Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church, Puyallup WA
Mission Study Summary
Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church (SOTH) is located in the South Hill region of
Puyallup, WA. The name aptly describes both the rural-suburban location, and the
warmth of care and commitment to faith one experiences in this vibrant congregation.
Originally designated as the “Woodland Project” by the Presbytery of Olympia, the first
services were held in the Fruitland Grange on April 19, 1968 with 35 persons in
attendance, and officially chartered with 47 members on March 23, 1969. SOTH
currently has 216 members and an average worship attendance of 95.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new church building, located at 8401
112th Street East, on March 19, 1975, with the first service in the new building on Dec.
28, 1975. On October 12, 1980 groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the Christian
Education addition. A new sanctuary and classroom addition was built in 1997. In
2016, the congregation undertook a new renovation and addition to the building with an
updated kitchen, new office wing and library, new 1,200 square foot garage, and other
improvements.
In October of 2017, SOTH’s pastor of 26 years, Rev. Gary E. Mathiesen, retired, and the
church entered an intentional season of transition and exploration. In January of 2018,
the session hired Rev. Heather James as their Transitional Pastor to guide this season in
the life of the church. With a combination of Session and congregational conversations,
SOTH has been exploring ways to increase energy and participation while celebrating
the joy that comes from working together across the boundaries of age and stage.
SOTH is led by thoughtful elders who have embraced the task of leading this
congregation into a meaningful future. They are working to discern a sense of purpose
as they consider why their church is important as a display and proclamation of God’s
kingdom at their particular location at this particular time. They are listening to the
congregation and they are listening for God’s Spirit leading them forward into new
initiatives. The elders recognize that there are many ways to measure the faithfulness of
this congregation, beyond simply the well tended space, financial stability, and
committed membership. In seeking to be a church that is known for its service and
desire to be a blessing to others, the elders are leading the congregation with
discipleship and transformation in mind.
SOTH is served by a staff of eight full and part time employees: Transitional Pastor
(FT), Youth Director (FT), Office Administrator, Custodian, Treasurer, Choir Director,
Worship Accompanist, and Nursery Attendant. The staff is friendly, skillful, and
collaborates well with one another. Regular meetings and conversations provide a place
for healthy communication, innovation in ministry, and problem solving as needed. The
current staff is committed to supporting the Session in their exploration and vision for
the future, and to meeting the needs of the congregation and current programs during
this transitional season.
The congregation is excited to welcome a new
installed pastor to help lead them in growing
mission and vitality as they inhabit this beautiful
space and seek to bless their community through
both the church building, and the serving hearts
and hands of the people.
Transitional Process
In January 2018, the Session and Deacons met with experienced Transitional Pastor,
Rev. Shari Monson, for training and information about transitional ministry. The
leaders read Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers (Gray, Joan S., Geneva Press,
2009) and discussed its themes throughout the spring at their monthly meeting.
In order to better understand the congregation’s identity, shared values, and health, the
Session then engaged the congregation with intentional conversation and opportunities
for participation over the course of several months.
Three Congregational Gatherings
April 22, 2018: Telling Our Story -
approximately 80 in attendance
Three of the congregation’s charter members began
our night with the story of this church’s beginnings.
The congregation then worked together to build a
narrative of the church’s history using different areas
of community life and mission as a focus. Each
person had the opportunity to participate in three
different areas, and at the end of the evening the
whole group crafted a timeline of the standout
moments, both challenging and joyful, in this
congregation's life together. The evening concluded
with a time of reflection on what core values have
stayed with this church throughout its story.
June 10, 2018: Vital Signs - approximately 80 in attendance
After a brief introduction about ten markers of vitality and missional health, the
congregation examined its current energy and focus using the missional markers as a
guide. Following extended conversation, the results were gathered and presented in a
quadrant grid representing different levels of health: Healthy Missional, Stable, At Risk,
and Critical Moment. While some participants highlighted specific areas of vitality and
health, the general consensus was that this congregation is in a stable place with signs of
being at risk of losing vitality and meaningful engagement. There was overall
enthusiasm for identifying specific steps that would help this congregation reclaim its
energy and vitality in mission and ministry.
July 22, 2018: Imagining A Hopeful Future -
approximately 45 in attendance
This evening’s gathering began with a discussion of
ideal outcomes. People were asked to consider these
questions:
● Imagine SOTH in 5 years as a healthy vibrant community of faith. What do you
see in this picture? What was added to bring health and vibrancy? What needed
to change or be let go?
● Imagine SOTH in 5 years with a new pastor in this vibrant new season. What do
you see in this picture? What are some characteristics of our new pastor that
helped us reach this season of health and vitality?
After sharing a summary of the table discussions, the
congregation was invited to choose an area of ministry where
the church faces challenges. Each table group took time to
consider and address their challenge through brainstorming
and strategizing specific steps that could be taken to enhance
the ministry and mission of SOTH. Challenges included areas
like name recognition, energizing volunteers, attracting and
retaining new families, diversity of music styles, and shaping
worship to be welcoming and meaningful.
Feedback Opportunities
Throughout this season of conversation, the congregation was given two other
opportunities for participating in this discernment process.
Small Group / Team discussions - Every small group, class, and committee was
invited to discuss the following questions at their meetings. These questions were also
discussed in our youth groups and choir. The leaders of these groups were encouraged
to share highlights of their discussions with Session.
Questions for Small Groups: (distributed to groups, classes, and committees)
April - PAST:
● What has helped you grow in faith at Shepherd?
● What is something that keeps you here and involved?
● What is a piece of our past we hope will always be with us?
May - PRESENT:
● Where are you currently involved at SOTH? What involvement brings you
greatest joy?
● In your participation at SOTH, what is something you are learning or a way you
are growing in your faith right now?
● Where do you see energy and excitement in the congregation right now?
June - FUTURE:
● What are your dreams for SOTH? What would you like to see us do or become?
● What do you think we need most to position us for a healthy future?
● What are the top three qualities you hope we will find in a future pastor?
Individual Reflection - The following questions were sent to the congregation over
the course of several weeks, and people were invited to respond by online form or in
writing with paper feedback forms available on Sunday mornings.
Set One:
● What is one of your fondest memories of your time at SOTH?
● What is a piece of our past we hope will always be with us?
● What is one way your faith has been strengthened because of your time in this
congregation?
Set Two:
● Where are you currently involved at SOTH? (example: regular groups you
attend, places you volunteer, ways you participate)
● Where do you see excitement and energy in SOTH right now?
● What is something happening right now at SOTH that you hope will be a part of
our future as well?
Set Three:
● What are one or two things we do during worship that help you connect with God
and experience God's presence with us?
● What are one or two things we do during worship that bring us together in unity
as the body of Christ?
● What do you think we need most to position us for a healthy future?
● What part of SOTH’s mission and ministry would you most like to devote your
prayer and time to supporting?
In addition to these opportunities for group discussion and individual reflection, the
Session invited conversation through regular Sunday morning updates and personal
engagement with individuals. Through all these forms of communication, the Session
heard affirmations, concerns, joys, and challenges. Where needed, pastoral
conversations were encouraged. In addition, Session held this feedback as a backdrop
to ongoing discussions of mission and ministry in the day to day life of the church. Data
gathered from these sources is available upon request.
Discernment
Throughout this process, the Session received feedback information and notes from
each step for their consideration. They were encouraged to be active listeners and
participants in community life, worship, and fellowship. At each Session meeting, time
was set aside to discuss and interpret the data being gathered. The following
information emerged:
Core Values
Intergenerational
SOTH thrives when multiple generations are
working and worshipping together. There are
many places where this happens naturally and
vibrantly, and there is a desire to grow our capacity
for conversation and engagement across the
bounds of age and stage.
Worship
SOTH enjoys worshipping together in one service with blended styles. People
look forward to worship, are open to new experiences, and appreciate the energy
of being together in one gathering. There is a desire to keep seeking ways for our
worship team and choir to work together, and to involve many ages in our weekly
leadership responsibilities.
Mission
SOTH desires to bless this neighborhood and the
world with service and charitable giving. The
congregation is deeply committed to its many
local and global mission partners and is open to
exploring new partnerships and ways to engage
in this community. This is an area where SOTH
thrives in multigenerational connections, with
people of all ages working side by side.
While there is much to celebrate in these strengths, there is a desire among many to
continue to strengthen our intergenerational connections, energize our worship
opportunities, and continue to broaden our missional engagement in this community.
Ministry and Mission Focus
The Session has heard clearly from the congregation a desire to focus our ministry and
mission in the following areas:
Youth and Families
● This congregation desires to support and serve youth and families attending
SOTH in discipleship and integration of youth and children into the life of the
congregation.
● This congregation desires to bless the youth and families of our surrounding
community through identifying and addressing felt needs.
● This congregation desires to be a place where new families and youth can come
and find meaningful fellowship and worship.
Mission
● This congregation is committed to financially supporting local and global mission
through charitable giving and projects.
● This congregation is committed to serving intergenerationally in local service
projects and initiatives.
● This congregation desires to live out their faith in day to day life and service.
Fellowship
● This congregation deeply values opportunities for connection and support of one
another.
● This congregation prioritizes the sharing of prayer concerns in worship as one
way of nurturing connections in this congregation.
● This congregation looks forward to fellowship opportunities, small and large
group gatherings, weekly coffee hour, and congregational celebrations.
● This congregation desires to deepen connections and strengthen relationships
across boundaries of age and stage.
● This congregation desires to be unified in Christ in times where theological and
cultural differences are accentuated.
Future Steps
Experimenting with Changes - SOTH continues to experiment with styles of
leadership and engagement in worship, ways of talking about current events and
concerns, and considerations of ‘right sized programing’ for this congregation.
In September 2018, the CE team started a new Sunday morning Bible Study where
adults and teens are engaged in the same study and meet together once a month for
discussion. In addition, the younger age classes were re-designed to allow for different
adults from the congregation to come and share the Bible story each week. These
changes are helping SOTH live into both its core values and hope for the future.
Growing Young (Fuller Youth Institute, Baker Books, 2016) - In January 2019, the
leadership (Session, Deacons, PNC if established) will be reading Growing Young. Pastor Heather will use the themes of the book in worship during the first part of the
year, and the congregation will be invited to read and participate in discussion through
small groups, corporate worship, and individual conversation. This resource book
offers insight and concrete steps that can be taken to help forge stronger
intergenerational ministry and relationships. This church desires to build on an already
strong foundation and is poised to successfully expand its multigenerational ministry
and mission.
Mission Partnership - The Session is exploring specific partnerships with
neighborhood schools in an effort to be a blessing to the community in which SOTH is
placed. In addition, the Session believes that living out the congregation’s commitment
to youth and families needs to happen both inside and outside the building.
PNC - The Session believes this congregation is ready to move forward in calling a PNC.
While they recognize there is still more to be learned and more experiments to be tried,
the nine months of intentional conversation and engagement have given the leadership
a clearer picture of who SOTH is and where God is stirring energy and vision for the
future. The Session is committed to continuing the process of exploration while
supporting the PNC in their efforts to identify the next installed pastor for SOTH.
Future Leadership
The congregation desires to move into a future that is marked by energy, excitement,
and meaningful, relational ministry. They hope to nurture deep connection while
increasing their ability to welcome and nurture new relationships. They desire to set
the stage for vibrant weekly worship, midweek groups, and opportunities to serve. They
desire to serve the surrounding community with relevant programs and practical
assistance. All as an expression of our Christian faith and call to love God and love our
neighbors well.
The congregation hopes to call a pastor who easily connects with people in meaningful
relationships and also leads in corporate settings with energy and grace. They desire
Biblically based and relatable sermons, and the ability to weave a unified worship
experience from different styles, generational preferences, and theological perspectives.
The congregation responds easily to humor and innovation, holy moments, and
celebration. They are open to considering all applicants in keeping with The Book of
Order and the best hiring practices of the Olympia Presbytery.
This congregation is positioned well for a new season of growth and continued
discovery. They have responded well to the process of listening and learning about the
church’s history, present health, and vision for the future. Small technical changes that
are causing disruption have brought about conversation. This congregation holds a
strength of relationship and faith that will make room for increasing diversity and
meaningful change as they move into the future.
Final Draft October 11,, 2018
Photo Credits: Wes Randall and Heather James