VIP MEETING

Well, good evening, everyone. How's everyone doing tonight? We survived that storm that came through that was pretty wild.

You guys didn't get it. It was crazy here. It sound like explosions were going off in the building and

It happened at like 5:30 here. Nothing. That's just Alberta weather. I guess just craziest. Yeah, I really appreciate you all coming here tonight. This is going to be a night of of just some beautiful discussion that we get to have as a church family. We've never really done anything like this and the conviction came to us as a board that things happened so fast in church life we get so busy that often we get so bogged down with time and energy that we forget just to get together as a family to have a big discussion. We have our a GM's throat the once-a-year where we discuss everything going on, but we don't really have time to ever sit down and just see God's face and pray and ask what he has for us. And so that's really the purpose of tonight. So I don't really know what's your expectations were coming into tonight. We're all going to come a different expectations, but I'll let me just explain some of the reasoning in the purpose behind this until tonight. We're going to look at some basically inside of what we as a board of been talking about for the past year almost a year-and-a-half. We've been having quite a few discussions on what is the vision. What is the future of the church now, that's a massive discussion that I didn't want to condense down into one night. And so we're just going to give glimpses of that but we really wanted to invite the church family into that discussion just to see God's face and ask what he has for us in the future and especially if they're in this season. I mean these last few months have been chaotic have they not we've been forced to change and so many different ways. There's been so much uncertainty of what's going to happen next and as Easter to transition to the fall. We really want to get together to seek God's face and pray for what he has for us. And so that's the basic reality of what we're going to do tonight. So I'm going to share a little bit about are aboard discussion. We also had a massive the ministry leader questionnaire sent though and I'll give you some insight on that discussion as well. We're going to spend a lot of time and prayer tonight. So be prepared to pray and then we're going to have a lot of discussion as well. So as far as discussion, there's no holds play whatever you want. Feel free to say what God is leading you to say and I really want us all to be involved in this discussion. So feel free to share in that manner to whether it's positive or negative try not to be too critical for the sake of being critical but let's have an honest conversation. Is that sound good? Okay, who's excited who's still in certain what's going to happen? So before we jump it is I just haven't we stand together. Let's just let's just come before God and apostrophe prayer. I wrote this prayer for us tonight. And then after we read this prayer together, we're just going to have a time. I'm going to open up the mics Hayden's going to sanitize each mic between each person using it and I'll explain that time after this, but let's just open up in prayer. Godfrey come before you with grateful hearts for the church family. We are apart of we come before you seeking your will and purpose for us. We can often rely on ourselves and forget our dependence on you. And so we ask that you would forgive us when we failed to follow your calling as your church and so speak to us as we pray Jesus you love us dearly and want us to partner with you and your mission bring us A Renewed vision of ourselves from your perspective help us to embrace your love so that we may share it with others. There have been and will be many more moments of doubt and uncertainty. The world is ever-changing around us. We long to trust you and desire to follow you. Yeah, we know our sin Strays us into apathy and doubt help us with our unbelief. Grant has two renewed Vision as we seek you give us dreams to change our community that make us come alive because we are doing what you created us to do letter Joyce overflow as we align with your purposes. Amen. He has to be seated and now I'm just going to open up space just for us to come before God and a spirit of prayer and we're just going to pray for us as a church as our church family what we're being called to by God. And so we're just going to Bow before God together. And as you feel led there's a microphone here in the microphone here and just pray for the church. Does that sound good? What do you want to read scriptures over the church or just pray and then you guys can share and I'll close that prayer time as we end. Okay, that makes sense. Okay, just praying for the church is pretty simple again.

Who wants to be first?

And Lord, we thank you God for all that are gathered. Barbie thank you God that. We are your people and Lord, you know how hard it is at times to be the light and to be the salt because you know, there's opposition. There is the enemy that tries to discourage us and Lord. There's you know, different things that distract us and people at times say things that might be discouraged as send lord. It's hard to be strong. But Lord we pray that you will just help us to overcome doubts and discouragement and anything Lord that will hinder your church because you said that you will build your church and the Gates of Hell will not Prevail against it and Lord. I just want to thank you because there has been a lot of progress like the last two years Lord and reaching into our community Lord. And I want that to continue and I know that all the other ones that are here tonight Lord really desire for that to continue. So will Lord we just pray that you will just give us wisdom and help us Lord to to really come into agreement and unity God and and the desire and ways and just the best ways for that. We can reach into the community with a gospel Lord because the gospel will change lives. And Lord, it's changed our lives and that's why we're here tonight and Lord. It's our greatest desire that the gospel will change other people's lives Lord Lord people that we don't even know at this point board. But if we are obedient to you Lord, we don't we can't really imagine Lord Howe what little things we do even the idea that we talked about tonight could impact lives fraternity and Lord. So we just really pray that we pray in Jesus name Lord.

My gracious father we thank you for this time that we've come together. I thank you so much for the amazing leadership that you have put into Entwistle Community Church. I thank you for the years that they put in each and every one of them. And so I pray father that you bless them as they have invited us all to come together to really look at the vision that you have for Entwistle Community Church and the surrounding area Lord, please direct us in your ways and not her own. Please direct us in just how we can work together to build your kingdom and how we can lift up and support the leadership that you were put in place here at this church.

Good Haven.

You got to turn that one on again.

dear Lord, God I pray that you were with us today as we are coming for this Vision that we would be able to fulfill the work that you have planned for our church or Community for each and every one of us series a part of this family. We know dear Lord that this is your doing this is your glorifying day of us in the vision of what your place in line each of our hearts to see the church grow in a way that honors you repair a dear Lord that we can have a good discussion tonight that we would be able to hear. the hearts of those who were within the church for their was desires that we have within the leadership to grow in a way that is giving honor to you and glorifying you in the way that you want this church to go. We're asking that your lord you give us at Clear Vision as we've been praying as a board. For clarification on how we can go about it and making sure that we are hearing your word. So I asked you Lord that you place your word on the hearts of each person here today and if they're able to share what it is that you want them to contribute today. We give thanks and praise dealer that we have you to turn to but you always be with that will grow according to the way you want us to be and we have to learn to rely on you which means sometimes letting go of what we want in order to have the betterment of what you want to give us for so often dear Lord. You want to give us more than what we want for ourselves and it is us who stands in the way the lettuce listen to you today, dear Lord and the things that you have for this church. Amen.

Grace's father We Gather As your church as your people. Because we love you. Because we love each other. Because we want to see the community around is transformed for the betterment of your kingdom. And so gracious God we pray that as we seek your face tonight that you would speak to us. That you would give us wisdom that you would give us a vision that you would encapsulate what you desire from us as your people. Lord when we function from Human wisdom in human understanding we so often make mistakes and we fall into sin. So we pray that your spirit would just guide us and direct us in our conversation and that we would be changed in the world would be changed us to round us as we seek your face braces Scott. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. So Let me discuss a little bit about what we as a church board have been. Comprehending And discussing for the last of the year and a half again. This is going to be very summarized version. But what if we been working on serialization that we came up with as a board we felt as though we as a church and we got a lot of feedback from our ministry leaders in this regard as well that we sort of been functioning on Ministry treadmill. Now when you're walking on a treadmill where you going nowhere, but you start to feel pretty Tired and exhausted right? And so we realized that we had so much activity and so much business. Let me last year at our our fall kickoff in September. We were celebrating that we had over a hundred people and in some sort of leadership capacity, which is a massive investment of Engagement and yet we start to analyze what was being accomplished and we realize that so many people were busy with activities and yet we didn't feel the desire of what truly could be accomplished was being accomplished. And so we said a lot of this time that we spent as a church family and busyness and doing and working on people these policies Administration. We've never really taken the time to actually see God in his vision. Is Mission in his values. And even from my perspective is a pastor from working with the board. This conversation is taking 4 years of me being here just to start it just for us to stop slow down not get caught up in all the things we have to work through with people needs and policies Administration. Let's just see God's face. And so this is a long time coming at of seeking after this purpose and desire. And so the way we've been operating then is the natural posture we have is throughout the years. All we've been doing is saying here's a need. Let's just out of program and so we've been adding programs after programs after programs, which is that a bad thing. No, it's it's a beautiful thing. People are active. People are are doing ministry. Right we've seen a lot of amazing things happen in these past few years and and yet the question we forgot to be asking is why are we doing this? And how do we know when we're doing? Well at this is easy to do something for the sake of doing it. But how do we actually know if it's successful? How do we actually know if it's accomplished anything? How do we even know if this is God what wants us to be doing right? There's a thousand a thousand things we could be doing as a church. There's a thousand things you could be doing as individuals and yet does it mean that you're doing what God has called you to does it No, it's all we really want to take a timeout and and pause for a little bit of process this question as a board together. And so I'm going to share a part of one activity that we did as a board along with Ministry leader insights that we took from their questionnaire. And this is just one of probably 20 activities that we've done is a board throughout the the year and a half of this conversation. So you're getting a very small glimpse, but I felt as I prayed to God, what would be the most beneficial thing to talk about it would be to invite you guys as that the church into this conversation that we've had and it's so basically we process for questions of reality. We ask a question what is going right in the church that we can leverage that we can really focus on and keep supporting what is wrong that we need to change. What is confusing that we need to clarify and what is missing we need to add it's a lot we want to open up this conversation with you guys as the church as well. So we're going to process some of these questions together. If so, what is the first question what is going right that we can leverage the feedback we got was the small group Ministries Like Home Group Freedom session cultivate. Those things are seeing beautiful change and transformation of people's life. Those were things that we really want to focus on now as we head into the fall and with everything going on, we probably want to put even more emphasis on small group Ministries. Don't we cuz we're so limited in what we could do as a core body is so this is something that we really want to Leverage. Are we also talked about Biblical teaching the preaching the Sunday School? These are things that are right that we can leverage. I mean look at who we have to even in this room with Lynn and Robin. Mr. Kane and all the people who have the ability to teach in our church are we have such a gifting of people who have the ability to teach the word of God with truth and precision how we talked about her commitment to global missions, who knows what percentage of our budget we give the global missions? At least 20% and we raised thousands on thousands and thousands of dollars on top of that through it every year. And so we said our commitment to global missions is a beautiful thing that we really want to leverage and push and so I'd only process this first question. What are some of your reactions to that do you think there's anything else that we could be highlighting? Is there any suggestions of how we can really leverage these in the community as well? It's so again. I'm going to open up conversation grab a mic and share your thoughts.

What are some things that are going right that we can leverage in the church?

So you guys just talk into mic just cuz I'm recording this for people not here. Thanks tineke.

I think the youth programs are really awesome and then seeing with the worship teams.

Any other thoughts?

Yep to Brooklyn yet.

I don't know if this goes with it, but I think our board and the leadership that our church has one of one kind of point with that is even just the numbers that were incredibly blessed with the the leadership in the church that's willing to step up and Lead our congregation. So I think just our board and the way it functions and and the men and women that are in leadership and Mike and I have been a part of churches where there are two board members and soda be blessed in this size of a community with very solid leadership solid men and women that are willing to meet very often to pray over us as a congregation. And so yeah, how can we support all the leadership?

milk

just in terms of Leveraging I agree with you that the the Biblical teaching the focus on, you know, biblical truth, you know. Good exegetical preaching and teaching is I think one of the real strong points of this church. I think when we talked about some of the specific applications of IC Sunday school is listed as one of them. And I think when it comes to the adults group that is very true. And I would be very very very disappointed if it's that I didn't continue. I'm not so sure though that that work on flashing that at the Children's level and it's not because of the dedication and commitment of our teachers. I think they're well qualified in their their their heart is very much their their passion is there we just aren't getting the community are they have families bringing the kids at that point. So I think as much as it is a strong point I think it also needs to be we need to look at that a little bit more. What can we do to strengthen that because I really do believe that with the people we have in this church are our children could be very well. Very biblically literate given the right circumstances. I appreciate you bringing that up Robin. I should almost be clarified there with you when we talk about the Adams Sunday school because that's one of the things that's going to come up in our later discussion of the other questions is the engagement and discipleship of the younger generation, which is one of the things we talked about is something that's lacking something that's being neglected. And so thanks for pointing that out wrong.

I was thinking about her worship teams. And we do have a number of people involved in in the in these teams and I think that might be an area where we could exercise more Library Chiswell. And what is that leverage look like George we are very gifted was so funny musician in the church. But what does that leveraging look like? I think maybe more vision.

Maybe you have involved more more in the actual ministry as well as it has a song right. Preciate you bring that up torch?

Any other thoughts?

Cable keep working through this sweet a lot more discussion to you. So what is wrong and we need to change. This is probably the easiest thing isn't it the easiest to complain about things these were these are things that the board really took focus on that. We we saw as things that were relaxing in the church that could cause serious concern for the future of the church is so we highlighted these three things and again, feel free to share more than of course, there is more even we talked about more but these were the three that we highlighted and so what are some things that we really need to address for the health of the church. Well, we talked about the engagement the discipleship the mentoring of younger demographics when we talked about whether it's kids at me we think of all the little babies that have been born these past couple years if we don't have something set up and place for catechizing them and for Type of ship and mentoring them. We're really going to fail in that calling that God has placed before us by really putting so many babies in this congregation. Another thing we talked about is the entrance to the community and we we have an Outreach to some extent. We have a very good reputation in the community. But as far as evangelism in truly reaching into people's lives and really having a strategy behind that are we we thought there was no strategy or specific purpose behind our calling there and then the third thing is people falling through the cracks. You guys know what I mean by that when I say someone falling through the cracks, they're not incorporate the church family are they perhaps here for a little bit and then we see them disappear and its struggles for people to notice because we haven't done a good job incorporating them into the family and How do we bring some of the change in regards to dealing with people falling through the cracks as well? And so let's open it up again. What's some of your feedback to those Concepts? Is there anything you would add? Is there any insight you have to those Concepts?

Get Joan.

One of the things that's how we experienced when we went to a church in Edmonton was that they had a a welcome luncheon and they had always included some of the leaders of different Ministries and they would share but the first thing they did was made sure that there was always someone from the church body at their table. So they spread them out and got to know them let them feel more welcome. So I know covid kind of hindering all this but it would be something to do in a day did it sporadically throughout the year, so They would see maybe there's three families that have come new but they didn't wait too long cuz they walked away so they would just plan it and just say okay. We're having a welcome luncheon on this Sunday and they extended personal invitations to these people verbally, I don't know if it was written or not, but I know it certainly verbal and Made them feel extremely welcome find out what's going on in the church. Maybe there's someplace what they like to get plugged in eventually. They know they didn't encourage it right away because like to get people said but it was a really a great experience for spell to be part of it as a newcomer. But then also later on when we were there and became members that we were part of it to walk me to people so it was really nice cool preciate you share that don't and we all love potlucks. I mean, that's what we could incorporate pretty seamlessly really appreciate that. What's some other thoughts?

This is an area that I really don't have any answers for but we certainly have a number of our adherents and members who have fallen away from the church at falling through the cracks and there has been attempts to to meet with them and I don't know whether we're just not doing a good enough job or what but they're they haven't come back this there's quite a few that that we could name it that are not here so high I think this is one area that we need to work a little harder on for sure.

at Lake George

that's tough to have an answer for that area for sure.

I know it's not just in this church attends funeral church has where it's at 10 to have an issue with getting children engage. I know one of the great things he did was the children's camp. I thought that was so wonderful and then I've been here that long and I know that's cold. It is kind of hindered some things like Sunday school and maybe youth group but growing up the church's I find that were really cater to children and the youth especially teenagers tended to bring them back and got them engage cuz I've noticed that there is not a lot of teenagers in the church. So maybe that was something that we could park on isn't just may be catering to the older children. Appreciate you saying that Catherine? Yankee Jean are used and it was exciting how many use for helping it. Would Day Camp to that was positive to see what are some other ways that we can be engaged yet. Obviously carrying Julie. The one thing I just want to mention his with the youth is growing up in the church. I found that if we had ways for them to serve her help out and just let them know that they're needed, you know in just lost your love for being in the church and serving in the church and I just feel like in some ways were lacking in that area and you know, and there is rules to you know to follow to our policies about who can actually help or whatever but I just feel like there needs to be more love for the church and then you know, it feels like it's their own, you know, you don't leave that carry, but where they feel like value like they're needed right? It's so what it what are some ways that we can incorporate that a little bit more. I know we have them serve on worship team sometimes and when Who do the dinners and stuff but I like serving a dinner is or there was even a time. When do youth was asked to serve them Mission Circle family like a special supper, you know, it was just an honor to be there right also, like when we did kids club. Orellana, you know, if you had like a junior helper Junior leader in your group, you know, someone that could run after the kid or you know, like, you know be more Hands-On with the young kids and you know, we couldn't do it without the use helping, you know, serving the nursery or that kind of thing.

Yeah, you don't really have to wipe it down.

Long as you don't see you guys kissing.

Yeah, I'm not saying no. I just talking about the youth one of the things that I don't think we do like poorly like Rob was saying which we teach a lot from the from the Bible and that's great. But the message does get through that there is mistakes in the Bible and that a lot of stories in the Bible aren't actually history. They're just stories to teach us a lesson. And as those stories making its way down through to the younger people. It's very hard to tell them that the creation story is wrong. The flood story is wrong the book of Jobe isn't real to do all this stuff and then try and convince really died and rose again, right? And so the cycle I want to really Express that the need to stick to really good like the Bible is the final Authority and and just stick to those teachings because if we start losing Those kind of teachings basically we've become a club more than like a real Fellowship of Believers right at so, I'm not saying that we're doing is terrible. I'm just saying this teaching does exist in in different aspects of Richardson and just we just need to be careful and try as hard as we can to to stick that principle where the Bible is the final Authority if we don't see if something lining up we have to take the Bible is truth not somebody's opinion or what we see in a science or whatever. We just need to get back to that like the Bible is the final Authority in the scriptures Authority the final Authority Sola scripture is the reformers would like to say

oops

Then you can always so long. I lived in Slave Lake for almost 10 years and attended the Alliance church, and we for the Outreach did singing Christmas tree. And it was such a blast but we had to concerts on a Saturday and then one on this Sunday and it really brought in a lot of people that never walk through those doors otherwise and some of course that walkthrough did. Indian start attending and there's a lot of musical Talent. So I think that be a fun thing to do and I know we're not allowed to sing noise Italy and then the other thing that a new family in our community with young children. Or haven't attended church, but they were asking if we do a children's program for Christmas. And we have in the past and not that was really. Drawing people in as well. So those are two ideas for outreach.

And mention as Tina can talk some of that too. So we talked about the Outreach and Community is something we need to adjust while we have an Outreach committee. But does anyone know what function has been in as far as structure for the church for all these years? Where is the Outreach committee found under $100 women's ministry. And so it's sort of in this weird dichotomy of is it just Outreach for women or is women Ministry responsible for outreach for the entire church, and there was a lot of confusion in the structure and so a few months ago, actually, we as a board made the final decision that we're going to take the Outreach Ministry outside of women's ministry and make its own entity. And so we're sort of starting from scratch women's Ministries going to continue to do some of their key things like the ladies tea and all of that will hopefully we can run it this year will find out but They're going to continue that stuff. But there's if you're there is going to be an entirely new Outreach team that is going to be created. And so I began talking to a few people already if that's something that interests you like Tina QR to give a few ideas. Maybe if if you're a person that likes brainstorming those ideas and really thinking of creative ways. We can engage our community talk to me if you want to be part of that team as well. And so just to give inside of that reality as well. Can you light a Compassion Team out of the women's ministry to know that was one thing I'm thinking with the people falling through the cracks of there's an awful lot. That's put on The Compassion Team that's made up of just a couple ladies until we've always been able to see men step up and helping really practical ways. But if like that falling through the cracks like we got to have more people aware of what's going on. And another one. I really appreciate carry talking like involving the youth in involving these the younger ones but I feel like a big part for that discipleship of the younger demographics is actually pulling the whole family unit together as you can see you and I tonight like our girls are here and a part of this and so whether he likes it or not, we do ministry together as a family and so I love the idea of getting our youth involved, but I love seeing you and like Joel and Carey up there with their girl. Who is leading worship and we had like the entire Nelson family at day camp. And so how can we encourage and support the entire family unit to do ministry together and get involved together. We had a beautiful moment with Melissa Matthews before she passed away that a group of us went out and we did her garden and it wasn't just ladies in the church. We had all the tchotchke kids. We had like Carrie came out with the girls. Like it was a family affair to come in and bless her in that way. And so we see it. So I don't think it's something we're doing wrong. But how can we as Rob mention the Sunday School? How can we bring the whole family unit together in Ministry and and different things in the church? That's really good inside.

So it's a race. She's clean what there might first key back a little bit on Rebecca said and I do support the family unit. That's for sure.

We although we still need relatable outreaches. So

And when I think about that, I think about the Men's Ministry and I'm not that I'm a man and I've attended one but one was hosted at our house and I was amazed the generation there was young and Walt there there was many conversations people were very very relaxed and I feel that it was an outrage that needs maybe a little more support than we give it as a church. So as a wife being a family unit, I would really support that Ministry because our men Are pretty vulnerable because they're the leaders most of the time so we really like to see that support.

Find Anthony. Chicken wings brings element together and hot sauce and that could be something we go back to this. What's right that we can leverage in again. This list is very minimal. We talked about Men's Ministry as well and being crucial for engaging on that vulnerable level with each other for sure. Yep, that's one. I think I'll just tell a story from being at another church. There is a a leader that had moved into the community. This is in Sioux Saint Marie and he in frustration one day at a meeting said there's so many Unwritten rules about what you should do and what you shouldn't do could somebody write them down so that I would have some clue as to what it is that you know, everyone expects one example, was that the way that they serve communion this church had a fuse is that everyone knew when it was communion to sit in alternate rows because the servers would go in there. Empty rows to the serve people and they showed up one night and they were in the wrong few and people were glaring at them and and they had no idea so as we've moved into the community.

I'm I'm not going to say that has anything to do with serving Community communion, but we still are trying to figure out who's related to who and you'll just a lot of things that if you've lived here forever, you know, but if you're brand new or if you weren't part of the community, you might not know and so I think communication.

One of the things about it is it if your if you've heard something 300 times you don't think it needs to be communicated but to the new person it does and so I think communicating.

Some of the obvious things or maybe even asking questions at times. What is it that you're not sure of or that you don't know could possibly help people feel as if they're understanding or they're part of what's going on. So, what's your suggestion relations then I I mean John brought up in aspect to some extent already, but Cuz I think that'll help with the people falling through the cracks to his sub sense of belonging, right?

well

I think sometimes written communication that we live in a daze where things are changing drastically. I don't know what platforms, you know, that would be best, but I think

So there's several things one is just communicating over and over and over in lots of different ways on different things that are happening. I think sometimes it's really helpful to, you know, maybe get a group of people together. You know, maybe things like the newcomers lunch, but let them ask questions.

I really didn't have a whole lot of ideas there, but I do think that Well, here's another one in that is that's just that there's some people that are really gifted at. so we say

you know the communication or the well in a way that gossip the you know the news and all of that and I think it's worth investing some time to make sure that some of those people are utilized really well, so that folks know exactly what's going on. So

Get windy.

I know when we first started coming here and you would refer to people kind of based on what then saying, you know, like home groups are at whatever and there is no phone numbers. There's no address isn't is like who the heck? We don't even have a last name and it was those are such little things like even going to the seniors when you are doing the seniors think we don't know the seniors that was wise and we didn't even know who the phone to ask her. The senior's vice versa. Just those kind of because people are so familiar. So when I mean it comes in its you don't know.

Yep. One thing about that. Younger demographic and I like your kids ministry stuff. Like, you know, how many families coming out on Sunday and stuff. So like one thing I be great to reach out to me. No family units and stuff is have like, you know during the week during the weekday days have I got mom's group or something that could kids like the kids are still get the ministry and stuff or maybe like an after-school program to a so and I just let me know as having helped out in time and stuff. But I like, you know to further engage those outside the church, you know what I got to school program or something like that. I like to know the kids in the church are coming up and all the babies and stuff. You know, like that's you know, they can be Future Past his picture. Whatever. Nearest we don't want to lose that that's my two cents awesome. Appreciate that Matt. And that's the new leader of our children's ministry. You bring it up a little bit of the history that's happened to your to like the the first few years. We ran. It was called the kids club first to use I was here I should say we're going to kids club that Renee and I are putting together. We had good volunteers and we're averaging about 30 kids weekly basis is pretty beautiful Melissa and when he took that over they continued phenomenally it was going beautiful and then the following year Melissa got cancer Gary got cancer that year and just a heavy burden on those leaders that we were we haven't been able to recover since and so I'm glad you brought that up Matt because I think that should be one of our top priorities as we move forward as is house. We relaunch what was truly successful and it start really engaging that younger demographic with discipleship. So appreciate that Matt and you've already volunteered yourself.

Yeah, we did Christmas. We done Christmas day camps and hopefully we can do that again to this year.

Yeah, it was beautiful but it's crazy just circumstances. Sometimes that are beyond our control can just devour things that and that's why I want this meeting for us to pray and see God he took that away for a season but does he want it back will have to ask him I should have my own things like the village with our seniors that is such an important Outreach as well. And unfortunately, like it's very much appreciated. I know that firsthand and unfortunately, you know, they've been left in the dust with the virus. So but yeah, I encouraged that one. Yeah, I know. It's but it's kind of sad cruising George and I we sing there while we haven't but they love us like it's one of the programs that has a really good turnout and same church, right the church program.

It's definitely been a rough season for that.

Okay. Well I'm going to go to our next one what is confusing that we need to clarify? So I think something beautiful that's already brought up that we could add to this list as well. Is that communication aspect may be assumed language assume knowledge on that something will definitely be talking about in the future but some other things that we brought up as a board as well as a question, who are we trying to reach and how are we trying to do it? It's a question that we've never really asked is a church in it. If all we say is oh, we're just trying to reach everyone does that give us much focus on anything probably not right? And so that's a question. We really want to be addressing his is what are some of those key demographics or even the key Community. I remember when I came here. I think there was maybe three families from at whistle. That's about it. I mean West you were one of them when I started coming and so do we have a vision for this community? Are we trying to read the region are we trying to support other churches and reading reaching their communities? What is that look like that's that's a question. I think we need to address church membership. That's been somewhat confusing since the day I got here. I remember my first church membership class. I had a lot of people say why they would never become members and I was just so confused and all there was no system or process for church membership when I got here and that's something that I still think is something we need to communicate language. And what does it mean and how does it function with us as a community leadership transitions development of new leaders. This is something that we're thinking of that was really Insight from a lot of our ministry leaders that they're saying wall. We've made this transition, but we don't know what it looks like or who's going to take over for me when I step out or what are some younger leaders that were not raising up that we should be and so that was another moment of we really need to bring some clarification and what that looks like. It's so what are your thoughts? What are your actions to this? What are Other thoughts do you have about what is confusing that we need to clarify a communication language is already been one. That's brought up as well. But what about this aspect?

Another race death is going to win. I think we talked a lot about children's ministry. And I think that is something that maybe we should focus on a lot this year is trying to reach the kids cuz they really are the future of the church and parents didn't know parents can drag your kids to church. I know I was when I was a kid and I wasn't involved in the church, but the kids can also bring their parents to church. So if we do things like Outreach in the community with kids then maybe we will also bring parents in the process. Another thing. I've just for clarity maybe is with leadership transitions in rolls. And that kind of thing is that may be having something available that just know who is somebody that's new talk to you they want to get involved in youth music Ministry or with children Sunday school cuz I don't know where or who they were talk to you like it's nice to see things when there's volunteer. opportunities for day camp but there's also volunteer opportunities every week and every day and that may be nice to kind of put that out there so that people might want to stay you want me to bring people that are coming but are new me to get involved in the church that might also Make that more comfortable like clarification of you. Even who the leaders are and what they're responsible for that type of thing a little more public knowledge on that yet. Awesome. Mix Catherine at Brenda good for your message on Sunday concert and thinking about How the church in Philadelphia thought they had to be perfect and they shouldn't have sinned. So I was thinking of Priya trying to reach and how are you doing it and I was thinking of somebody's coming to vote being familiar and name-dropping and we're good with that, you know, do you know Ernie? So there's things that we aren't intentionally doing to make people feel unwelcome. It is R Us being very familiar. If I'm getting to something here, so I think when we are trying to reach and how we're doing it has to be very intentional and how to be on purpose for Christ. We can't we I often say that Anthony and he will know this cuz he's heard it in our four walls just because we're the Church of Christ. We should not be sloppy. We should actually be set in the bar a little bit higher and and we can't we no longer. We're busy people everybody in this room is a busy person and if we just say, you know what I think we're going to reach out to some seniors. I think we're going to reach out to some families. It's not if they're all great ideas, but if it's not intentional and on purpose chances are Is going to fizzle appreciate that.