Saturday evening, February 18, 2006

Tonight was our annual Vision Meeting, but it was also the night when we officially voted in our first constitution and by-laws, three deacons, and our minister of records and finance. It was a very exciting night, so let me give you the run down:

1) It was an extremely cold night, so much so that the hose with the water froze, making it impossible to use the bathroom.
2) Due to the cold or to forgetfulness, it wasn't as nearly well-attended as I thought it would be. That was the worst part about the evening, in that we had 44 adults attend. I wish there were more, but I can only control my part. But it was a unanimous consensus on the constitution, and overwhelming majorities on all other votes.
3) In the meeting, I listed the 2005 recap

• Started our teen group in January
• Pastor Rob became part-time paid staff at church
• Switched to two services on Easter Sunday on March 27, 2005.
• Launched a 3-5 year old pre-school class.
• Pastor Rob became full time in June.
• Handed out close to 400 bottles of water at the Relay for Life.
• Replaced the sanctuary roof in June.
• Made major upgrades to sound system.
• Celebrated our two year birthday in July 2005 at the park.
• Added air condition to Sunday school building.
• Raised $2000 through personal contributions and carwash for Katrina relief.
• Went through our first church-wide campaign, 40 Days of Purpose.
• Started small groups successfully.
• Took on 3 missionaries – Bairds, Kyms, Crawfords.
• Purchased a plow truck.
• 45 people accepted Christ last year at The Journey.
• Had a high of 185 on Celebration Sunday.
• Baptized 13 people.
• Had approx. 310 first time visitors with us from January to December.

4) We also discussed our church goals for 2006:

• Invest in bringing people to Christ
• Number 1 focus of our ministry is bringing people into relationships with Jesus Christ – goal for 2006 – 75
• Number 2 focus of our ministry is making disciples – helping believers grow – our goal for 2006 – 60 people discipled by year’s end.
• Number 3 focus of our ministry is baptizing disciples – our goal for 2006 is 50.

• Strengthen our current ministries
• Only beginning one new ministry this year – DA2LJ. This is a ministry that strengthens our church by targeting new believers.
• We will seek to strengthen every other ministry.
• Add leaders.
• Add workers.
• Improve areas.
• Add space.

• Sharpen our ministry focus
• I am seeking to delegate and remove myself from the wide range of ministries that I have been involved in, including the music.
• My ultimate goal is to help our leaders and helpers focus on their particular areas of ministry rather than be so widespread.

• Solidify our financial budget.
• Cutting spending, saving more, while taking care of ministry obligations.
• We were in the black by $4,399 in ’05 – improving on that.
• This will allow us to actively explore our financial options to expand.

• Complete necessary building upgrades
• Running new water line to building.
• Replacing roofs of SS building and parsonage.
• Adjusting auditorium lighting.
• Replacing carpet in children’s areas with tile.
• Carpeting nursery.
• Adding a bathroom to SS building.
• Replace door in SS building.
• Repairs/minor upgrades to parsonage

• Expand our building facilities.
• We will need to go to three services soon to keep up with attendance increase.
• Explore temporary options for renting.
• Explore building beginning in fall of this year.

5) One of the very last goals we discussed was supporting the new church plant of Steve Jesmer, currently the executive pastor at GSBC who will be starting a church in Manchester within the year. Steve was one of the two pastors along with Anthony Milas who began The Journey, and so we are excited to get behind him and his ministry.

It was a good night, and the Lord blessed. I am excited to see what the Lord has next for us.