On January 19th twenty-four members of Davis Street (including pastor, staff, council members and congregation members) met for the 2019 Leadership Strategic Planning session. We reviewed the Moving Forward priorities from 2017 and 2018 to recognize the victories and new beginnings with which God has already blessed us. We also discussed ideas for continuing growth in 2019 and 2020. These ranged from developing a time and space for contemporary music and worship apart from the more traditional 10:55 service; to enhanced outdoor signage; to older adult programs; to a new pictorial directory and many other possibilities. The floor was open to any ideas or programs those present wished to suggest.
These options were then grouped into categories of:
Worship Life
Presence & Outreach
Communication
Caring & Connectivity
Many of the ideas generated already fall into the team structures of our Church Council (Connect, Grow, Communication and Congregational Care) and will be addressed by those committees. Others require new commitments for leadership and development. ALL require help from our entire congregation. Our pastor and staff cannot implement and run all of the ideas but they are ready and eager to be the mentors and cheerleaders for us.
We had and have high expectations about the conversation and outcome of this meeting. One of the quotes used in our presentation came from George Bernard Shaw who said, “Imagination is the beginning of creation.” In Matthew 14 Peter is brave enough to step out of the boat and walk on water as long as he is focused on Jesus. That is the inspiration we want to come from this session; that we are limited only by our imagination and that our actions stay focused on Jesus so that we can be His disciples and reach others. “Don’t look back; you are not headed that way!”
For more information about what was discussed and to explore how you can participate, please, feel free to reach out to any member of the staff or the Church Council.