By Kari Slotten, Vision Implementation Project Manager
Whether you are new to Shepherd of the Valley, or you’ve
been here for a while, you’ve probably heard words like "strategy"
and "vision" thrown around, and maybe don't understand what they
entail. Hopefully, I can help shed some light on this process.
I have been a part of the strategic planning/vision effort
at Shepherd of the Valley during my six-year tenure on the
Church Council,
which recently came to an end. During these six years, I was Vice President,
President, and then Past President – a pattern being followed by our current
President and Past President,
Steve Mueller and
Todd Sipe.
I was new to council when Chris Smith, our newly-minted
Senior Pastor, started talking about strategic planning. Soon there was a group
assembled to read, pray, and discuss taking our ministry in a new direction. We
conducted focus groups that reached over 500 people within SOTV to learn our
strengths, weaknesses, and ideas for change.
Using that knowledge to create mission statements and
action plans, we quickly realized these incremental changes were less impactful
than we desired. Our group evolved into a "Vision Team" task force consisting
of myself, Steve, Todd, Pastor Chris, Pastor Randy Brandt, and Jennifer
Maxwell, our Director of Operations.
We also enlisted the expertise of
Pastor Merv Thompson. Merv
was senior pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, a
congregation of similar size and mission as SOTV, for over 21 years.
Merv is currently a consultant for
Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, IA - the fastest growing ELCA church in the
country. He helped us to look outward, to see what is working at other growing
churches. So in addition to more reading, praying, and discussion, we began
visiting other churches to research their strategies for success.
In 2012, and after careful thought and discussion, this
team crafted a new
Vision and Mission for
SOTV, which was accepted by the Council in May, and approved by the
congregation in June.
Over the summer, the Vision Team enlisted the help of
Christine Fifield, to do further research and analysis at specific churches in
the Twin Cities Metro, and at large, growing churches in other parts of the
country.
This brings us to today. We are just beginning to
implement aspects of Our Vision in
worship and fellowship, transformations that will arrive
the first weekend of June. We are also investing in the areas of welcome and
learning, with more transformation on the way!
Even though this process has taken several years, the
Vision Team believes it has taken very thoughtful and intentional steps in
terms of gathering data to make informed decisions.
Internal feedback +
external investigation + guidance from scripture = a Vision ready to grow into.
I've been a stay-at-home mom for a while, so I've enjoyed
using my "work brain" to think about the future of SOTV over the last
couple years. My time with Council and the Vision Team has been great to dream
big, study hard, and think creatively – all with the goal of helping more
people experience Jesus!
I'm back to work now in a part-time role at SOTV, helping
to implement the vision. I'm so excited to see what the future holds for us! I'm
hopeful that we can be an excellent 21st century church that keeps my three
boys (and all young people) growing their faith, and reaches new people for
Christ. Please pray for the church - its pastors, staff, lay leaders, and
worshipers - that we may all partner together to help more people experience
Jesus!
Get Involved!
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Fill out a feedback card at the Welcome Center this weekend
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