Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Next Generation Report

Executive Summary of the Full Next Generation Mission Team Report (December 2007)

On Tuesday, December 4th, the Next Generation Mission Team (NGMT) co-facilitators formally presented their report to the Leadership Team of our congregation. Last May, we commissioned the NGMT to develop recommendations to “strengthen and deepen our faith through expanded programming for all ages.” The team was asked to make recommendations for ORUCC to live into its vision of being spiritually alive, joyfully inclusive, and committed to justice – over the next 15-20 years. Co-facilitated by Barb Hummel and Helene Nelson, the NGMT met diligently from July through late November.

Rather than identifying a project, the NGMT is suggesting a pathway by which we can enact our vision statement as a community seeking to follow God. (Read both the full report above). In that light, they suggest that 2008 be a year of “exploring and experimenting.”

This faith based and strategic exploration will be guided by:

6 Themes
4 Explorer Teams

These are the 6 themes developed by the NGMT as we seek to enhance programming over the next 15-20 years (in no priority order):
1. The NGI should emphasize initiatives that work simultaneously to deepen spirituality, build community, and foster justice.
2. The NGI should develop more intentional ways for us to grow spiritually, individually and collectively, Sunday and throughout the week.
3. The NGI should build up joyful church community, in which people of all ages and stages of life — individuals with varying needs and strengths and backgrounds – are welcomed and join together as God’s family to learn, grow and worship.
4. The NGI should provide particular attention to filling the gap in current programming for children, youth and their parents and other young adults.
5. The NGI should emphasize the connection of our religious faith and our lives, so we more fully enact justice and compassion for all peoples.
6. The NGI should enhance our music program.

They are proposing that we create 4 Short Term Explorer Teams in these areas:

Spirituality

Music

Children, youth and their families

“Faith in action adventures”

These themes will try to develop more specific programming enhancement proposals. The Teams would consult with the congregation and others with expertise or interest and research experiences of other churches and other information to develop specific proposals. These teams would meet for just a few months before bringing recommendations for programming and possible facility changes/additions. The enhanced programming would build upon the many wonderful initiatives already underway and engage with the church leaders and members interested in further improvements. As these teams are doing their research, we hope the staff and Ministries can experiment with new programs, new ideas and new approaches.

It was agreed to ask the congregation to adopt this plan at our annual congregational meeting on January 20, 2008. We are proposing that the Leadership Team (LT) undertake the guidance of the NGI process in 2008, with help from NGI team co-chairs and members to provide for continuity of ideas and energy. The primary LT role would be to guide, coordinate and synthesize the work of the Explorer Teams and to engage the full congregation in discernment and decisions about directions by the end of 2008 or early 2009. Implicit in the Leadership Team role is responsibility to address questions related to our intentions for growth, budget and program investments, and facility changes.

More information will be forthcoming. However, if you have questions, please feel free to contact any of the pastors, moderator Deb Holbrook, moderator elect John Lemke, NGMT chairs Helene Nelson or Barb Hummel. Many thanks to the other NGMT members: Kythie Boyd, Gary DeClute, Paul Evans, Charlene Gallagher, Ellery Hamann, Paul Hedges, Rachael Lancor, Ruthanne Landsness, Ralph Peterson, and Sara Roberts.