Sing a New Song
Minnetonka Lutheran Church
Vision and Mission
Feb. 5, 2011
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Agenda:
9:00
9:15
9:30
10:00
10:30
10:45
11:15
11:45
12:15
12:30
12:45
12:55
Welcome/Devotions/Bible Study
Why are we here?
Faith Journey
Trend Report
Break
Celebrating our Strengths
Exploring our Challenges
Ministry Area Study
Insights/Lunch
Where is God calling us in Ministry?
Next Steps
Sending Prayers
Why are we here?
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To listen and discern the guidance of
the Spirit
To remember and celebrate our
journey in faith
To honestly and candidly look at our
strengths and challenges
To look out into our community
context
To trust God and move forward
Our Journey in Faith
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David Ringstad
A brief history of Minnetonka
Lutheran Church
TREND REPORT
Celebrating our Strengths
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Identify MLC unique strengths and
blessings.
What do we do exceptionally well?
Where is there joy? What do we tell
others about our church?
Exploring our Challenges
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Where is MLC currently facing
challenges?
What barriers must we overcome to
move forward?
Which challenges are should we
address first?
Understanding Our Community
Population Size / Projected Growth
29,000 persons reside in this area, growing 4.3% since 1990.
During the same period, U.S. pop grew 23.3%.
Between 2010 and 2015, area pop is projected to remain stable.
During the same period, the U.S. pop projected to grow by 5.1%.
Generational Groups Represented
The largest age group is Boomers (age 50 to 67), comprising
28.9% of the total pop in the area.
Compared to a national average of 20.6%, Boomers are also the
most over-represented group in the area.
Family Structures
The area can be described as extremely traditional due to
the above average presence of married persons and two-parent
families.
Education
The overall education level in the area is very high. College
graduates account for 56.9% of those over age 25 in the area
versus 24.4% in the U.S.
Average HH Income
The average household income in the study area is $133,833 a
year as compared to the U.S. average of $69,376.
Racial / Ethnic Diversity
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Anglos represent 94.3% of the population.
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All other racial/ethnic groups make up just 5.7%, well
below the national average of 35%.
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Hispanics/Latinos are projected to be the fastest growing
group increasing by 18.4% between 2010 and 2015
Lifestyle Diversity
The lifestyle diversity in this area is somewhat low.
Lifestyle Segments
• Wealthiest households in U.S.
• Faith involvement same as nat’l
average
• Belief in God / God active in world
much below nat’l average
• Embrace increased ethnicity of
U.S. population
• Rely more on self / less on leader
• #1 contributors to religious orgs.
• Preferred church pgms & char.
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Cultural Programs
Active Retirement Programs
Adult Theological Discussion Groups
Intellectual Worship
Emphasis on Global Mission
Lifestyle Diversity
Lifestyle Segments
• Well above average household
income
• Faith involvement close to nat’l avg
• Slightly less believe in God / God
active in the world than nat’l avg
• Well above average in contributions
to religious organizations
• Preferred church pgms/char.
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Sports/Camping
Daycare Services
Cultural Programs
Intellectual Worship
Music Performed by Others
Contemporary Architecture
Household concerns unusually
high in the area as compared to
national average:
Social Injustice
 Time for Recreation/Leisure
 Finding a Satisfying Job/Career
 Finding Retirement Opportunities
 Aging Parent Care
 Achieving a Fulfilling Marriage
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Understanding Our
Spiritual Community
Faith Receptivity
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Preference for historic Christian religious affiliations is
somewhat high when compared to national averages
Study Area
U.S. Avg
Faith Involvement Level
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Similar to national averages
Preferred Worship Style
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Above U.S. average in preference for:
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Intellectually Challenging Worship Style
Traditional Worship Style
Preferred Music Style
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Above U.S. average in preference for:
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Traditional & Contemporary Style
Music performed by others & participatory music
Church Program Preferences
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Above U.S. average in preference for:
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Recreation Programs
Church Leadership Preference
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About 80% prefer leadership who works with them on
deciding what to do and helps them do it.
Insights
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What is the Spirit revealing to us?
What surprises you about this
information?
What questions come to mind from
our conversation?
What trends or threads do you see?
Where is God calling MLC?
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What should stay the same?
What should change?
Where do you see MLC ministry in
the next year, two years, three
years?
List three ministry priorities for MLC.
Next Steps
Between now and our March 5 meeting, the Visioning Team will:
• Summarize and report the proceedings of this meeting to the
entire congregation.
• Reach out to the community to further understand their needs
& preferences.
• Reach back to those who did not attend today’s meeting to
understand their perceptions of MLC’s strengths & challenges.
Join us at the next All Congregation Meeting
Looking Out
March 5—9:00 am
• Who is our neighbor?
• How has our community changed?
• What are the needs?
Interview the un-churched.
a) What are the greatest needs of people in this area?
b) Why do you think people don’t attend church?
c) If you decided to attend church, what would you look for?
d) What advice would you give our church to better serve this
community?