Spring 2019 Ministry Listening Post Summaries
Sunday, May 19: Vote on go-forward plan
The congregation approved a $10,000 budget that the Transition and Building Exploration Teams can use in 2019 to pay for the due diligence necessary to achieve desired building and ministry outcomes. To learn more, review the Ministry Listening Post summaries below and read a letter emailed to the congregation on Saturday, May 5 with full details about the vote.
May 5: Pray, Review, and Preview
After hearing the sermon about Easter faith with questions, twenty-two people gathered to pray, ask questions, and share ideas about the NEW OFLC project. A question was raised in regards to the possibility of proxy vote. People expressed the value of having current financial input before the May 19 vote. We heard questions about the current mortgage status, options to raise the $10,000 as well as current number of people giving on a regular basis. Needs inside the church were also addressed, such as carpet cleaning and custodial care of the church. Clarity was received when learning more in-depth about the strategic planning investment that impacts not only the building project but also the Transition Team and Call Committee. Knowing how the church property will change to empower existing and future ministries directly impacts Our Father’s interviewing process. Each step helps OFLC describe not only who God is calling us to be, but also identify the pastoral gifts and qualities that will support the mission of this congregation.
April 14: BNI Ministry Partner and rough estimates
Guy Saxby from All Around shared background about his company who will provide a rough estimate to restore the flat roof, windows, walls and new siding on the NEW OFLC. They will be using “far superior and energy efficient” materials, as compared to what was available to the original builders. Owners of All Around live in Delano. Guy shared that OFLC has the reputation of supporting the community for years. This project is an opportunity for the community to support OFLC so our faith-filled presence can continue in the community. All Around has a weekly radio program (1130 AM/FM 13.5 at noon on Saturdays) that will advertise any OFLC fundraising events, if we sign a contract with them. All Around will participate in leadership meetings and provide rough estimates. Questions were asked about black mold under the carpet, could there be rotting wood behind the walls in the Fellowship Hall, is the church following an architect’s plan, how good are our trusses, is the commercial kitchen still in discussion, will a structural engineer be involved in the process? Guy was here to address the exterior repairs and restoration project. Other Ministry Listening Posts have been addressing the inside repairs and upgrades (i.e. kitchen, carpet).
April 3: Confirmation and Young Adults’ Perspective for the “NEW OFLC”
Preschool to retired “children” of God enjoyed playing charades and the “Never Have I” games. Energy surged when kids shared their dreams for the NEW OFLC: Fireworks on July 4 for families, a ping pong table, bringing pets to church for a blessing, dance parties, holiday parties, pony rides, camping, roasting marshmallows and making s’mores, 4-square game, playing board games after church and Sunday School, Nerf games, a room full of toys, gaming day, big screen for Mario Brothers games, a kickball tournament, an entertainment area, a golf putting green, a basketball league, a stage for music, comedian or performing a talent, gym with weight lifting area, pickle ball, corn hole games, games and prizes are always good, overnighters, a study hall/quiet place. “Could we find a rainbow at this church?” was asked by a preschooler.
March 27:
We learned about the Girl Scout’s “needs and dreams.” Time was given so people could write down needs and dreams for the “NEW OFLC.” A May 19 congregational meeting is needed to vote on the expenses necessary to further explore the needs of the “NEW OFLC” as we expect they will exceed $5,000. Connecting our ministries’ “needs and dreams” with our financial commitments, we explored possible financial partners (i.e. BankWest, Mission Investment Fund, Capital Campaign consultants.) Thrivent, community partners, and fundraising ideas (i.e. “raising a roof”) were also part of the conversation.
March 24:
AA, Via De Cristo, and NA were additional partners in ministry we learned about. We briefly compared rough estimates of a flat roof and a pitched roof. We identified our strengths as: hospitality, sharing gifts, invitational, small relational groups (vs. large programs offered), serving in community, providing grace and being a welcoming place, not afraid to take on big projects in the past (i.e. combine in Tanzania), equipping people, and sharing our love of God. The community knows us as a church who has open space for groups to meet and for being friendly.
March 17:
We continued learning about the various ministries happening at Our Father’s. “Needs and dreams” were presented by Nourishing Hope, MOPS, Quilters, Bible Studies and BNI. Creative juices were flowing as the acronym NEW (North End Work) OFLC was lifted up. What is God leading us to do with the “NEW OFLC?”
March 10:
We learned about partners in ministry and their “needs and dreams” of how the church building can support their ministries. Wonderful insights were gained from the Bedding Ministry/Love INC, Boy Scouts, and the Confirmation program.
February 10:
One month’s schedule of room usage was reviewed, to see which areas of our building were used most frequently and which rooms that could be used more often. We also looked at how the monthly activities connect to us living out Our Father’s Mission Statement.
February 3:
We talked about the church property and its building projects over the years. There was great conversation about what we like about the church building and property. Time was also provided to discuss some of the challenges of doing ministry with our current building, especially on the North End of the church/Fellowship Hall.
January 24:
Anne Gerrit, the Mission Investment Fund’s Building Consultant, was here to do a walk-through to learn about our church property. She also shared how MIF can be a partner with Our Father’s as we look at the process to follow in addressing the structural needs of the North End of the church building.
The congregation approved a $10,000 budget that the Transition and Building Exploration Teams can use in 2019 to pay for the due diligence necessary to achieve desired building and ministry outcomes. To learn more, review the Ministry Listening Post summaries below and read a letter emailed to the congregation on Saturday, May 5 with full details about the vote.
May 5: Pray, Review, and Preview
After hearing the sermon about Easter faith with questions, twenty-two people gathered to pray, ask questions, and share ideas about the NEW OFLC project. A question was raised in regards to the possibility of proxy vote. People expressed the value of having current financial input before the May 19 vote. We heard questions about the current mortgage status, options to raise the $10,000 as well as current number of people giving on a regular basis. Needs inside the church were also addressed, such as carpet cleaning and custodial care of the church. Clarity was received when learning more in-depth about the strategic planning investment that impacts not only the building project but also the Transition Team and Call Committee. Knowing how the church property will change to empower existing and future ministries directly impacts Our Father’s interviewing process. Each step helps OFLC describe not only who God is calling us to be, but also identify the pastoral gifts and qualities that will support the mission of this congregation.
April 14: BNI Ministry Partner and rough estimates
Guy Saxby from All Around shared background about his company who will provide a rough estimate to restore the flat roof, windows, walls and new siding on the NEW OFLC. They will be using “far superior and energy efficient” materials, as compared to what was available to the original builders. Owners of All Around live in Delano. Guy shared that OFLC has the reputation of supporting the community for years. This project is an opportunity for the community to support OFLC so our faith-filled presence can continue in the community. All Around has a weekly radio program (1130 AM/FM 13.5 at noon on Saturdays) that will advertise any OFLC fundraising events, if we sign a contract with them. All Around will participate in leadership meetings and provide rough estimates. Questions were asked about black mold under the carpet, could there be rotting wood behind the walls in the Fellowship Hall, is the church following an architect’s plan, how good are our trusses, is the commercial kitchen still in discussion, will a structural engineer be involved in the process? Guy was here to address the exterior repairs and restoration project. Other Ministry Listening Posts have been addressing the inside repairs and upgrades (i.e. kitchen, carpet).
April 3: Confirmation and Young Adults’ Perspective for the “NEW OFLC”
Preschool to retired “children” of God enjoyed playing charades and the “Never Have I” games. Energy surged when kids shared their dreams for the NEW OFLC: Fireworks on July 4 for families, a ping pong table, bringing pets to church for a blessing, dance parties, holiday parties, pony rides, camping, roasting marshmallows and making s’mores, 4-square game, playing board games after church and Sunday School, Nerf games, a room full of toys, gaming day, big screen for Mario Brothers games, a kickball tournament, an entertainment area, a golf putting green, a basketball league, a stage for music, comedian or performing a talent, gym with weight lifting area, pickle ball, corn hole games, games and prizes are always good, overnighters, a study hall/quiet place. “Could we find a rainbow at this church?” was asked by a preschooler.
March 27:
We learned about the Girl Scout’s “needs and dreams.” Time was given so people could write down needs and dreams for the “NEW OFLC.” A May 19 congregational meeting is needed to vote on the expenses necessary to further explore the needs of the “NEW OFLC” as we expect they will exceed $5,000. Connecting our ministries’ “needs and dreams” with our financial commitments, we explored possible financial partners (i.e. BankWest, Mission Investment Fund, Capital Campaign consultants.) Thrivent, community partners, and fundraising ideas (i.e. “raising a roof”) were also part of the conversation.
March 24:
AA, Via De Cristo, and NA were additional partners in ministry we learned about. We briefly compared rough estimates of a flat roof and a pitched roof. We identified our strengths as: hospitality, sharing gifts, invitational, small relational groups (vs. large programs offered), serving in community, providing grace and being a welcoming place, not afraid to take on big projects in the past (i.e. combine in Tanzania), equipping people, and sharing our love of God. The community knows us as a church who has open space for groups to meet and for being friendly.
March 17:
We continued learning about the various ministries happening at Our Father’s. “Needs and dreams” were presented by Nourishing Hope, MOPS, Quilters, Bible Studies and BNI. Creative juices were flowing as the acronym NEW (North End Work) OFLC was lifted up. What is God leading us to do with the “NEW OFLC?”
March 10:
We learned about partners in ministry and their “needs and dreams” of how the church building can support their ministries. Wonderful insights were gained from the Bedding Ministry/Love INC, Boy Scouts, and the Confirmation program.
February 10:
One month’s schedule of room usage was reviewed, to see which areas of our building were used most frequently and which rooms that could be used more often. We also looked at how the monthly activities connect to us living out Our Father’s Mission Statement.
February 3:
We talked about the church property and its building projects over the years. There was great conversation about what we like about the church building and property. Time was also provided to discuss some of the challenges of doing ministry with our current building, especially on the North End of the church/Fellowship Hall.
January 24:
Anne Gerrit, the Mission Investment Fund’s Building Consultant, was here to do a walk-through to learn about our church property. She also shared how MIF can be a partner with Our Father’s as we look at the process to follow in addressing the structural needs of the North End of the church building.