In this blog post, I offer the actions set out in the 2nd Goal of Brighton First's Strategic Plan, adopted September 13, 2016. For more information, refer to my previous blog posts. You will find a description of the process for developing the strategic plan and details for accomplishing the first goal.
Goal 2 –Create a system at Brighton First in which people of all ages have the opportunity to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Diagnosis: The non-churched and nominally churched are not given a compelling reason to follow Jesus Christ by most of the Christians they know. While a life of Christian discipleship can lead to clarified purpose, sustained peace and steadfast joy, those who are seeking need a starting point and a clear path. Even within the church, the path to growing in faith as a disciple of Jesus Christ can be elusive.
Guiding Policy: It is the responsibility of the church to meet people where they are on their faith journey with excellent, relevant spiritual growth opportunities that lead to growth as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Coherent Actions:
1. Our Children’s Ministry grade level curriculum goals will be evaluated for effectiveness in making disciples of Jesus Christ. This includes standardizing curriculum outcomes for preschool through 5th grade and clarifying age/grade level benchmarks for spiritual growth through all ages. This will be accomplished by our Children’s Ministry Team and completed by May 2017.
2. The Children’s Ministry Director (or a person assigned by the director) and the Preschool Director will review pre-school curriculum for intentional spiritual growth components by November 2016. Spiritual growth curriculum and practices used in First Steps Preschool will be reviewed by the Children’s Ministry Team and included in the curriculum guide produced by May 2017.
3. Youth curriculum goals (for youth groups and classes) will be evaluated and developed to lead toward making disciples of Jesus Christ. Annual goals with with metrics for measuring outcomes will be included. The development of curriculum goals will be led by the Director of Youth Ministries with assistance of the Youth Council and in place by May 2017.
4. The church will create a program for youth summer interns, giving youth an opportunity to experience working in ministry fields. This will be coordinated by the Director of Youth Ministries and in place by the summer of 2017.
5. The Adult Faith Formation Team will oversee the development, implementation and semi-annual evaluation (December and May) of an Intentional Faith Development Plan. The plan will be in place by October 2016.
6. The church will commit to being a “Culture of Call”, developing programming, training, mission opportunities and recognition for all who express an interest in serving in professional ministry. This will be overseen by the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. The SPRC will submit its comprehensive “Culture of Call” plan to the Administrative Board by May 2017.
7. In worship, Brighton First will have no less than one witness per month from someone who has grown spiritually through the ministries of Brighton First and the grace of God. The age and gender of those who give witness will be diverse. The senior pastor will oversee this. This will be in place no later than January 2017.
8. Because disciples are formed and nurtured in prayer, Brighton First will increase participation in its prayer ministry. Clergy, in partnership with the Prayer Team, will assess current prayer participation and develop and bring a proposal for prayer education and participation to the Administrative Board no later than January 2017 on specific actions and/or programs to accomplish this. Programming and practices that increase the prayer life of church members and the prayer ministry of the church will be in place no later than May 2017.
9. Brighton First will offer at least one support group (for example: grief group, caretaker group, divorce group) per year. The Adult Faith Formation Team, in consultation with clergy, will seek to create support groups based on the needs/requests of community members. The support groups will be listed with other class and small group offerings.
10. A Congregational Care Team will be created by May 2017. The Team will consist of a minimum of five members. Team members will have the opportunity to grow as disciples as they expand the reach of spiritual care to congregation members and the community through one-on-one visits. A current model, such as Befrienders may be used or another model adopted. This will be lay led and overseen by the Senior Pastor.
11. Clergy, the Director of Discipleship, Children’s Ministries Director and Youth Ministries Director will coordinate curriculum annually. The Administrative Board will receive a curriculum report annually in May.
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