This material, along with the plans for utilizing the new building in ministry, was needed (as identified years ago) prior to the current building being completed.

So, in one regard, it is good to see this finally being addressed.

The concern is that there still are no identified plans and it’s going to be the fall when ministries are already underway before plans get started.

BUT, the biggest concern is that this has been a distraction to addressing the real problems that are affecting this church. The belief’s have served the church for many years. This new material was not needed for addressing the problems. The problems need to be addressed. Having a mission, vision, and values to support the belief’s does not do that.

I fear there may not be much of a church body left once the distraction with working through this material is done.

In the mission statement, I would like to see the word “leading” omitted or changed. The Holy Spirit does the leading, we are only the channel of His direction. Although I understand what you are trying to communicate, the language could use some sharpening.

There is, overall, not enough detail for me to understand some of your vision points. I guess I’m looking for the five W’s and an H for definition.

Thank you for this opportunity.

Mission Statement — I’d change the action verb from “leading” to “motivating”, so possibly rephrase the first option to “Motivate people to love and grow in the relationship with Jesus Christ and one another”.

Core Values —

“Worshipping…” (good)
“Teaching biblical truth…to transform lives” (the “resulting” doesn’t seem like a “measureable” item at this level)
“Showing and sharing…” (seem to be weak and don’t really exemplify what is expected for local and global missions; I’d want something more definite like, “Giving resources and time to local and global ministries”)
“Doing life…” (again, this particular verb is pretty nebulous and use of “authentic” is another word I’m not sure how the church would measure; “redeemed” is also somewhat of a “churchy” word; not sure how to rephrase…”Sharing life’s transitions with a community of believers”?)
“Serving…” (I’d add “Jesus” before “Christ”)

Vision Statements — Whoa, way too many!! Why a dozen? If each was done to perfection we’d be spinning our wheels (maybe that’s part of the problem); I’d rather see West Park focus on what would be it principle aims and secondary aims.

I don’t mean to be harsh, but are we more concerned about those outside, than inside, our walls? I realize the importance of evangelism but if worshipping the God of glory is a core value, that is a function that can only be performed by those chosen by Him (who have been redeemed) and, once that community of believers is loving one another, it will naturally (supernaturally) spill over into the lives of those in our surrounding community.

If we were a church in the downtown core, I might expect a specific items we would as a church wish to see happen with street people/ministries; my experience having been at West Park is that it poured energy into certain seasonal events that would have community impact–Easter/Christmas musicals, DayCamp, Salt & Light–which have mostly disappeared, i.e. DayCamp has now become a half day sports camp, mainly and only now would I say there has been an attempt at large community outreach with the July 1st festivities.

Is our goal to be the church of the downtrodden and marginal in society? If so, beef up our Divorce care and Grief counselling and Teaching English as a Second Language. Or, are we a more contemporary church, like Gateway, with a more 30-something congregation? I think we’ve lost something in transition to the new building (alot of which would be people who’ve ceased coming), recognizing we’ve gained new faces, too.

I also find it interesting that ‘cross-generational” is mentioned as a vision but question how well that has been working since I’ve seen a progression, since moving into the new building, to church structure that has eroded the confidence our seniors have in the manifestations of worship services. (I truly believe that the seniors have tried to create their own church service during Sunday School because so much of what they were seeking has been lacking, even in a modified 1st service.)

So, what’s the answer? Although this review of mission and vision might be a good exercise, I would be more concerned about addressing the issues and concerns of those of us who are still members (or barely hanging on). Realizing personal staff concern cannot be discussed due to HR issues, I’d rather we focus on what has been happening with the church and what the plans are for getting us back on track so that all can worship in spirit and truth. For now, I’d forego spending so much time on reworking all this jargon…if we can continue to “reach our world and community with the gospel of Jesus Christ” for the next year or so, and work out the kinks to becoming more transparent with the church’s weaknesses to feed the faithful so that they can, in turn, bless all God’s children, then I think we’ll be moving in the right direction.

I’d have to agree that prayer is a pivotal vision statement, but I wouldn’t just “emphasize prayer”. It should be written as, “Pray!”

So, back to primary and secondary aims…maybe the time has come for churches to think more transient ministries. What if we just focused on being the best Alpha church for the next year or two and, once concluded, moved on to becoming the best church in northwest London that held intra-city youth event, concentrating all our energies on the Annex and other teen/high school activities. I frankly don’t know that a group of church members could agree on what our singular vision is currently or what it should be but I’d like to think we could at least all get on the same page as to working through and resolving issues that we’ve either carried over from the old facility or have been created after settling in the new one.

I’ve rambled and you likely have many other comments for consideration.

Please don’t take this as being non-supportive of the previous or newly elected Board members–you guys are there because the congregation voted in favour of your leadership.

So, lead on!

Your brother in Jesus Christ,

Todd Swentek