How Was Our Vision Created?

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!

• Attend a Congregational Dialogue

• Fill out a feedback card at the Welcome Center this weekend

• Leave feedback on our website

New Worship Times: Same as the Old Worship Times

This year, we will retain our times for Celebration and Table worship from the school year throughout the summer.

Beginning June 2, our schedule will be:

Saturday: 5:00 p.m. Sanctuary — Organ and Piano-led worship 
Sunday: 8:30 & 9:45 a.m. Sanctuary — Organ and Piano-led worship 
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary — Band-led worship 
Monday: 7:00 p.m. Chapel — Organ and Piano-led worship

The Table is moving from the Great Hall at 9:45 and 11:00 a.m. to the Sanctuary at 11:00 a.m. There are many reasons that led to this decision. Because we'd like you to hear the entire plan and the research behind it, we encourage you to attend one of our upcoming Congregation Dialogues.

We also recognize you may have questions and concerns about this schedule, and there will be time at each Dialogue for you to ask these questions, and share your own ideas.

New Congregation Dialogue Announced

Thank you to everyone who attended our Congregation Dialogues last Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and Noon in the Chapel. We have five more Dialogues in the weeks to come, with a new date and time just added this week. We hope you can join us to hear Pastor Chris present his Vision for Worship, ask questions, and share your ideas.

Congregation Dialogues 

Sundays April 28 and May 5 at 11:00 am & Noon in the Chapel

Just added: Saturday, May 4 at 6:00 pm in the Chapel

 

Reshaping Worship

Walt Stoneburner

What would worship at SOTV look like if we were starting from scratch? How can we create worship experiences that fit our community and are relevant for future generations?

Join us at any of seven congregation dialogues: 
Sunday, April 14, April 28, or May 5 at 11:00 a.m. & Noon in the Chapel
Saturday, May 4 at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel

Pastor Chris Smith will present a new Vision for Worship and offer time for you to ask questions and share your own ideas.

Growing Into Our Vision

In December 2012, Growing Into Our Vision was created and published in the Winter 2013 News for the Flock, as well as a standalone publication.

It explains in great detail how and why the Vision was created, and many of the steps that Shepherd of the Valley will take in the months and years to come as we seek to live out Our Vision. In particular:

• The Great Commission: What Jesus Asks of Us
• Welcoming All People
• Worship is Our Center
• The Path to Common Ground
• Expanding Beyond Our Walls

Download a PDF of Growing Into Our Vision

Sharing the Vision: A Three-Week Worship Series

Throughout 2011 & 2012, Pastor Chris Smith and a Vision Team worked prayerfully and diligently on a Vision for Shepherd of the Valley.

During the fall of 2012, Pastor Chris presented the main aspects of the Vision over the course of three weeks at all worship services:

Welcome - Transform - Send

These sermons can be viewed in their entirety below. Audio-only versions can be heard here. (Smartphones are not supported at this time.)

2012 Annual Meeting Recap and Video

At the 2012 Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 24, Pastor Chris Smith presented Our Vision for Ministry.

Our Vision: 

Shepherd of the Valley invites all people to experience the welcome, transformation, and sending of Jesus Christ.

Our Mission: 

Shepherd of the Valley will accomplish its vision by welcoming all people to worship, serve, and belong. 

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The Vision and budget for the year ending in 2013 were approved by the members present.

Download minutes from the meeting (PDF)



Watch a video of the meeting below: