Survey reveals vision for a strong, innovative future
Respondents want Central to be a leader with expanded reach
May 29, 2011 — A response to a question in the recent Campus Master Plan Task Force survey reveals a clear desire to continue Central’s long-standing legacy of existing to serve beyond our walls. When asked what God is calling Central Lutheran Church to become over the next ten years, the vast majority of respondents selected “convener and vehicle for ministry” to the community, the world and the wider church.
The survey, which was completed by 372 persons—20% of membership—was conducted over a two week period just before Easter. It was the core component of the Task Force’s “data gathering phase,” which also included listening sessions with groups representing Central’s ministries and demographics. The results of the survey were shared in two “Findings Forums,” presented by the Task Force on May 22 and to Central’s staff, at its annual planning retreat on May 25.
In his presentation of the findings to the staff and in comment about the question addressing God’s call to Central over the next decade, Pastor Rick Nelson said that survey respondents “chose the highest and largest vision of what this congregation can be—the most expansive response option offered.” Pastor D. Foy Christopherson said the response is a “cathedral view for a regional and national center, as opposed to just a neighborhood center.” Pastor Judith Stone said the response expresses “hope and confidence for the future.” Pastor Chuck Anderson said people want Central to “step up and be a leader in the community and the wider church.” Business Administrator David Alexander connected the response to the vision of the Central’s founders, “who created a mission that starts here and quickly moves out into the community.” Pastor Kristen Jacobson said “it says a lot about our members that come to a church that they think can be even better than it is today.”
Pastor Rick said that the survey confirms that “we are still very connected to the vision of the founders” and that, in his experience with other congregations, this would not be the preferred option—many would not choose a vision this high. He said that “we should consider it a privilege to be part of a congregation where this kind of thinking is already in the system and DNA.”
Other questions in the survey revealed a diversity of views. Asked to rank attributes that best describe Central at the time of the congregation’s 100th anniversary, 38% chose “innovative leader,” 32% “expanded reach,” 16% “be the same,” and 14% “be smaller.” Asked to identify three of Central’s strengths and “points of excellence,” music, worship and community ministries came out on top. Asked to rank the “top three priorities over the next three years,” survey participants selected “programming for age groups” and “fund facilities” as the top two with a nearly-equal third response for “increase activities to attract people,” “programming for unmet human needs” and “increase social justice advocacy.”
Responses to a question about what should be addressed by a campus master plan favored a new kitchen, infrastructure, hospitality spaces and better “access and circulation.”
The survey and listening sessions produced over 400 recorded individual comments, reported Sara Strickland of Cincinattus, Inc., the consulting firm that is guiding the Task Force’s year-long process. Pastor Rick highlighted one of those comments at the staff retreat as being both challenging and indicative that Central does, indeed, live beyond itself and is watched as a leader in the community and wider church. This comment came from someone who is not a member:
“I care deeply about this congregation and its future, worship there occasionally and frequently participate in its programming and attend special events. Central Lutheran Church is uniquely positioned and gifted to do the ministry it does so well without trying to compete with its neighbors. My hope is that the plan inspires all of us to become an even more connected, vibrant urban congregation that reaches out to each other, the community and the world around us.”
“Amen!” said several staff members upon hearing that response!
Respondents want Central to be a leader with expanded reach
May 29, 2011 — A response to a question in the recent Campus Master Plan Task Force survey reveals a clear desire to continue Central’s long-standing legacy of existing to serve beyond our walls. When asked what God is calling Central Lutheran Church to become over the next ten years, the vast majority of respondents selected “convener and vehicle for ministry” to the community, the world and the wider church.
The survey, which was completed by 372 persons—20% of membership—was conducted over a two week period just before Easter. It was the core component of the Task Force’s “data gathering phase,” which also included listening sessions with groups representing Central’s ministries and demographics. The results of the survey were shared in two “Findings Forums,” presented by the Task Force on May 22 and to Central’s staff, at its annual planning retreat on May 25.
In his presentation of the findings to the staff and in comment about the question addressing God’s call to Central over the next decade, Pastor Rick Nelson said that survey respondents “chose the highest and largest vision of what this congregation can be—the most expansive response option offered.” Pastor D. Foy Christopherson said the response is a “cathedral view for a regional and national center, as opposed to just a neighborhood center.” Pastor Judith Stone said the response expresses “hope and confidence for the future.” Pastor Chuck Anderson said people want Central to “step up and be a leader in the community and the wider church.” Business Administrator David Alexander connected the response to the vision of the Central’s founders, “who created a mission that starts here and quickly moves out into the community.” Pastor Kristen Jacobson said “it says a lot about our members that come to a church that they think can be even better than it is today.”
Pastor Rick said that the survey confirms that “we are still very connected to the vision of the founders” and that, in his experience with other congregations, this would not be the preferred option—many would not choose a vision this high. He said that “we should consider it a privilege to be part of a congregation where this kind of thinking is already in the system and DNA.”
Other questions in the survey revealed a diversity of views. Asked to rank attributes that best describe Central at the time of the congregation’s 100th anniversary, 38% chose “innovative leader,” 32% “expanded reach,” 16% “be the same,” and 14% “be smaller.” Asked to identify three of Central’s strengths and “points of excellence,” music, worship and community ministries came out on top. Asked to rank the “top three priorities over the next three years,” survey participants selected “programming for age groups” and “fund facilities” as the top two with a nearly-equal third response for “increase activities to attract people,” “programming for unmet human needs” and “increase social justice advocacy.”
Responses to a question about what should be addressed by a campus master plan favored a new kitchen, infrastructure, hospitality spaces and better “access and circulation.”
The survey and listening sessions produced over 400 recorded individual comments, reported Sara Strickland of Cincinattus, Inc., the consulting firm that is guiding the Task Force’s year-long process. Pastor Rick highlighted one of those comments at the staff retreat as being both challenging and indicative that Central does, indeed, live beyond itself and is watched as a leader in the community and wider church. This comment came from someone who is not a member:
“I care deeply about this congregation and its future, worship there occasionally and frequently participate in its programming and attend special events. Central Lutheran Church is uniquely positioned and gifted to do the ministry it does so well without trying to compete with its neighbors. My hope is that the plan inspires all of us to become an even more connected, vibrant urban congregation that reaches out to each other, the community and the world around us.”
“Amen!” said several staff members upon hearing that response!
In the graphic: the response to survey question number three,
as depicted in the Findings Forum visual presentation.
the entire Findings Forum PowerPoint presentation is here
as depicted in the Findings Forum visual presentation.
the entire Findings Forum PowerPoint presentation is here
333 South Twelfth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-870-4416