“We’ve seen that one!”
“We’ve seen that one!”
Have you ever been watching something that you didn’t recognize at first and then you say, “We’ve seen that one!”? You might be tempted to say that about this weekly update, but while there are elements you have seen before, this is (oddly enough) an “update!”.
There will be even MORE of an update this Sunday at the Family Forum. I will share in detail the results of the Ministry Inventory Tool, introduce you to the Transition Team, and invite you to participate with them in a special event on October 16 (The Journey Wall).
In the meantime, I want to bring you up to speed on our progress of where we are in our IPM 5-STAGE plan: As an “intentional” interim pastor, the plan is for me to take us, as a church, through 5 intentional stages. They are:
✔STAGE 1: Connect with people and build relationships
This is the foundation - building relationships, clarifying the process to the church leadership, doing listening interviews, and forming the Transition Team.
✔ STAGE 2: Assess church health
✔Order a demographic study on the area within a 20 minute drive of LTCC.
✔Complete the ministry inventory tool and receive a summary report from IPM.
🚧 (In Progress) Form a Transition Team. This team has been formed and began meeting September 25.
Their job is to discover where the church has been and what it has done up to this point, as well as celebrate God’s work here. Using the information from stages 1 and 2, they will delineate existing/unresolved issues, patterns, and the reasons behind them that might be impeding LTCC’s progress. The transition team will make recommendations about proceeding.
___ STAGE 3: Facilitate action
The Transition Team and Leadership (elders and deacons) will determine how to address the recommendations made in the previous stage. This completes the Transition Team’s tasks, likely in Spring of 2024.
One “action” that has already begun is Prayer Triplets, which started Sept. 15 and goes through Dec. 25. We have 59 “pray-ers” grouped into 20 triplets. One of the triplets is short one man...could that be you?
___ STAGE 4: Plan strategically
The church leadership will work to develop and/or clarify our mission, vision, and values, and craft a strategy that implements a model for the church going forward. Who are we? Where are we going? How do we get there? Knowing the answers to these questions will set clear goals for the first year of ministry with a new full-time pastor. (some parts of stage 4 can happen alongside stage 3)
___ STAGE 5: Form a Pastoral Search Team
At this point, likely mid 2024, prepared by achieving sufficient health, unity, and a clear vision for the future, we put together a Pastoral Search Team. This team will be trained and provided with necessary resources. Then we will call and install a new pastor.
Included in this stage is “putting out the word” of the opening, sorting resumes, and deciding who to interview. The Pastoral Search Team will recommend a candidate and the church membership will vote on acceptance of the candidate. Then, it’s just a matter of how long it takes for the new pastor to move here.
So, we are “in progress”. We are getting closer every day to our goal!
For the Deacons and Elders,
Bob
REMINDERS:
Please bring a Main or Side Dish for the potluck this Sunday. Drinks & Dessert will be provided.
29 men are signed up to attend the Companies of Men Retreat next week. The goal is 35 and today's the deadline! Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity for spiritual and relational growth with other brothers in Christ!
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What's Happening @ LTCC? Try the method that works best for you!
See? View our Announcements webpage.
Touch? Grab a monthly paper bulletin from an usher.
Hear? Listen to the announcements at the beginning of Sunday service.
Who is this week's Missionary Spotlight? James & Lori Hoad
Unable to join us in person? Watch our Livestream! (registration no longer necessary)