CEC Strategic Plan

Vision Strategy Working Group Spring/Summer 2010

Core Values We at Christ Church

Dearborn affirm our identity as Episcopalians, living our relationship with God in mind, body and spirit, through tradition, scripture and reason. We journey together asserting the following core values:

Acceptance Worship Outreach Education Social Conscience Interfaith Fellowship Sanctuary

Core ValuesAcceptance Christ Episcopal

Church opens its doors to all, encouraging open-mindedness, celebrating diversity, embracing reason and nourishing the spirit.

Worship CEC offers a

traditional liturgy, with beautiful ritual, scripture and music, honoring each individual’s devotion to God and the experience of multiple pathways to spiritual fulfillment.

Core ValuesOutreach Seeking to do God’s

work in our community and the world, Christ Church serves others by sharing our time, talent and treasure.

Education Education at CEC is a

life-long journey that helps us grow spiritually, expand our minds and experience spiritual challenge and affirmation.

Core ValuesSocial Conscience We seek to be

faithful stewards of all that we are given by God, consistently mindful of our use of valuable resources and conscious of our responsibility regarding injustice and worldly struggles.

Interfaith Recognizing that we

live in a religiously‐diverse community and respecting the mysteries of all faiths, Christ Church nurtures relationships with all people and faiths to promote peace and harmony.

Core ValuesSanctuary CEC strives to be a

safe, spiritual place, where diverse people feel welcome to seek God and feel comfortable to open their hearts and minds.

Fellowship We gather in joyful

communion, giving thanks for all that is and will be, offering and accepting hospitality, support and care which nurtures our relationship with God and one another.

Mission Statement Christ Episcopal Church welcomes, inspires,

nurtures and replenishes through worship, fellowship and education. We seek to live a Christ-like life by embracing our broader, diverse community and serving others.

Strategy Following the work completed at the spring Visioning workshops,

these assumptions were made: Strategic closure and dramatic change in the physical plant should not

be considered. Changing nothing will result in closure. Strategies should be pursued in combination – no strategy stands alone.

Six possible strategies emerged during these workshops. Additional information needs to be gathered to discern the

strategy that best appeals to the members of Christ Church. The six strategies need to be presented to the Charrette Committee:

Some key (easy) questions should be answered for each strategy. The list of strategies may be pared down. A feasibility study should be conducted for each remaining strategy.

Continue the Charrette process. Is this before or after the new rector?

What strategies can be implemented and measured in the next 3-5 years to allow for existence beyond that time frame?

Monetization

Leveraging assets to raise money from outside the parish, including charging rent or fundraising events

Strengths Physical plant

Weaknesses Initial capital outlay Additional staff hours required to

manage Might detract from facility Might limit CEC program

opportunities Questions

Could we raise enough to make a difference?

Could we sell some of the land? How do we publicize? Is this an ethical issue – are we for

sale?

Needs Addressed

Money

Stewardship

Increasing time and money contributions from inside the parish

Strengths Talented and generous

parishioners Weaknesses

Relies on other strategies (Growth) Requires pushing current limits

Questions Do we want to be a tithing parish? Would we consider on-line giving? What additional money and time

commitments do we need to raise? How do we measure our time

contributions?

Needs Addressed

Money

Time

Growth

Increasing Sunday attendance, number of pledging units, and participation on committees

Strengths Desire to grow Unique Christian experience Strong programs

Weaknesses Lack of desire to evangelize Only one style of worship service Community demographics

Questions How do we market ourselves to

diverse populations How much of growth is priest-

centered? How do we cultivate an instructive

and joyous worship experience?

Needs Addressed

Money

Time

Merger

Combining two or more congregations to share space with one service and one staff

Strengths Willing, in theory

Weaknesses Possible loss of physical plant Loss of identity as Episcopalians

Questions Are we willing to move to another

building? Are we willing to compromise on

our traditional practices? What denominations might be a

good fit? What local parishes might be

interested?

Needs Addressed

Money

Time

Shared Resources

Sharing services and/or programs with a nearby congregation

Strengths Adaptable and flexible parish

Weaknesses Relies on strong connection with

others Questions

Could this save enough money? Would the time required to

develop and implement a connection be worthwhile?

Needs Addressed

Money

Optimization/Reorganization

Consolidating what already exists without bringing in any new resources

Strengths Current commitments of time and

money Strong interest in maintaining status

quo Weaknesses

Just cutting programs and expenses may not be enough

Questions What core values and programs do

we eliminate or reduce? How much would have be to cut to

balance the budget? What do smaller parishes do to

survive as smaller parishes? Could we sustain the physical plant

under this strategy?

Needs Addressed

Money

Time