Next Steps

Trinity UMC is sitting on a multi-stage rocket. We are ready to launch into the next major phase of life as a congregation. But there are several options as to how best to proceed.

I’ve got several fuses in my hand, but I’m trying to discover which of these fuses are connected to the first stage. Light the wrong one, and we might have a disaster–or we might not get the proper boost we need.

Light the first stage, and the whole thing lifts cleanly into the stratosphere.

What’s a mission controller/pastor/preacher/leader to do?

More homework, of course. I’ve been hosting conversations with current, past, and future leaders of the congregation from among the laity. I’m beginning to see a larger picture based on these individual conversations. And the stages are starting to order and organize themselves.

The best way to describe the stages is through a clear look at the issues we face as a church. Through the challenges and opportunities we’re facing, we can begin to see that some actions are required. The best news to report in all of this is that we have a multitude of resources, talent, vision, and leaders to take on these challenges and explore these opportunities.

What are the Stages?

First, we have a large number of visitors. Great problem to have, right? Trinity needs a clear plan of response that encompasses both key members who will touch base with our visitors and guests as well as creating an atmosphere of hospitality, welcome, and invitation to explore past the welcome mat. Those two efforts alone are not necessarily difficult to do. However, they connect with the next stage almost seamlessly.

We lack a clear plan for discipleship. What do we expect of our members when they join? How can we clearly and openly create accountability in areas like stewardship, service, personal growth, attendance and participation, and so forth?

Third, we have a significant amount of debt. I’d love to see us tackle the issue of paying off that debt within the next two years.

We could use some updates and upgrades in some of our key equipment. I’m talking about updates and upgrades to some of the equipment we use in the building, particularly the technology. Computers in particular are limping along. We also have room to improve sound and light in worship, and perhaps upgrade the current projection system. Now, I don’t believe in going out and getting the latest and greatest so we’ll be the fastest and coolest. I’m talking about keeping our tools sharp. Big difference.

Trinity also has a fairly significant amount of room to grow with regard to worship. Nancy Page and I are dreaming up some ways to augment our already fantastic worship to provide even more opportunities for our congregation to experience God and praise His name.

Though we have significant visitation from the community, we have a surprisingly low profile in the community. Trinity could use some PR work. While we have that talent in-house, we have to come up with our main points of focus and really get our act together so that we are providing everything that we intend to promise in our PR. We’ve got lots of room to grow in this area.

Speaking of room to grow, we have space issues. Sunday school rooms are at a premium, and almost all of our classes are full. We’re also within about 5% of full for our Worship Celebration. Now, that doesn’t mean all the seats are full. It means that we have approached the “starting to feel crowded in here” stage. These two issues mean that we either have to start advanced planning for building new facilities, or we have to look at two discipleship hours and two worship hours. Both are major undertakings.

“Oh No: This looks bad!”

Yeah, but it isn’t. We could continue with what we have and the way we are operating and maintain the yo-yo attendance we’ve seen for the past 20 years. But to break the cycle of growing to the invisible boundary and sliding back to our “where’d everybody go?” numbers, we’re going to have to address each of these areas.

Are there more stages than this? Absolutely, but they are, in many ways, already under consideration and review. The laity are aware of almost all of these issues and certainly are becoming even more aware as time goes by.

The question is which one comes first. Which issues to tackle? Which to shelve until next year?

I’m thinking that Discipleship is the key. But I’m still praying, journaling, and doing homework to discover the clear way forward. Do we start without sharpening the tools? Do we get our gear to make this job easier? Do we get out from under the debt to clear the way forward?

Quite frankly, I don’t know yet. I suspect. I believe. I have a hunch. But I don’t know with any clarity just yet. So we keep praying and listening–and testing.

These things, and many, many more will be decided in the next couple of months.

I’ll keep you posted.