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Meaning Statements
Yellow group -
Food has always been important - changes for over time.
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Youth
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Music
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Education
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Students: “Church beside the campus, mission to serve students.”
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Excitement invigorates people - now in an exciting period. Runs its course and builds up again.
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Pastor’s priorities/passion influences the congregational priorities/passion.
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Children’s ministry grew when a staff member was hired to lead it.
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Involvement of members of all ages (i.e., children, youth, young adults) is a priority.
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Intellectually connected - going from thinking faith to feeling faith.
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Open world view - reconciling congregation
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From “there will never be enough” to “God will provide.” Courage to take leaps - hiring, building, reconciling congregation, etc. (3 leaps - Christian ed., youth, evangelism)
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Courage to take leaps AFTER studying to death.
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Music gets a lot of people involved - highlight of worship and hot button (style, etc.)
Orange group -
FUMC is interconnected to culture and happenings
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Music is important to us
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Vitality is important
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Confidence in staff now.
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Like to talk through things, want consensus, want to show respect for differing opinions.
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Vitality in children and youth programs go hand in hand with church growth.
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Enthusiasm of staff and clergy “pays off” in growth.
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This era “clicks” between clergy & staff styles, abilities, and lay leadership styles.
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Ebb and flow and controversy are normal. We are a resilient congregation.
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Longstanding relationship with OSU.
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We are longstanding racially homogenous, doing better on being diverse and welcoming of different abilities than we are of being welcoming of other differences.
Pink group -
Dinner/potlucks as community building and bringing people together.
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Church always trying to evolve to keep and attract people, not just doing things “the way we’ve always done it.”
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We like to build.
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There is something significant in each era - a definite purpose.
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A common purpose generates excitement.
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We have always had a strong connection to the university (Wesley foundation, Westminster House)
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We have musically expanded over time (greater variety), but not necessarily more people participating total. (More, but perhaps smaller groups)
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We are becoming more mission driven.
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We value the youth group. Many of our previous youth have grown up to be ministers. Our commitment to youth has been consistent.
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We have an evolving outreach ministry and concern for those who can’t attend service.
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Expanding variety of groups. Lots of places for people to plug in.
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Continuing evolution in appreciation of diversity and inclusion as reflected in cultural trends. Church is “with the times,” or “on the cutting edge” where it comes to who we include.
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Increase in building and personal safety as more problems happen and security becomes more of an issue.
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Willing to take a risk with regards to hard issues. We stand up for what we believe in, even when it is not popular or is a risky stand.
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We use the gifts of our members to guide and carry out our visions and plans.
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We make commitments to spend money where our passion lies, especially looking at growth and planning for the future.
Green group -
Campus ministry strong - separate from church. Campus ministry has lost its steam.
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Physical location to campus: “church beside the campus.”
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Education - important strand in the life of the church.
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Food and music are essential components to our church.
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Congregation is innovative in worship.
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Importance of worship and membership/attendance declines.
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Church leadership reflects on 5 years of history.
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Sharing of leadership
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We value education.
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We value each individual and his/her beliefs.
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Support of ministry.
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Folks have been encouraged to respond to possibility that God is calling them.
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What about tithing?
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We are reluctant to talk about finances.
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We are more apt to respond to a specific financial need: fire, carpet, lights & sound, etc.
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Ecumenical: accepting of various paths.
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