FROM TODAY TO TOMORROW Board Vision Process Working Draft for broad Council distribution and comment Leroy McCreary, Council President Michael Livingston, Executive Director

Visioning Process President McCreary proposed a Visioning Process to carry the Council into the future. Five years beyond the Vision 2005 work done during Grace ONeal presidency Without a vision, the people perish. Rev. Kevin Brown planned the process and led a planning team following the brainstorming work of the board at the winter meeting.

Brainstorming Who do we want to be/become? Inclusive Truly accepting of differences Agents of the spirit Kind Christ centered Younger

BRAINSTORMING Be/become In unity Forgiving Beloved Community Closer to the edge Close knit Movement Growth in diversity (Asian, Hispanic) More of Christ/less of us

Brainstorming: Be/become Financially sound Motivational More like Jesus In mission/serving others Relevant Teachable Attractive to young people Engage young people

Brainstorming Be/become Unsurpassed in fellowship Truly directed by word of God Open to deeper truths of scripture Filled with Holy Spirit Transformational Dedicated/committed

Brainstorming Management tasks: How to we get there? Learn mutually accountable discipline Intentional evangelicalreach out to others Financial stabilitystewardship Meet together more often Willing to make and do change Make room for new leaders Willing to follow new leaders

Brainstorming (Management) Communication: more, better, open, electronic If you love mefeed my sheep Motivate membership Increase membership Be the movementgive people a reason to follow Be mission focused

Brainstorming (Management) Advertise Be accessible Lift him up Outreach Perceive accurately Be enthusiastic Find a place in the new religious landscape Claim our place in the new religious landscape

Consensus Priorities Be/become Accept and value diversity In mission/serving others Fellowship

Vision Markers: Be/become Accept and value diversity Boundary challenging workshops; immigration; human sexuality, bio-ethics New racial/ethic members Consider reviving Agape project Address race as church dividing issue at AC Create culture of acceptance of diversity Promote acceptance of theological diversity Promote diversity in auxiliary membership

Vision Markers: Be/become Serving others Mission to Africa by 2010 Ghana/Nigeria/South Africa Revitalize targeted organizational support Ecumenical WorkWeek; Katrina follow-up Revisit commitment to Appalachia Plan pre/post conference mission projects to enable fuller participation Explore other divisive issues; e.g. human sexuality

Vision Markers: Be/become Fellowship Suggest means to enable increased conference attendance Emphasize benefits of fellowship at conference Accommodate greater lay attendance at AC Establish new sister congregational relationships by 2011 Strengthen area/regional fellowships Plan & implement 2009/10 pastor gathering

Consensus Priorities Manangement Tasks Communication Find/Claim place in the new religious landscape Financial Stability

Vision Markers: Management Tasks Communication Strengthen The Christian Community Communication Regular features on member congregationsthru 2011 Solicit auxillary news & articles Begin online edition Annual Pastoral calls by E.D. to senior clergy Increased Trustee contact; interpret Vision Process outcomes AC attendees report to congregations Collect member newsletters as resources for communication Collect member websites Post member profiles on website; What ICCC means to me E.D. and Trustee contacts w/ new and renewing congregations

Vision Markers Find/claim place in new religious landscape Establish clear and compelling internet presence Determine baseline and increase hits annually Implement annual print & online campaigns to brand, increase visibility & encourage self-identification of prospective new members Post Vision Outcomes on website Post who we are/what we believe on website; benefits of membership

Vision Markers: Financial Stability Financial Stability Increase operational income by 4% above each prior years income Increase operational performance days cash on hand; Establish credit worthiness target Enable direct deposit contributions from congregations