First Presbyterian Church of Houston Session Agenda – March 8, 2016 6:30PM LC 181
Devotion and Prayer Don Barber 10 min Omnibus Approve Minutes of the February Session Meeting and called meeting February 29. Approve Membership Reports Additional Consent Motions (listed in packet) Committee/Staff Reports Finance Report Chris Champion 5 min Church/School Strategic Planning Team Report Debbie Hanna 30 min Building Design/MFAH Report David Calkins 5 min Implementation Team Update Bill Heston 5 min (7:30PM) Sabrina Espinoza Old Business Commissioners to Presbytery Marilyn McDonald 5 min Worship Ministry Task Force Refresher Nicole Kenley 10 min Ministry Empowerment Team Charter and Staff Proposal – Postpone to March Andrew Stepp 30 min Kerr Taylor Committee/Staff Reports – Executive Session Property Protection Team (PPT) Bill Gutermuth 45 min (9:00) New Business Per Capita David McCarty 5 min Pastor’s Report Jim Birchfield 15 min Personnel Updates Sabbatical Reserve Clerk’s Report David McCarty 5 min Prayer and Praise 10 min Communion and Doxology 5 min Motion to Adjourn ~9:40pm Important Dates: March Session Meeting March 8 Presbytery Meeting March 19 (FPC Conroe) Palm Sunday March 20 Vespers Service (Chancel Choir) March 20 5:30pm Easter March 27 Faith and Culture Conference April 16-‐17 April Session Meeting April 19 May Session Meeting May 17 Session Retreat June 3-‐4 Ordination Sunday June 5
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Presbytery Meeting Global Church Conference
July 16 (FPC Orange) September 23 -‐ October 2
Session Attendance 2015-‐2016
A = Absence E= Excused
June
August
Sept
Oct
Nov
Jan
Feb
March
April
May
Barber, Don
EX
Benn, Dorian
Calkins, David
EX
Champion, Chris
Cornelius, Bill
EX
Espinoza, Sabrina
EX
EX
Gutermuth, Bill
Harada, Michael
EX
Harris, Julie
EX
Johnson, Lori
EX
Marion, Cindy
EX
McCarty, David
McDonald, Marilyn
EX
Morris, Dan
EX
Offenbacher, Matt
EX
Schorre, Randy
EX
Danny, Taylor
EX
EX
Wilson, Randy
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MEMBERSHIP REPORT FEBRUARY 2016 NEW CHURCH MEMBERS Anders, Mrs Margaret Reaffirm; FCC Disciples of Christ, Cedar Falls, IA Anders, Mr Verlyn Keith Reaffirm; FCC Disciples of Christ, Cedar Falls, IA Brown, Mr Morgan O t/l; Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, Williamsburg VA Carroll, Mrs Florence t/l; City of Refuge EPC Houston TX Carroll III, Mr James t/l; City of Refuge EPC, Houston TX Cavazos, Mr Michael Profession of Faith Coco, Miss Stephanie Reaffirm; First Baptist Church, Deridder LA Craft, Ms Kameron Reaffirm; First Baptist Church, Houston TX Dale Jr, Mr David t/l; First Presbyterian Church, Brandon FL Dale, Mrs Karin t/l; First Presbyterian Church, Brandon FL Flores, Ms Terry Ann t/l; St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Houston Golden, Ms Ronel Reaffirm; Dutch Reformed Presbyterian Hosford, Mrs Julie Profession of Faith Hosford, Mr Layton Profession of Faith Howey, Mr Christopher t/l; First United Methodist Church of Richardson TX Lewis, Mr Jerome Reaffirm; St. Lawrence Catholic Church Sugarland Lewis, Mrs Sandy Reaffirm; Lakewood Miller, Miss Amanda t/l; Presbyterian Church at New Providence, NJ Sullivan, Ms Morgan Reaffirm; Vineville United Methodist Church; GA Townsend, Mrs Norma t/l; St. Paul UMC Kensington MD Townsend, Mr Terry t/l; St. Paul UMC Kensington MD Watson, Mr John Michael t/l; St. Luke Methodist Houston TX Weed, Mr Joshua Transfer of Letter You, Mr Benjamin Yang Profession of Faith RESTORED TO ACTIVE ROLL Rogers, Mr Christopher Dwayne At his request DECEASED Gilley, Ms Evangeline Chatmas Deceased Jacobe, Ms Betty Rhea Deceased Zabcik, Mr John Deceased DISMISSED Brewer, Mrs Betsy Ross Dismissed to Christ UMC, College Station, TX Brewer, Mr Maurice Alan Dismissed to Christ UMC, College Station, TX Murphy Jr, Mr Ewell Dismissed to St. Philip Presbyterian Church REMOVED FROM ACTIVE ROLL Pool, Dr James Family moved to another church Pool, Mrs Pamela Family moved to another church MOVED TO INACTIVE MEMBERSHIP ROLL
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Waters, Mr Louis No activity since 2013 DISMISSED FROM INACTIVE ROLL None CONFIRMANDS CLASS OF 2015 (from the youth department) Mr Julian Kirkpatrick Arthur Mr Cabot Walker Barton Mr David Bebczuk Mr Alex Betts Mr James Dudley Briggs Jr Mr Lewis Scott Chandler Ms Lilly Cone Mr Nathaniel Faulkner Crain Mr Brendan Cumming Miss Kate Flato Mr Jerry Brooksher Gee III Mr Daniel Wesley Gow Miss Lily Gunn Miss Elena Michel Heck Mr Joshua Thomas Hew Miss Audrey Ho Lindsey Ho Miss Celia Houston Mr David Arne Herbert Hulten Mr William Patrick Keenan Miss Anissa Leyra Mr James Ryan Lilly Mr Landon Wheeler Lueck Miss Sarah Martin Mr Hunter McConn Mr Mark Douglas McMillan Miss Emily Wilms Moak Miss Jane Bailey Murray Mr David Knox Oldham Mr Evan James Poythress Miss Marley Elena Roberts Mr Stone Simmons Mr Cullen Stewart Mr Alfred Graham Taylor Mr William Kenner Taylor Miss Chloe Eninh Trinh Mr Gray Turner Watson Miss Martha Ashton Welch Miss Gabriela Elizabeth Welham Mr Walker Whitney Mr Jackson Charles Williams Miss Sarah Ashleigh Williams Miss Grace Esther Wolfe Miss Harper Young MEMBERSHIP AS OF January 31, 2016 3162
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Gains Losses 9 MEMBERSHIP AS OF February 29, 2016 3223
70
Worship Services Comparison 8:15 Worship 9:30 Worship 10:45 Worship 11:05 Worship Total Worship Att
Week 5 2/2/14 209 259 354 352 1174
8:15 Worship 9:30 Worship 10:45 Worship 11:05 Worship Total Worship Att
Week 7 2/16/14 194 168 319 370 1051
*Town Hall Attd # 856
Superbowl
Worship Services Comparison
Week 6 2/9/14 210 0* 535 0* 745
Week 5 2/1/15 167 202 344 346 1059
Week 8 2/23/14 466 * * * 466
Week 9 3/2/14 221 258 410 421 1310
*25 VOTE
Week 6 2/8/15 185 230 360 382 1157
Week 7 2/15/15 149 211 394 358 1112
Week 8 2/22/15 177 244 362 373 1156
Week 9 3/1/15 194 211 360 416 1181
Week 6 2/7/16 215 209 370 344 1138
Week 7 2/14/16 151 237 322 335 1045
Week 8 2/21/16 164 231 367 340 1102
Week 9 2/28/16 186 215 351 320 1072
Superbowl
Worship Services Comparison 8:15 Worship 9:30 Worship 10:45 Worship 11:05 Worship Total Worship Att
Week 5 1/31/16 204 205 333 344 1086
Superbowl
February 2016 Baptisms: Infant Adult Weddings: Member Funerals: NonMbr Funerals:
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3 1 2 1 0
Communion
MINUTES OF THE SESSION THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HOUSTON, TEXAS February 16, 2016
The February Stated Meeting of the Session began at 6:35 p.m. in LC181 with a quorum present. Moderator Dr. Jim Birchfield called the meeting to order. Marilyn McDonald provided a devotional and prayer. Attendance: See the attached Session Attendance Record for attendance to date for this year. Omnibus Motions: The following omnibus motions were provided to Session in advance of the meeting. • Approval of the stated Session Meeting of January 19, 2016 • Approval of the called Session Meeting of February 1, 2016 • Approval of the January Membership Report Moved by the Denominational Affairs Committee: • Resolved, that Session elects the following twelve ruling elders as commissioners from First Presbyterian Church Houston to the March 2016 Presbytery: Mary Alford, David Barnes, Martha Barnes, Martha Erwin, Michael Harada, Julie Harris, Scott Jenkins, Charles Lawler, David McCarty, Marilyn McDonald, Matt Offenbacher and Bev Olmstead. The omnibus motions were seconded and approved with the following corrections: • Randy Schorre was present at the Called Meeting of the Session on February 1. • Added to the motion from the Denominational Affairs Committee -‐ Further resolved, that the following two alternates in case of absence of commissioners are approved: Evelyn Smith and Jane Costello. Committee/Staff Reports Finance Committee: Chris Champion reported that First Presbyterian Church is on budget and the financial position of the church is strong. Church/School Planning Team: Jennifer Boubel reported that the Church/School Planning Team is continuing to meet. A motion was made, seconded and approved for the Session to move into Executive Session at 6:50 pm. Executive Session was closed at 8:10 p.m. Old Business Restructuring Implementation and Further Study Team: Bill Heston reported that the Team will meet Thursday and they will have recommendations at the March Session Meeting. The report from the Ministry Empowerment Team Charter and Staff Proposal was postponed until the March Session Meeting. New Business FPC Campus Open Carry Policy: Randy Wilson presented the following policy. A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the following policy:
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Whereas, in 2015 the Texas Legislature enacted legislation permitting persons to openly carry a holstered handgun in a church or other established place of business unless the church forbids open carry and gives notice that open carry is forbidden; And Whereas, under Texas law notice can be provided verbally by a person with apparent authority to act for the church; And Whereas, the open carry of handguns and other weapons listed in Tex. Penal Code §46.01 (collectively, “weapons”) is inconsistent with maintaining an atmosphere of worship at First Presbyterian Church of Houston (“FPC Houston”), Be it therefore resolved by the Session of FPC Houston: 1. The open carry of weapons is forbidden at FPC Houston. 2. The following “Authorized Persons” are vested with authority to provide oral notice that the open carry of weapon is prohibited at FPC Houston: • Employees and pastors of FPC Houston; • Ushers at worship service; and • Elders of FPC Houston 3. Authorized Persons should communicate the following to individuals openly carrying weapons: “The open carry of weapons is prohibited at FPC Houston and you may not enter this property with a [INSERT WEAPON] that is carried openly.” Pastor’s Report: • Jim Birchfield reported that Jennifer Boubel has returned to her position as Executive Director. • The search for a Director of Children and Family Ministry has been narrowed and the vetting of candidates will begin soon. • Susan Burk, the Director of Human Resources, is retiring. • The church is entering the Stewardship Season and the commitment cards will be in the mail soon. • Budget planning for 2016-‐2017 is in progress. The finance Committee will have a report at the March Session Meeting, there will be a time for discussion of the proposed budget at the April Session Meeting and a vote will be held at the May Session Meeting. • The Greater Houston Pastor’s Prayer Summit will be February 22-‐23 at Pine Cove Camp in Columbus, Texas. • The State of the City Symposium will be February 16-‐27 at First Presbyterian Church, Houston. Clerks Report: A motion was made, seconded and approved for the Session to move into Executive Session at 8:54 pm. Executive Session was closed at 9:00 p.m. • David McCarty thanked the elders for participating in the serving of communion Sunday. • The next Session Meeting will be March 8, 2016. • A note of thanks was read to the session for the support of First Presbyterian Church from POPS and AnneMarie Wallace-‐Flato and from a ministry in Kenya supported by a mission grant. Prayer and Praise: Following corporate prayer for the church and its neighbors, Communion was served by intinction with Rev. Jim Birchfield officiating and elder Don Barber assisting.
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The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. with a prayer by Rev. Jim Birchfield and the singing of the doxology. ___________________________________ _____________________________ Rev Jim Birchfield, Moderator David McCarty, Clerk of Session
Consent Motions Motion to authorize communion to be served by Bill Heston during the FPC Study Tour to Italy in April, 2016. Approval of corporate resolution or resolutions authorizing Scott Reamer, Director of Operations to exercise the spending and investment of FPC. From Permanent Funds Committee: ·∙ Request from Africa Renewal University for $50,000 for classrooms. ·∙ Request from Amazing Place for $18,000 for Anniversary video. ·∙ Request from Freedom Place (Arrow) for $7,500 for a golf cart to get around property. ·∙ Request from Fuller Theological Seminary for $15,000 for doctor of ministry ETSC (Eygpt). ·∙ Request from Holly Hall for $18,000 for accessible dental chair. ·∙ Request from Mo Ranch for $12,000 for guest accommodations. ·∙ Request for $10,000 to help establish The Sabbatical Leave Fund for FPC called pastors.
Reports Permanent Funds March 7, 2016, FH 251, 5:30 p.m Members present: Martha Barnes, Sharon Henry, Becca Herbold, Betty Hundley, Daniel Knight, Bill Marshall and Susan Miclette. Session Liaison Randy Wilson absent. Members absent: John Going and John Goodgame (sent in recommendation). Staff present: Bill Heston and Nancy Purcell. Discussion and action taken • The committee approved PFM minutes of November 9, November 17, 2015 and February 3, 2016 meetings. Motion: Bill Marshall and second by Daniel Knight. • The Committee reviewed the 2015-‐2016 Commitment/Disbursement Excel sheet for available funds. • One Seminary scholarship application for the spring semester (Gordon Conwall Theological Seminary) reviewed. Approved $2,000 (Bentsen Fund $482 and Benevolence-‐Other $1,518) Motion: Martha Barnes and second by Bill Marshall. See table below. • Seven grant requests were reviewed and approved. Motion: Daniel Knight and second by Becca Herbold. See table below.
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The committee discussed and approved the following action for Permanent Endowed Funds/Spend Rate: a) All existing Endowed Funds (excluding the Carter Fund) be invested in the TPF Balanced Fund, b) Six months of the annual spend rate, calculated as of June 1, 2016, based on the most recently available statement of fund balances, be invested in the TPF Cash Fund, c) The spend rate for the June 1, 2016 – May 31, 2017 fiscal year will be 4.0%, subject to the availability of the funds, and d) The approval still applies that was made during the 5-‐5-‐2014 meeting to: (Maintain the current investment strategy of the Mary Carter Fund and allow the investment in US Treasuries and Bonds to mature through the summer of 2016 at which point the fund balance will be over the corpus amount. During the next two years until the investments have matured, grant requests that come to the committee that fit the parameters established for the Mary Carter Fund will be considered, and if approved, funded from the Benevolence funds.) Motion: Becca Herbold and second by Betty Hundley. Seminary Scholarship: Ryan Born Gordon Conwall Req: $2,000 Grant: $2,000 Bentsen $482/Benevolence-‐Other $1,518 Grants Requested: Africa Renewal University Req: $100,000 Grant: $50,000 Bonner Fund Amazing Place Req: $18,000 Grant: $18,000 Benevolence-‐Other Fund Freedom Place (Arrow) Req: $14,950 Grant: $7,500 Benevolence-‐Other Fund Fuller Theological Seminary Req: $15,000 Grant: $15,000 Bruyere $14,710/Bene-‐Other $390 Holly Hall Req: $18,000 Grant: $18,000 Benevolence-‐Other Fund Mo Ranch Req: $25,000 Grant:$12,000 Benevolence-‐Other Fund Sabbatical Leave Funding Req: $10,000 Grant: $10,000 Benevolence-‐Other Fund Consent Motions for Session ($10,000 or more) • Request from Africa Renewal University for $50,000 for classrooms. • Request from Amazing Place for $18,000 for Anniversary video. • Request from Freedom Place (Arrow) for $7,500 for a golf cart to get around property. • Request from Fuller Theological Seminary for $15,000 for doctor of ministry ETSC (Eygpt). • Request from Holly Hall for $18,000 for accessible dental chair. • Request from Mo Ranch for $12,000 for guest accommodations. • Request for $10,000 to help establish The Sabbatical Leave Fund for FPC called pastors. Next meeting May 2, 2016 Susan Miclette •
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First Presbyterian Church of Houston Advisory Council Meeting Minutes March 1, 2016 The Advisory Council of First Presbyterian Church of Houston met on March 1, 2016 in the Pastor’s Office at 7:30AM. In attendance were David McCarty, Bill Gutermuth, Mary Alford, Bill Heston, and Jim Birchfield. Chris Champion and David Calkins could not attend. McCarty opened with a devotional and prayer. PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL: Debbie Hannah, chair of the PS/Church Task Force, facilitated a discussion between AC and Mark Carleton, Head of School, and Kim Clark, Claudia Stewart, Patrick Trask, and Jonas Georgsson, members of the PS Board of Directors. The discussion focused on the history of the relationship, our shared values, and expectations as we move forward with the school’s expansion. Hannah expects to bring to Session in March a memo on overall economics of the agreements with PS, in April draft leases, in May lease approval, June 1 signing target. Session may need another extra time slot for detailed review of the draft leases. PPT: AC received a brief report from the PPT in closed session. MEMBERSHIP DATABASE SOFTWARE PROJECT: Two primary options are still under review. The team expects to bring a proposal for Session approval in April. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: There was no business for the Personnel Committee at this time. There are two finalists for the Director of Children and Family Ministries. Decisions on scope of the jobs of Director of HR and the Director of Evangelism are tied to the ongoing budget discussion. SESSION AGENDA DISCUSSION: The following issues are on the table for Session and scheduled as follows: • Ministry Empowerment Team charter and staff proposal – approval – March • Worship Task Force Report – action (reviewed in October) – refresher in March, action in April • Human Sexuality and Marriage Theology Team Updated Report – April PASTOR’S UPDATE: Health is fair. Session may need to call a brief congregational meeting to modify terms of call with respect to the sabbatical leave funding; McCarty to research with presbytery. This may be business for the April meeting. CLERK’S UPDATE: • Ruling elder training for the Class of 2019 is under way. • ONC began soliciting recommendations for Class of 2020 on Sunday. th th • Annual congregational meeting is likely to be the 4 or 5 Sunday in October. There being no further business, the meeting was closed in prayer by Birchfield and adjourned at 10:30AM. Respectfully submitted, David McCarty, Clerk of Session 2016
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Worship Focus Group Report October, 2015 The core-‐values exercises concluded in the Spring of 2015 found that the “worship and preaching” at First Presbyterian Church was uniquely identified by key stakeholders (church m embers, staff, and session) as one of the five sustaining strengths of our congregation. With this in mind, the task of the Worship Focus Group was to evaluate and assess our existing worship services, giving response to the following questions: • What makes our worship and preaching a sustaining strength? • How do we continue to keep this area strong? • How do we leverage this area going forward? In addition, I believe it needs to include an assessment of our existing worship services. • Do we still want (need) four worship services? • What changes to the nature/personality/focus of each service do we want (need) to make -‐-‐ if any? The focus group met weekly for six weeks and went about their work in response to these questions by doing the following: A. Compiled a statistical analysis of worship attendance dating back to 2012 B. Evaluated responses to a set of narrative questions offered by 40 or so worshippers (10 per service) who represent a diversity of age and stage C. Conducted individual focus group sessions for each of our worship services D. Summarized primary themes and offered recommendations for future consideration Focus Group Steering Team: Sue White, Tim Williamson, Beverly Schorre, Nicole Kenley, Carrie Lelsz, Michael Homan
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A. Statistical Analysis – Weekly Worship Attendance
1400 1200 1000 8:15
800
9:30 10:45
600
11:05 Total Average
400
Weekly Average 200 0 2012
2013
2014
2015
8:15
9:30
10:45
11:05
*Weekly Average
2012
187
296
394
375
1252
1252
2013
169
292
361
398
1220
1213
2014 2015 (as of 10/4/15)
179
256
374
402
1211
1049
152
215
333
392
1092
1075
**Actual Average
* Reflects combined total of the weekly average attendance for each service ** Reflects total number of worshippers, divided by 52 weeks Other Items of Note: • Average weekly attendance has decreased approximately 10% since 2014 (major contributing factor is assumed to be the cong. vote). • The 8:15 and 9:30am services have decreased by 15%; the 10:45am by 11%. • The 11:05am attendance has remained consistent throughout and is the only service to show attendance growth dating back to 2012. • The 2014 “Summer Schedule” resulted in an average loss of 65 worshippers per week. This number was calculated by a year-‐over-‐year analysis of average combined attendance taken at the 8:15/9:30/10:45am services during the time period in which the 9:30am service was discontinued. Other General findings: Q: What makes our worship and preaching a sustaining strength of FPC? 1. The music ministry is carried out with excellence, regardless of style.
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2. 3. 4.
The distinctive format and style of each service enables FPC reach a diverse group of people. The preaching is Bible-‐based and consistently communicated with clarity and passion. The diversity of preachers and team-‐preaching model allows for a distinct, yet unified proclamation of the gospel.
Q: How do we continue to keep this area strong? Recommendations: 1. Re-‐vitalize and refresh the ushering ministry so as to better embody a posture of welcome and hospitality to the visitor; implement a leadership structure that creates a sustainable and shared work-‐load, and implement a succession plan that honors and affirms current leadership while also undergoing a posture shift to be even more hospitable going forward 2. Continue the team-‐preaching rotational model 3. Continue with testimonies that “tell the story” of what God is up to in our midst 4. Continue to provide musical excellence 5. Improve the sound system in Sanctuary (scheduled to begin after Christmas) Q. How do we leverage this area going forward? Recommendations: 1. If worship and preaching is a sustaining strength in our community, then our communication strategy needs capitalize on this value going forward. One suggestion is to design and implement an internal and external communication campaign that invites more people to worship (or to come back to worship). 2. Fully embrace and live faithfully into the uniqueness of each service 3. Pay closer attention to the music selections and the size of the current cannon in order to improve congregational singing 4. Utilize more laity as liturgists as a way to ensure that worship remains “the work of the people” rather than the work of the clergy/professionals 5. Consider an expansion of the team-‐preaching model Other observations of note concerning each of our worship services: • 8:15am – After the 11:05am service, this is our most intergenerational worship gathering. It is also our most expensive worship service, per capita, as well as our least-‐attended service. • 9:30am –Those who are with us for only one hour, including parents of children and youth and senior adults, typically attend this service. It can be difficult, particularly in the summer months, to rally enough singers in the choir who are willing/able to sing two services. One possible alternative to this challenge would be to form a smaller chamber ensemble to sing every week (or perhaps only in the summer months) and/or utilize more soloists and instrumentalists. • 10:45am – This remains the largest of our traditional services. Over the past year attention has been given to deepen this this including weekly words of preparation, printed calls to worship (generally from the Psalter), regular use of creeds, longer silent confession, and greater attention given to the church year calendar (e.g. Reformation Sunday).
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•
11:05am – This remains our most attended and most intergenerational worship service. Our focus group discussion revealed a desire by some (particularly those active in the youth ministry) to see the weekly song selection reflect more familiar songs, with the goal of increased participation and congregational singing. The prayer time and weekly communion were both identified as favorite elements and should be continued. The length of service, however, continues to be an impediment for young families and others, largely because of the time of day and how going long into the lunch hour adds extra challenges for all.
Q: Do we still want (need) four worship services? A: The focus group believes that FPC should continue to offer four services. Ordinarily, our average weekly attendance may not require four worship services. However, offering four services should remain, for now, for the following reasons: • During high seasons of attendance (Advent, Lent, etc.) attendances typically exceeds the 80% threshold in our traditional/sanctuary worship service. Research suggests that when 80% of the seats are full, worshippers begin to face difficulties in finding open seats and overcoming the larger crowds by way of parking, way finding, etc. • The 9:30/10:45am services are identical and thus share expenses. The cost (per capita) of a second traditional service is relatively small. • The current average attendance of our 9:30am service alone is larger than what most churches experience every week. • Some families rely on our 9:30am as a respite hour while their children and youth attend Sunday School classes. • To remove the 9:30am service would result in the loss of an estimated 60-‐100 total worshippers.* There may come a day when we again re-‐evaluate the need/desire for two identical traditional worship services (including the idea of having a “summer schedule), but to do so now does not seem prudent. * Based upon attendance during the summer of 2014 when we did not have the 9:30am service. What changes to the nature/personality/focus of each service do we want (need) to make -‐-‐ if any? • 8:15am – Consider beginning a time change and begin the service at 8:30am (would require moving the rest of the schedule), and revitalize the service with an intentional effort to be more intergenerational through the re-‐introduction of children’s sermons as well as st celebrating the Lord’s Supper with more regularity (e.g. the 1 Sunday of the month). Utilize more lay leaders and liturgists in worship. • 9:30am – Utilize more lay leaders and liturgists in worship. If needed (or during the summer), in coordination with the chancel choir, consider utilizing a chamber group rather than the full choir, utilizing section leaders and university singers, and/or volunteer singers. Utilize more solos, instrumentalists, and small ensembles as well. This change may require a budget increase. • 10:45am – Live even more faithfully into the traditional elements of the service as mentioned previously. • 11:05am – Shorten the service length; utilize a smaller cannon of songs that facilitate greater congregational singing; continue the practice of come-‐forward prayer and weekly communion; include more lay leaders in the offering of prayers, scripture readings, testimonies, etc.
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Major Recommendation: The worship focus group commends for study and evaluation the following proposed Sunday morning schedule, to be vetted under the guidance of a team established by the worship committee and brought back to the session in the Spring of 2016 for a final session decision. Barring any insurmountable obstacles, the focus group recommends this schedule to begin in September of 2016. o 8:30am – Sanctuary Service (include more children’s sermons and monthly communion) o 9:45am – Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary and concurrent Sunday School Hour o 11:00am -‐ Traditional Worship o 11:05am – Grand Hall/Contemporary Worship Rationale: This schedule is designed to give a spark to the 8:15am and 9:30am worship services through changes in time and format. It encourages young families to attend the early service in providing a later start time and more frequent children’s sermons. This proposed schedule may require (logistically) that the team-‐preaching model to be in place most Sundays, but could be adapted to accommodate a single preacher. The team-‐preaching approach would leverage an identifiable strength while also enabling a more efficient 11:05am service.
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