ReVisionReport

Prince of PeaceBastrop, Texas

December 12, 2010

On “Change”

• “Change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”~ John F. Kennedy

• “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”~ Leo Tolstoy

• ”Men make history, and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.”~ Harry Truman

Parable of the Skunk

Skunk’s response to danger:1. Face danger2. Raise tail

Parable of the Skunk

Skunk’s response to danger:1. Face danger2. Raise tail3. Turn

Parable of the Skunk

Skunk’s response to danger:1. Face danger2. Raise tail3. Turn

Parable of the Skunk

Skunk’s response to danger:1. Face danger2. Raise tail3. Turn4. Fire

Parable of the Skunk

Skunk’s response to danger:1. Face danger2. Raise tail3. Turn4. Fire5. Safe

Parable of the Skunk

Skunk’s response to danger:1. Face danger2. Raise tail3. Turn4. Fire5. Safe

Parable of the SkunkThe Environment Changes:

Roads

Parable of the SkunkNew Threat:

Trucks

Parable of the SkunkNew Threat:

TrucksSkunk’s response to danger:

1. Face danger2. Raise tail3. Turn4. Fire

Parable of the SkunkResult:

1. No learning2. No change3. No skunk

Moral of theParable of the Skunk

• Doing what you’ve always done won’t necessarily get you what you’ve always gotten….

• Sometimes it will get you killed!

Lesson of the Parable of the Skunk

• Human beings have it all over the skunk

• We can communicate, learn and change techniques that don’t work anymore

Original Purpose of TF

Response to $1.12 Million CEF Loan Reaching out to the community Reaching the point of calling a full-time

pastor Reviewing our “purpose” and

“mission”

Surfacing at 1st TF Meeting

Role & function of the ECLC Role of the Sunday School Guests & relationships Name recognition and perception in the

community Visibility and location Generating funds What is the mission and ministry?

Ideas Generated

We must by action reach out Need a five year plan, in writing

submitted to the District Renaming the church Simplify the structure for mission and

ministry Emphasis on Sunday school Full-Time Pastor

Ideas Generated -2

Put the property up for sale Close the ECLC Regroup, rename, relocate Bastrop is “a mission field”

Discussion with District MMF

Five year financial plan Closing the ECLC Rebranding Structuring for mission Emphasis on:

Sunday school Community service Facility usage

Calling a full-time pastor

Narrowed Focus of TF

1. Close the ministry of Prince of Peace (Shut down)

2. Become a multi-site of CrossPoint Decommission Rename to CrossPoint – Bastrop Structure: governance and leadership through

CrossPoint Full-time pastor selected thru CrossPoint Mission & Ministry – CrossPoint

3. Mission and Ministry Rebranding

Recommendations of TF

Close the ECLC Adopt the “Rebranding Model” Approve the “Five Year” plan in

concept Suspend the By-laws pertaining to

elections and board structure Have a “stewardship commitment”

process

Five Year Plan

See handout

As of This Date

The church council has Voted to close the ECLC Recommends “suspending” the By-laws Approved the “Stewardship Commitment”

process Reviewed the “Five Year Plan” Reviewed the “Mission and Ministry

Rebranding”

What Does This All Mean?

Continued presence in the community Name: Community Identity Focus on Mission and Ministry Greater Financial Commitment Retooling the facility for mission and

ministry Calling a full-time pastor Implementing the five year plan Trusting that God is with us!

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:18-19