This was the first of a series of planning meetings to map the church’s future. Here are the minutes of the meeting, along with brainstorming answers to four questions asked by presiding elder Tommy Williams. These are only ideas; nothing has been ruled in or out yet.
Minutes
Planning meeting
Forest Park Methodist Church
Jan. 12, 2025
Rev. Tommy Williams presiding
Tommy introduced the meeting as the beginning of a conversation.
Commended people for having the courage to do the meeting and the process.
Today’s outcome is to have some things down on paper as a beginning.
Hope to come out of this with a couple of short-term goals or pieces of follow-up.
Opened with prayer.
Exercise with three statements:
As you think about the future of ministry for us and those who come after,
It would be good if —
It would be bad if —
I wonder if —
[Responses from the brainstorming session, along with those emailed in afterward, are listed below the minutes]
Tommy:
Keep up courage to discern what is God’s will.
ACTION ITEMS
- Keep adding with a focus toward the future. Email Mark with new suggestions. He will add to a new list with new suggestions. Tend to the “I wonder if…” (everyone)
- Research how to seek the Lord in a very intentional way. Maybe a daily prayer for God’s will. Prayer and discernment. (Pastor, Carlton, Betty)
- Resource gathering. (Pastor and others)
Brainstorming session responses
(Brainstorming only. Nothing has been accepted or rejected)
IT WOULD BE GOOD IF:
- We had a bunch of young people here
- We could grow the church
- We had more activities to get people in
- We could reach people that don’t currently have a relationship with Jesus
- We could serve more people in the community
- Fix up and utilize facilities to generate revenue for the church
- We learned from others and other churches. How do we know who to go to to learn.
IT WOULD BE BAD IF:
- We lose our church (facilities, money, people)
- The church were to die off
- We lost members
- Lost paid employment
- We were bad stewards of what we have. (Not using what we have well)
- We lose the opportunity to serve the kingdom of God
Entries added by email after meeting
- Closing our church
- Losing the fellowship and feelings of community our church has
- If this process causes dissension and division in our church
- Making hasty decisions without exploring all options
I WONDER IF:
- Gymnasium dream for bringing children plus
- Food ministry
- Fill sanctuary the way it used to be
- Modernize without losing our legacy (other spiritual music, songs beyond hymns, screens and media, band)
- Children’s service/child care
- More opportunities for children
- Sunday school and Vacation Bible School
- Youth (MYF)
- Acolytes
- Come together with other churches in the community
- Easter egg hunt, trunk or treat, etc.
- Work with Amelia and Vincent
- Wake people up that there is a God
- Leverage social media
- See what Christ is pointing individuals and organization to as a church culture. Discuss culture and where to go.
- What it takes to host the fire of God.
- Committee on culture.
- Be examples of the light of Christ to the lost world.
- Have a child care facility.
- Utilize teens to help with outreach projects. Paid maintenance person.
Entries added after meeting
- Update exterior of building.
- Marquee with church information.
- Movie night.
- Modern music.
After discussing the first three questions, Tommy asked about the timeline for making headway on what is discerned.
There was a sense of urgency. We need to figure out a way forward and be intentional about it.
He then asked what people were willing to sacrifice to meet God-given goals. The responses were:
- Sacrifice our own will
- Need to be God-centered rather than self-centered
- Sacrifice our time
- Prioritizing cleaning inside of own cup and dish. See where you’re off, then repenting.
- Have a culture that says it’s OK that I’m a mess. Focus on connecting with God first and then with each other. Healing.
- Give up the building.