Mission Creek
Alliance Church
Transitional Assessment
Presentation
April 14, 2013
Pathways Forward Transitional Ministry
Consulting
Proposed Agenda
Assessment Presentation
for the Congregation
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Welcome and Opening Prayer
A Brief History of Mission Creek Alliance
(Assessment Part 1)
Presentation of Assessment Part 2
Short Q & A – clarification questions
Coffee Break
Presentation of Survey Results
Presentation of the KRAs
Opportunity for Q & A
Prayer Time & Close
What will be presented tonight . . .
Part I - A Brief History of Mission Creek Alliance
- addresses “Who were we?”
Part II – Assessment Research
“Who were we?”
“Who are we now?” and
“What is our context?”
Part III – Church Health Survey Results
Part IV - Presentation of Key Result Areas
Transition - The Big Idea
Seasons of transition can be windows of
opportunity for churches to experience
spiritual renewal, increased health, focused
vision and renewed mission prior to engaging
in the pastoral search.
Major Goals for Churches in Transition
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To help churches thrive through transition by
providing leadership, resources and support.
(Ministry Track)
To help churches engage a Lead Pastor
from a posture of health with clarity of vision
and mission.
(Transitional Track)
The Ultimate Objective
To welcome a new Lead Pastor . . . .
to a healthy church that is growing in
renewal - spiritually, relationally,
organizationally and operationally.
who has been hired through a thoughtful,
collaborative search process in dependence
on the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Major Phases of Transition
• Healthy closure with the past
• Regaining Stability
• Assessment of Church Health
• Developing a Transitional Plan
• Preparing for the Pastoral Search
• Conducting the Pastoral Search
• Hiring a Lead Pastor
• Evaluation of the process
Key Questions of Transition
Today:
 Who were we?
 Who are we now?
 What is our context? (internal/external)
Key Questions of Transition
Future questions to be answered prior to search:
 How do we engage our community?
 Who do we hope to become? (Mission and Vision)
 What kind of leader or leaders do we need?
The answers to these six questions become the
major content for the Pastoral Search Profile.
Intent and Limitations . . .
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Not intended to be a 3600 ministry review
An assessment for the purposes
of the Transitional process
Identifies both strengths and Key Result
Areas to be addressed
Assessment Objectives
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To present a realistic picture of MCA.
To explore how this information affects us.
To encourage prayer for wisdom and
guidance.
Before we begin . . .
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We are starting from different places today.
We will need to check our emotions at the
door.
History handout provided – please make notes.
We recognize that God is in all of this.
We will need to check our emotions at the
door.
Mission Creek Alliance
Church Transitional
Assessment
Part I
A Brief History of Mission
Creek Alliance Church
Mission Creek Alliance
Church Transitional
Assessment
Part II
Who Were We?
Who Are We Now?
What is our Context?
Who Were We?
Some Statistics
Attendance 1960 – 2012
700
Peak Attendance - 642 in 1986
*
600
500
375
400
300
200
100
42
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
1266 Recorded Conversions 1962 – 2008
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1962
1981
1995
Records were not available for every year
2008
644 Recorded Baptisms 1960 - 2012
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
General Fund Giving 1962 - 2012
$700,000
$600,000
$500,000
$400,000
$300,000
$200,000
$100,000
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
* 6 month fiscal year
Missions Fund Giving 1963 - 2012
$190,000
$160,000
$120,000
$100,000
$80,000
$60,000
$40,000
$20,000
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
Percentage of Missions Giving from Total Giving
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
Indebtedness Patterns 1961 - Present
$1,400,000
Gordon Drive Property - 1994
$1,200,000
$1,000,000
$322,000
$800,000
$600,000
$400,000
$200,000
$0
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
Personnel 1962 – Present
Full Time Pastoral Staff - 41
Senior Pastors – 7
Associate/Assistant – 8
Children’s – 6
Youth – 7
Worship/Music – 6
Seniors/Care – 4
Executive/Administration - 3
Interim/Transitional Pastors – 4
Interns ~ 7 plus
Missionary in Residence - 2
Part Time Ministry Staff – 10
Administrative & Support Staff – 7
Custodial Staff - 13
Total Number of Elders who have served – 87
Who Were We?
Slogans & Mission/Vision Statements
1960 – The Fourfold Gospel
1962 - My meat is to do the will of him who
sent me and to finish his work
1967 – A Year of Evangelism (National Office)
1979 – To Glorify God through Evangelism
and Edification
Who Were We?
Slogans & Mission/Vision Statements
1988 – Discovering God’s love and Sharing
God’s love
1990 - Reproducing faithful followers of Christ
(& 1993) in our community and our world
1992 - Celebrating God's presence,
Communicating God's message,
Demonstrating God's love,
Educating God's people
Who Were We?
Slogans & Mission/Vision Statements
1997 – The blunt edge of the wedge
1998 - The fine edge of the wedge
1999 – Large church amenity with a medium
church feel
1999 – SAGE: stewardship, assimilation,
gifts, evangelism
Who Were We?
Slogans & Mission/Vision Statements
2000’s A number of “we dream of the day”
statements
2004 – Deeper – Wider theme
2008 - An intergenerational community going
deeper and wider with God
Who Were We? - Positives
What we learned from over 60 long term attenders
1960’s: assorted fellowship events, Sunday
school focus, church facility built, growth
1970’s: new church building, revival
meetings, Sunday school ministry (buses)
hippie group, anticipation in transition,
Springfield facility, strong youth ministry and
youth involvement in church, camps
1980’s: strong youth ministry, outreach
events, missions conferences, care groups,
musical events, strong programs, fellowship,
women’s ministry
1990’s: youth ministry, music including
children’s choir, strong preaching, care
groups/fellowship
2000’s: stable leadership, youth, kids day
camp, church renovation, many strong
ministries
Who Were We? - Challenges
What we learned from over 60 long term attenders
1960’s: no air conditioning, difficult pastoral
transitions, financial and facilities issues
1970’s: property and facilities issues, more
pastoral transitions
1980’s: tensions over music, a lawsuit, lack of
space, pastoral transitions
1990’s: difficult pastoral transitions/turnover,
dissension and an exodus of people, music
tensions, property purchase
2000’s: adult Sunday school dropped,
renovations/meeting in rental, Westside
partnership, a long transition, assorted
leadership issues, music issues, a recent exodus
Who Are We Now?
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Average attendance 2012
Total number of ministries
Total volunteer positions filled
Total number of volunteers
Attendance/Volunteerism rate
375
27
305
188
50%
Who Are We Now? – Staffing
Pastoral Staff
 3 Full Time Pastoral Staff
 1 Part Time Ministry Director
Support Staff
 2 Full Time Admin Staff
 1 Part Time Admin Staff
 1 Full Time Facility Staff
Who Are We Now?
Annual Basic Operating Costs
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2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
$140,000
$138,000
$165,000
$ 84,000
$140,000
$120,000
(6 month fiscal year)
What is our Context?
Some data about the City of Kelowna
and
Comparisons with Mission Creek Alliance
2011 Kelowna Demographics by Age
6%
8%
80+
10%
0-9
11%
70-79
10-19
11%
60-69
20-29
15%
50-59
40-49
14%
30-39
11%
14%
2012 MCA Demographics by Age
14%
18%
80+
0-9
10-19
16%
70-79
10%
7%
20-29
30-39
60-69
10%
50-59
11%
40-49
5%
10%
Demographic Comparisons by %
18
MCA
Kelowna
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0-9
10-19
20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+
Population Growth Projections
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2011
2016
2021
2026
City
117,312
130,750
141,689
161,701
Region
178,839 10.9% since 2006
198,800
215,719
238,314
Estimated projected growth rate is 1.5% to 2030
Other Demographic Data - Kelowna
Male
- 48%
Female - 52%
56,310
61,003
Median age
Canada
British Columbia
Kelowna
40.6
41.9
43.0
Kelowna Statistics - Education
Kelowna
Grade 12 or less
20%
High School Diploma 30%
Trade Certificate
13%
Diploma
24%
University degree
37%
BC Avg.
20%
28%
11%
22%
41%
Personal Income Ranges – Kelowna
Under $15,000
$15,000 – 24,999
$25,000 - 34,999
$35,000 - 44,999
$45,000 - 54,999
$60,000 and over
Kelowna
29%
20%
16%
11%
10%
13%
BC Avg.
33%
17%
13%
11%
10%
15%
Average household income $67,000 (2010)
Kelowna Families
Total number of families 32,825
Married
Common law
Single parent
23,255
4,515
5,055
71%
14%
15%
40% of families have children living at home
(age 24 or younger)
13% of all families are blended
Immigration Trends - Kelowna
• 7% of growth is from other places in Canada
• One of the “whitest” cities in BC
• 6.2% visible minorities (24% BC, 16% Canada)
• 65% of immigration is European/Caucasian
• Growing immigration trends – Asian
Who we are now?
Canadian context
% of Canadians who attend church weekly
1985
2005
age 15 to 24
23%
16%
age 25 to 44
25%
16%
age 45 to 64
39%
22%
age 65 over
42%
39%
British Columbia figures tend to be lower.
* Provided by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada 2009
Who we are now?
Canadian context
% of population that is Evangelical
 By attendance
4%
 By membership
5%
 By affiliation
11%
* Provided by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada 2009
Who Were We? – Observations
• overall, an amazing story of growth and ministry
• ongoing emphasis on ministry to children, youth
• missions sending church – generous giving to missions
• accustomed to strong pastoral leadership
• a pattern of long term pastors with challenges in between
• strong identity with facilities – 3 longest pastorates
Who Were We? – Observations
• desirous of and challenged by intergenerational model
• three major identity phases - developing, large, medium
• financially hardy
• a sending church – many sent into ministry
• many iterations of vision/mission directives
• unclear of direction in recent years
Mission Creek Alliance
Church Transitional
Assessment
Clarification Q & A Time
Mission Creek Alliance
Church Transitional
Assessment
Part III
Basic Level of Church Health Survey
a “real time” snapshot
Survey completed February 19, 2012
Who
Participated?
Official
Member 65%
Regular
Attender 35%
• 103 surveys completed
• 54 by ministry leaders
• 49 by congregants
Age Groups of Participants
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Teen
20s
30s
40s
50s
60s
70s 80s or
older
Church Background of Respondants
5% 10%
Grew up at MCA
Came to MCA from another
church
85%
Came to MCA with no church
background
Length of Attendance
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1 year
plus
2-4
5 - 10 10 - 20
20 - 30
30
Sunday Services are meaningful and relevant
in the lives of people in our congregation
Strongly disagree Mildly disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
“Sunday Services meaningful and relevant”
Comments Summary (40)
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•
•
•
preaching ministry is effective and relevant
music ministry improving but still has a ways to go
a sense of stability in recent months
desire for testimonies and ministry reports in services
We have an effective strategy to impact
our community for Christ
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Strongly disagree Mildly disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
“Impact our community for Christ”
Comments Summary (53)
•
•
•
•
•
We have been more effective in the past
Current hurts and need for healing hinders this
Kids Day Camp identified often
A longing to see outreach ministry return
We could do more as individuals
We have a strong sense of connection with
one another in our church family
50
40
30
20
10
0
Strongly disagree Mildly disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
“Strong sense of connection with one another”
Comments Summary (47)
•
•
•
•
•
improving in recent months
a longing for more fellowship events
care group ministry is effective
some feel like they are on the outside
we could go deeper than Sundays
Spiritual Growth of believers is
intentional and effective
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Strongly disagree Mildly disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
Spiritual Growth intentional and effective
Comments Summary (32)
•
•
•
•
•
•
hard to gauge at this time
in certain ministries – kids, women’s, men’s
more emphasis needed on small groups for this
pulpit ministry is effective to address this
concern for helping new/younger believers
an area that can grow at MCA
As a church community we are being trained
and equipped for ministry and service
50
40
30
20
10
0
Strongly disagree Mildly disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
“Trained and equipped for ministry”
Comments Summary (33)
•
•
•
•
this area is struggling due to internal struggles
happening through pulpit ministries
kids ministry is doing this well
many expressed a desire for more
Our church has a clear vision of its unique
purpose and mission in our community
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Strongly disagree Mildly disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
“Clear vision of purpose and mission”
Comments Summary (34)
•
•
•
•
•
a clear sense that this is lacking
anticipation to seek God’s direction
desire for greater communication about this
at a standstill since Leon left
Sidetracked due to internal struggles
Our church has an effective structure that is
organized to help us accomplish our mission
50
40
30
20
10
0
Strongly disagree Mildly disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
“Effective structure”
Comments Summary (33)
• this area is a mystery to most congregants
• at the start of a rebuilding process
Our church develops plans that enable positive
movement towards clear goals and objectives.
25
20
15
10
5
0
Strongly disagree Mildly disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
“Develops Clear Plans”
Comments Summary (39)
•
•
•
•
if plans are in place most don’t know about them
at the start of a transition plan – positive
do we have an effective planning process?
greater healing will help in this area
Our church provides many opportunities
to be involved in ministry
80
60
40
20
0
Strongly disagree Mildly disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
Opportunities to be involved
Comments Summary (24)
• overwhelming sense of opportunities
• could use help knowing how to engage
• most opportunities for internal ministries
Our church has an effective prayer emphasis
that positively impacts our ministry
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Strongly disagree Mildly disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
“Prayer Emphasis”
Comments Summary (26)
•
•
•
•
an overall sense that this is healthy
a ministry that can always grow
prayer chain and pre-service meaningful
continue to encourage this aspect of church life
Our facilities are adequate to meet our
current and future ministry needs
50
40
30
20
10
0
Strongly disagree Mildly disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
Facilities Adequate
Comments Summary (18)
•
•
•
•
strong sense that facilities are adequate
some long term planning for facility care important
facilities could be used more
great for potential future ministry
Addressing Change Survey Results
Categories:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Leadership
Traditions
Experience with implementing change
Risk Taking
Dealing with conflict
Motivation
Readiness
we have a solid
leadership core that
is ready for change
Leadership
16%
49%
some leaders are
ready, others are not
we have few leaders
ready for change
35%
Traditions
22%
28%
50%
people are not
tightly bound by
traditions here
we have a few
sacred traditions
but not held by all
several traditions
are widely held and
not easily changed
Experienced with change
33%
50%
17%
we have key people
who have helped bring
about change in the
past
we have key people
who initiate change in
the workplace but not
in the church
we have few people
with experience in the
change process
Risk Taking
11%
our church affirms
risk takers and
change agents
28%
61%
our church
tolerates (puts up
with) risk takers and
change agents
our church
discourages risk
taking and change
agents
Dealing with Conflict
25
Congregation
Leadership
20
15
10
5
Healthy and
Constructive
Minor Conflict
Process OK
Unhealthy
Process
Motivation for Change
Congregation
Leadership
18
14
14
13
10
8
Core leaders
have a sense
of urgency
A few people
are motivated
but not all
We have a cautious
status quo culture
Organizational Structure
Congregation
Leadership
26
15
14
11
11
9
We have been
developing new
more effective ways
Some changes
but it has been
“hit and miss”
No significant
changes made
Readiness for Change
Congregation
Leadership
21
16
16
13
11
Readiness for change
amongst the core
Change possible but
will need case by case
explanation
10
Resistance to
change will need
to be addressed
Who Are We Now? Observations
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Coming through a season of loss and confusion
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Weary of extended conflict and struggle
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Regrouping and recovering stability
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Committed to let God rebuild and renew
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Committed to prayer, healing
Who Are We Now? Observations
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Wondering about the future – mission
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Multiplicity of expectations
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Diverse intergenerationally
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Longing for a new season of effective
ministry – people want to be part of this
Key Result Areas (KRAs)
Areas to address with the Board of Elders
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What must be addressed prior to search?
What should be addressed during the
search and beyond?
What should be addressed with the new
Senior Pastor?
KRA #1 – Governance
A review and revision of the governance
model and practice at MCA.
This includes . . .
A clear understanding of the Senior Pastor’s role and
relationship with the Board of Elders based on the
CMA Local Church Constitution.
Establishing healthy, consistent patterns of
communication with the staff and church
KRA#2: Eldership
Clarification, documentation,
implementation, and communication of a
healthy balanced role of Elders as
members of a Governing Board and
as “Shepherds of the Flock.”
KRA #3: Mission and Vision
A complete re-visioning process to help
MCA understand its unique sense of
purpose and mission in the community
at this time in its history.
This includes coming to a clear understanding
of the meaning of “intergenerational” and deciding
if this is still part of the ongoing vision.
KRA #4: Vision Stewardship
A commitment to become a church where
vision is understood to reside in the body
and is stewarded by the Board of Elders,
versus being solely the responsibility
of the Senior Pastor.
KRA #5: Conflict
Establishing a clear process for
dealing with conflict.
This includes . . .
Reflection on the history of the church to identify
Strengths, weaknesses and patterns about how
conflict has been handled in the past.
Teaching on conflict at the board, ministry leadership
and congregational levels.
KRA #6: Core Ministries
Identifying and focusing on the core
ministries of the church through the
season of transition.
This includes drafting a staffing plan through to
June of 2014
Next Steps . . . .
• Response to this presentation by congregation
• Establish what KRA’s are pre, during, post search
• Develop a strategic plan to address KRAs
• Develop a ministry strategy for the transition
period and beyond
Next Steps . . . .
• Communicate regularly on progress
• Continue with prayer and spiritual formation
throughout transition process
• Establish benchmarks with Board as to when the
church is healthy/ready to move into an active
pastoral search process
Mission Creek Alliance
Church Transitional
Assessment
Q & A Time