Congregational Growth Ministry Team minutes

Last meeting: Sept. 9, 2008

Attendees:

Gary Akgulian

Dale Hershfield

Shannon Howard

Jen Wageman

Staff:

Pastor Dismer

Jan Sommerfeld

Excused:

Bob Heil

Rich Flamang

Collin Goldschmidt

Lance Schmidt

Items that may require Council action: None

Items that may require budget/finance coordination: None

Important items of information:

Name tags: Worshipers were receptive to creating and wearing name badges on Rally Sunday, Sept. 7. We will continue to encourage everyone to wear name tags, through verbal and written announcements – and by example: Beginning this evening, ministry team members were requested to create name tags that will be stored in a special ministry team basket for our monthly meetings.

Welcoming visitors: Pastor Dismer addressed the team on the importance of identifying and engaging visitors attending our worship services and shared examples of congregations that have welcoming teams in place. Their goal is to seek out all visitors walking through the doors and welcome them to worship.

Hospitality materials: Team members who listened to “The Assimilation Seminar” CD discussed the concepts of hospitality that were presented in the 3 CD set.

2008 goals: The team received a copy of the Council’s long-term strategic objectives looking toward 2012. Despite temporary budget constraints that have put the actual construction of the FELC Connection Center on hold, the team is moving ahead on developing and implementing strategies on becoming a more welcoming congregation, which is central to the connection center concept. Suggestions include forming a welcoming team comprised of two or three members in addition to the current welcome host. It was considered crucial to have multiple people in this role downtown, since there are several entrances at the facility. The team would be responsible for seeking out visitors to worship, welcoming them and directing them to our “Welcome Center,” which would be a table in the Gathering Areas containing informational materials (brochures, ministry guides, etc.) The welcoming team would rotate their roles and a yearly schedule would be developed, similar to the current usher’s schedule downtown. It also was suggested that a verbal announcement could be included each Sunday that would encourage guests to talk to a welcome host after the service to get more info, etc. Homework:

• Each Congregational Growth Ministry Team member is asked to reach out to two or three FELC members over the next two weeks who may be a good match for the welcoming team role, ask them if they would be willing to share their gifts to serve our ministry and submit their names to our team chairman via e-mail.
• In addition, Jan will contact current greeters and welcome hosts and ask them for referrals for the welcoming team.
• Jan will prepare an outline for signage, “Welcome Center,” and forward to a Learning Time teacher and ask her to consider it for an art project for her students. The colorful art will be mounted on 36” x 48” white foam core and set up on easels near a table in the Gathering Areas with our informational pamphlets. The goal of this display is to attract attention to resource materials for guests as well as our members.

Next meeting: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the North Site … wear your name tag!

Submitted by:

Jan Sommerfeld