Holly Tree ChapelFall 2015 Status Report

The National Back to Church Sunday, on September 20 went exceptionally well

The choir music, as well as Cherith/Jesse’s song ‘The Prayer’ and the quartet singing ‘The Firing Line’ is available on the CD.

Leadership guide and planning was outstandingExpenses were under budget, with several families contributing to the expenses.Extra food can be used for Fellowship Dinners and for the October Fun Fest on October 25, at Summit Heights

Q: Mail-out? Did you receive an invitation?

The FM 2869 Life Chain event is scheduled Sunday, October 4, from 2-3:30. Posters will be provided, and we have approximately 30 people who have volunteered for this important ministry. Holy Spirit Catholic Church is hosting the event.

Fall Fest, October 25, at Summit Heights Fellowship

The office computer has failed, and is being upgraded; this affects Power Church, and our financial record keeping; we have been assured that no data has been lost. The new computer will be installed soon.

ETEX internet service has been installed; the password is the same as the old one.

Wednesday evening Bible study continues with our study of Genesis. We are currently on lesson 97, and finishing the lives of Jacob and Esau. Joseph is next!

Serenity GardenIt is looking very nice, thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers, led by Jeannette and Louis Pyle Gary Weaver and Leon Ward have enjoyed working with their tractors, bush-hogging, etc.Two new tables have been donated, and paintedThe playground is cleaned up, and the equipment paintedThe Easter Sunrise Service benches have been cleaned up, and the paintedLandscaping has been done around the building, and under the Chapel sign; with fresh flowers planted

Friday Men’s Bible Study is studying the Book of Psalms. Mike Lanphere blessed the men with his teaching when the pastor is out of town.

On a technical note, the downstairs door needs some serious repairs. The door often refuses to lock properly, which has resulted in people walking in and setting off the alarm. Repeated service calls have failed to correct the problem. A bid has been given, and is on file in the office for a new door and lock.

Electrical repairs need to be done on the exterior light fixtures (photo-cells…) at the back parking lot, including the large Cross, and the lighting on the sanctuary stained glass windows.

Women’s Fellowship is going very well, with an excellent study, and outstanding leadership.

The current study is a Beth MooreBible study on Thessalonians

Gideon Bible Ministry:

The Gideon’s have a banquet scheduled for Oct 27, and would invite interested couples to join in their ministry. Gideon’s provides Bibles for distribution around the world.

The banquet is free and no solicitation of funds will be made. If you are interested in attending, please contact Jeannette Lewis in the church office.

Holly Tree ChapelWhere Do We Go From Here?

"Management has a lot to do with answers. Leadership is a function of questions. And the first question for a leader always is: 'Who do we intend to be?' Not 'What are we going to do?' but 'Who do we intend to be?’ -Max DePree

"Vision without action is a daydream. Action with without vision is a nightmare." - Japanese Proverb

"The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Alan Kay

1. Vision: A purpose and vision statement needs to be considered. Purpose is about the difference we are trying to make in our community, and in the worldVision is how we will get there.

Do we have more memories at HTC than dreams and visions for the future?

If we are living in the past, we have admitted defeat

“It is a statement of fact that a ministry and vision to a younger generation almost never comes from an older generation” (the status quo is usually the older generation in a declining church).

Half (50%) of the people at HLR are under 60 (January HLR demographic in the Newsletter)

2. Music:

A new music director is needed. Jonathan Boulden and Maggie will be leaving us after Nov. 1

He will remain at ALERT, with the parent company of ALERT moving to Big Sandy over the next year.

Several families have been let go, but Jonathan has been promoted.

Benjamin Cahil will continue to play the piano (violin, soloist) for us.

Q: Do we want a change in our music style, and what will that look like? Do we want a full time music/youth position? Do we want a couple to lead us?

3. Internet: ETEX is now our internet provider, with much faster internet service

They have installed equipment for us, at no charge, saving us approximately $2500.00

The internet coverage is 400 feet from the elevator area which covers all of our building. Our current router was used, with a booster placed in the closet next to the elevator upstairs.

The password is the same

I have suggested to ETEX that a cut-off switch should be installed at the pulpit, if I sense that people are looking at their email, or Facebook accounts---or listening to other preachers online

during the sermon.

4. Overhead Screens: With an aging congregation who have trouble finding hymns in the hymnal, and seeing the words without finding glasses, it would be beneficial to have screens or large TVs, one (or 2 TVs) in the front directly behind and above the pulpit, and one on the back wall above the sound booth.

Everyone in the sanctuary would be able to see one of the screens easily. Screens would allow us to show video presentations during worship services, such as Amy Martindale, the Gideons, the Cadmus Family, etc.

Because of the costs involved, it has been suggested that two large swing-out TV screens would be more cost effective, and one in the back over the sound booth. A computer system to run them would be included in a bid

5. Chapel Sign: The sign in the front of the church is 30+ years old. It is quaint, and has limited information that is painted on it (can’t be changed easily).

We do not need a high-tech sign that flashes, with messages that are changed often. We just need to look like we are more than a funeral chapel.

Research shows that upgrading the sign will bring in a significant number of people, and the sign can be paid for quickly

6. Identity: The need for a catchall, be everything to everyone church, no longer exists at Holly Lake Ranch.

There are two Baptist churches (Holly Brook and Summit Heights, plus one in Hawkins with a new, younger pastor)There are two Methodist churches (Liberty on 154, and 1st Methodist in Hawkins)There is a Catholic churchThere is a Church of Christ. None of these were at HLR when HTC was formed.We need to have a unique identity of our own, which will attract new and younger families.

7. Constitution & Bylaws: With identity change will come new organizational structure. HTC was set up as an organizational trust, not as a church.

When hired, our pastor was asked by the Search Committee to move the church toward the future, with new organizational structure, including identity change, a new sign out front, and perhaps screens in the sanctuary.

“Without a vision, the people perish” (Prov. 29:18)

“Without a vision, the people are unrestrained”

Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, a vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe. (Gail Deavers)

You have to have a big vision and take very small steps to get there. You have to be humble as you execute your plans, but visionary and gigantic in terms of your aspiration… It's not about grand innovation, it's about a lot of little innovations: every day, every week, every month, making something a little bit better.

Jason Calacanis

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” 

Michelangelo

What is our Vision for the future?