Niskayuna DTP Rx

          NISKAYUNA WESLEYAN CHURCH CONSULTATION

                          APRIL 11 – 13, 2014 

STRENGTHS

1. Pastor and Spouse:  Josh and Jessica Woods are providing excellent leadership.  Some people we talked to expressed that the church now has hope.  Many are impressed with Josh’s preaching.

2. Location in the Community:  The congregation is located in a place of great visibility.  The Church is also located in a growing community in which there are few evangelical churches.

3. Room For Growth:  The facilities and grounds, while needing work, provide ample room for a growing congregation.

4. New People:  Even though the new pastor has only been in place seven months, a number of people new to the church are attending.

5. Beginnings of Change:  The congregation is accepting the initial changes brought by the new pastor.  Such changes include:  bringing an end to a Sunday school that was not functioning well, new life groups, discovery groups and a more dynamic worship experience. 

CONCERNS

1. The Great Commission:  The church has failed to fulfill the Great Commission with regularity and consistency for a number of years.

2. Limited Resources:  The church alone, does not have the resources in terms of both people and dollars, to make the required changes for health and growth.

3. Need for a New Beginning:  This church has lost its ability to minister with effectiveness to the community in which God has placed it.

4. Lack of Community Engagement:  The congregation has been focused inward for an extended period of time and therefore unable to fulfill God’s mission for the Church and achieve a compelling vision.

5. Inadequate Staffing:  The church is currently not staff led and therefore there is not the marriage of responsibility, authority and accountability. 

PRESCRIPTIONS

1. The Great Commission:  The pastor will call the congregation to a day of prayer for repentance and forgiveness.  This time of prayer will occur during a Sunday morning worship service.  Prayers will be offered asking God to forgive the congregation (both individually and collectively) for failing to make new disciples for Jesus Christ on a regular and consistent basis.  People will pray that God will break the hearts of the congregation for lost people and those in the community who are far from God.  Others will pray that God will give the congregation a passion for the lost.  Prayers will also be prayed asking God to help the congregation achieve a mission and vision that is focused outward.  This service will be led by the District Superintendent.  Once it is over the congregation will be organized to walk and drive the community praying for lost people.  This day will occur by June 8, 2014.

2. Limited Resources:  The church and the District will enter into a Transformation Partnership.  The church, on the day this report is accepted (should that be the case) will go into Developing Church Status with the District.  The District will help the church increase its current note with WIF to $100,000 in order to raise $30,000 for facility needs.  The District will also invest some thousands of its own dollars in the church to help with ministry needs.  Finally the District will recruit three pastors and/or lay leaders from other churches to be a part of the new LAC along with two current leaders of the congregation.  This new LAC will adopt the Kaiser model of governance, where the board governs, the pastor leads, the staff equips and the congregation ministers.  The District will also recruit David Norman (a Wesleyan pastor in the district with strong financial training) to come and help the church move to Church Management software in order to bring added knowledge and wisdom to the church’s handling of its finances.  This consulting will be accomplished by July 1, 2014.  The pastor will become an adjunct staff member with Fusion Community Church in Cobleskill, NY.  His coach will be Andrew Fetter.  The pastor will be able to learn in a unique environment about leadership and how healthy congregations function.  This will occur by June 1, 2014. 

3. Need for a New Beginning:  It is time for this church to re-invent itself in order to bring freshness to the implementation of its mission and vision.  The pastor with the help of his coach, the District, the DS and the new LAC will develop a prioritized plan for refurbishing the grounds and facilities.  This will not only include painting, remodeling, de-cluttering etc. but a change in signage to enable the thousands who pass the church building each day to finally see it and know it is here.  He will also be developing a new ministry plan related to staffing and prioritizing ministries.  Part of this plan will include a name change.  During this time there will be a period when the church prepares for the new day by meeting at different times and locations during the weekend in order to appear closed while refurbishing.  The new launch will take place after Labor Day.  The refurbishing will have to be done in accordance with the dollars mentioned in prescription two becoming available for use.  Hopefully most of the refurbishing work will be done by the end of the summer in order to re-launch in the early Fall.  This assumes that the ministry plan will also be concluded by August 31, 2014.  Once the ministry plan is concluded the pastor will conduct a mission/ministry audit that will begin in the Fall.  In the audit every ministry of the church will be evaluated in light of the mission.  Every ministry will be required to demonstrate how it helps people far from God know Jesus.  Ministries that cannot demonstrate mission purpose will then need to be changed so they do or they will be canceled.  This audit will begin September 1, 2014 and be completed by February 28, 2015.  The pastor with the help of his coach and the DS will set two number goals as part of the vision.  The first number will be the number of conversions that the church will target in the next five years.  The second number will be the number of people the church will touch with the love of Jesus over the next five years.   These numbers will be established by September 1, 2014.

4. Lack of Community Engagement:  The church will conduct three bridge events based upon the training provided during the consultation weekend.  These events will occur from September 1, 2014 through August 31, 2015.  The pastor will target six leaders in the community that he will meet with in order to develop sustained relationships (if possible) during the next twelve months.  These people might be school principals, city planners, police officers or officers with the fire company etc.  The purpose of these contacts is to determine areas in which the congregation might be led by God to meet needs on a continual and regular basis.  The pastor will also join one civic organization to again develop such contacts.  Once God opens a door of ministry the pastor will, with help from his coach, develop a strategy to determine how members of the congregation can serve in order to demonstrate God’s love to the community.  This prescription focuses the pastor as the pastor to the community rather than just the church body. 

5. Inadequate Staffing:  The pastor will develop a staff to oversee the key ministries of the church.  These staff members (both paid and unpaid) will be given the overall responsibility for their area of ministry.  They will be given adequate authority to carry out their ministry.  And they will be held accountable by the pastor for goals.  Each staff member will have different goals but all staff members must set goals in three common areas, as well.  Those three common areas are evangelism goals, leadership development goals and growth goals.  Staff members that achieve their goals will be honored, those that do not achieve their goals, will not be allowed to oversee those areas of ministry any longer.  Staff members will be recruited to oversee worship, children, the connection of new people, bridge events and youth.  This staff, also known as the ministry team, will be in place by September 1, 2014.  By that date a connectional system, helping new guests become part of the congregation will be established.  Also the children’s ministry will be one that attracts new guests because of the excitement it creates within children. 

The pastor will conduct leadership development training at every staff meeting.  He will also recruit eight to ten people that he will meet with regularly to disciple in terms of leadership development.  He will meet with these people, in either a group or individual setting once a month.  This will begin by October 1, 2014. 

THOSE WHO ATTEND THE CHURCH REGULARLY WILL VOTE TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THIS REPORT AND ITS PRESCRIPTIONS.  IF ACCEPTED THE DISTRICT WILL MEET THE OBLIGATIONS LAID OUT FOR IT IN THE REPORT AND PROVIDE A CONGREGATIONAL COACH FOR THE PASTOR AND CHURCH.  IF REJECTED THE PROCESS IS OVER SINCE THE CONGREGATION WILL HAVE SPOKEN.  THIS VOTE WILL OCCUR BY MAY 18, 2014.       

Submitted by;

Dr. Paul D. Borden

Rev. Paul James

Dr. Mark Gorveatte  

Christmas Letter 2013

December 2013

Dear Friend,

The year 2013 has proven to be a one of change for the Eastern New York/New England team, as well as for the James family.  If you have a couple of minutes I’d like to share some of them with you. 

In August, Susan and I closed on a home in Ballston Spa, NY.  This is a quaint village 25 miles south of Queensbury, where we have lived for the past five years.  The district parsonage and office have been turned into a vacation rental/corporate retreat center called The Retreat at West Mountain.  Located in the heart of vacation country, the property is centrally located to Lake George and Saratoga Springs.

Moving the district office to our Corinth church, outfitting the retreat center and remodeling our ninety-year old home has kept us very busy this fall.  However, we thrive on projects and are excited about this new chapter in our lives.

Susan is busy writing a book.  The first draft is complete.  She is in the middle of the re-write phase now. Reliving parts of her traumatic youth have proved to be more painful than she anticipated, but she is confident that God will use this story to help others.

Paul still enjoys coaching and consulting with his pastors and churches.  Twenty-four of our churches have now completed the consultation process that we call DTP (District Transformation Project).  Doors have opened for him to share what we have learned with other districts.  He is thrilled with the miracles that are happening in churches where the revitalization weekends are taking place.  Making disciples for Jesus remains his passion.

David surprised us in February by announcing that Dana Wagner had become Mrs. David James.  David and Dana live in Overland Park, Kansas.  He is still involved in computer work and greatly involved in the lives of Peytan (9) and Kyler (6).

Beth and Pete are in the process of relocating to the Raleigh, NC area.  Pete will be managing an office for Jenkins Restoration.  Beth has many interests and friends, but is most active in interior decorating.  This is a hobby that has turned into a small business for her.  Kailey (11), Gabriel (9) and Josiah (5) are their children.

Kathy and Earl live in Clarksville, TN.  Earl is stationed at Fort Campbell where he is commander of Echo Company 5-101.  Kathy home-schools the kids, Hannah (15), Brianna (11), and Isaiah (7).   The disease, polymyositis, that Kathy has is in remission and we are grateful.

Dad and Mom James reside in Winter Haven, FL.  Dad is 87; Mom is 91.   We are grateful for the reasonably good health they are enjoying for their ages.  They keep up with family and friends through the Internet and are vitally interested in the lives of their three boys and families.

The last time that most of us were together for a picture was last Christmas.  Since many of you in the northeast know little of our family, I thought I’d dust this picture off and send it on to you.  We have added Earl, who was in Afghanistan at the time and Dana, who had not yet joined the family when the picture was taken.

Sincerely,

Pastor Paul & Susan

Back Row: David, Hannah, Kathy, Kailey, Beth, Pete

Front Row:  Peyton, Susan, Kylar (Susan’s lap), Paul, Isaiah (Paul’s lap), Brianna, Gabriel, Josiah

Earl Morris

Earl Morris

   

David & Dana James

Ogdensburg - DTP Consultation

Ogdensburg Wesleyan Church

Consultation

September 29, 2013

Strengths

1. Pastor and Spouse

Although Pastor Jon and Jamie Wixson have been in Ogdensburg for only six weeks, they have won the hearts of the people.  Their youth, energy, faith and expectancy have injected fresh hope into a congregation that was near death.

2. Unique Facilities

The old schoolhouse that is now the church is well maintained for its age.  It is clean, neat, and offers a home base that can be used for the foreseeable future.  The congregation has high hopes of soon outgrowing this space in the Sunday morning service.

3. Core Leadership

A small leadership group refuses to give up even in the face of great adversity and unexpected events.  They cling to the hope that God is not through with this church yet and that it can have a viable ministry to this needy city.

4.  Financial Resources

Over the years, the church stockpiled financial reserves.  Without these funds, the church would have no future.  However, strategically used for outreach, they offer hope for ministry going forward.

5. Community Center

Located in the heart of a residential area that is full of children, the whole building and adjacent lot has great potential as a community center.  By faith, we see a multitude of uses that will build bridges to the needy and hurting lives surrounding the church.

Concerns

1. Mission/Vision

The congregation has been inwardly focused; with many people more concerned about what the church can do for them rather than what the church can do for the city.  The mission/vision must be refocused and redirected.

2. Reputation/Outreach

Unfortunately, stories are told of behavior by church attenders that have alienated those in the immediate community.  Emphasis on repentance and healing must take place to recapture respect from the greater community.  Also, it is believed that the greater Ogdensburg community has no idea that the church exists.

3. Facilities

The limited space in the building is not equipped for the multi-purpose use that is envisioned.  Reaching the young families and children means reconfiguring the largest and most useful spaces.  Also, the field beside the church must be leveraged to aid in the mission/vision.

4. Finances/Cash Flow

Weekly tithes and offerings are only $300-$400.  Unless this increases the church will struggle to stay on mission and to stay alive.  Supporting the pastor, maintaining the property, and funding a vision will take many more dollars weekly.

5. Ministries/Structure

Limited ministries now exist, and those that do exist focus almost exclusively on “us.”  This must change or death is near.  The three ministries that a church this size must focus on are excellent Sunday morning worship, assimilation of guests, and innovative ministry to children.

Prescriptions

1. Mission/Vision

The congregation, under the leadership of the pastor, shall be called to a consecrated day of repentance.  On this day, prayers will be offered asking God to forgive the congregation for being inward focused and failing to regularly reach souls for Christ.  The fact that year after year, few if any souls have come to know Christ as a result of OWC ministries should bring pain to hearts and tears to eyes.  This service will take place by December 31, 2013.

Following this day of repentance, prayer drives and walks throughout the community shall awaken a burden for the lost and hurting of this city that is often described as a spiritually dark place.  The attendees of this church must believe that they are part of God’s plan to bring light and hope to broken lives.  By April 30, 2014 every street in the city will have been prayed over.

The target area will be selected, demographic studies and goals set for the two vision numbers as taught by the vision team—one of how many lives will be touched by kindness and one of how many souls will come to Christ.

The pastor will lead the congregation in house-to-house visits.  Rebranding the church to change its image will be a priority.  Whenever there is a decision to be made regarding whether to use resources and energy on “us” (those already in the church) or “them” (those in the world who need Christ), “them” shall receive the priority.

2. Reputation/Outreach

During the next year, 80% of the pastor’s time will be spent on outreach and evangelism.  Every day, he must be out in the community meeting influential people, joining key organizations, knocking on doors and meeting folks and neighbors.  Attention must be given to repairing broken relationships with neighbors who have experienced unloving attitudes and conduct by church members.

During the month of December, tins of cookies and hand-written Christmas cards will be delivered to homes in the area between State Street and the river, Highway 37 and Lafayette St.

Also, the pastor will lead the congregation in 3-6 bridge events.  The events must have strategic follow-up dates (not date) as taught by the consultation team.  Touching people, changing lives must be the theme every day, all year.

3. Facilities

The building is now configured to be used two or three hours a week.  In order for that to change, the worship center must become a multi-purpose room.  The pews will be removed and replaced by stackable, interlocking chairs.  This will make this space available in various configurations for children’s clubs, community activities, community meetings, exercise, youth events, etc.  Two large-screen TVs (60” or larger) will be mounted on the walls to enhance the worship experience.  To add warmth, hospitality, and to encourage fellowship, a coffee bar will be placed in the lobby.  These renovations will be completed by February 28, 2014.  The congregation is encouraged to raise the money as soon as possible for the 75 chairs.  As soon as $3,000 is raised (approximately 65 chairs), the District Vision Fund will contribute $500 for the final 10 chairs.  It is expected that chairs will be in the worship center by January 15, 2014.

Attention will be given to utilizing the lovely park-like lot by the church for ministry.  Soccer, enlarged playground, outdoor movies, community campouts, etc. are all ideas to help the community view this place as a place to belong.  As this develops, the congregation will move to “build bridges” to the families and children who begin to use this space.

Continual upgrading of the basement space to better serve children and youth will also take place.

4. Finances/Cash Flow

The congregation will read the book The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn and a series of messages on this spiritual topic will be given.  This month, known as Stewardship Month, will take place in January 2014.

In addition, the leadership team and pastor shall set aside a $4000 Emergency fund and divide the remaining reserves into 24 equal amounts to be used for ministry over the next 24 months.

Also a coach will be provided for the pastor by the District and paid for by the church.

5. Ministries/Structure

The pastor shall lead the congregation in focusing on three ministries this year: Sunday Morning Worship, Assimilation, and Children. These must have all the attention and focus.

The pastor is the director of the worship service and must see that all is done with excellence - so that guests will have a wonderful experience with God and new friends.

An assimilation team following the plan of Nelson Searcy will be put into place.  Church management computer software will be purchased, mailing list developed, and a deliberate follow-up, marketing plan put into place.

A weekday children’s club, children’s church, and children’s sermon are three points of emphasis that will be put in place almost immediately.

The Kaiser Model, as taught by the consultation team and explained in the DTP town hall meeting, will be the way the church is governed going forward.

The congregation will vote to accept or reject this report by October 20, 2013. All regular attenders will vote. If rejected the District will not work with the congregation in relation to the report since the congregation will have spoken. However, if accepted the District will provide whatever resources are within its power to give assistance for the congregation to achieve the prescription.

Submitted by:

Rev. Paul James

Rev. Stephen O’Dell

Rev. David Norman

Rev. Juanita Brooks