Southwestern Texas Synod

GOD's People - Growing in faith, Outwardly focused, Doing mission!

Strategic Plan Met in retreat September 2013 Met in retreat September 2013 Conducted a SWOTT analysis: Conducted a SWOTT analysis: Strengths Strengths Weaknesses Weaknesses Opportunities Opportunities Threats and Threats and Trends Trends

Strategic Plan COMMON SWOTT THEMES diversity/demographic change/racism technology/communication stewardship/project funding/materialism/changed giving patterns

Strategic Plan We determined that as a Synod Council we would always:

Strategic Plan Be grounded in the Word, Worship and Prayer, holding true to our faith, promoting growth in Christ and remembering our call to serve.

Strategic Plan Be representative of the larger synod, be a safe space to speak and be heard, committed to accepting all on council, and be oriented to serve.

Strategic Plan Value mission over institution, never giving up we will be committed to our responsibilities even when difficult, making decisions for the good of the synod, we will not be bound by nostalgia or grief but committed to speaking the truth in love.

Strategic Plan Support and equip leadership by sharing resources, remember our ministry partners, fund ministries that are not self-sustaining and looking beyond boundaries and remembering the marginalized.

Strategic Plan Be committed to managing appropriately at a board level, valuing transparency and visibility to the synod as we manage our fiduciary responsibilities.

Brownsville Property

Strategic Plan Support and equip leadership by sharing resources, remember our ministry partners, fund ministries that are not self-sustaining and looking beyond boundaries and remembering the marginalized.

Brownsville Property Mission Opportunity – Synod Council decided to: Take the $43,589 in accumulated funds and use as seed money for the Mission Begins working group Take the monthly mortgage payments and provide seed money for the growth of mission in non- selfsustainable ministries

What is God calling this Synod and our congregations to be?

Who is my neighbor?

% of Growth Due to Each Ethnicity in Texas, , , , and Source:U.S. Census Counts, and Texas State Data Center 2008 Population Projections, 0.5 Scenario

SOUTHWESTERN TEXAS SYNOD CONGREGATION SIZE Small (1 to 50) Pastoral (51 to 150) Program (151 to 350) Corporate (351 to 800) 37congregations68congregations25congregations4congregations 27.6%50.7%18.7%3%

SOUTHWESTERN TEXAS SYNOD GROWING – STABLE – DECLINING Growing grew 5% or more Stable changed -5% to +5% Declining declined 5% or more 25congregations19congregations90congregations 18.7%14.2%67.1%

Southwestern Texas Synod GOD's People - Growing in faith, Outwardly focused, Doing mission!

Missional River Congregations Hope, House of Prayer, Shepherd King, Good Shepherd, and Lord of Life in San Antonio Hope, House of Prayer, Shepherd King, Good Shepherd, and Lord of Life in San Antonio Emanuel’s in Seguin Emanuel’s in Seguin St Paul in Karnes City St Paul in Karnes City Lord of Life and Ascension in Austin Lord of Life and Ascension in Austin Spirit in the Hills in Spicewood Spirit in the Hills in Spicewood Living Word in Buda Living Word in Buda

Missional River Coaches Mr. Paul Pfeifer Mr. Paul Pfeifer Pastor Skip Wachsmann Pastor Skip Wachsmann Pastor Tom Glasoe Pastor Tom Glasoe Pastor Patsy Koeneke Pastor Patsy Koeneke Pastor Marie Purcell Pastor Marie Purcell

CICBA Congregations St. Peter's, Anders St. Peter's, Anders St. Martin's, Austin St. Martin's, Austin MacArthur Park, San Antonio MacArthur Park, San Antonio San Lucas, Eagle Pass San Lucas, Eagle Pass Our Savior, Boerne Our Savior, Boerne

Healthy Congregation Workshops 31 workshops around the synod 31 workshops around the synod (19 Workshop 1, 9 Workshop 2, 3 Workshop 3) 17 Congregations have participated in 1 or more workshops, and 558 people have attended these events 17 Congregations have participated in 1 or more workshops, and 558 people have attended these events

Healthy Congregation Workshops May 31, 2014 Workshops 2 and 3 Triumphant Love, Austin May 31, 2014 Workshops 2 and 3 Triumphant Love, Austin June 7, 2014 Workshop 1 Abiding Savior, Cameron June 7, 2014 Workshop 1 Abiding Savior, Cameron June 14, 2014 Workshop 1 Trinity, Kingsville June 14, 2014 Workshop 2 Peace, New Braunfels

Way to Lead Monthly webinars Monthly webinars Designed to equip leaders Designed to equip leaders LEAD 10 MINUTE TOOLBOX

“God’s Work. Our Hands.“

“God’s Work. Our Hands.“ Sunday September 7, 2014