Your one-page primer
to 2010 & Beyond
Background
This strategic-planning initiative is more than just a one-year or even five-year planning process. With 2010 & Beyond, Plymouth is asking three questions:
- Who are we?
- Who is our neighbor?
- What is God calling us to do or become?
These three important questions were posed to church leaders by Susan Beaumont, a consultant from the Alban Institute – an independent center that helps shape the strong congregations of tomorrow – when she began working with Plymouth Church earlier this summer in a spiritual journey to help us create an even stronger church.
We know we're doing good work – all of us together have made Plymouth one of the strongest congregations in this area. Years ago, we surveyed our members and the results led to much of the programming we have today and added several of the church leaders who helped those ministries come to fruition. But, is that all there is? Not content to sit back on our laurels, Plymouth decided to "listen together to create an even stronger church." Where can we go in the next 10 years or more? What is God calling us to do or become?
We know we're doing good work – all of us together have made Plymouth one of the strongest congregations in this area. Years ago, we surveyed our members and the results led to much of the programming we have today and added several of the church leaders who helped those ministries come to fruition. But, is that all there is? Not content to sit back on our laurels, Plymouth decided to "listen together to create an even stronger church." Where can we go in the next 10 years or more? What is God calling us to do or become? Church Survey
The first phase of "listening" takes the shape of a one-time Church Survey. Mark the weekend of September 11 and 12 on your calendar and plan to attend one of our three worship services. That's when everyone attending will have an opportunity to complete a short, 10-minute, multiple-choice survey during worship. This core sampling will give us an accurate picture of who we are.
The surveys will be tabulated by an off-site firm, and we will present the results in November.
The surveys will be tabulated by an off-site firm, and we will present the results in November.
Listening Circles
The second phase of our 2010 & Beyond strategic planning process involves a number of Listening Circles scheduled for Sept. 12-30. Nearly 30 small-group discussions will be led by specially trained Plymouth members and will last roughly two hours (hence the "2 Hours and & 10 Minutes" concept!).
Listening Circles will probe a little deeper for your thoughts, ideas and dreams about Plymouth – today and in the future. This isn't just about expressing our preferences or indulging our appetites; it's about coming together to descern what God would have us do and be in the coming years. We can't do this important work without you! (Click here to download the calendar graphic shown here as an easy-to-read PDF file that illustrates the days and times Listening Circles are scheduled, and whether childcare is provided.)
Listening Circles will probe a little deeper for your thoughts, ideas and dreams about Plymouth – today and in the future. This isn't just about expressing our preferences or indulging our appetites; it's about coming together to descern what God would have us do and be in the coming years. We can't do this important work without you! (Click here to download the calendar graphic shown here as an easy-to-read PDF file that illustrates the days and times Listening Circles are scheduled, and whether childcare is provided.)
How to sign up for a Listening Circle
Once you've used this calendar to decide what day and time works best for you, there are three easy ways to sign up to participate in a Listening Circle.
- During Fellowship Sunday mornings
- Online by using the link on this website
- By calling the church office at 255.3149
1. During Fellowship
Volunteers are available on Sundays during Fellowship after worship to go online and register you for Listening Circles. Just stop by their table and, in a matter a minutes, you'll be done. If you want to be ready in advance, click here to download a short "Sign Me Up" form that you can simply hand to the volunteer. Or fill one out during Fellowship if the line is long and you don't want to wait. Either way, you'll receive a confirmation email reminding you of the day, time and location of your Listening Circle.
2. Sign Up Online
Do it yourself while you're here online. Just click on this link or the graphic at the top of this page in the right-hand column. Either one will take you directly to the online registration site.
If you want to know what to expect online before you start the process, click here to download an easy-to-follow PDF document that outlines the process, complete with illustrations of the screens you'll see.
If you want to know what to expect online before you start the process, click here to download an easy-to-follow PDF document that outlines the process, complete with illustrations of the screens you'll see.
3. Call the church office.
Paula Wilkerson in the church office will be happy to help you register for a LIstening Circle too. Just call her at 255.3149 and let her know what day and time work best for you.
Still Listening, Still Thinking, Still Planning
Once the results from the Church Survey and the Listening Circles are compiled in November, a group of church leaders and interested members will interpret the results and discern what God is caling us – as a congregation – to do or become.
It's exciting, isn't it! Just imagine where Plymouth might be in the future. And – because you've participated in 2010 & Beyond – you'll know that you played a role.
It's exciting, isn't it! Just imagine where Plymouth might be in the future. And – because you've participated in 2010 & Beyond – you'll know that you played a role.
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