At the end of August, 20 people gathered to spend time discerning what God is calling us to do in 2007. We spent time revisiting our past, claiming our present, and visioning our future. Below are the results of that retreat. We hope that this will provided guidance for us as we seek to do God's will in 2007. If you would like to print this information, please scroll to the bottom of the page, select the "Word Icon" or the "PDF icon" and print as you would normally do.

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COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

ALL-CHURCH PLANNING MEETING

Saturday, August 26, 2006

8:30 a.m. - noon

I. REVISITING THE PAST

II. CLAIMING THE PRESENT

III. VISIONING THE FUTURE

I. REVISITING THE PAST

A. Reflect on the past two years of the life of CCC. What three events/programs/experiences are most memorable to you? Why?

Memorable Events

Easter Egg Hunt	Lay Sunday (3)	Maundy Thursday play
Long Range Planning Comm.	Christmas program/carol sing	Outreach holiday events (e.g. Angel Tree)
Choir program	Prayer group/Bible Study (2)	Transition to new leadership (2)
Women's retreats (3)	Sunday worship/sermons	Elders retreat/eldering (3)
Man-2-Man program	Stephen Ministry (2)	Lenten prayer program (2)
Caring element (i.e.crisis)	Mission trips/stockholders Dinners (3)	"Purpose Driven Life" series
Denise Roberts presentation (3)	Regional worship service (2)	Miracle Day (2)
Fund raisers (2)	Special worship services (2)	Baby dedications
Sunday School	VBS	Supporting missionaries
Golf outing	Ravinia	Jazz group
Growing youth groups	Young adult group	Spiritual leadership

Why Events are Memorable

Involves community	Invoking Spirit's presence	Hearing others' stories
Opportunity to express themselves	Deep spiritual impact	Work accomplished & quality people
Unity; family presence; togetherness	Personal participation in serving others	Added/enhancement to worship service
Closeness to each other & God	Gaining others' perspectives of scripture	Events that bring us together as community
Getting to know one another better	Boosted church momentum	Enthusiasm of being together
Bringing together for sharing & support	Bonding for women on retreat	Renewal; learning; thought-provoking
Personal sharing	Chance to get to know others	Changing lives - caregivers & receivers
Knowing someone's praying for you; unifying	Nice to be cared for; impacting others	Feeling of having a home
Getting to know youth; hard work; moving experience	Hearing answered prayers	Brings world to us
Importance of education for kids	Our own learning while teaching	Involvement of kids & youth in worship
Diverse religious backgrounds make us more open	Tolerant/Accepting	Spirit of volunteerism
Supporting God's work beyond church walls

B. In the past two years, name one thing that stands out for you that has helped us fulfill our mission. What's the most successful thing we've done to:

1. welcome people into a loving and caring church family

Our requirement for membership	Nature of people; friendliness (2)	Coffee fellowship (2)
Perry - personal greeting/remember names/hospitality	User-friendly bulletin	Greeting during worship

2. equip people with a Christ-centered faith that works in real life

Bible study (3)	Sunday school	Helping others i.e. outreach, Stephen Ministry
Sermons (4)	Lenten prayer program/"Purpose Driven Life"	Something for all age groups - toddler to TNT & beyond

3. share God's love for us through compassionate service to others

Outreach projects	School supplies	Opportunity
Mission trip (2)	St. Bart's	Cookie Sunday
Holiday outreach	Stephen Ministry	Openness

II. CLAIMING THE PRESENT

A. What do you think are the three most important, life-giving characteristics of our church? What three core values make our church unique?

Core Values

Love - sincere	Acceptance/Openness	Christ-centered
Welcoming	Caring	Positive leadership
Commitment	Non-judgmental/affirmation	Work beyond the walls/outreach
Diversity/uniqueness	Collaboration	Valuing young people
Community involvement	Dedication to God

B. When you consider all the experiences at our church, what has contributed most to your personal spiritual life and growth?

CCoContributed Most to Spiritual Growth

Positive Christ-centered leadership & congregation	Being an Elder (2)	Acceptance/Openness-sincerity of it (3)
Embodiment of God's love (2)	Loving & caring of persons (3)	Becoming more Christ-centered
Initial welcoming & love led to growth	Caring leadership & congregation	Sincerity of openness in doing God's work
Serving in a caring church	Ministers	Community
Spiritual freedom

II. VISIONING THE FUTURE

A. Make three wished for our church in 2007. Describe what the church would look like if these wishes come true.

Wishes

Expand facilities & programs i.e. baptistery, narthex, elevator, classrooms, youth areas	Use larger % of congregation for God's work	Continue Christ-centered leadership & congregation
Completion of Memorial Garden & chapel	Baptistery	Mentoring/one-on-one relationships for spiritual growth
Continued growth in diversity	Outreach with personal involvement (hands-on)	More young adults & overall growth
Grow by 50% & grow financially: 10 a.m.-150 average 8 a.m. - 100 average	Community visibility	More participation, especially high school youth & families
Broaden youth programs	Fundraisers for outreach	Increase outreach giving

B. What's one new thing God is calling us to do in 2007 that will help us fulfill our mission? In 2007, how can we:

1. welcome people into a loving and caring church family

Develop marketing plan; increase visibility	Personal contact to involve inactive members	More potluck luncheons after church
Identify specific needs of young families

2. equip people with a Christ-centered faith that works in real life

Explore how to increase value of church in lives of congregation	Small interest groups gathered around specific topics	Create more connections among congregation (women, couples)
Book studies to aid spiritual growth - using Christian tools to strengthen us

3. share God's love for us through compassionate service to others

More local community service projects & expanded mission trip	Outreach to older adult population in area	More fundraisers for specific projects (Pampered Chef)
More support for Denise & her work; involve youth more in service projects