Outcomes We Affirm - This is a summary of the listenings discerned from the delegate
meeting on March 17, 2008.
Working
together is more effective and cost efficient than working as single
congregations.
Our
Anabaptist/Mennonite emphasis on faithful discipleship needs to be shared
and displayed in relevant ways to our changing communities without hesitation
or compromise.
Our
conference congregations need to value each other and assist one another
in new and better ways.
Adequate
and effective communication is the key to success for any conference-wide
initiative.
Funding
follows vision and carefully laid plans.
Leadership
development and empowerment is the key to the future of our mission as a
conference of churches.
Transformation
and vision will only grow out of healthy, vibrant congregations.
We
want to establish new patterns of church life that are inviting and life-giving
to a new generation of faith seekers.
Joint
initiatives that are practical and cost effective.
Joint
initiatives that assist our congregations to become more effective
witnesses in our communities.
Initiatives Proposed - These are the six original vision
statements that we need to discern and prioritize what we can do together. In
light of the desired values and outcomes listed above, what can
and should we do to reach toward God's desired mission for us.
Find a
consultant to work with congregations toward healthy, missional centers of
worship and outreach.
Develop
a conference-wide spiritual renewal thrust.
Develop
a shared publicity campaign that establishes identity for our
congregational communities.
Identify,
train, and provide internship opportunities for developing leaders from
our conference congregations.
Develop
a conference-wide strategy for church planting.
Appeal
to the accumulated assets in our conference households to establish
visionary funding for these development goals.
