Outlook / Vision Team Report

First Report to the church - December 10, 2006

(with updated status thru May, 2007)

Outlook / Vision Team mandate:  Prayerfully consider the Ministries of Highland Baptist Church and seek God's direction on how we can be…"…an ever growing body of believers Surrendering ourselves to God, Strengthening ourselves in God's word, and Shining the light of God's love to Moore and beyond."

On Sunday evening, December 10th, 2006 a report was presented to the church family.  This report didn’t bring any big surprises according to the feedback we received.  Everyone was pretty much aware that we would have to implement some strategies in order to alleviate current crowded conditions and other long-term issues. 

As of the end of May, many of these recommendations have been implemented or are in the process currently. 
A checkmark  Ö  indicates where we have taken steps to overcome the challenge; a P indicates action is still pending.

·         Space

·         Sunday School / Small Groups

·         Communication

·         Stewardship

·         Parking 

1. Improve Space Issues what & why:

Overcrowding in Worship.

·         Rule of 70% (or Rule of 80% depending on which expert you ask, the worship attendance will be limited to a percentage of total seating capacity; Americans are used to having some "comfort zone" space, and some guests will not return in crowded conditions)

·         Critical Threshold for future growth - we need to have enough in average attendance in order to feasibly pursue other options such as 2^nd service, new building, etc.)

·         Limitations for inviting & outreach – Highland members cannot comfortably invite friends when conditions are crowded.

·         Not most conducive to 1st time guests:  Sometimes guests get lost in the crowd / uncomfortable environment at times; We sometimes appear disorganized / unable to seat everyone at times, etc.

Limited Classroom Space for Sunday School / Bible study

·         Limited or no space for new classes;

·         Inhibits "study, discuss & interact" atmosphere;

·         Noise factors where multiple classes are sharing fellowship hall or sanctuary;

Improve Space Issues how
Ö Re-arrange / add chairs to sanctuary (4Q2006)
Ö Simulcast Worship Service – Fellowship Hall (1Q2007)
Ö Monitor / utilize overflow as needed in 2007
Ö Improve Technical Capabilities for the Sanctuary and the Fellowship hall
Ö Improve Worship atmosphere in F.H.;

 Ö Eliminate clutter, arrange partitions & chairs for an orderly worship environment;

 Ö Need willing volunteers to worship in F.H.

 Ö Need coordinators, set-up team, etc.

Ö Need plan for volunteers / rotation of worshipers
Ö Decision time counseling / altar for both;

 Ö Offering for adults & children in both;

 Ö Set-up for Children's Church (upstairs)

Evaluate adding a 2nd morning Worship Service at some future point (Fall 2007?):

·         E.g. 9:00 am & 10:30 am (Versatile schedules could be beneficial to some families);

·         Simulcast extended worship will help us achieve critical mass thresholds necessary to start & adequately maintain a 2^nd worship service within a period of time;

·         Rule of 65 (Experts say most church members do not know, cannot call by name & interact with more than approximately 65 persons).  

·         Consideration for Musicians / A/V staff / expansion of teams & schedules;

·         Simultaneous parking issues – additional parking will be required as we grow & overlap Sunday School and worship, etc.

·         Potential schedules for SS & worship should be discussed & developed;

·         We must evaluate and determine spiritual readiness / willingness of church to continue to grow and reach people for Christ.

 
What about a potential Building Campaign?
P  First step is to update our “Master Plan” ASAP in 2007 for best usage of 18 acres, which areas to expand first, where to place buildings, parking, phased approach for the next 10-20 years;

P  Church to be presented with & approve long term plan for phased church growth
P  Establish building committee as appropriate – consistent with the above mentioned “Master Plan” after church approval.

2.  Small Group Discipleship what & why

·      Traditional Sunday School concept maintained – we are not recommending that Sunday School be eliminated, not at all, but we must develop other creative approaches to make it possible for new classes, new units to be started ASAP.

·      Help start new classes / groups 1Q07

·      Transition existing Sunday School classes to manageable class sizes;

• Deepening of study & discussion, interaction w/ smaller groups;
• Deepening of fellowship for all Sunday School classes & Bible studies;
• Establish outreach & inreach leaders within all classes & groups;
• Maintain class sizes that enable the teacher & leaders to contact and check on everyone in the class every week;

·      Fully Utilize fellowship hall & sanctuary;

• Sound dampening / acoustics / partitions should be considered;

·      Also create "Beyond the walls" opportunities:

• SS classes and / or small groups in homes, restaurants, public places, etc.;
• Brainstorm alternate meeting locations & times;
• In-home Bible study groups established in 2007;
• Start Satellite Sunday School / small groups to help w/ space issues also.
• Move toward 2^nd Sunday School in conjunction w/ add’l worship services.
• Develop every possible means to create small group Bible study opportunities to “strengthen ourselves in God’s Word…”

Sunday School / Small Group Discipleship how

·       Continue to "Seek opportunities" for SS classes & small groups.

·       Who can we reach / benefit?  Seeking members & attenders who are not attending SS or a weekly small group. 

·       Who will be leader?  We have several ready to lead & several more “in training” as assistant SS teachers currently.

·      Where can class meet?   Utilize every available space in church plus homes, etc.

·      What topic / Bible book / special study will be most beneficial? (pre-approve study & materials)

·      Discipleship and grooming of Leaders – in progress.

• Train for future classes;
• Assist in current classes

·      Continuing education / growth – Sunday School Conference August, 2007

Ö Ken Shelton and Bob Wright have met with the Outlook Vision Team to discuss the possibilities & details consistent w/ the above objectives.  
Ö Bob Wright has taken on the primary responsibility of helping to implement new In-home Bible study groups. 
Ö Several are being formed in April & May, 2007 (Luncheon 4/15/07)

Our goal is to better inform church family & attenders (goal 7x) in variety of ways;

·         Provide information to & receive information from our guests;

·         Facilitate involvement & participation in ministry;

·         Enable people to use gifts & be blessed;

·        Facilitate prayer & encouragement;
 
 Communication how

 Utilize all media types:

·         A/V / Multi-media

·         Internet / Emails

·         Print / bulletins / newsletters

·         Personal contact

·        Baptist Messenger / Highland Shine news  (Members receive weekly copy; Highland page is bi-weekly; Substantial savings compared to old newsletter

• $10.00 per member (family unit) per year suggested donation
• Highland, state, national & International news

Ö Print - bulletins, handouts, brochures, calendars (we have revised & improved these)
Ö  Information / Resource Tables (added 4Q06)

 Ö Welcome & inform Guests, handouts, etc.
 Ö  Provide central point of reference for Ministry opportunities (surrender, strengthen, shine)
 Ö  Sending out by email electronic version of Highland news (starts 1Q2007).
Ö  Powerpoint pre-service slides (consistently updated beginning 4Q06)

Ö Powerpoint visual connection; slides during announcement time (4Q06)

Ö Videos to inform & inspire (missions, offering time, pre-service, etc., have utilized several, will utilize     NAMB / IMB / Children’s Home videos in upcoming services)

Ö  Website www.highlandmoore.com (developed during 2006)
Ö   Online submission / access to prayer requests
Ö   Church calendar / constant updating online (4Q06)
Ö   Up-to-date info on ministries & events posted weekly online
Ö   WiFi throughout the Church campus (added 4Q2006)
Ö   Electronic distribution of news / Shine / email updates (began 4Q06)
Ö  Recommend that we establish a Communications team (by Nominating Team)

P  Nominating Team recommend brief job description to church

P  Nominating committee recommend team members to church

P  Commun. Team conduct analysis of ways to improve, utilize creativity & gifts

4. Stewardship Team what & why

·      Education / Discipleship of body

·      Decrease / eliminate church debt

·      Develop comprehensive plan of stewardship by the whole church

·      Facilitate property / building / parking expansion

·      Expand existing & potential ministries

Stewardship Team how

Ö Basic job description was approved by church already;
Ö   Recommend activate ASAP (via Nominating Team)

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