STRATEGIC REINVENTION: AN ONGOING PROCESS

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS DIE (Abingdon,2004)  : A Compilation of Survey Comments from a Previous Strategic Effort at Wesley

Survey results are from a 2004-2007 Wesley Book Study led by then Assistant Pastor, Rev. Phil Davis.    The book when published in 2004 was described as a “moving testimony to how a church can experience rebirth by discerning its core mission. “    The publisher description goes on to say “The key to becoming a Spirit-energized, people-loving, life-giving, community-transforming congregation, says [author] James A. Harnish, is really very simple. All you have to do is be willing to die. This book describes how God calls each congregation to a specific mission, how God grants discernment to understand what that mission is, and how God enables the congregation to die to its entrenched attitudes and behaviors in order to be resurrected to a new life of ministry and witness.”

Surveys reflected three group or classes (Group C, 2, PD) studied the book over an 8 week period.  Each meeting included a meal with devotional and then discussion of the book. Here is a compilation of the participant responses in the three categories related to the topic and sessions.

What Was Learned	What Would You Change	What Do You Look Forward To Seeing At Wesley in the Future?
How to talk in a group Our group was great Possibilities We are a church with many people interested in Wesley’s future It’s possible to move  a church It’s possible to turn a church around Possible to turn a church around Wesley has people interested in its survival (Group C)   Time for a change at Wesley A lot of things How we can help the church To appreciate/get acquainted with people I did not know How similar people in church are Importance of taking focus of what church can do Asking “What can I do for the church?” More about what I believe Personalities of church members (Group PD)   There is hope for Wesley There is hope for Wesley There is hope for Wesley We are doing a lot right A new beginning Always be aware of the danger of church death Hope! Hope! Willingness to change We can change There is more potential (Group 5)   About neighbors and how they feel Group was unclear about the church We have work to do Have strengths but need to work on our weaknesses Try to get word out to bring in new people That problems can be solved   Things are really pretty good! That our congregation thinks everything is okay. I think they are beginning to explore other needs. (Group 2)	More in classes Repeat every 6 mo. With new people Move to action Longer class sessions! -0- More times for lessons Invite more people to church Train people on change Sing @ week (Group C)   Not spend so much time on the “church statement” Put plan into action while doing this (study) Length More about what other classes discussed More time discussing the book Personal share time Nothing (Group PD)   Perhaps hold class at different time of year (Ap/My so busy) People bring ideas Involve more people More emphasis on Jesus and Holy Spirit Maintain effort in same direction Pray more Try to be more persuasive in my beliefs Be more inviting as a person Not pass judgment so fast on new ideas (Group 5)     Serve more coffee at all sessions Rotate teachers; some do not seem to see any problems ID problems early on Serve coffee at every session -Nothing (Group 2)	More people need to attend his study Passion for our mission More prayers Increase in membership Increase in worship A mix of trad./history and contemporary Leave our youth with legacy of keeping this church alive and vital in years to come More young members More variation in worship & changes All the new ideas people will come up with Revivals; outreach More drama/movement in worship (Group C)   Change = Move into community Growth = Have visitor table staffed by knowledgeable church members More people More activities More people in church More attendance More focused goals More energy to try new things Members & staff open to change & listening to people’s ideas More time for worship More community outreach (Group PD)   Spiritual revival of congregation Indebtedness as plans are carried out (gym) Growth Walk to Emmaus involvement Adopt mission statement and bringing people in Grow youth program Spiritual growth and bringing people in To have a revival To be passionate To see growth Incorporate neighborhood into Wesley More spiritual growth (Group 5)   Laughter and joy Mission and outreach Vietnamese minister More diverse congregation More studies and outreach Programs and inward spiritual growth Hope to gain new members Increase membership Much more of the same   More involvement in community around us (Group 2)