The following statements represent a sincere attempt to help you absorb all that has been expressed thus far in the “God’s People Speak” process. It is an attempt to state, in positive action form, what we are discovering about Central. Please read prayerfully, compare with all that has been shared, and be ready to contribute your ideas. Our next Congregational Gathering will be this coming Wednesday, May 21, at 5:30 p. m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Our Deepest Desires
1. A revival of spirit, soul, dedication, consecration
2. We need to be more loving and accepting of each other and trust each other.
3. Commitment to daily seek God and His will for us and our church.
4. Strengthen our “family ties”.
5. Don’t be complacent; we need a sense of urgency about Kingdom work.
6. Identify and affirm our unique purpose and work toward achieving it.
7. Allow a “spirit of awe” when we enter God’s house.
8. We need the accountability that belonging to small groups provides.
9. We need a strong sense of mission (Wesleyan sense of mission in the midst of worship
and Christian education)

Looking Forward
1. To set and communicate expectations for members; help them to meet them.
2. To involve every single member in ministry
3. Goal should be to impact our community
4. Desire for laity to be totally aligned with God’s will and busy doing His work.
5. Loving one another as testimony that we are loved by the Father.
6. To be debt-free
7. To all be faithful stewards
8. Dare to dream; take risks for the Kingdom; failures aren’t fatal, successes celebrated.
9. To be a more diverse congregation
10. To be a unified congregation meeting challenges head-on.

Openness
1. Welcome all who come and remove roadblocks that would stand in their way.
2. Encourage input and participation of all members equally.
3. Trust each other more.
4. Be sensitive to that which divides us and work to overcome these barriers.
5. Be more receptive to new ideas and strive to be open-minded and fair.

General Comments
1. Live our faith!
2. Be open to new ideas and willing to dialogue with each other
3. Let’s stretch beyond our comfort zone.
4. It’s ok to disagree – it’s not ok to be disagreeable.
5. Stay continually focused on our purpose.
6. Respond to the emerging needs of the community.

Leadership
1. We need to trust and support our leadership.
2. We need to be leaders in the community.
3. Our leaders need to seek creative solutions to challenges.
4. Our leaders need to take risks for the Kingdom and not fear failure.
5. Our leaders need to model servanthood and be encouragers.
6. Our leaders should be open, transparent, and responsive.
7. We need strong lay leadership working in conjunction with the staff & clergy.
8. Strong, effective leaders encourage participation from everyone.
9. We should take action and not just discuss.

Missions
1. Central needs to greatly enhance opportunities for individual and group mission work.
2. Encourage all members to find their “mission” through Central.
3. Information about mission opportunities must be made widely available to congregation and to others in our community.
4. Partner with other churches and organizations to promote and conduct mission programs and trips.
5. Use of our church facilities should play a major part in our contributions to mission efforts.
6. Develop short-term mission projects

Ministry
1. Be more intentional about MAKING DISCIPLES through mentors, shepherds, and partners.
2. Establish ministry priorities using our Mission statement and core values.
3. Central should provide leadership to churches in Meridian District
4. In all ministry areas, our focus must be on God.
5. Identify, nurture, grow, and use spiritual gifts of each member.
6. More publicity/education regarding ministry opportunities.
7. More member involvement
8. Partner with other faith-based organizations in our ministries.
9. Emphasize prayer in all we do.
10. Youth and young adult participation is vital to our ministries.
11. Look at successful ministry models in other churches to assist our efforts.

12. Pay special attention to our homebound and grieving members.

Evangelism
1. Create a welcoming environment for all persons to find Christ in our midst.
2. Establish an on-going program of reaching out to newcomers of all ages in our area.
3. Educate and involve all members in inviting and nurturing prospective and new members.
4. Determine why visitors come to Central; why members choose to leave.
5. Be pro-active in assimilating new and existing members into ministry areas.
6. Conduct orientation sessions with new and prospective members.
7. Monitor attendance of members and their involvement in ministry areas.
8. Establish fellowship opportunities for prospective and new members.

Committees
1. Ensure appointment process aligns with Discipline.
2. Appointments must be inclusive, permission-giving.
3. Should reflect diversity of church.
4. Be purposeful to include newer members.
5. Solicit and use members’ input.
6. Help members find their area of service.
7. Value and include all members in discussions.
8. Should be formed in response to needs and disbanded when the need has been met.

Communication
1. Regular and open communications between members, staff, and clergy is essential.
2. Staff and committees should utilize all methods available in communicating.
3. Members should be diligent in trying to obtain information.
4. Minutes of committee meetings, Administrative Council, committee assignments should be made available to congregation in timely manner.
5. Be intentional in informing congregation about new and ongoing ministries/missions.
6. Congregational meetings should be held on an on-going basis for feedback/questions.
7. Evaluate usage and benefits of mass media (TV, radio, web, print, etc.) to effectively communicate with our community at large.

Facility/Asset Usage
1. We should be good stewards of our facilities.
2. We need to better balance security issues with accessibility for members.
3. Our facilities should be shared with our community in a reasonable manner.
4. Re-evaluate our Church usage policy and assign responsibility for adherence.
5. Address the transportation needs of the elderly and other groups.

Music
1. Need comprehensive music programs for youth and children, i. e., more choirs.
2. Growth of Sanctuary Choir is important to overall music ministry.
3. More singing of familiar and traditional hymns in all services.
4. Music should always support, not overshadow, the worship experience.