Living Stone Community Church Ministry Plan for 2015-2020 Program: 2020 Ministry Plan (Facilitated by Tom Thompson from Dawson Memorial Baptist Church) Purpose: The purpose the 2020 Ministry Plan is to help Living Stone Community Church fulfill its Mission Statement for the next 5 years: Helping people grasp the gospel, grow in God s grace, and to go for God s glory so that we might proclaim the excellences of Him who has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. This ministry plan includes specific goals to strengthen our church and move to the next level so that might reach more people for Christ and be prepared to plant a new church in 5 years. Present Situation: Living Stone Community Church has seen the Lord s hand at work over the last 12 years. As of 2015, we are no longer a church plant, but we are a self-supported, permanent church located in Standish, Maine. We have just completed a new worship and equipping center that will serve us for years to come. Statistics indicate that a new church normally plateaus at the age of 15 unless a church develops a new ministry plan for the future. Where there is no vision the people perish (Proverbs 29:18). Proposal: The 2020 Planning Team (Doug Rasmuson, Glenn Seavey, Dave Pepple, Christine Armstrong, Cathy McLaughlin, and Dawn Barrett) recommends Living Stone Community Church adopt the 2020 Ministry Plan as a new mountain that we can all climb together in unity to fulfill the Lord s desires for our church family and the people of southern Maine. The plan is divided into four areas. The first three are the three parts of the existing vision for LSCC. The fourth area includes the administrative matters required for LSCC to grow effectively and manage that growth. I. Grasp the Gospel II. Grow in God s Grace III. Go for His Glory IV. Managing Growth Possibilities 1. Advantages Adopting the recommendation will put Living Stone Community Church on a clear ministry path so that we can faithfully fulfill the mission and purposes that God has called us to. We will also have Tom Thompson and Dawson Memorial Baptist Church to partner with us and help guide us through the ministry plan. The plan gives us specific goals to achieve that will strengthen our church and move it to the next level so that we might reach more people for Christ and be prepared to plant a new church in 5 years. 2. Disadvantages - Adopting the recommendation will place responsibility and commitment among all the members of Living Stone Community Church to work toward each of these goals. If we decide as a church family not to adopt this recommendation we will continue as is or the status quo. This may lead to a statistical plateau. We may not hit all of these goals on time which may cause discouragement, disappointment, or frustration. Yet, we know, The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9). Projection: If the recommendation from the 2020 Planning Team is adopted on May 31, 2015, the implementation of this plan will begin by July 1, 2015. The church will be presented revised by-laws for approval in the fall of 2015. By October 2016, and each year thereafter, the Elders will review the plan. In that review, adjustments will be made as needed and presented to the church. Also, during the annual review an additional year will be added to the plan so that there is always a five year look into the future. 1
Living Stone Community Church Ministry Plan for 2015-2020 Part 1 Program: Grasp the Gospel (Part 1 of the 2020 Ministry Plan) Purpose: We will seek to lead people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Since 97% of the people in Maine do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a major focus for LSCC will be to reach as many people as possible with the Gospel and invite them to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. This will be accomplished primarily through personal relationships between the members of LSCC and the surrounding community. Present Situation: Some members of LSCC are incredibly committed to God and His work through His church and they carry the load. Many members are not engaged in community events and in fact, mission teams from other churches have done a significant amount of the work of conducting community events. All members of LSCC need to be involved in events that are designed to reach people in the community because that is a core part of the mission of LSCC. When visiting mission teams help with events, they should be assisting members of LSCC instead of taking the lead role. Proposal and Projection: 1. Commitment and Involvement: In order to involve all members, they must first understand why they need to do so. This will come from discipleship development as outlined in this plan as well as from the ongoing regular preaching and communications plans. By February 2016, an Elder will be assigned to identify appropriate materials for teaching to help members identify their gifts and to help them find their places of service within the church. He will also develop a plan to implement this training in the spring of 2016. By June 2017, as community events are developed, they will include specific service opportunities that would be good first service opportunities to help people start to serve. 2. Community Outreach Events: Some community events will be held at LSCC and others will be held at locations in the community. Some events will have a primary purpose to meet practical human needs, thereby demonstrating God s love in a tangible way with the prayer that this will open a door to discuss spiritual matters. Other events will have a more direct spiritual purpose. By May 2016, community outreach events that are targeted to children and youth will include a specific way to make connection with the parents. By May 2016, there will be plans for events specifically for connecting with adults. By May 2016, a structured follow up process will be developed for all events, including contacting each family within 48 hours of the event, with subsequent contacts over time. By May 2016, a group of members who plan and coordinate community outreach events will be created. 3. Evangelism Training & Implementation: Because sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ is the basic calling of every Christian and the core mission of LSCC, every member must be equipped to establish relationships with unsaved individuals and tell them about Jesus Christ. By April 2016, evangelism training will be identified by the Elders. By June 2016, evangelism training will be offered. Every member will be encouraged to participate. 4. Visitor Follow Up By July 1, 2015, there will be a structured process for contact by a LSCC member with visitors within 48 hours of the first time they fill out a card. By July 1, 2015, there will be a structured process for follow up with people who have been attending for some time but have not yet joined. 5. Other Grasping the Gospel Objectives: May include the cooperation and partnership with other Biblebelieving churches, continual support of the work in Westbrook, and developing plans for a new church plant. These objectives will be evaluated and implemented by the Pastor and Elders. 2
Living Stone Community Church Ministry Plan for 2015-2020 Part 2 Program: Growing in God s Grace (Part 2 of the 2020 Ministry Plan) Purpose: We seek to have every person at Living Stone growing in their walk with the Lord through a deeper understanding of who we are in Christ and what we have in Christ. Present Situation: Adult Discipleship: No Adult Discipleship Director (on paper, but not in position). Only 50% of those who attend worship are involved in a small group Bible Study Youth Discipleship: Youth Discipleship and Youth Ministry are two separate entities. Children Discipleship: Children s Discipleship and Children s Ministry are two separate entities. New Members are only assimilated through the Nominating Team and Ministry Leaders at this time. Worship: The Pastor is the worship leader at this time. Fellowship: As the church grows, it is becoming more difficult for everyone to know everyone else. Proposal & Projection: 1. Adult Discipleship: By September 1, 2015, there will be one person who gives overall direction to adult discipleship. The Adult Discipleship Director will be nominated by the Nominating Team (approved by Elders). A. Life Groups: The primary means of adult discipleship is and will continue to be Life Groups. The purpose of Life Groups is Bible study. Life Groups can also be an important entry point for people to come into the church. Life Group members should actively invite un-churched individuals to their Life Group. Life Groups can also be a way to build relationships among the participants and should be used to build fellowship. By November 1, 2015, the names of adults who attend worship but do not attend a Life Group will be divided among Life Groups so that a Life Group can invite them to participate. By January 2016, the Adult Discipleship Director, working with the Elders, will develop a plan for the content of what needs to be taught to all adults. The Director will also make available to all adult Bible study leaders suggested curricula that accomplishes these objectives. By February 2016, there will be a survey to determine what adults want relative to Life Groups. Specifically, this survey will ask for input regarding the time, the schedule of semesters of study versus ongoing studies, and the content of the studies. Changes may be implemented (Spring 2016). By spring 2016, the Adult Discipleship Director will develop or identify ongoing training for everyone who leads or will lead an adult small group. By October 2016, the Adult Discipleship Director will develop a small group of new believers to help establish them in some fundamentals of the faith. By September 2017, there will be Life Groups that meet at times other than Sunday morning. B. Sunday Evening Bible Study: The Pastor will continue Sunday evenings as a supplement to Life Groups and other small group studies. Sunday evenings will emphasize discipleship and leadership development. C. Men s & Women s Ministry: will continue to provide opportunities for fellowship and discipleship. 2. Youth Discipleship: By September 1, 2015, there will be one person who plans all aspects of youth discipleship and ministry for grades 6-12. This will ensure that everything is coordinated and consistent. This person will direct Youth Life Groups, Thursday evening youth activities, and any other ministries for youth. They will lead and teach some of the activities and will enlist other adults to lead and teach some of them. The group may be split in the future at the discretion of the Youth Director and Youth Ministry Team. 3. Children s Discipleship: By September 2015, there will be one person who plans all aspects of children s discipleship and ministry for children from birth to grade 5. This will ensure that everything is coordinated and consistent. The Children s Director will direct Children s Life Groups, Children s Church, and any other activities or ministries for children. They may lead and teach some of the activities, while delegating other activities. 3
By September 1, 2015, Children s Church will be for children up through third grade and children from fourth grade and up will remain in the worship service. By September 1, 2016, there will be two separate groups for Children s Church, one group for children from age three through kindergarten and another group for grades one through three to allow for where the children are developmentally. By January 2018, Life Groups and other activities and ministries for children will be split so that children from birth through age 5 are in one department and children in first through fifth grade are in another department. Therefore, a Preschool Director position will be created at that time. 4. New Member Orientation By October 2016, the process of orienting new members will be expanded to better assimilate them into the life of the church. 5. Worship By January 2017, the leader of the Praise Team will be someone other than the Pastor. 6. Fellowship: By September 2016, the possibility of taking pictures of all members and either posting the pictures in the church building or making a publication will be pursued. By May 2017, someone or a small group will coordinate all church sponsored fellowship activities. By October 2017, adult Life Groups, the Men s Ministry, the Women s Ministry, and other small group Bible study groups will have regular fellowship events. By October 2017, groups will be formed specifically to give more fellowship opportunities. By October 2017, there will be specific fellowship events for senior adults, such as meals to allow them to be together with other seniors. Beginning January 2018, twice a year there will be a church wide fellowship event to allow the entire church to be together for no other purpose than fellowship. Living Stone Community Church Ministry Plan for 2015-2020 Part 3 Program: Go for God s Glory (Part 3 of the 2020 Ministry Plan) Purpose: We seek to take the love of Christ to our community and our world to open the door to tell others the Good News of Jesus Christ. 1. Serving Present Situation: Some members of LSCC are incredibly committed to God and His work at LSCC, while other members are not engaged in serving. However, God has called and equipped every believer to serve. Therefore, every member of LSCC needs to be serving beyond the walls of the church in mission activities. Proposal: In order to involve all members and non-members in service, they must first understand why they need to do so. This will come from discipleship development as outlined in this plan as well as from the ongoing regular preaching and communications plans. There will be teaching offered to help people identify their gifts and find places of service beyond the walls of the church. An Elder will be assigned to identify appropriate materials for this teaching and the plan for its implementation. Projection: By May 2017, there will be training offered to all members and non-members to help them understand opportunities to serve in missions activities and to encourage them to participate. 4
2. Missions beyond Maine Present Situation: Acts 1:8 Strategy. Local partnerships (CEF, Catherine s Cupboard, Abba) and our relationship with Canada will continue and if possible, it will be expanded to give more opportunities for members and non-members to serve. LSCC will continue going on church construction projects in the United States with groups like Mobile Baptist Builders. The current financial support to specific mission efforts will continue. Proposal: To fulfill a complete Acts 1:8 Strategy. Projection: By May 2017, opportunities for international mission service for the attendees of LSCC will be sought. This could be done by going with other churches, either churches in Maine or elsewhere. Ideally, we should have a long term commitment internationally to develop relationships there. The Missions Director will work with the Pastor and Elders to develop new missions opportunities Living Stone Community Church Ministry Plan for 2015-2020 Part 4 Program: Managing Growth (Part 4 of the 2020 Ministry Plan) Purpose: We seek to address administrative matters required for LSCC to grow effectively and manage that growth. Present Situations: Leadership Structure: The primary leadership structure of the church has been Elders and Deacons. As the church grows, the structure of the leadership needs to evolve accordingly and the roles of Elders and Deacons need to be considered. The role of the Elders has been teaching, shepherding and overseeing. The qualifications for Elders are exactly the same as for the Pastor so that limits the pool of members who can be Elders. The role of the Deacons is serving to meet the needs of the membership and assigning more functions to them would distract them from their service role. Church Communications: Sometimes there is a breakdown in communication. Budget Process: Changes need to be made to the budget process. Staff: LSCC is in need of an additional part-time staff member. Building and Equipment: As Sunday morning attendance increases, there will be a need for more space. However, a building addition cannot be undertaken until there is significant reduction in the current debt. It is expected it will be at least five years before a building addition can be undertaken. Proposal & Projection: 1. Leadership Structure: By October 1, 2015, an additional administrative leadership role will be created (Coordinating Council). The Council will be nominated by the Elders and elected by the church to serve a three year term (staggered rotation; two consecutive term limit). This team will be composed of five individuals representing a cross-section of the membership. An Elder cannot be a member whereas a Deacon may, but this role will be independent of their role as Deacon. The Pastor, or an Elder designated by the Pastor, will meet with the Coordinating Council. The initial duties of the Coordinating Council include: 1. Coordinating All Events on the Church Calendar Beginning October 1, 2015, the Council will coordinate the church calendar to eliminate conflicts and balance the activities over time. They will implement any system needed for scheduling events. 2. Verify and Communicate Ministry Needs Beginning October 1, 2015, the Council will serve as a liaison between all standing teams, ministries, and church programs. This includes giving oversight to the Communications Coordinator. 5
3. Check and Balance for the Nominating and Finance Teams Beginning October 1, 2015, recommendations from the Nominating Team and Finance Team will be presented to the Council prior to being presented to the church. The Council will review recommendations for consistency with this plan and other activities of the church. The Council does not reduce the role or authority of these two teams, however, the Council will have the authority to request changes in recommendations to ensure they are consistent with this ministry plan. 4. Recommend Changes and Additions to Church Programs (includes discipleship, life groups, ministries) Beginning October 1, 2015, recommendations from standing teams, steering teams, or ministries that need church approval will be presented to the Council prior to being presented to the church. Again, the Council can only request changes in recommendations to ensure consistency with this plan. By January 2019, the Council will develop and implement a system for regular feedback from the church members on all aspects of the church. Changes will be recommended based on that feedback. 2. Church Communications: By October 1, 2015, there will be a Communications Coordinator to give direction to internal and external communications. This person will be nominated by the Nominating Team. This person will enlist other individuals as needed to develop and implement communications plans. This person will also maintain contact with all ministry leaders to gather information about what needs to be communicated. By February 2016, internal and external communications will include all possible communications means in order to maximize impact among all members and reaching everyone in the community. By April 2016, the Communications Coordinator will ensure that the website is always up to date and includes content that will be appealing to un-churched individuals. 3. Budget Process: By October 1, 2015, the process for developing the budget will be changed to give every ministry area an opportunity to provide their recommendations for expenses in their area of responsibility. The Finance Team will use all of the input to develop a budget. The Elders other than the Pastor will make a recommendation for changes in the Pastor s salary package. The Elders, including the Pastor, will make a recommendation for salary adjustments for all other paid staff positions. By October 1, 2015, the Elders will work with the Finance Team to provide an estimate of undesignated contributions for the following year. By October 1, 2015, the schedule of business meetings will be changed so that the budget will be approved by the church prior to the end of the prior budget year. By October 1, 2017, the church will either provide a training workshop or send the Finance Team to a training workshop to expand their knowledge and expertise in church finances. 4. Staff: By January 2016, a part time Ministry Assistant will be added to the staff. This person will provide a range of administrative support for the Pastor, church ministries, and administrative functions. In alignment with their area of gifts and experience, they will also be responsible for one or more ministry areas of the church, such as the children s ministry. While it is possible this person could be a volunteer, it is desirable for this to be a paid position to allow for accountability and performance reviews. Beginning October 2016, and each October thereafter the Elders and the Coordinating Council will review the work that needs to be done by paid staff and make recommendations to the church regarding additional staff changes. 5. Building and Equipment: In the next 5 years, there will have to be creative use of available space. This could include altering the Sunday morning schedule to allow two times for Life Groups. If the Sanctuary reaches practical capacity, the schedule may have to be changed to allow for two worship services. By April 2016, an aggressive plan to reduce the debt on the building will be developed. By April 2016, designated funds will be sought to allow for the completion of two more partitions in the children and youth areas. If funds are made available a sports area or playground may be considered. By April 2018, if funds are available we will pave the parking lot. 6
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