Natural Church Development (NCD)/Health Team Update-December 2009

Natural Church Development (NCD) is a process that provides us with an opportunity to develop a goal and supporting objectives that will enable us to focus on our passionate spirituality and ultimately help our church to be a place where current and future members continue to feel welcomed and spiritually fed. God has been present every step of the way. Our congregation has been supportive with prayers and words of encouragement as well.

Background:

In June of 2008, 30 members of our church took the NCD survey. We established a Health Team, Sponsoring Team and Prayer Team to support the journey. The results of the survey showed us that Passionate Spirituality was our lowest minimum factor. The journey continued as we held small group gatherings and listened to over 100 people in our church. We received input on passionate spirituality and discussed ways we could enhance our experience with God. The Health Team reviewed the notes from those meetings, met with our coach, Curtis Brown, reviewed recommendations with our Sponsoring Team and prayed to God for guidance and support. We developed objectives that would keep our congregation focused on improving our passion about God and our church. All along the way we had prayers from our Prayer Team to keep God aware of the journey we were on at NUMC. In January 2009 the Health Team received approval from Administration Council to proceed with the objective and goals.

The overall objective is:

We want to grow together as a faith community where we experience God’s grace as we strengthen and enrich our loving relationship with Him.

The supporting goals and 2009 Accomplishments:

Provide more opportunities for our church and community to experience God’s grace through study, fellowship and service. And increase the awareness of God’s presence at all meetings and gatherings.

2009 Accomplishments:

  • Developed an Activity Guide Book with instructions of how to make events happen at church. (Thanks to Marlene Camper and Vickie Hadge for completing this task.)
  • Developed a power point presentation of our accomplishments (including fellowship in prior years). Remember that NCD is not a one time event that just started with these objectives. It is a continuation of the journey that God has for our church. It is a combination of our past, present and future. (Thanks to Vickie Hadge for designing this presentation.)
  • Held several potluck suppers.
  • Held an afternoon tea fundraiser. (Thank you to Vickie Hadge, Kayle Gagnon, Joan Byron, Carolyn Gimbrone and the many volunteers who helped to make this a successful event.)
  • Continued to be supported by our ongoing small groups and committees such as; Bible and book study, MACC walk and on-going support of shelter and food pantry, Knitting Ministry, Youth Group support of Christmas in April, over 50’s group. We are truly blessed to have people in our church who are willing to lead and to offer support to make things happen!

To increase a person’s experience of the Grace of God in multiple venues throughout the next year and forever.

2009 Accomplishments:

  • Established a Worship Team, led by Jane Hopkins and Tim McLaughlin. The work on this objective has just started due to the fact that Pastor Laurel has recently joined this team. Pastor Laurel and the team members need time to focus and pray for guidance on what direction this team should take. The Health Team is confident that this objective is still a valid one and has given the Worship Team extra time to continue this important part of our journey.

To have spiritually centered leaders who are well equipped in ‘transparent’ communication skills (such as active listening, conflict resolution, embracing differences, and effective communication.)

2009 Accomplishments:

  • Reverend Barbara Lemmel led a workshop for 33 members of our church to learn about family systems. We learned how to identify anxiety in others and take ownership of our own anxiety and behaviors. We learned that change should be viewed as an adventure and not a problem!

2010 Initiatives:

We will continue work on our objectives. We are also planning to add new members to the Health Team. The new group will plan and facilitate the re-taking of the NCD survey in June 2010. The results from this survey will provide us with an assessment of the progress we are making with improving our passionate spirituality.

Summary

NCD provides us with a process that helps to keep leaders focused during a time of great change for our church. It also provides us with a process to get input from the congregation and learn about the gifts our members have and the needs we have as well. We are making progress. God continues to work among us.

God Bless,
Deb Tedford (Health Team Leader)

NCD Health Team Members:

Marlene Camper, Cathy Fogel, Jim Glass, Vickie Hadge, Jane Hopkins, Tim McLaughlin, Kris Pelletier, Pastor Laurel Scott, and Deb Tedford.

NCD Sponsoring Team Members:

Karen Arendt, Don Camper, Irene Fitzgerald, Carolyn Gimbrone, Marsha Howland, Lindsay Ladabouche, Jan Miller, Cathy Smith, Charlene Sullivan, Barbie Turley, and Linda VanDine.

Prayer Team Members:

Jackie Abbott, John Chadwick, Vivian Hanna, Becky Richards, Karen Arendt, Pam Craparotta, Bev Saunders, Rob Arendt, Diana Custer, Jane Hopkins, Bill Saunders, Sue Derby, Barbara Judd, Cathy Smith, Caleb Cadman, Emily Fitzgerald, Sylvia LaPenta, Deb Tedford, Don Camper, Irene Fitzgerald, Dianne LePore, Ed Timbrell, Marlene Camper, Cathy Fogel, Kyle McGaw, Barbie Turley, Wayne Canipe, Judy Galligan, Dottie Ouillette, Liz Twarkins, Carolyn Gimbrone, Kris Pelletier, Linda VanDine, Vickie Hadge, Ruth Ralph

NCD Update May 2009

One of our NCD objectives is to have spiritually centered leaders who are well equipped in 'transparent' communication skills (active listening, conflict resolution, embracing differences, and effective communication). I am pleased to report that Reverend Barbara Lemmel, will be leading a workshop for us on May 30, 2009 from 9 am – 3 pm.

While we are encouraging all members in leadership to attend, we would also like to open it up to anyone in our congregation who may want to attend.

During this workshop we will learn about Family Systems Theory which offers a fresh perspective on human interaction by exploring the emotional dynamics that occur whenever people gather together.

For example, in anxious times, communities of people will act in predictable ways that differ from how they might act in less anxious moments. Gaining an understanding of these reactions can help leaders regain perspective, re-establish vision, and find health, even in difficult situations. This workshop will explore characteristics of anxious systems, as well as the dynamics of healthy leadership and clear communication that can “unstick” an anxious organization and move it forward into the future.

Barbara Lemmel is an elder in the Troy Conference of the UMC and a member of the New England Conference Parish Consultant Team. She has served congregations in Vermont and upstate New York. As Troy Conference Minister, she facilitated conference re-structuring and offered programming and spiritual guidance to churches and pastors. Barbara has studied Family Systems Theory with the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center in Chicago, and the Center for Pastoral Effectiveness in New Orleans. She co-leads “Tending the Fire”, teaching pastors about the application of family systems theory within the congregation they serve. Barbara is passionate about helping churches and individuals discern and implement their spiritual gifts. She is absolutely dedicated to the premise that church can be transformational and fun.

Please hold the date of May 30th – more information will be provided in future church announcements.

God Bless,
Deb Tedford
Health Team Leader

Our Natural Church Development Journey

Click here to listen to the January 25, 2009 update.

What has the Health Team been doing?

Health Team Members

Marlene Camper
Cathy Fogel
Jim Glass
Rev. Laurel Scott
Vickie Hadge
Jane Hopkins
Tim McLaughlin
Kris Pelletier
Deb Tedford – Leader

Overall Goal

We want to grow together as a faith community where we experience God’s grace as we strengthen and enrich our loving relationship with Him.

NCD Objective 1Objective Leader/Person Accountable2009 Timeline
Provide more opportunities for our church and community to experience God’s grace through study, fellowship and service. And increase the awareness of God’s presence at all meetings and gatherings.Vickie Hadge
Marlene Camper		Throughout 2009
Next Steps:  
Bring team of people together who have organized events in the past to discuss what worked, what didn’t work and what can be done to improve the process in order to sustain future events. By March 30
Document guidelines for all event leaders who plan or organize events in the future. By April 30
Hold three to four new events (or “old” events that have not been offered in quite some time) in 2009. (Event can include fundraising events, Game Night, MACC project, Tea, Habitat project, holiday events, Disciple training, etc.) Each event will reinforce passionate spirituality and focus on God’s grace and presence. Throughout 2009
Report to Administrative Council throughout the project Monthly
Develop a list of ways current and future groups may acknowledge God’s presence and grace at every meeting.Deb TedfordBy April 30
NCD Objective 2Objective Leader/Person Accountable2009 Timeline
To increase a person’s experience of the Grace of God in multiple venues for Sunday morning throughout the next year and forever.Jane Hopkins
Tim Mclaughlin		 
Next Steps:  
Establish a temporary Strategic Worship Team. February 2009
The Strategic Worship Team will:  
Determine the best worship experience to offer in order to attract new members.  
Determine the best worship experience to offer in order to retain current members.  
Research what other churches do for worship services including when they occur.  
Partner with current Worship Work Area members to be sure all aspects of the worship experience are taken into consideration.  
Determine the future structure and responsibilities of an ongoing Worship Team/Committee.  
Present updates to Administrative Council throughout the project. Monthly
Present the team’s recommendation to Administrative Council. By July 2009
Present the team’s recommendation to the congregation. August 2 2009
NCD Objective 3Objective Leader/Person Accountable2009 Timeline
To have spiritually centered leaders who are well equipped in ‘transparent’ communication skills (active listening, conflict resolution, embracing differences, effective communication).SPRCThroughout 2009
Next Steps:  
Assign a leader for this objective (someone on SPRC).Karen ArendtJanuary
Document guidelines for all event leaders who plan or organize events in the future. By April 30
Contact Evelyn Johnson Moore to get names of consultants who can provide this training (ASAP).Cathy FogelJanuary
Interview consultants.  
Select the consultant that best meets our needs and fits best with our overall goal and mission. By March 30
Identify group of people who will be trained as trainers for future sessions (train the trainer) in order to sustain training and multiply the skills. By March 30
Implement the training 4/1/09 to 12/31/09
Report on progress to Administrative Council Throughout 2009