Vital Church Initiative Implementation Team Assesses Progress

In April 2015, a team of Brighton First congregation members came together to oversee the implementation of the VCI Consultation prescriptions (see document link on this blog page), adopted by the congregation. After more than a year of consulting with church staff members and team leaders and meeting monthly, the Implementation Team assessed the church's progress at its August meeting.

The team was joined by Naomi Garcia, our church's "VCI Directive Coach". Garcia, a staff member for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church, asked two basic questions. First, how was the VCI Implementation Team and other church committees, boards and teams working together. She also asked how Implementation team members felt about progress in each area of the VCI prescriptions.

The team talked about progress and needed growth in the areas of hospitality, community outreach, worship, faith development, strategic planning, and leadership development. Brighton First opens a new worship service on September 11 and introduces new community outreach efforts in September and October. The Adult Faith Formation team introduces a new comprehensive program for disciple education and growth in September. The Administrative Board will adopt a 2-year strategic plan in September. The Hospitality Team is joining with many faithful volunteers to offer a warm welcome on Sunday mornings.

These combined efforts are moving Brighton First forward in its mission to help people Know God, Love God and Serve God. Ultimately, Brighton First is committed to making disciples for Jesus Christ.

There is, however, one challenging area of the Vital Church Initiative that is in its beginning stages. The alignment of church programs and ministries with the church's mission and vision will be the focal point of the VCI Implementation Team this fall. In order to use the church's resources most effectively, the congregation has agreed to an alignment of what we do with our purpose and our vision for the future. This means that some ministries and programs will continue, some will be modified and others will be celebrated and ended.

The authors of Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples, Thom Reiner and Eric Geiger, studied the difference between churches that are thriving and those that are anemic and struggling. They came to the conclusion that churches that carefully choose how they will accomplish their mission and avoid putting resources into programming that does not ultimately grow disciples for Jesus Christ, are more likely to thrive. Reiner and Geiger write, "Churches with a simple process for reaching and maturing people are expanding the kingdom. Church leaders who have designed a simple biblical process to make disciples are effectively advancing the movement of the gospel. Simple churches are making a big impact."

While there are very good reasons to align our church's ministries and programs with our mission and vision, it will be a difficult task. The VCI Implementation team committed over 16 months ago to leading Brighton First through this process and they will continue to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in the months ahead.

Vital Church Initiative Implementation Team Assesses Progress

In April 2015, a team of Brighton First congregation members came together to oversee the implementation of the VCI Consultation prescriptions (see document link on this blog page), adopted by the congregation. After more than a year of consulting with church staff members and team leaders and meeting monthly, the Implementation Team assessed the church's progress at its August meeting.

The team was joined by Naomi Garcia, our church's "VCI Directive Coach". Garcia, a staff member for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church, asked two basic questions. First, how was the VCI Implementation Team and other church committees, boards and teams working together. She also asked how Implementation team members felt about progress in each area of the VCI prescriptions.

The team talked about progress and needed growth in the areas of hospitality, community outreach, worship, faith development, strategic planning, and leadership development. Brighton First opens a new worship service on September 11 and introduces new community outreach efforts in September and October. The Adult Faith Formation team introduces a new comprehensive program for disciple education and growth in September. The Administrative Board will adopt a 2-year strategic plan in September. The Hospitality Team is joining with many faithful volunteers to offer a warm welcome on Sunday mornings.

These combined efforts are moving Brighton First forward in its mission to help people Know God, Love God and Serve God. Ultimately, Brighton First is committed to making disciples for Jesus Christ.

There is, however, one challenging area of the Vital Church Initiative that is in its beginning stages. The alignment of church programs and ministries with the church's mission and vision will be the focal point of the VCI Implementation Team this fall. In order to use the church's resources most effectively, the congregation has agreed to an alignment of what we do with our purpose and our vision for the future. This means that some ministries and programs will continue, some will be modified and others will be celebrated and ended.

The authors of Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples, Thom Reiner and Eric Geiger, studied the difference between churches that are thriving and those that are anemic and struggling. They came to the conclusion that churches that carefully choose how they will accomplish their mission and avoid putting resources into programming that does not ultimately grow disciples for Jesus Christ, are more likely to thrive. Reiner and Geiger write, "Churches with a simple process for reaching and maturing people are expanding the kingdom. Church leaders who have designed a simple biblical process to make disciples are effectively advancing the movement of the gospel. Simple churches are making a big impact."

While there are very good reasons to align our church's ministries and programs with our mission and vision, it will be a difficult task. The VCI Implementation team committed over 16 months ago to leading Brighton First through this process and they will continue to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in the months ahead.

Brighton First Honors Community Educators on October 9

On Sunday, October 9, Brighton First will recognize and honor community educators. We will invite teachers and administrators from area schools and encouraging congregation members to invite educators they know. During worship we will recognize educators and pray for them and their important work. We will also host an educators' breakfast. In the month of September we will collect classroom supplies that we will make available to educators on October 9.

There will be more information available in the church newsletter, the website, Facebook, the church bulletin and in the Community Room in August and September. Susan Snow, Director of Music, is heading this project. Please contact her for more information here.

In 2015, Brighton First made a commitment to follow the recommendations of the Vital Church Initiative Consultation Team (see full consultation report at the "documents" link found on the upper right corner of this blog page). Among the tasks listed in the report was the charge to host two community-wide events per year. These events serve several purposes. First, our church is able to honor or assist a group of people in our community. Second, our church becomes more connected and aware of the needs and gifts of our community. Third, people of the Brighton area are invited to come into relationship with our community of faith.

Inviting area educators to be honored goes toward fulfilling the mission of Brighton First to Know God, Love God and Serve God. We are offer the love of God and serve in the name of Christ as we honor and help others. We also give others the opportunity to know God through our outreach.

Brighton First Honors Community Educators on October 9

On Sunday, October 9, Brighton First will recognize and honor community educators. We will invite teachers and administrators from area schools and encouraging congregation members to invite educators they know. During worship we will recognize educators and pray for them and their important work. We will also host an educators' breakfast. In the month of September we will collect classroom supplies that we will make available to educators on October 9.

There will be more information available in the church newsletter, the website, Facebook, the church bulletin and in the Community Room in August and September. Susan Snow, Director of Music, is heading this project. Please contact her for more information here.

In 2015, Brighton First made a commitment to follow the recommendations of the Vital Church Initiative Consultation Team (see full consultation report at the "documents" link found on the upper right corner of this blog page). Among the tasks listed in the report was the charge to host two community-wide events per year. These events serve several purposes. First, our church is able to honor or assist a group of people in our community. Second, our church becomes more connected and aware of the needs and gifts of our community. Third, people of the Brighton area are invited to come into relationship with our community of faith.

Inviting area educators to be honored goes toward fulfilling the mission of Brighton First to Know God, Love God and Serve God. We are offer the love of God and serve in the name of Christ as we honor and help others. We also give others the opportunity to know God through our outreach.

Brighton First to Connect with Residents of Local Apartment Complex

Brighton First is taking on an exciting new ministry in community outreach. We are preparing to partner in ministry with the residents of a local apartment complex. Suzanne Everett and Myrna Henderson are leading efforts to connect our congregation to the residents of Brighton in a meaningful way. They are in conversation with apartment management and are planning an upcoming event for apartment residents.

In the coming weeks, the Community Outreach Team will offer more information about this relationship-building effort. Our goal is to be in intentional relationship with residents of Brighton, to learn their stories and to share our stories. It is our hope that this program will allow members of the congregation to use their gifts and skills to enhance the lives of community members.

Possible ministry opportunities include hosting meals, birthday parties, game nights and craft events. We envision developing listening, education, and transportation ministries, as well. It is also our goal to effectively link neighbors for mutual assistance.

This project began with a small group conversation about choosing a population in Brighton that our congregation could effectively serve. In a meeting with a representative from Livingston County's United Way, the group learned about the needs of specific groups in the county. They determined that by partnering with the residents of a local apartment complex, we could connect with our community.

The first step is to host focus groups with the apartment complex residents. The first event is being planned for late August. If you are interested in serving on the Community Outreach Team or in serving in this brand new ministry, please contact Pastor Sherry or Suzanne Everett.

This effort has been inspired by our Vital Church Initiative Commitment (see the VCI Consultation Report at the link in the upper right of this blog page). We celebrate that our congregation has the willingness and skills to be connected in this community in meaningful ways. Our commitment through VCI is to host relational events in our community.

Brighton First to Connect with Residents of Local Apartment Complex

Brighton First is taking on an exciting new ministry in community outreach. We are preparing to partner in ministry with the residents of a local apartment complex. Suzanne Everett and Myrna Henderson are leading efforts to connect our congregation to the residents of Brighton in a meaningful way. They are in conversation with apartment management and are planning an upcoming event for apartment residents.

In the coming weeks, the Community Outreach Team will offer more information about this relationship-building effort. Our goal is to be in intentional relationship with residents of Brighton, to learn their stories and to share our stories. It is our hope that this program will allow members of the congregation to use their gifts and skills to enhance the lives of community members.

Possible ministry opportunities include hosting meals, birthday parties, game nights and craft events. We envision developing listening, education, and transportation ministries, as well. It is also our goal to effectively link neighbors for mutual assistance.

This project began with a small group conversation about choosing a population in Brighton that our congregation could effectively serve. In a meeting with a representative from Livingston County's United Way, the group learned about the needs of specific groups in the county. They determined that by partnering with the residents of a local apartment complex, we could connect with our community.

The first step is to host focus groups with the apartment complex residents. The first event is being planned for late August. If you are interested in serving on the Community Outreach Team or in serving in this brand new ministry, please contact Pastor Sherry or Suzanne Everett.

This effort has been inspired by our Vital Church Initiative Commitment (see the VCI Consultation Report at the link in the upper right of this blog page). We celebrate that our congregation has the willingness and skills to be connected in this community in meaningful ways. Our commitment through VCI is to host relational events in our community.

Brighton First Staff Job Descriptions in Review

The congregation of Brighton First chose to follow the recommendations of a Vital Church Initiative (VCI) Consultation Team in April 2015. Since that time, church leadership has been involved in implementing processes to revitalize and strengthen Brighton's ministry. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), the human resources team for our church, has worked to design and hire new 4 staff members since VCI implementation began. Beginning in May 2016, they began the task of rewriting job descriptions for all staff positions. Their goal, as directed by VCI, is to ensure that we are staffed to move the mission of the church forward.

Writing a job description for the senior pastor
at Brighton First begins with reviewing the
responsibilities of an ordained elder, found in
The Book of Discipline of The United
Methodist Church.

A three-person task force from the SPRC began the work by creating a basic framework for developing all job descriptions. They examined the mission and vision of the church and were informed by present job descriptions, as well as by staff members and immediate supervisors. The SPRC has now agreed to a process and a format. The first round of job descriptions (approximately 8) will be drafted by August. It is the hope of the SPRC to complete the work by the end of 2016 and to use the newly designed job descriptions for evaluation purposes and for future hiring.

Interestingly, there is no job description in place currently for the senior pastor. The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church does provide a detailed list of the responsibilities for an ordained elder who is appointed to lead a church. For years, this has been "good enough". There are certain things that we have come to expect of a pastor, including preaching, teaching, and visiting the sick. In the case of Brighton First, there is also an expectation that the pastor will manage the staff. However, that general job description does not highlight specific responsibilities for Brighton First's senior pastor, nor does it indicate what skills and tasks are necessary to lead Brighton First and its unique vision. Russ Ruhnow, the chairperson for the SPRC, will be heading the small group that will develop this senior pastor job description.

Often in the church, job descriptions are formed by the people who are hired to do the ministry. The SPRC has been challenged to step back and ask, "What skills and tasks are essential to carry out the vision for our church?" and to include them in our expectations for staff.

Please keep the SPRC in prayer as they take on this project. 

Brighton First Staff Job Descriptions in Review

The congregation of Brighton First chose to follow the recommendations of a Vital Church Initiative (VCI) Consultation Team in April 2015. Since that time, church leadership has been involved in implementing processes to revitalize and strengthen Brighton's ministry. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), the human resources team for our church, has worked to design and hire new 4 staff members since VCI implementation began. Beginning in May 2016, they began the task of rewriting job descriptions for all staff positions. Their goal, as directed by VCI, is to ensure that we are staffed to move the mission of the church forward.

Writing a job description for the senior pastor
at Brighton First begins with reviewing the
responsibilities of an ordained elder, found in
The Book of Discipline of The United
Methodist Church.

A three-person task force from the SPRC began the work by creating a basic framework for developing all job descriptions. They examined the mission and vision of the church and were informed by present job descriptions, as well as by staff members and immediate supervisors. The SPRC has now agreed to a process and a format. The first round of job descriptions (approximately 8) will be drafted by August. It is the hope of the SPRC to complete the work by the end of 2016 and to use the newly designed job descriptions for evaluation purposes and for future hiring.

Interestingly, there is no job description in place currently for the senior pastor. The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church does provide a detailed list of the responsibilities for an ordained elder who is appointed to lead a church. For years, this has been "good enough". There are certain things that we have come to expect of a pastor, including preaching, teaching, and visiting the sick. In the case of Brighton First, there is also an expectation that the pastor will manage the staff. However, that general job description does not highlight specific responsibilities for Brighton First's senior pastor, nor does it indicate what skills and tasks are necessary to lead Brighton First and its unique vision. Russ Ruhnow, the chairperson for the SPRC, will be heading the small group that will develop this senior pastor job description.

Often in the church, job descriptions are formed by the people who are hired to do the ministry. The SPRC has been challenged to step back and ask, "What skills and tasks are essential to carry out the vision for our church?" and to include them in our expectations for staff.

Please keep the SPRC in prayer as they take on this project.