After last month’s Governing Board meeting, more than one of you mentioned to me that I seemed to be handing out an awful lot of “homework,” and reminded me in effect that all of you are volunteers with “day jobs,” who are generously doing the important work of the church in your spare time.
Fair enough. So to put it all in context, most of the things that I will be distributing to you from time to time are mostly for your information and feedback, and perhaps to stimulate your imaginations. The “homework” is all optional and voluntary, and in effect is to help me better learn about First Parish. Notwithstanding all of the routine work that has to be done around here just to keep things going from day to day, this is still very much a “learning year” for all of us. You are learning about me, I’m learning about you, and hopefully together we are both learning a little more about First Parish: what we do well, what we hope to do better, where we want to go together, and what resides at the “soul” of our shared spiritual life as a covenanted community of faith.
And this is why, in addition to the three priority areas of Membership, Stewardship, and Outreach, I asked all of you to think about creating simple, transparent, easily teachable and consistently repeatable Standard Operation Procedures for each of your respective areas of concern, and also to try to carve out some time for yourselves to learn more about the “big picture.” Because both of these things are going to be very important to us in the years ahead, and will make all our work easier in the long run.
To borrow a sporting metaphor, this first year of my ministry here might basically be thought of as a “rebuilding” year. We have a new coach and new players to integrate into our team, we are working together to learn and implement an entirely new “game plan,” and we have many long hours of training and practice ahead of us before we achieve our full potential. We’ll still play a full schedule this season, and hopefully win a lot more than we lose. But winning a championship doesn’t happen overnight. We need to commit ourselves to creating that “culture of success” over a long haul if we truly wish to achieve everything I believe we are capable of achieving.
And on that note, here are some quick updates:
• Accessible Bathrooms. My understanding is that our accessibility architect has already drawn up plans to remodel the parlor bathroom on the main floor, and is in the process of creating similar plans for the two bathrooms off of the multi-purpose room on the ground floor. These two bathrooms will probably NOT be fully ADA handicapped accessible (something about lack of space for an adequate wheelchair turning radius), but they will be more accessible than they are at present, and also still accommodate some of the other uses we’ve talked about in terms of pageant dressing areas, and a dedicated custodial mop sink. The Women’s Alliance has also been working on plans to refurbish the parlor kitchen (and move the Sexton out of that space entirely). Between what the Alliance has to contribute, our anticipated insurance settlement from the water damage, and a possible “bridge” loan from the Trustees, I’m hoping that all of these projects will be completed by this spring prior to my Installation service (as well as the slate roof, belltower, and plaster ceiling repairs in the Meetinghouse proper, all of which are on the Trustees’ menu). We will still need to address the fundraising issue to make up the balance of the cost of the bathroom remodel, whatever that turns out to be. The number which people have been kicking around is about $5000, but we won’t really know the exact figure until the work itself goes out to bid.
• Membership Growth. As of Monday afternoon, I have mailed out a total of 55 visitors welcome letters since the start of our regular services in September. This is truly excellent traffic! (In comparison, I don’t think I mailed this many letters total the entire four years I served in Carlisle). Next steps on the Path to Membership are a newcomers brunch/reception after church on December 2nd, and the beginning of our “Explorer” series/New UU classes in January. The traditional Sunday for formally receiving new members into fellowship is Palm Sunday, which this year falls on March 16th. Our “benchmark” goal is that 20% (or more) of this year’s first time visitors will choose to affiliate formally with First Parish by signing the book on or prior to that Sunday.
• Stewardship Campaign. Stephanie will doubtlessly want to deliver her own, more detailed report on this as the campaign itself wraps up, but from where I sit the indications are that this has been very successful, both in terms of improved process and also early results. The next three steps in this area (as I see them) are a) to consolidate the learning and success of this years campaign, so that they can continue in subsequent years; b) to begin to pull together our “special events & fun(d)raising” team as we talked about at the Planning Retreat, and c) to work more closely with the Trustees around issues of bequests and planned giving.
• Community Outreach. Here’s a handout of some of the things I think we ought to be thinking about in terms of improved promotion and public relations. Again, feedback invited but not required.
• DRE Search. As of this morning, there were nine resumes in my file. My understanding of the process is that the DRE Search Committee will do the initial screening, and that I will also interview the “finalists” – and that hopefully we will be able to come to a consensus decision. The goal is to have someone on board by January.
• Worship. Attendance seems to be solid and energy high, although it’s difficult for me to know how to compare what is happening now with previous years. I’ve been involved in a very interesting on-going conversation about worship on alternating Wednesday evenings, based on the book Worship that Works, and some of the insights from those meetings will no doubt make their way through the Worship Committee and into our worship service, but no really major changes to our current Order of Service are contemplated before next fall. In the meantime, we will continue to “experiment” from time to time with alternative worship practices, although always within the over-arching structure of our current tradition.
• Small Group Ministry. This is another area here at First Parish where I’m still learning the ropes, but which I hope will become a significant component in our overall program mix. I like to think of “Covenant Groups” (sometimes also known as “Chalice Circles”) as simply one component of a more expansive SGM program, which should also include “Affinity” groups (like Connections and the Soulful Parenting Group) and more traditional Adult Religious Growth and Learning offerings. I’ve met with several of these groups already, and hope to begin revitalizing this program again after the first of the year as well
• Lay Chaplaincy/Pastoral Care Ring. Sally Madore has asked to step down from her position as lead lay chaplain, although she has agreed (at my request) to remain on our letterhead, and to fulfill some of those functions on an on-going basis as needed. In the meantime, I don’t see any need for us to limit ourselves to just one lay chaplain, and would kind of like to expand this program a little, in connection with improving our overall system of recruiting and training “Care-Ring” volunteers. The sad truth is that if we are successful in achieving our membership growth goals, there is simply no way that I personally am going to be able to provide the level of personal pastoral care I was accustomed to when serving smaller congregations. So we need to start putting together a program to take over much of that responsibility, so that our members who need and desire pastoral care will not be left to do without.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
THINKING ABOUT OUTREACH
A lot of people have been expressing to me a desire to see First Parish do something more effective in the way of advertising, in order to attract more people to our congregation. But in my experience, effectively advertising a church can be a tricky business, where if you don’t know what you’re doing it is easy to spend an awful lot of money without much positive result (and in some cases, even a negative one). So here are some of my reflections on the subject, as we start to think about moving forward in this area.
• The notion that we can simply purchase more and better advertising and that more (and better) people will begin attending church on Sunday mornings as a result is deceptively naïve. We need to be very specific, targeted, focused and intentional about what we hope to accomplish in “marketing” First Parish, and how best to go about achieving those objectives in an effective and economical way.
• One specific starting place might be to examine more closely what we are already doing in the way of “static” advertising (our exterior and interior signage, our pamphlets and literature, our Yellow Pages ads, our Saturday newspaper ad, and especially our newsletter and website), in order to determine whether or not we are portraying a consistent identity (or “brand”), and how we might better use these tools to reinforce the identity we would like to portray.
• Likewise, rather than presuming that the purpose of a Public Relations campaign is simply to attract more newcomers through the front doors (who may or may not return and eventually join First Parish), we might frame our objectives in both a broader and a more nuanced manner, by asking:
what might we specifically do to improve the image, reinforce the identity, and raise the visibility of First Parish in the larger community? [i.e. to increase our “brand recognition”]
what can we do to promote specific events of interest to the larger community other than Sunday Services that are taking place here at First Parish? [i.e. to create and promote alternative entry points]
what can we do to inspire our current members to become more deeply involved at First Parish, and to encourage them to invite their friends?
Finally, I just want to make it clear that advertising alone is not going to grow the church all by itself. It’s just not enough merely to get people through the front door; we also need to welcome them warmly, anticipate their needs and desires, and effectively satisfy those expectations so that they will return and bring their friends. If we FAIL to do these things, we are probably better off NOT advertising, since newcomers who are disappointed by their experience here will probably tell their friends as well….
• The notion that we can simply purchase more and better advertising and that more (and better) people will begin attending church on Sunday mornings as a result is deceptively naïve. We need to be very specific, targeted, focused and intentional about what we hope to accomplish in “marketing” First Parish, and how best to go about achieving those objectives in an effective and economical way.
• One specific starting place might be to examine more closely what we are already doing in the way of “static” advertising (our exterior and interior signage, our pamphlets and literature, our Yellow Pages ads, our Saturday newspaper ad, and especially our newsletter and website), in order to determine whether or not we are portraying a consistent identity (or “brand”), and how we might better use these tools to reinforce the identity we would like to portray.
• Likewise, rather than presuming that the purpose of a Public Relations campaign is simply to attract more newcomers through the front doors (who may or may not return and eventually join First Parish), we might frame our objectives in both a broader and a more nuanced manner, by asking:
what might we specifically do to improve the image, reinforce the identity, and raise the visibility of First Parish in the larger community? [i.e. to increase our “brand recognition”]
what can we do to promote specific events of interest to the larger community other than Sunday Services that are taking place here at First Parish? [i.e. to create and promote alternative entry points]
what can we do to inspire our current members to become more deeply involved at First Parish, and to encourage them to invite their friends?
Finally, I just want to make it clear that advertising alone is not going to grow the church all by itself. It’s just not enough merely to get people through the front door; we also need to welcome them warmly, anticipate their needs and desires, and effectively satisfy those expectations so that they will return and bring their friends. If we FAIL to do these things, we are probably better off NOT advertising, since newcomers who are disappointed by their experience here will probably tell their friends as well….
Thursday, November 1, 2007
THE ECLECTIC CLERIC - “…at the speed of Church”
Autumn is my favorite time of year in New England. OK, technically, it’s Indian Summer (which is really just Autumn at its best). The crisp, brisk air. The colorful autumn leaves. Traditional college football rivalries and (of course) Thanksgiving Day. I’ve often expressed my opinion that if the Pilgrims had landed at Plymouth Rock at any other time of year, the inhabitants of this little corner of the world would all still be speaking Algonquin. Autumn is the season that makes up for the bitterly cold winters, the soggy (and muddy) springs, and the oppressively humid summers (which I’ve been told never happen in Maine). It’s the season that makes New England what it is.
The heart of Autumn also marks a slight lull in the rhythm of the church program year: a quick pause to catch our breath and take a look around between the scramble to get everything started up again after Labor Day, and the hectic bustle of Advent and the holidays. And then, in January, another little breather before marching forth into Lent and Easter, and finally coasting along past Earth Day and Mother’s Day and Memorial Day to the end of spring, and the beginning of our informal summer services. And then, after Labor Day, the whole thing begins all over again. World Without End.
The leisurely pace of the life of the church can often become frustrating for those who wish that churches could be more “businesslike,” and deal with issues in a far more efficient and timely fashion than they generally do. And there have certainly been many times in my long career as a minister when I have shared that frustration.
But over the years I’ve also grown to realize that life in the business world is typically driven by people who work 40+ hours a week simply to earn their livelihoods, while in comparison churches are notoriously “understaffed,” (even by the standards of most other non-profits), and tend to depend on the generous work of part-time volunteers in order to get things done.
There’s a big difference between being part of an organization where everyone is expected to show up 5 days a week/50 weeks a year, and one where we are doing well if half the people show up once or twice a week for more than a couple of hours at a time. It’s simply not fair to judge the performance of the latter by the standards of the former. It’s like comparing Pumpkins and Cranberries. One grows in a patch and the other in a bog, but both have a place at the table.
On the other hand, (at least compared to most businesses) churches really are in it for the long haul, and can afford to take a larger view in order to see the bigger picture. First Parish, for example, has been serving this community since 1674, and (God willing) will continue to be a vital presence in the heart of the city of Portland for another three centuries and longer. When you think in those terms, there’s always going to be plenty more that needs to be done around a church; and even though ministers supposedly work 24/7, no minister can ever hope to do it all alone. In fact, without the support and active assistance of all of you, I doubt I’d be able to get much of anything done at all.
Scripture also tells us that “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.” The most essential thing is that we learn to walk together in the right direction, moving quickly enough that no one gets too far out in front of the rest of the group, but not so quickly that others are left to lag behind. Some forge ahead and blaze the trail, some lend a helping hand to stragglers and bring up the rear, and all are responsible for assisting and encouraging and supporting one another, in every season of our lives. So that with every step we take toward our destination, there will be even more of us to share the journey than when we started out…….twj
The heart of Autumn also marks a slight lull in the rhythm of the church program year: a quick pause to catch our breath and take a look around between the scramble to get everything started up again after Labor Day, and the hectic bustle of Advent and the holidays. And then, in January, another little breather before marching forth into Lent and Easter, and finally coasting along past Earth Day and Mother’s Day and Memorial Day to the end of spring, and the beginning of our informal summer services. And then, after Labor Day, the whole thing begins all over again. World Without End.
The leisurely pace of the life of the church can often become frustrating for those who wish that churches could be more “businesslike,” and deal with issues in a far more efficient and timely fashion than they generally do. And there have certainly been many times in my long career as a minister when I have shared that frustration.
But over the years I’ve also grown to realize that life in the business world is typically driven by people who work 40+ hours a week simply to earn their livelihoods, while in comparison churches are notoriously “understaffed,” (even by the standards of most other non-profits), and tend to depend on the generous work of part-time volunteers in order to get things done.
There’s a big difference between being part of an organization where everyone is expected to show up 5 days a week/50 weeks a year, and one where we are doing well if half the people show up once or twice a week for more than a couple of hours at a time. It’s simply not fair to judge the performance of the latter by the standards of the former. It’s like comparing Pumpkins and Cranberries. One grows in a patch and the other in a bog, but both have a place at the table.
On the other hand, (at least compared to most businesses) churches really are in it for the long haul, and can afford to take a larger view in order to see the bigger picture. First Parish, for example, has been serving this community since 1674, and (God willing) will continue to be a vital presence in the heart of the city of Portland for another three centuries and longer. When you think in those terms, there’s always going to be plenty more that needs to be done around a church; and even though ministers supposedly work 24/7, no minister can ever hope to do it all alone. In fact, without the support and active assistance of all of you, I doubt I’d be able to get much of anything done at all.
Scripture also tells us that “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.” The most essential thing is that we learn to walk together in the right direction, moving quickly enough that no one gets too far out in front of the rest of the group, but not so quickly that others are left to lag behind. Some forge ahead and blaze the trail, some lend a helping hand to stragglers and bring up the rear, and all are responsible for assisting and encouraging and supporting one another, in every season of our lives. So that with every step we take toward our destination, there will be even more of us to share the journey than when we started out…….twj
Thursday, October 11, 2007
OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEER MINISTRY @ THE FIRST PARISH IN PORTLAND
Key to Qualifications (from mild to “super spicy hot”)
no previous experience necessary/on-the-job orientation and training only (the “Buddy System.”)
* At least one initial training session, plus on-the-job mentoring.
** Multiple orientation/training sessions, plus on-going supervision & mentoring.
*** Significant initial training and on-going mentoring, plus regular consultation with the Minister.
**** Appointed by the Minister and confirmed by the Governing Board.
***** Elected by the members of the Congregation.
Sunday Mornings
Greeter(s)
Usher(s)
Verger*
Flowers & Chancel Decoration
Coffee Hour Host(s)
“Buttonmeister” (helps make permanent name tags)
“Gold Cup” Greeter(s)*
“Conversations with the Minister” coordinator
Religious Education Lead Teacher**
Religious Education Assistant*
Religious Education Substitute*
Religious Education Greeter
Worship Leader*
Chalice Lighter (traditionally a child)
Children’s Storyteller*
Choir Member**
Small Group Ministry Program
Covenant Group Convener
Affinity Group Convener
Covenant Group Facilitator**
Affinity Group Facilitator**
Life Long Learning Instructor**
“Para-Ministry”
“Care-Ring” Volunteer
“Care-Ring” Coordinator**
Faith in Action Volunteer
Faith in Action Coordinator**
Pastoral Care Associate***
Lay Chaplain****
Committee/Council Membership
(The Committee/Council system is at the heart of our congregation’s historical tradition of self-governance or “Congregational Polity.” Each Council is represented by a member of the Governing Board responsible for that particular area, and typically meets once a month to share information, make decisions, solve problems, and plan future activities. The specific Committees (as well as any ad hoc sub-committees, task-forces, or ministry teams) generally meet as needed in order to complete their respective tasks, and communicate more routinely by telephone or e-mail. In some instances the Council and the Committees are essentially the same entity, while in others the Committees effectively operate independently of their Council, and report back only as needed.)
Building Systems Council:
Building & Grounds Committee
Memorial Garden Trustees
[Communications Council:]
Public Relations
Website/Electronic Communications
Newsletter
Membership Directory
Denominational Affairs
Faith in Action Council:
(specific Committees/Coordinators vary by project)
Finance Council:
Finance Committee
Stewardship Team
Planned Giving Team
Special Fun(d)rasing Events
Lifelong Learning Council:
Library Committee
Children & Youth Religious Education (CYRE)
Adult Religious Growth & Learning (ARGL)
Membership Council:
Sunday Hospitality
Outreach & Newcomer Orientation
Social Activities
Caring Committee (the “Care-Ring”)
Worship Council:
Music Committee
Worship Committee
Governing Board/Leadership Team
Governing Board*****(Council Chairs plus Officers and three At-Large members)
Executive Committee*****(President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Clerk, one At-Large member. Minister & DRE, ex officio)
Nominating Committee/Path to Leadership Team***
Personnel Committee***
Committee on Ministry****
no previous experience necessary/on-the-job orientation and training only (the “Buddy System.”)
* At least one initial training session, plus on-the-job mentoring.
** Multiple orientation/training sessions, plus on-going supervision & mentoring.
*** Significant initial training and on-going mentoring, plus regular consultation with the Minister.
**** Appointed by the Minister and confirmed by the Governing Board.
***** Elected by the members of the Congregation.
Sunday Mornings
Greeter(s)
Usher(s)
Verger*
Flowers & Chancel Decoration
Coffee Hour Host(s)
“Buttonmeister” (helps make permanent name tags)
“Gold Cup” Greeter(s)*
“Conversations with the Minister” coordinator
Religious Education Lead Teacher**
Religious Education Assistant*
Religious Education Substitute*
Religious Education Greeter
Worship Leader*
Chalice Lighter (traditionally a child)
Children’s Storyteller*
Choir Member**
Small Group Ministry Program
Covenant Group Convener
Affinity Group Convener
Covenant Group Facilitator**
Affinity Group Facilitator**
Life Long Learning Instructor**
“Para-Ministry”
“Care-Ring” Volunteer
“Care-Ring” Coordinator**
Faith in Action Volunteer
Faith in Action Coordinator**
Pastoral Care Associate***
Lay Chaplain****
Committee/Council Membership
(The Committee/Council system is at the heart of our congregation’s historical tradition of self-governance or “Congregational Polity.” Each Council is represented by a member of the Governing Board responsible for that particular area, and typically meets once a month to share information, make decisions, solve problems, and plan future activities. The specific Committees (as well as any ad hoc sub-committees, task-forces, or ministry teams) generally meet as needed in order to complete their respective tasks, and communicate more routinely by telephone or e-mail. In some instances the Council and the Committees are essentially the same entity, while in others the Committees effectively operate independently of their Council, and report back only as needed.)
Building Systems Council:
Building & Grounds Committee
Memorial Garden Trustees
[Communications Council:]
Public Relations
Website/Electronic Communications
Newsletter
Membership Directory
Denominational Affairs
Faith in Action Council:
(specific Committees/Coordinators vary by project)
Finance Council:
Finance Committee
Stewardship Team
Planned Giving Team
Special Fun(d)rasing Events
Lifelong Learning Council:
Library Committee
Children & Youth Religious Education (CYRE)
Adult Religious Growth & Learning (ARGL)
Membership Council:
Sunday Hospitality
Outreach & Newcomer Orientation
Social Activities
Caring Committee (the “Care-Ring”)
Worship Council:
Music Committee
Worship Committee
Governing Board/Leadership Team
Governing Board*****(Council Chairs plus Officers and three At-Large members)
Executive Committee*****(President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Clerk, one At-Large member. Minister & DRE, ex officio)
Nominating Committee/Path to Leadership Team***
Personnel Committee***
Committee on Ministry****
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
THE PATH TO MEMBERSHIP
OVERVIEW: Often when churches begin discussion ways to “grow” their membership, they allow themselves to be distracted by the numbers, and forget that numbers are merely a marker for measuring how successfully we are performing our core mission, which is transforming people’s lives for the better.
Perhaps a better way to think of growth is as an expression of our “ministry of hospitality.” Our church is like a feast, a banquet, a party to which everyone is invited, and it’s our responsibility as hosts to make certain that everybody feels safe and welcome, and that they are getting fed, meeting the other guests, can find what they need, and are basically having a good time.
Research shows that first-time visitors to a church typically follow a predictable “path” to eventual membership, and that growing churches tend to be aware of that path, and take steps to help newcomers move along it smoothly as they decide for themselves whether or not a participation in the life and community of a particular congregation is going to be part of their own spiritual journey. The world may well beat a path to our door in search of a better mousetrap, but it helps if there are at least signposts pointing the way, so that they don’t accidentally become lost in the woods.
Step One: Attraction (Invitation & Recruitment) - “Come on in, the water’s fine!”
• This is typically the most difficult element to control, and the most expensive to influence significantly. But there are a variety of ways in which we can work to raise our profile and enhance our reputation in the wider community, and this goal should be pursued in an intentional manner.
• Our central location is also a valuable asset that contributes significantly to our public visibility. Small things like the Wayside Pulpit and our Reader Board can do a lot to attract people’s attention and invite them through the front door.
• Our Website is likewise a very important vehicle for encouraging “seekers” to visit our church in person. A “FAQ for Visitors” is being developed, and will be added to our homepage as soon as it is ready.
• Far and away the most effective method for attracting newcomers to our church is “word of mouth” combined with a personal invitation from someone they know. Thus much of our work in “recruitment” is actually creating the kind of environment where people feel comfortable inviting their friends, and creating the kind of institutional culture where that sort of invitation becomes normal.
Step Two: First Impressions - “Getting Your Feet Wet”
• This is VERY IMPORTANT! Although First Parish feels like a second home to many of us, visiting an unfamiliar church for the first time can be a very intimidating experience. Likewise, most first-time visitors to a church make up their minds within five minutes whether or not they will return a second time.
• Visitors and Members alike are warmly welcomed by a Greeter from the Membership Committee as they arrive in the Vestibule. Current Members are reminded to wear their name tags; visitors are invited to make a nametag, and also to sign our guest register or fill out a visitors card at the Greeters Table. The Ushers continue to distribute Orders of Service and the Sunday Bulletin (which now contains information specifically of interest to newcomers) as they have in the past.
• Visitors are explicitly welcomed to our church by the Worship Leader, and invited to coffee hour following the service. In the coffee hour, a “Newcomers/Welcome Table” containing information about First Parish and Unitarian Universalism is staffed by representatives of the Membership Committee. “Gold Cup Greeters” circulate through the coffee hour, introducing themselves to people they don’t recognize (something as simple as “Hi! I don’t think we’ve met before”), and personally welcoming them to the church.
• Follow -up postcards from the Greeters-on-duty are addressed and sent that same day to each first-time visitor. The names of these visitors are also reported to the office for inclusion in our “Prospective New Members” database.
Step Three: Returning to Explore - “Wading Right In”
• In addition to the postcard, a Welcoming Letter from the Minister is sent to each first time visitor, once again welcoming them to the church and inviting them to participate as they choose in a variety of activities designed specifically for newcomers (see below).
• If the visitor has indicated specific areas of interest on their visitors card, these are followed up separately by the appropriate volunteer in charge of that activity.
• “Permanent” nametags are made for each visitor, in order that we might more easily track those who return for a second time, and also so that each second time visitor finds something “belonging” to them waiting for them if and when they return.
• Approximately one Sunday per month there is a “Welcoming Conversation with the Minister,” where Newcomers have an opportunity to ask their questions about UU & FP in a semi-structured environment.
• As needed, a three-session “New UU” class is offered for individuals who are specifically interested in becoming members of the church.
Step Four: Commitment - “Taking the Plunge” (officially becoming a “Formal” Member of First Parish).
• Following completion of the New UU class, individuals are personally invited to become members of First Parish.
• Those who wish to become members sign the membership book, and are formally welcomed into Membership at a brief ceremony during the Sunday Morning worship service
• It’s important to recognize that the decision to become a member of a church is a very personal thing, and that some individuals will choose NOT to affiliate officially with the church, but will still participate actively in many of our programs and ministries. This is OK.
• SHORT CUT FOR “EXPERIENCED” UUs. Some individuals will arrive at First Parish already familiar with Unitarian Universalism, and perhaps having already been a member of another UU congregation. These individuals will be told that they are welcome to participate in the classes if they like, but may also simply join the church by privately signing the book after a conversation with the minister.
Step Five: Discipleship - “Going Deeper” (Making Your Membership Work for You)
• As part of their New Member orientation, each new member will be encouraged to find both some sort of program, activity, or “fellowship circle” which enhances their own spiritual life, and also to find some sort of volunteer opportunity which supports the larger mission and ministry of the church (see below). “One hand for the boat, and one hand for yourself.”
• It is important that a “catalog” of potential activities be visible and accessible to new members. Potential Fellowship Circles include participation in a covenant group or other Small Group Ministry, membership in the choir, enrollment in a life-long learning class, or participation in any one of the dozens of activities which take place here every year.
• The underlying goal here is not only to deepen and enrich the quality of each new member’s faith experience. We are also attempting to integrate them into our larger community in a meaningful and fulfilling way. A good benchmark for this process is the formula “Six friends in Six months.”
Step Six: Vocation - “Being Sent” by finding a personal ministry that supports the larger Mission and Ministry of the Church.
• Often there is a great deal of overlap between “Going Deeper” and “Being Sent.” But it would be a mistake to assume that every committee is a “fellowship circle,” or that volunteer work alone is enough to deepen someone’s faith experience in a meaningful way
• At the same time, it is important that new members (and long time members as well) recognize that their contributions large or small are important and appreciated, and that they are (to continue the nautical metaphor) valued members of the crew and not just passengers along for the ride.
• A membership/volunteer coordinator should work with the nominating committee to try to find a meaningful job for every person in the church. It can be large or small, it should be self-selected if possible, it needs to contribute in a recognizable way to the work of the church as a whole, and it needs to be recognized and publicly acknowledged as well. Simply committing to attend services regularly (and, of course, to greet the people sitting around you and sing the hymns enthusiastically) qualifies as a “meaningful job,” provided it is done in a meaningful and committed way.
Perhaps a better way to think of growth is as an expression of our “ministry of hospitality.” Our church is like a feast, a banquet, a party to which everyone is invited, and it’s our responsibility as hosts to make certain that everybody feels safe and welcome, and that they are getting fed, meeting the other guests, can find what they need, and are basically having a good time.
Research shows that first-time visitors to a church typically follow a predictable “path” to eventual membership, and that growing churches tend to be aware of that path, and take steps to help newcomers move along it smoothly as they decide for themselves whether or not a participation in the life and community of a particular congregation is going to be part of their own spiritual journey. The world may well beat a path to our door in search of a better mousetrap, but it helps if there are at least signposts pointing the way, so that they don’t accidentally become lost in the woods.
Step One: Attraction (Invitation & Recruitment) - “Come on in, the water’s fine!”
• This is typically the most difficult element to control, and the most expensive to influence significantly. But there are a variety of ways in which we can work to raise our profile and enhance our reputation in the wider community, and this goal should be pursued in an intentional manner.
• Our central location is also a valuable asset that contributes significantly to our public visibility. Small things like the Wayside Pulpit and our Reader Board can do a lot to attract people’s attention and invite them through the front door.
• Our Website is likewise a very important vehicle for encouraging “seekers” to visit our church in person. A “FAQ for Visitors” is being developed, and will be added to our homepage as soon as it is ready.
• Far and away the most effective method for attracting newcomers to our church is “word of mouth” combined with a personal invitation from someone they know. Thus much of our work in “recruitment” is actually creating the kind of environment where people feel comfortable inviting their friends, and creating the kind of institutional culture where that sort of invitation becomes normal.
Step Two: First Impressions - “Getting Your Feet Wet”
• This is VERY IMPORTANT! Although First Parish feels like a second home to many of us, visiting an unfamiliar church for the first time can be a very intimidating experience. Likewise, most first-time visitors to a church make up their minds within five minutes whether or not they will return a second time.
• Visitors and Members alike are warmly welcomed by a Greeter from the Membership Committee as they arrive in the Vestibule. Current Members are reminded to wear their name tags; visitors are invited to make a nametag, and also to sign our guest register or fill out a visitors card at the Greeters Table. The Ushers continue to distribute Orders of Service and the Sunday Bulletin (which now contains information specifically of interest to newcomers) as they have in the past.
• Visitors are explicitly welcomed to our church by the Worship Leader, and invited to coffee hour following the service. In the coffee hour, a “Newcomers/Welcome Table” containing information about First Parish and Unitarian Universalism is staffed by representatives of the Membership Committee. “Gold Cup Greeters” circulate through the coffee hour, introducing themselves to people they don’t recognize (something as simple as “Hi! I don’t think we’ve met before”), and personally welcoming them to the church.
• Follow -up postcards from the Greeters-on-duty are addressed and sent that same day to each first-time visitor. The names of these visitors are also reported to the office for inclusion in our “Prospective New Members” database.
Step Three: Returning to Explore - “Wading Right In”
• In addition to the postcard, a Welcoming Letter from the Minister is sent to each first time visitor, once again welcoming them to the church and inviting them to participate as they choose in a variety of activities designed specifically for newcomers (see below).
• If the visitor has indicated specific areas of interest on their visitors card, these are followed up separately by the appropriate volunteer in charge of that activity.
• “Permanent” nametags are made for each visitor, in order that we might more easily track those who return for a second time, and also so that each second time visitor finds something “belonging” to them waiting for them if and when they return.
• Approximately one Sunday per month there is a “Welcoming Conversation with the Minister,” where Newcomers have an opportunity to ask their questions about UU & FP in a semi-structured environment.
• As needed, a three-session “New UU” class is offered for individuals who are specifically interested in becoming members of the church.
Step Four: Commitment - “Taking the Plunge” (officially becoming a “Formal” Member of First Parish).
• Following completion of the New UU class, individuals are personally invited to become members of First Parish.
• Those who wish to become members sign the membership book, and are formally welcomed into Membership at a brief ceremony during the Sunday Morning worship service
• It’s important to recognize that the decision to become a member of a church is a very personal thing, and that some individuals will choose NOT to affiliate officially with the church, but will still participate actively in many of our programs and ministries. This is OK.
• SHORT CUT FOR “EXPERIENCED” UUs. Some individuals will arrive at First Parish already familiar with Unitarian Universalism, and perhaps having already been a member of another UU congregation. These individuals will be told that they are welcome to participate in the classes if they like, but may also simply join the church by privately signing the book after a conversation with the minister.
Step Five: Discipleship - “Going Deeper” (Making Your Membership Work for You)
• As part of their New Member orientation, each new member will be encouraged to find both some sort of program, activity, or “fellowship circle” which enhances their own spiritual life, and also to find some sort of volunteer opportunity which supports the larger mission and ministry of the church (see below). “One hand for the boat, and one hand for yourself.”
• It is important that a “catalog” of potential activities be visible and accessible to new members. Potential Fellowship Circles include participation in a covenant group or other Small Group Ministry, membership in the choir, enrollment in a life-long learning class, or participation in any one of the dozens of activities which take place here every year.
• The underlying goal here is not only to deepen and enrich the quality of each new member’s faith experience. We are also attempting to integrate them into our larger community in a meaningful and fulfilling way. A good benchmark for this process is the formula “Six friends in Six months.”
Step Six: Vocation - “Being Sent” by finding a personal ministry that supports the larger Mission and Ministry of the Church.
• Often there is a great deal of overlap between “Going Deeper” and “Being Sent.” But it would be a mistake to assume that every committee is a “fellowship circle,” or that volunteer work alone is enough to deepen someone’s faith experience in a meaningful way
• At the same time, it is important that new members (and long time members as well) recognize that their contributions large or small are important and appreciated, and that they are (to continue the nautical metaphor) valued members of the crew and not just passengers along for the ride.
• A membership/volunteer coordinator should work with the nominating committee to try to find a meaningful job for every person in the church. It can be large or small, it should be self-selected if possible, it needs to contribute in a recognizable way to the work of the church as a whole, and it needs to be recognized and publicly acknowledged as well. Simply committing to attend services regularly (and, of course, to greet the people sitting around you and sing the hymns enthusiastically) qualifies as a “meaningful job,” provided it is done in a meaningful and committed way.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
OCTOBER MINISTER'S REPORT
Congratulations on an excellent Retreat! -- lots of energy, positive focus and direction...now we just need to keep moving forward and Realize Our Vision, trusting that we will be able to solve problems and overcome whatever obstacles we may encounter as they arise.
Two Underlying, On-going Tasks (to accompany our three major goals)
1) I would like for us to take some time this year to examine our core processes (the things we do routinely all the time) in order to make them as simple and routine as possible. I would like every council/committee to try to develop some explicit Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs in the lingo), along with some basic volunteer job descriptions, that are transparent, consistently repeatable, and can be easily taught to others. This is essential to expanding our volunteer pool as the tasks themselves expand, and begin to outgrow the capacity of our current volunteers to handle in their spare time.
2) I also hope that we can all take some time to look beyond the “day-to-day” in order to learn a little of the theory behind what we are doing, so that when the time comes we are not only knowledgeable about what we do and how to do it, but WHY we do it in the first place. This is part of the essential task of Leadership Development -- so that as we are successful and grow our organization, our current leadership team will be able to function as “leaders of leaders” rather than simply trying to do more and more themselves.
Organizational Structure
There was some interest expressed at the Retreat in revisiting our organizational structure. I personally think this is a little premature, and would instead encourage us to think of ourselves as three informal teams (or maybe “ensembles”) - the Membership Team, the Stewardship Team, and the Outreach Team - which can come together in different combinations (or line-ups) depending on the specific task/goal. (I have also prepared a draft document “Volunteer Ministry Opportunities at First Parish” which reflects MY current understanding of what our organizational structure should look like from the perspective of a potential new volunteer if everything were operating just the way Frances intended it to. Please look this over since I’m going to need your help to flesh it out).
Pilot Projects
I also hope we can begin to work on some “pilot projects” in order to begin to expand our program in several key areas. These are NOT necessarily things I think our current leadership team should simply add to their portfolios (although obviously you are going to want to be involved early on in their formation); rather, all of these people will need to be recruited, trained and supported within the existing “council” structure.
[M] -- expand our SGM program: more Covenant Groups, new Affinity Groups, classes and workshops (coordinated with LLL Council?)
[M] – schedule and organize potlucks, other informal social gatherings -- start an on-going Circle Supper program?
[S] -- Planned Giving (coordinated with the Trustees?)
[S] -- An annual Signature “Fun(d)raiser” -- do we want to start with a “Midwinter Luau for the Loo?” Overall fundraising goal probably needs to be about $12-15k ($8k for the operating budget; another $4-7k for handicapped bathrooms and other accessibility modifications). But it also needs to be a “fun,” high-spirited event that generates lots of enthusiasm and good energy. (Possible Chairs/Organizers?)
[O] -- Faith in Action team...inventory of existing projects; creation of additional “short-ramp” hands-on Faith-in-Action opportunities. (Betsy/Artha/others?)
[O] -- “The Greater Portland Community Forum @ First Parish” -- a “convener of significant conversations” on a timely, time-to-time basis in order to improve the quality of communication, mutual understanding, and community life among Portland’s diverse citizenry. (Bill D & friends)
Other potential emerging priority areas:
• Music outreach in the form of additional public concerts, etc. [Chip?]
• Our Children’s Religious Education program...esp hiring a new director.
• And, of course, our Sunday Worship Service....more guest speakers, special music/musicians, etc.
• Not to mention getting the word out that all this is happening.
Two Underlying, On-going Tasks (to accompany our three major goals)
1) I would like for us to take some time this year to examine our core processes (the things we do routinely all the time) in order to make them as simple and routine as possible. I would like every council/committee to try to develop some explicit Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs in the lingo), along with some basic volunteer job descriptions, that are transparent, consistently repeatable, and can be easily taught to others. This is essential to expanding our volunteer pool as the tasks themselves expand, and begin to outgrow the capacity of our current volunteers to handle in their spare time.
2) I also hope that we can all take some time to look beyond the “day-to-day” in order to learn a little of the theory behind what we are doing, so that when the time comes we are not only knowledgeable about what we do and how to do it, but WHY we do it in the first place. This is part of the essential task of Leadership Development -- so that as we are successful and grow our organization, our current leadership team will be able to function as “leaders of leaders” rather than simply trying to do more and more themselves.
Organizational Structure
There was some interest expressed at the Retreat in revisiting our organizational structure. I personally think this is a little premature, and would instead encourage us to think of ourselves as three informal teams (or maybe “ensembles”) - the Membership Team, the Stewardship Team, and the Outreach Team - which can come together in different combinations (or line-ups) depending on the specific task/goal. (I have also prepared a draft document “Volunteer Ministry Opportunities at First Parish” which reflects MY current understanding of what our organizational structure should look like from the perspective of a potential new volunteer if everything were operating just the way Frances intended it to. Please look this over since I’m going to need your help to flesh it out).
Pilot Projects
I also hope we can begin to work on some “pilot projects” in order to begin to expand our program in several key areas. These are NOT necessarily things I think our current leadership team should simply add to their portfolios (although obviously you are going to want to be involved early on in their formation); rather, all of these people will need to be recruited, trained and supported within the existing “council” structure.
[M] -- expand our SGM program: more Covenant Groups, new Affinity Groups, classes and workshops (coordinated with LLL Council?)
[M] – schedule and organize potlucks, other informal social gatherings -- start an on-going Circle Supper program?
[S] -- Planned Giving (coordinated with the Trustees?)
[S] -- An annual Signature “Fun(d)raiser” -- do we want to start with a “Midwinter Luau for the Loo?” Overall fundraising goal probably needs to be about $12-15k ($8k for the operating budget; another $4-7k for handicapped bathrooms and other accessibility modifications). But it also needs to be a “fun,” high-spirited event that generates lots of enthusiasm and good energy. (Possible Chairs/Organizers?)
[O] -- Faith in Action team...inventory of existing projects; creation of additional “short-ramp” hands-on Faith-in-Action opportunities. (Betsy/Artha/others?)
[O] -- “The Greater Portland Community Forum @ First Parish” -- a “convener of significant conversations” on a timely, time-to-time basis in order to improve the quality of communication, mutual understanding, and community life among Portland’s diverse citizenry. (Bill D & friends)
Other potential emerging priority areas:
• Music outreach in the form of additional public concerts, etc. [Chip?]
• Our Children’s Religious Education program...esp hiring a new director.
• And, of course, our Sunday Worship Service....more guest speakers, special music/musicians, etc.
• Not to mention getting the word out that all this is happening.
Monday, October 1, 2007
THE ECLECTIC CLERIC - "Let’s Connect!”
It’s that time of year again – the season of our Annual Budget Drive. It happens every year, like clockwork. Because that’s what “annual” means. And we do indeed have a budget to make.
I was talking the other day with a friend of mine (not a churchgoer himself) about how we pay the bills around here.
“But a pledge...” he said, “that’s basically just a promise, right?”
“That’s right,” I said.
“It must take a lot of faith to run an organization as complex as a church on what amounts to a handful of promises…”
“Yes, it does,” I replied. “But fortunately, that’s the business that we’re in….”
The truth of the matter is that our Stewardship Campaign is always about a lot more than mere money. That’s the bottom line beyond the bottom line. The term “stewardship” itself reflects the important understanding that “church” is a gift that we give to one another, and that THIS church is a legacy which we have received from our spiritual ancestors, and hold in trust for our spiritual descendents.
And in the meantime, we are charged with the responsibility of balancing that delicate equation of Worth, Wealth, and Value in order to fulfill our generation’s own generous contribution to the on-going ministry of this faith community to the larger community.
Stewardship is ultimately about both Mission and Vision. “Mission” is simply a fancy way of describing the meaning and purpose of our lives – what we do in order to leave the world a better place than we found it. And Vision is our sense of what the world might look like if we take our Mission seriously, and are successful.
But the word I really like is “campaign.” Campaign means literally “to take the field.” And that’s what this time of year is really all about. Do we sit on the sidelines warming the bench? Or do we get into the game and make a difference, knowing that we are all part of the same team, working together to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves as a congregation?
That’s why this season is always so exciting. Because the opening tip-off is just around the corner……….twj
I was talking the other day with a friend of mine (not a churchgoer himself) about how we pay the bills around here.
“But a pledge...” he said, “that’s basically just a promise, right?”
“That’s right,” I said.
“It must take a lot of faith to run an organization as complex as a church on what amounts to a handful of promises…”
“Yes, it does,” I replied. “But fortunately, that’s the business that we’re in….”
The truth of the matter is that our Stewardship Campaign is always about a lot more than mere money. That’s the bottom line beyond the bottom line. The term “stewardship” itself reflects the important understanding that “church” is a gift that we give to one another, and that THIS church is a legacy which we have received from our spiritual ancestors, and hold in trust for our spiritual descendents.
And in the meantime, we are charged with the responsibility of balancing that delicate equation of Worth, Wealth, and Value in order to fulfill our generation’s own generous contribution to the on-going ministry of this faith community to the larger community.
Stewardship is ultimately about both Mission and Vision. “Mission” is simply a fancy way of describing the meaning and purpose of our lives – what we do in order to leave the world a better place than we found it. And Vision is our sense of what the world might look like if we take our Mission seriously, and are successful.
But the word I really like is “campaign.” Campaign means literally “to take the field.” And that’s what this time of year is really all about. Do we sit on the sidelines warming the bench? Or do we get into the game and make a difference, knowing that we are all part of the same team, working together to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves as a congregation?
That’s why this season is always so exciting. Because the opening tip-off is just around the corner……….twj
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