swenson.

This report was informed though a series of meetings and visits, highlighted by two large Team TLC meetings at Trinity in May and June, of which many of you participated. We thank you for your participation in these events. We learned a lot in the process.

The TLC Council has spent a considerable amount of time reviewing and discussing the report. We feel that there are many good ideas in the report. However, we also feel that there may be some ideas that may not work for us. Due to time difficulties during the summer months, we have not yet been able to develop our TrinityLutheranChurch “Strategic Plan”.

Having said that, the Council is fully committed and engaged in this effort. We have a core work group that will bring key mission and ministry recommendations to our September meeting. After the Council meeting, we anticipate an all Team TLC meeting in late October where we will present our thinking to you for your review and approval.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or other members of the Council.

Thank you,

Jim Anderson, Council President

TrinityLutheranChurch

TrinityLutheranChurch, Enumclaw, WA

Future Mission and Ministry Proposal

Consultant’s Final Report

June 2007

The following is a summary of recommendations for future ministry and facilities from Pastor Keith Swenson of Church and Clergy Resources, Inc. Our process has been to discern where God is calling TrinityLutheranChurch in Enumclaw, WAin future ministry.

The strengths, hopes and dreams of Trinity’s congregational life and its called, elected, and appointed leadership was assessed carefully. Thoughts, reflections, and their wishes and prayers for Trinity were also assessed from all in the congregation who would express them.

As one of the outgrowths of ministry decisions, we considered the impacts to church facilities and how the congregation might progress to meet collective future building needs.

Included in this final report are the following:

  • A summary of five basic issues that dominate thinking about Trinity, its perceived mission, and its ministry program to fulfill that mission.
  • An overview of the proposed new ministry program, recommending structural changes to the administration of Trinity and realignment of staff responsibilities and functions. Included are two structural diagrams (Ministry Egg I and II).
  • A description of the proposed new ministry program, detailing specific facets which are important to its congregational appeal, its implementation and effectiveness.
  • A proposed staffing plan, highlighting roles for present staff persons and key responsibilities for proposed new staff persons.
  • A brief assessment of current church properties and facilities and projections of and recommendations for facility needs with the implementation of the new ministry program.
  • Suggestions for how this proposal should be considered and managed to bring it to fruition and secure support and enthusiasm of the congregation.

Recommendations for Trinity

As a congregation, here are the five primary issues….

  • Trinity has an extra-ordinary concern for, and desire to minister to young

people – children, teenagers, both in the congregation and the community.

This concern extends to their parents and young adults and families.

  • Whatever else you do as a congregation in your ministry, you do not want to

forget about your long-time older members who have done so much to

make Trinity a strong congregation over the years.

  • You are a very caring people and full of compassion for human needs

not least of which are outside your walls.

  • Growth in faith and the enrichment of spiritual lives is the “calling” of many of you as individuals and your church is the place you seek for spiritual strength.
  • Trinity is an evangelistic church, meaning you are intent to reach unchurched

persons in your community and include them in your congregation with the

goal of providing balance to lives thougha spiritual life.

Trinity Ministry Plan Summary

Programmatic and Structural Change

The proposed Mission and Ministry Program included in this report represents a significant change to the present program. To begin, it must be said Trinity is doing many things in its ministry very well and they must be applauded and appreciated. At the same time there is a lack of focus and direction to the ministry, making it appear and feel a little random and less effective than it is. The lack of focus also has a negative affect on the pastors and perhaps the other staff as well, since their work is more random than it ought to be. I believe the congregation is sensing much of this, which produces a tone of dissatisfaction and a sense that nothing is getting accomplished, although few are able to identify the source of those feelings. Although I have heard some voices speak about the hope for a stronger leadership from both the pastors and the council, other negative statements are reflective of smaller issues like the disappointment over the “dip” or “collapse” of the youth programming, desires for “my worship issues” to be addressed, lack of emphases in ministry which would be valuable for a certain group or interest. These “complaints” are shot gunning, but will grow and attach to other issues if something does not appear on the horizon which will capture the congregation’s attention in a positive manner. I think they are ready for something challenging.

As such, it is recommended that there be a new, very focused ministry plan, together with an accompanied template of structural changes to the administration of congregational life and activities. Additionally, there has been considerable difficulty and frustration in the entire congregation in securing active involvement of members to support the current administrative structure. It is believed the following proposal will enhance involvement and create more congregational energy for ministry. As a result, financial support which tends to lag when there is doubt about the direction and effectiveness of the total ministry, should be strengthened and, with a well-timed appeal, that financial support base for ministry could be significantly strengthened, capable of additions to staff and program costs. .

A major change would be to move the management of ministry from a committee system to three Primary Ministry Groups which are Life Stage Groups, with a Ministry Task Force for each, composed of groups of lay leaders emerging from each of those portions of the congregation. They are: Children, Youth and Young Adult – Pre-Retired and Newly Retired – Senior Adult. The Ministry Task Forces are ideally spearheaded by a key lay staff person who has programmatic responsibilities for that area. Until this staffing pattern can be accomplished, these positions could begin as part-time positions or even significantvolunteer positions. One of your “called pastor” acts as pastoral consultant, supervisor and advisor for each Ministry Task Force.

What this means is that planning for ministry would be in a horizontal manner, (see Ministry Egg I on successive pages), giving primary consideration to meeting spiritual and community needs for specific and definable congregational populations instead of a traditional vertical planning which attempts to provide for all the congregation, regardless of pluralistic needs and interests.

Each of the Ministry Groups, guided and chaired by the lay staff (supervised by the clergy supervisor) is encouraged to make program and ministry decisions, prepare its own proposed budget and, once approved, has authority for spending up to the budgeted amount, (if funds are lacking for the entire congregation, negotiations for a percentage pull-back should be done with each ministry group).

The key roles paid by both clergy and key lay staff allows for consistent and persistent management of the Ministry Group, authority to direct the activities and direction of the Ministry Group but, at the same time, are held responsible by the overseeing pastors and, ultimately, the Executive Committee. This ensures greater effectiveness of most ministry functions. The advantages to the ministry under this concept is that it brings much greater congregational involvement in the planning and effecting of ministry, and by those who are actively involved in each specific area of ministry. Planning takes place to meet the spiritual needs of those who are involved and affected.

Taking the place of a Congregation Council, a smaller, elected Executive Committee has responsibility for personnel issues, for ensuring adequate ministry dollars are available to each Ministry Area through active stewardship and endowment programs, makes and oversees policies for the entire ministry, oversees building and facility needs, keeps an ear open to congregational attitudes and satisfaction, and prepares an overall budget for the congregation. All called Pastors are full ex officio members of the Executive Committee, with the exception of not acting as its chair. The Executive Committee should consist of 6 elected members (2 elected by congregation each year): one who is the chair; one has clerical/communications/administrative responsibilities; one heads the stewardship/endowment functions; another heads the personnel functions; one is ombudsman; and the other relates to property issues. The pastor(s) functions as liaison to each of the Ministry Groups and act as supervisors to the staff.

Four Major Congregational Emphases are common to all the Ministry Groups. They are: Worship; Missions; Evangelism;and Stewardship. This is shown on the second Egg diagram. Pastors of the congregation have major responsibility for each of these Emphases, although appropriate and needed Task Forces can also be formed, as desired and needed, for planning and implementation purposes. It is important to note that no “committees” or task forces are necessary to any of the over emphases, except Missions, where such an administrative group is mandatory. Each of these is described in detail later in this proposal.

Property Management should have a paid Sexton who oversees church properties, provides for its maintenance, and oversees paid and volunteer groups who assist with property. The Sexton makes recommendations for budget dollars and property changes through the Executive Committee member and is responsible to the Pastor.

Proposed Ministry Program

TrinityLutheranChurch, Enumclaw, WA

Basic among the recommendations is a very intentional and specific ministry to three age groups in the congregation. Strong programs in Mission Outreach, Evangelism, Worship, and Stewardship are common to all life stage groups.

Beginning with the youngest group, this is a recommendation for a very major and central emphasis toChildren, Youth, Families, Parents, and Young Adults.

While Trinity has had a long history of a ministry to youth, what is recommended here is a program that is not dependent on a single staff person in youth, for in such an arrangement, the program rises or falls with the strength and effectiveness of that staff person. This is a far more comprehensive and ingrained part of Trinity’s ministry than anything you have done thus far. By institutionalizing the program, building a structural plan to under gird it and sustain it, it is designed to become the signature of TrinityLutheranChurch in Enumclaw. Your present pastors are designed to have a substantive role in its formation and implementation. The model their own marriage and family provides to the congregation and community can only enhance this program and speak of its integrity. Some features of this facet of Trinity’s ministry are:

  • A specially designed and unique worship service to serve this facet of Trinity’s population. The most obvious is to use the “second service” for this purpose. Obviously, Trinity’s worship services are open to all persons, whether the community or congregation, but the planning for this service would focus on the needs and factors specific to this age group in both worship style, music, participants and features of the worship. The children’s choirs from both church and childcare center should be featured regularly at this service. Worship for and inclusive of children should be a focus and planned proactively and with great energy.
  • A Sunday School program centered around computer-based curriculum would be a major help to the present circumstance of having few children in Sunday School. The curriculum available is just excellent, and with the great capabilities of technology, the lessons “come alive” for the users. The creators have also often added “incentives” to learning, making the lessons and learning them challenging and somewhat competitive. The initial need is to purchase some computers that will have the capacity to handle the requirements of the software, and ensure they are working very well – new is best, but not mandatory. It is recommended that this major facet of the program be staffed by persons who can assist with the technological issues for children, but also by those who can interface with the children in the learning. Two to three children can use one computer by trading off. Five computers seems to be a good number to begin with Trinity’s present program. Besides the computer “work,” there can be some “community time at the beginning for music and relationship building,” some crafts and story time for younger groups, some discussion time on current topics, and Bible study sessions for older ones. Congregations who use this model find it extremely popular with the kids, making them eager to come, and resistant to leave Sunday School. It also enables adults to participate and take key positions without much preparation. Discipline is rarely an issue in this model except getting to the computer first. Although I am not as familiar with the program materials, it is very possible to do all or a portion of confirmation training with computer-based software.
  • Ministry programs should be planned to specifically meet the needs of this age group. Examples are: Maintain the strong childcare/preschool program; Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS); a Mom’s day out; perhaps a Latchkey program (after school program for grade school children); and, children’s music/arts programs.
  • Some other programs are considered “side door evangelism” programs, intended to bring participants into the church through activities rather than through the “front door” which is the focus on worship and Sunday morning activities. Examples are: a slow-pitch softball team to play other churches or in a city league; marriage enrichment workshop; divorce care groups; or care groups for children of divorcing households, etc.
  • Additionally a comprehensive plan should be prepared to provide fellowship opportunities for this age group – camping trips, parenting helps, family game nights, small “trips” like to a Mariner’s game, barbeque nights, etc.
  • Teenage peer group activities, much as is happening now, for middle-school and high school groups. This should not be restricted to “Trinity kids” but extended to the schools and community. Interfacing with the schools here is extremely valuable. This is more than the youth person “attending games,” but gaining the trust and respect of school officials and the kids, and being advocates for youth issues, etc.
  • Bible studies for young adults, focusing on living the Christian life at home and in relationships, value formation and discipleship, are very important. The “Alpha” course which is a basic Christianity course is valuable for this age group since many unchurched persons of this age group are uninformed about Christian doctrine.
  • The formation of a Child/Family Institute, with a goal to work with entire families in communications, understanding, having fun, and growing spiritually.
  • A strong evangelism component would weave itself through this entire program to reach out to teenagers, to young adults and parents.

A second facet of Trinity’s ministry is toPre-retired and Newly retired persons, which is a fast-growing group of Enumclaw, a trend apt to continue and increase.

  • The ministry to this group is to anticipate needs specific to this age group, work with the leadership of this age group to build a program which regularly addresses pre-retirement/newly retired issues such as:
  • Finding self-worth and identity after retirement from the job/profession
  • Strengthening the marriage relationship when roles and life-styles change
  • Time management with effective free time, voluntarism, avocations, travel
  • Effective asset management
  • Growth of faith for the mature adult – challenging theological and Biblical issues are very well received for this age group
  • Development of creative volunteer opportunities through the church, inclusive of such things as:
  • A shuttle bus program
  • Receptionist/Host program at the church
  • Facilities projects group
  • Website development and maintenance group
  • This is a key population at Trinity and most all congregations. As a group these persons have energy (often renewed in early retirement), available financial resources, available time for voluntarism and involvement, and many gifts to share in a congregation. If this group receives ministry from the church during this time, they can be empowered to become dynamic as church leaders.

The third focus of Trinity’s ministry is to the Senior Adults of the congregation and community.