• Widespread involvement and laity leadership
  
• Committee work - after 3 years you have to take a year off to rotate in newbies and get new ideas.
  
• Not the same old patriarchs but use a higher percentage of people rotating in and out of influential and decision-making groups.

• Increase membership

Worship

• Multiple regular worship other than just Sunday
  
• Full pews
  
• Weekly message that God loves us
  
• Youth worship service
  
• 3 service format disappearing - combine morning services using all resources but not draining them.
  
• Preaching relevant AND competent.
  
• Program, including worship services, is sufficiently varied to meet all the diverse needs.
  
• People are able to share their prayers, concerns, celebrations, etc. in service in a non-awkward way.
  
• Intercom system or radio broadcast throughout church so that people in other parts of the church can hear the worship service.

• Small group places - delightful and surprising holy spaces.
  
• Visual presence
  
• Signage
  
• Full use of all available space inside and out
  
• Master plan completed and paid for
  
• Maintaining buildings
  
• Welcoming entrances
  
• Library lounge/fellowship place for after-church is in a big, warm, inviting space with lots of space for extended conversation, espresso bar (!!!), pastry stand, etc. A place where people can be together after church, make deep and meaningful connections, and hang out.
  
• Better carpet, nice floors - good for wheelchairs and babies.
  
• Soundproof cry room in Sanctuary w/ adjustable volume control inside.
  
• Natural lighting - skylights, bigger windows, more inviting space. Bring more of the outside world into our building.
  
• Worship spaces varied, matching w/ varied worship experiences.
  
• Labyrinth as part of remodeling
  
• 24-hr sanctuary
  
• Education classes are all together so that there is a sense of collaboration, learning, flow, and intergenerational possibilities.
  
• Worship space is versatile - acoustically marvelous, wired to the max for lights, sound, etc. to create drama and EXPERIENCE in all 3 worship services.
  
• Sanctuary is more aesthetically balanced - not 12 different kinds of wood. Lighten up and use contrast.
  
• Outside space for BBQs, gatherings, weddings, etc. where 50-100 people can gather without being on Monroe Street.
  
• People closer together and closer to the action. Perhaps change the Sanctuary to sideways with a thrust “stage” area w/ congregation around.
  
• Organ NOT the focal point of the whole Sanctuary.
  
• Sanctuary is usable as space for other important works of the church so that it’s CENTRAL to our lives as a community and not just the formal “big house” for Sundays. Also makes the Sanctuary available for people to be in it w/out yet committing to worship.
  
• Art work
  
• More visible entrance to sanctuary
  
• All outside doors open up into space that is alive, welcoming, and clearly leads somewhere.
  
• Restrooms that are easy to find w/ amenities and CHANGING TABLES.
  
• The heart of the church is right up front and easy to find.
  
• Intercom system or radio broadcast throughout church so that people in other parts of the church can hear the worship service.

• Ample funds to implement dreams
  
• Tithing
  
• Retirement plans

• Meals
  
• Signage
  
• Greeters
  
• Taking care of newcomers and long-time members
  
• Everyone feels welcome
  
• Sanctuary is usable as space for other important works of the church so that it’s CENTRAL to our lives as a community and not just the formal “big house” for Sundays. Also makes the Sanctuary available for people to be in it w/out yet committing to worship.
  
• Library lounge/fellowship place for after-church is in a big, warm, inviting space with lots of space for extended conversation, espresso bar (!!!), pastry stand, etc. A place where people can be together after church, make deep and meaningful connections, and hang out.

• Strong varied music
  
• Large, enthusiastic music groups
  
• Excellent music (organ, strong congregational singing, etc.)
  
• Music connected to “flow,” relevant to scripture/sermon, natural part of service

• Small groups - everyone connected
  
• FUMC is a spiritual center
  
• Strong Bible/Discovery programs
  
• Faith exploration programs
  
• Labyrinth
  
• Programs for all ages
  
• A lot of personal relationship with God - bible study, spiritual depth, intergenerational bible studies, youth involved w/ others in religious growth

• Children: vibrant program for 6-12 yr olds.
  
• Childcare for all who need/want
  
• Well-staffed nursery. Children’s area/nursery with areas for infants (mats, chew toys, cribs, soft colors), toddlers (large motor equipment, large play toys, puzzles, etc.) and older (art supplies, games, intricate toys).
  
• Support campus ministry ($)

• Ethos of expectation
  
• Shared ministries
  
• A clear sense of tradition and future
  
• Church with a conscience
  
• Open to change

• Who are United Methodists
  
• Service opportunities
  
• Opportunities for all ages
  
• Strong congregational care program
  
• Regular mission trips
  
• Soup kitchen and food pantry
  
• Clothing
  
• Connections to Hispanic community, satellite services to care centers, adult mission teams leave monthly, lots of resources to meet shut-ins, volunteers, vans, etc.
  
• UMW membership growing
  
• More commitment, money, participation to social service ministry.

• Connectedness with other faith communities and the community at large, and being more effective.
  
• Not three churches but one
  
• Intergenerational and inter-service gatherings regularly
  
• People connecting beyond people who are like them (i.e., single moms w/ lonely grandmas)

• Who are United Methodists?
  
• FUMC is a spiritual center
  
• Community face
  
• Vibrant 3rd place: coffee, computers, conversation, silence, music
  
• Community center open
  
• Participation of church members in the greater community - recognition that the church is not the whole thing.

• Reconciling congregation
  
• Diversity truly embraced
  
• Multi-generational congregation

Neighborhood stuff

Program (including Worship) - open to evaluate our current program and a Willingness to review.

What does this mean for staffing, finances, facility use, and deployment of lay leadership?