The Presbytery of the Western Reserve

Church Development and Redevelopment Ministry

December 1, 2006

A Proposal for a New Church Development

in the Presbytery of the Western Reserve Called:

The Phoenix Project

Goals: to recognize what God is doing in the world, to identify and affirm the gifts of God’s children, to respond with our whole selves, and then to empower others to do the same.

Process: The first year (2007) will be a probe period, divided into two distinct phases (see below). At the end of each phase there will be an intentional and intensive evaluation of the progress of the project before commitments are made to proceed to the next phase. It is anticipated that a location for the project will be revealed as a result of the probe; this being one of the signs whether to proceed with Phase Three (2008).

Relational Covenants: The CDAR ministry will contract with a coach through the denomination from the beginning of Phase 1. The Ministry will provide a smaller support/advisory group from its membership that meets at least monthly. The ministry will also provide and/or subsidize for training for the project leader.

The project leader will provide monthly written reports, and attend the regular bi-monthly Ministry meetings. The moderator of CDAR and the Presbytery’s staff person for CDAR will be the primary and ongoing contact persons (until someone else is identified).

Phase One:  The Gathering / Gathering the Workers
Evangelisation, Relationship building, Early Group Formation, and Bible Study

Time Frame: January – June, 2007 (and ongoing for life of church)

Covenant:

Focus:  To promote understanding and excitement around the idea of emergent ministry and this particular vision.  To gather and meet with people who are interested in building an emergent church and help them begin to discern what their participation might look like. 

Process:  Information sessions with small groups, one-on-one meetings, and spontaneous evangelization -- culminating in a larger 'kick-off' event to officially introduce vision and initial participants to the Presbytery, supporters, and interested people.

Goal:  By the end of this period, we should have a core community* of approximately 20 participants that have committed to explore the vision further.  The 'kick-off' will initiate phase two.

Needs:  promotional packet, website (with blog and forums), database for tracking interested people, educational materials about emergent ministry

Hopes: To gather a group of people with a variety of gifts and experience that share a passion for seeking out God's activity in their lives and in the world, believing that this passion exists across many boundaries of race, gender, class, ethnicity, education level, and personal politics.  The plan is to intentionally evangelize to a diverse array of people.

Phase Two:  Equipping / Assembling the Toolkit
Community Formation, framing the vision, discerning gifts, outreach, Bible Study

Time Frame: July – December, 2007 (and ongoing for life of church)

Covenant:

Focus:  To build the core community through intentional spiritual practice, teaching skills, discerning gifts and call, participating in ministry and providing opportunities for cultural engagement (evangelization).  To further shape the structure of the church -- asking and answering questions about pragmatic concerns (stewardship, funding, gathering/meeting space, worship logistics: time, equipment, style, leadership, location)

Process:  During this time, the core group will meet weekly for planning, training, study, ministry, and worship (although not necessarily all at the same time).  Many of these gatherings will also be opportunities for new people to engage the vision and begin to participate in the activities of the church. 

Goal:  by the end of this period, our group should have grown significantly with groups beginning to form that are no longer focused primarily on creating the structure of the church.  We will be providing regular engagement opportunities and worship experiences for participants and newcomers. 

Needs:  meeting space, resources and education materials, ministry opportunities, worship space for small and growing groups, identify funding sources to support phase if moving forward


Phase Three:  Ministry / Building the Church - Living the Vision

Time Frame: January, 2008

Covenant: the creation of an Organizing Pastor position that is full time at minimum terms of call

Focus: To be a place where people can gain a deeper understanding of the Gospel, discipleship, and Faith and respond.  To provide a regular liturgical worship experience as well as a variety of prayer/spiritual opportunities. To engage our community and our world, seeking out what God is doing and participating in it with our whole selves.

Process:  During this time, we will continue to refine a structure that will engage newcomers wherever they are in terms of their understanding of God, Faith, Christ, and Discipleship.  We will provide a wide variety of opportunities for people to participate in the church and expand their awareness of God's activity in their lives.  We will provide resources and guidance for education, spiritual growth, mission and ministry, and community formation. 

Goal: To have at least 200 people associated with the church and in regular attendance at worship (not necessarily the same people) - most of whom are engaged in some form of active ministry outside of the church.

Needs: To identify the specific location(s) where the ministry will be housed.

*Core Community -- the people who nurture and sustain the structure of the church.  The intention would be that all church members will eventually participate in the ministry of the core community but that no one will stay there permanently as our goal is primarily to equip people for engaging in ministry beyond the church.  Some of the work of the core community will include the worship planning team, the session, and the deacons.  It is essential that the core community is formed and equipped through an intentional process of spirituality, discernment, and ministry because this is the community around which the church will gather -- as such, the norms established throughout this process will continue to guide and sustain the church into the future.