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MasterPlan 2008-09
Letter from David
Priorities
Budget 2008-09 (PDF download)
Dear Providence Family,
In the course of His work in our lives to shape our hearts and conform us to the character of Jesus Christ, our heavenly Father will often place a portion of Scripture on our hearts and minds. As this year has unfolded, I found myself drawn again and again to Psalm 73:28: "But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works."
When God draws us near, it always results in something good! He has opened our eyes to see His handiwork in the lives of many who have come to know Him as Savior and many others who have grown in their desire for more of Him in all aspects of their lives. So when we offer you our plans for the coming year, it should come as no surprise that we want more of Christ in every way!
You will see in the following pages a renewed passion for prayer to become a more integral part of each ministry at Providence. We hope you will recognize the emphasis on evangelism and outreach to people from every walk of life so that we may offer the love of Christ in both the Gospel message and practical means of help for those in need. We want to communicate that we care more about others than we do ourselves by making the sacrifices necessary to make more room available for those who come to Providence searching for answers and hope. In short, we want this year to be a year of drawing near enough to the heart of God to be captured by His desires.
Draw near with us and seek your place in God's plans for us as a people. When you find in His presence all that you need to be satisfied in the depths of your soul, you will understand what the psalmist meant when he said, "the nearness of God is my good!"
Take note of what God has laid on our hearts as we present these plans to you. See if there is a way for us to pursue these together with one pure and holy passion. Pray with us for God's desires to become our own as we join the psalmist: "One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple" (Psalm 27:4). May we got out into the world, living in His presence, and serve Him according to the desires of His heart!
Gratefully yours,
Priorities
- Develop a comprehensive plan for prayer ministry.
- Improve facilities for growth in worship.
- Provide pastoral care for families in crisis.
- Implement new member assimilation and training.
- Provide outreach to the “down and out” in our community.
- Compost a target plan for evangelism that includes cultivating, sharing and baptizing.
Elders
Purpose
Oversee the ministries of the body of Christ to ensure soundness of doctrine and maintain the biblical and practical integrity of the overall ministry of the church.
90 Day
- Oversee the planning and development of a new worship space to accommodate growth. Work with staff to monitor and guide funding and stewardship strategies for church expansion.
- Develop opportunities to get to know fellow elders and pastors better to more effectively pray for one another and utilize each other's individual strengths. Build a profile of spiritual and vocational gifts and active ministry areas for each elder. Have an emphasis on elder and pastor prayer time. Seek to stay "in front" of pastors on sensitive areas.
- Initiate orientation process to create a smooth transition for new elders in July. Review duties and responsibilities, standard operating procedures, major dates and other pertinent information.
- Review and approve Providence's Vision Statement for presentation at 30th anniversary.
One Year
- Support the prayer ministry through participation in opportunities for personal and corporate prayer. Model commitment to prayer through active involvement in one of the Providence prayer ministries. Place emphasis on monthly prayer time for the senior pastor.
- Support an emphasis on evangelism and missions through active participation in forums, local outreach activities and mission trips. Explore new avenues to capture and communicate the stories of God working in lives.
- Support staff in efforts to focus on edification of the family unit, encouragement of interaction between family units, and family worship.
- Ensure an overall security policy is in place to cover the building and personnel during on-site activities as well as travel.
Five Year
- Work with staff to plan and execute Providence's next church plants both locally and internationally. Also work with staff to help equip new church plants that are not from Providence and churches needing temporary assistance from our resources, mainly people and talents.
- Acquire new property adjacent or in close proximity to existing church location as God makes it available. This will mainly be used for parking and additional access points to property.
- Work with senior pastor on succession plan for replacement to ensure uninterrupted flow of ministry activities.
- Seek ways to positive impact the community by sending notes of appreciation to local community leaders. Continue outreach to the business and residential communities in close proximity to church location.
Senior Pastor
Purpose
To provide biblical leadership and instruction in order to equip and enable the congregation to fulfill its purposes in the character and content of its calling.
90 Day
- Plan special services over the course of the year designed to encourage our people to be more intentional about inviting friends to Providence. Providing specific invitations and other tools for the congregation to invite unchurched friends.
- Complete the rewriting of the Providence Vision Statement and introduce it to the church on the occasion of our 30th Anniversary. P provide a clear vision of where we are headed as a church in the years to come and extend a challenge to embrace the wide range of ministry opportunities associated with that vision.
- " Assist communications services in expanding and improving the website, especially in the development of online resources. Introduce a wide range of ministry resources and information to a broader number of people, both within the congregation and beyond.
One Year
- Coordinate with worship ministry and administrative services to prepare the new worship space for occupation in late 2009 or early 2010. Provide room for more people to participate in our times of corporate worship while also designing a room that can serve other purposes, now and in the future.
- Offer a trip to the Holy Lands in April 2009, for approximately 40 people. Introduce a wealth of biblical knowledge and appreciation for the land of the Bible build leadership vision into the lives of the participants.
- " Develop a strategy for Providence's involvement in church planting efforts, both in the Triangle and beyond. Take a proactive role in determining Providence's plan regarding church planting initiatives and our involvement in initiatives taken by other churches to invite our partnership.
Five Year
- Develop a long-term staffing plan for future ministry expansion at Providence to give clarity to the priorities we intend to follow by adding pastors to the team in order to be strategic, not reactionary, in the development of ministry priorities.
- Outline a facility plan for future development that outlines the scope of what can be accommodated on our present site and the possibilities presently apparent with acquisition of adjoining properties Objective: To establish benchmarks for growth on the current site which will enable us to make strategic decisions regarding future ministry development here and beyond this location.
- Prepare a succession plan for the senior pastor position to give a context for transition from my pastoral leadership to that of the next senior pastor so he can provide an uninterrupted flow of ministry as the succession plan unfolds.
Other Priorities for Consideration
- Develop "Equipped for Life" ministry as a means of offering ministry resources on a more comprehensive level.
- Continue to expand the international scope of the teaching and equipping ministry, stretching beyond the current levels of involvement into other nations.
- Write the next book, either on biblical authenticity or on a comprehensive model for equipping the saints for ministry. Or compile a resource book for prayer complete with original material which is then complemented by chapters and sections of the works of other authors, contemporary and historic in a kind of anthology on prayer.
Adult Education Ministries
Purpose
Glorify God as we minister to the individuals in the community we serve by winning them to Christ, training and encouraging them with His truth, and caring for them as members of the family of faith.
90 Day
- Conduct the Fall Teacher Equipping class to help our adult teachers understand what is available with regards to support of their ministry efforts and to provide a forum whereby they are able to communicate to Providence leadership their needs as well as suggestions on how to make LIFE ministry more effective.
- Conduct the Fall LIFE training to provide an opportunity for the LIFE leadership teams to hone their skills for ministering both in and outside of Providence.
- Implement new young married adult ministry initiatives to provide ongoing opportunities to sharpen the life skills of young married couples from a biblical perspective as they engage in the many new responsibilities of married life.
One Year
- Implement a coordinated prayer experience for our congregation through existing networks such as LIFE classes, the Upper Room and Aaron and Hur, etc. Develop a community experience of focused prayer for Providence's ministries supplemented by broader involvement in our core prayer ministries.
- Plan and conduct quarterly father/son/daughter outings to provide a unique opportunity for fathers to connect with their children to strengthen relationships and foster a healthy view of biblical masculinity.
- Execute a plan for scheduled communication with LIFE teachers to provide personal encouragement and accountability to those who are serving in the LIFE ministry as teachers. This will be accomplished through regular e-mails, prayer cards and scheduled appointments.
Five Year
- Develop an organizational structure that will meet the growing needs of the various age groups represented within the LIFE ministry. Begin strategically positioning the adult discipleship team so it can continue to minister to the growing number of young and median age couples and senior adults in both Providence and the greater Triangle area.
- Develop a uniform missions curriculum to be used in all LIFE classes prior to and during the annual Missions Festival. Provide a unified teaching thrust within the LIFE ministry that is focused on the biblical foundation for missions and the practical outworking of these truths.
- Develop a strategic, men's ministry missions plan to include local, national and foreign missions. Provide a consistent emphasis on the need for men to engage in Providence's missions efforts.
Other Priorities for Consideration
One Year
- Introduce the "Battle for the Mind" brochure for the new ministry year to provide a consistent emphasis on the need for purity within the body of Christ.
- To provide unique outdoor opportunities for men to enjoy a Christ-centered brotherhood. These would include, but would not be limited to skeet shooting, Montana fly-fishing trip, Georgia boar/quail hunt, and kayak fishing trip to Bear Island.
- Plan and conduct various "skill" classes for men.
- Provide opportunities within the context of the local church for men to gain practical skills. These would include, but would not be limited to basic home maintenance, basic car care, cooking, etc.
- Develop an expanded summer reading program for the Providence library.
- Survey senior adults to ascertain ministry events and projects that will minister to and reach out to the senior adult population.
- Implement revised Elder Heart Ministry
- Implement LIFE flock groups, in coordination with Shepherding Ministry. To enhance the ongoing efforts to build genuine community within the Providence Baptist Church family.
- Plan mission trip for senior adult
- Increase hours of operation for library
- Increase hours of paid library staff.
Administrative Services
Purpose
Assure that every church ministry has sufficient resources and administrative support to accomplish its mission and priorities for the glory of Jesus Christ by utilizing sound business practices within an environment of grace.
90 Day
- Assist in the planning and construction of new worship facilities that will provide multiple use capabilities.
- Coordinate the funding for that construction by keeping the cost within an approved budget.
One Year
- Provide budget planning which will introduce an appropriate amount of funding to handle debt reduction within the approved limits.
- Plan for new management systems and costs associated with the addition of new facilities.
- Develop plans for expanded parking needs and alternate access to our property.
Five Year
- Implement a plan for aggressive debt retirement while providing optimal support for ministry.
- Work with the elders to develop a succession plan for ministry area leaders.
Children's Ministry
Purpose
Teach children biblical truths that will ultimately bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and equip them to grow in their relationship with God.
90 Day
- Create a teacher webpage to enhance communication and resource availability to provide an electronic resource to aid teachers with their weekly lesson preparation.
- Begin a large group/small group Bible study for fourth and fifth graders during the Sunday morning 9:30 Bible study. Explore new methods of better communicating God's Word and principles.
- Begin specialized leadership training for Bible study, Awana and Brigade ministries to create training opportunities focused to particular ministry needs.
One Year
- Design and publish a quarterly electronic parent newsletter to inform parents of the activities of Children's Ministry.
- Conduct a Fall training retreat for Children's Ministry staff team to help strengthen relationships and motivate Children's Ministry team.
- Organize and conduct an elementary discipleship class to provide specialized education for children on their spiritual journey.
Five Year
- Develop a transition plan for fifth graders to the middle school ministry to assist fifth graders in overcoming the challenges of transition into middle school.
- Develop a comprehensive curriculum map to coordinate with the youth ministry to provide spiritual continuity that leads to a maturing faith.
- Develop a sports camp ministry for children in our community to provide outreach opportunities through sporting events to children in Raleigh Gardens.
Other Priorities for Consideration
- Create an opportunity for social play date activities for two and three-year-old children and their parents.
- Conduct the first grade Bible day to encourage first graders in the importance of studying the Bible.
- Expand the Children's Missions program with the intention of enhancing awareness and participation in local, national and world missions.
- Create a new parents brochure.
College Ministry
Purpose
Spread the fame of God to a college-aged generation by living passionate lives of worship, truth and love.
90 Day
- Plan and conduct the College Leadership Team retreat in August to equip the leadership teams to fulfill their roles to accomplish our vision for the year.
- Plan and conduct a College Fall retreat to foster an atmosphere where students can develop community as well as hear solid biblical teaching.
- Plan and conduct a leadership team "Outreach Strategy" for follow up of each first time visitor to the college class to provide evangelism training for students and give them the opportunity to share the Gospel.
One Year
- Plan and conduct "Outreach Strategy" to reach international students on campus. Engage American college students in efforts to reach the large international population on the campuses in our area.
- Conduct a new member seminar for college students in partnership with Shepherding ministries to cultivate a healthy biblical framework for the local church among the college age generation.
- Implement the third year of our collegiate discipleship curriculum Objective: To provide students with an opportunity to develop strong community in a small group setting.
Five Year
- Develop a plan to host a collegiate conference in partnership with other campus ministries and local churches. Equip ministries with the significance of understanding biblical principals in developing a college ministry that is both healthy within the local church and effective on university campuses.
- Develop a college staff- led strategic, summer missions plan in partnership with Missions Team. Objective. Provide college students with an opportunity to experience ministry in a cross-cultural setting for an extended period of time and establish long-term relationships with ministries around the world.
- Develop a plan to publish relevant college materials and produce our second college worship CD. Provide a venue to express what God has done in the college ministry and the opportunity to be good stewards of the talent that God has brought to the ministry.
Other Priorities for Consideration
- Begin D-groups.
- International DC Trip
- Lunches that promote community
- Info Fair at NCSU
- Godward night for Sunday night service
- Continue to invest in the widow ministry.
- Develop a series of workshops with local business men and women to help students transition from school to the workplace and integrate their faith and work.
- Foster intergenerational relationships in the body of Christ through the adopt-a-student program.
- Continue partnering with SEBTS to pursue the universities for Christ.
- Continue to develop a collegiate curriculum.
- Continue to send students to Turkey in hopes of providing long term support to our church planting team.
Communication Services
Purpose
Support the ministries of Providence by coordinating communications to the church family members, regular attendees and surrounding community.
90 Day
- Finalize the redesign of www.pray.org for premiere on 30th Anniversary.
- Assemble a website study team to recommend best uses, technical resources, budget and priority implementation for a three-year plan.
One Year
- Premiere redesign of www.pray.org for the 30th anniversary celebration.
- Premiere a weekly/monthly, electronic e-newsletter as another avenue for announcements.
Five Year
- Build a professional base of volunteer writers, photographers and graphic/web designers to help with ongoing projects and reduce the amount of projects sent to outside vendors.
Community Ministries
Purpose
Acquaint Providence with the cultural uniquenesses within the church community and the community at large. Better equip us to meet physical and spiritual needs as we build Christian community; also to stimulate racial reconciliation through relationship building.
90 Day
- Recruit a site leader/coordinator to handle all operations for recruitment and training of volunteer personnel needed to start a Jobs For Life Training Site at Providence. To teach underemployed members of our community with marginal incomes how to secure and maintain a job from a balanced approach using good job-hunting skills and biblically based character training.
- Recruit a core team to structure and plan for a disaster relief and recovery, and continue develop the Handyman Team at Providence. Have a trained team to respond to natural disasters in NC as well as surrounding states. Also be available for handyman work through our local community outreaches.
- Host the first exploratory meeting to consider the formation of a Christian Community Development Institute (CCD) in partnership with Building Together Ministries. Further equip interested church members (and others) who are familiar with the ministry philosophy of Christian Community Development and its foundational elements with the opportunity for deeper supplemental study that stems from the three "R's" of CCD (Relocation, Reconciliation and Redistribution).
One Year
- Plan and conduct our annual Back to School Supplies and Health Fair for Raleigh Gardens. Help all the students of Raleigh Gardens begin the school year with adequate school supplies and remind families of what it takes daily to maintain optimal health.
- Plan and conduct our annual Thanksgiving Baskets of Blessing to help provide a Thanksgiving meal to as many underemployed families with marginal incomes as possible within a 20-mile radius of Providence. Provide a clear proclamation of the Gospel heard by each family.
- Plan and conduct our annual Christmas Toy Store to help supplement gifts for children of underemployed parents with marginal incomes, especially single parents living within a 20-mile radius of Providence. Provide a clear proclamation of the Gospel heard by each family.
Five Years
- Develop ways to generate greater ethnic involvement on the leadership teams at Providence to have our staff represent the community in a more complete way.
- Develop a curriculum in partnership with our Education Minstries that recognizes the positive contributions various ethnic groups have made throughout history to our overall cultural and spiritual development. Educate our members and regular attendees as to how other cultures have contributed significantly to life as we know it today.
- Research the possibility of doing a 30-minute TV show on the Raleigh cable channel 10 focusing on racial reconciliation issues. This will be a round table discussion with a facilitator, dealing with various topics and allowing call-ins. To engage the broader community in addressing racial issues, with the intent of providing long-term biblical solutions.
Other Priorities for Consideration
- Assist in leadership of Multinational LIFE Class to help the multinationals of Providence continue to assimilate in worship without losing their cultural identity.
- Partner with Providence's Prison Outreach to help rotate with existing teams to add variety and forestall burnout with our present volunteers.
- Partner with the Benevolence Ministry to establish the Providence support structure for the Raleigh Area Convoy of Hope/Love Inc. outreach to the poor and needy. Enhance and Expand our ministry to the poor and needy in the Raleigh area.
Evangelism
Purpose
Spread the fame of God by encouraging and equipping the church to engage the culture with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
90 Day
- Recruit and train Providence members to be a part the Hospitality team. Equip leaders in harmony with our purpose statement and core values with a biblical view of hospitality.
- Conduct a fall basic evangelism training to provide ongoing evangelism awareness and training for the Providence family of faith.
- Host a friendship luncheon for all the local businesses around Providence to share the love of Christ in a practical way by serving those businesses located around us.
One Year
- Conduct fall and spring hospitality training covering the four ministry areas of parking, greeting, ushering and the welcome center. Provide hands on training to better equip our people to serve guests, regular attendees and members at Providence.
- Implement comprehensive recruitment and training of outreach leaders and teams in all LIFE classes. Implement a comprehensive evangelism strategy in every LIFE class that would both train LIFE members in personal evangelism as well as encourage those members to engage their neighborhoods and workplaces with the strategic evangelistic outreaches.
- Provide fall and spring creative sermon series promotional pieces as tools for personal invites and targeted zip code mailings for strategic outreach effort. Engage the Providence family in a targeted outreach to our community that would encourage personal involvement through one-on-one invitations to worship and follow-up.
Five Years
- Develop an evangelism booklet/track that would be biblical, relevant and a practical tool for personal evangelism. Formulate a tool that pulls from a variety of sources that would encourage and equip believers with a lifestyle evangelistic worldview.
- Develop a 20-year evangelism plan that includes church planting in view of the rapid growth of Raleigh/Durham. Engage the growing population of Raleigh/Durham over the next 20 years with the Gospel by means of strategic outreach and church planting.
- Develop a plan to host a weekend-long apologetics conference at Providence to equip believers to engage the culture with the Gospel by having conversations that count.
Other Priorities for Consideration
- Recruit and train outreach leaders for all Adult LIFE classes.
- Update the Providence website as a resource for sharing the Gospel and equipping the believer.
- Strengthen the evangelism efforts on middle school/high school campuses and university campuses by providing relevant resources for our students to engage their generation.
- Provide valet parking for single mothers through the Hospitality parking team efforts.
- Produce media material explaining the Gospel that would be available for PBC members to distribute to their friends, co-workers, and family members.
- Develop and implement "Christianity Explained" studies in every neighborhood represented by Providence members.
High School Ministry
Purpose
Spread the fame of God by raising up a godly generation through the cooperative efforts of family, friends and the family of faith - the power of three.
90 Day
- Conduct a fall "Partnering with Parents" meetings for each grade. Further partner with parents by communicating student ministry's purpose, annual theme, direction and opportunities for parental involvement for the upcoming year in grade specific meetings.
- Conduct the Refuge Team Fall planning retreat to aid the Refuge team in being more innovative and effective as it accomplishes its purpose with excellence in establishing greater worship experiences.
- Introduce "Journey Day" to ninth grade families to assist parents in planning a unique day to bless, encourage and instruct their teenager's faith development by using themselves and their child's top three to six spiritual influencers.
One Year
- Introduce a yearly ministry theme targeted at evangelism that will be carried out in Refinery, Metamorphosis and Impact. Encourage students in their evangelistic efforts by teaching and training them to see this as a priority and command.
- Conduct a winter prayer event for high school parents and their students. Partner with families by undergirding our church, families and student ministry with prayer in a family prayer event.
- Partner with Community Ministries and the Central and Eastern NC Food Bank for a one day food drive to expose our students to the needs of those less fortunate and to assist in feeding multiple families at an important time of year.
Five Years
- Develop student prayer emphasis for student ministry to educate students on the biblical mandate for prayer and assist them in their own prayer life.
- Develop ministry strategy to educate and equip leaders in the special needs ministry. Provide a loving environment where special needs individuals will be encouraged toward spiritual growth.
- Develop resources to assist parents as they seek to shape the spiritual formation of their students.
Other Priorities for Consideration
90 days
- Conduct high school Refinery rally.
- Update third floor hall pictures.
- Launch online LIFE library resources for our leaders.
- Partner with adult ministries in a father/son outdoor event.
- Apply year round high school intern program.
Men of Providence
Purpose
Glorify God as we minister to men in the community that we serve, exposing them to and challenging them with His truth about life as it relates to all of their relationships and responsibilities.
90 Day
- Conduct a Men's Ministry Leadership Council strategic planning dinner. Continue to provide opportunities for team building, strategic planning and undergirding of ministry with prayer.
- Implement the ministry-wide Men's "Battle for the Mind" strategy - a commitment to purity. Provide an opportunity for spiritual accountability among the men of Providence within context of small groups.
- Conduct a men's fall skeet-shoot event at Rosehill Farm to provide opportunity for friendship, evangelism and discipleship efforts.
One Year
- Plan and conduct the spring Manly Scramble Golf Tournament to provide opportunity for friendship, evangelism and discipleship efforts.
- Plan and conduct fall Men's Ministry Manly Event to provide opportunity for men to be challenged with a biblical view of manhood in the setting of friendship.
- Plan and implement local mission efforts for outreach and discipleship to provide personal involvement in our effort to enhance a worldwide vision for missions and evangelism.
Five Years
- Develop and enhance the use of internet capabilities for Men's Ministry outreach and inreach to expand ministry opportunities and enhance communication with the men in the community we serve
- Plan and execute city-wide, Men's Ministry events in cooperation with para-church ministries for the purpose of penetrating the marketplace with the truth of God's Word. Promote a strategic, cooperative effort for influencing the marketplace with the principles of God's Word.
- Develop a comprehensive and practical Men's Ministry Manual to provide a tool for maintaining and reproducing a streamlined, targeted, biblically-based men's ministry.
Middle School Ministry
Purpose
To glorify God by developing a student ministry environment that encourages spiritual maturity and penetrates the unreached students in our community.
90 Day
- Conduct a middle school "Mission Raleigh" missions emphasis week. Provide opportunity for students to engage in and gain understanding for missions in the context of everyday living.
- Recruit, enlist and train parents to serve in leadership roles in Connections and Refinery efforts. Encourage parents to engage at a higher level of the biblical education the church provides to their student.
- Conduct a three-week, introductory class for Bridge 57 parents and students. Define our strategy for student development and begin the process of initiating the parents as the primary student developer.
One Year
- Introduce a yearly ministry theme targeted at evangelism that will be carried out in Refinery, Metamorphosis and Impact. Encourage students in their evangelistic efforts by teaching and training them to see this as a priority and a command.
- Enhance, refine and conduct monthly leadership training to assist in training student ministry leaders on how to develop a ministry mindset for middle school families.
- Implement a prayer emphasis for the middle school ministry to educate families on the biblical mandate for prayer and assist them in their own prayer life.
Five Years
- Develop a Middle School Ministry Parent Leadership Team (PLT). Partner with middle school parents in fulfilling the purposes of the middle school ministry.
- Develop plans for middle school parent/student retreat to provide parents and their students an opportunity to spend time with other families enjoying fun, fellowship and Bible study.
- Develop a transition plan between fifth and sixth grades by partnering with the Children's Ministry in strategic efforts. Continue working in the biblical model of partnering with students and their families so relationships are developed sooner to increase ministry opportunities upon entrance into Student Ministry.
Other Priorities for Consideration
- Seek ways for increased ministry partnership of middle school students and their families with Community Ministries.
- Create discipleship resources for parents as they seek to develop their students.
Missions Ministry
Purpose
To provide biblical leadership and instruction in order to equip and enable the congregation to fulfill its purposes in both the character and content of its calling regarding local, national and international missions.
90 Day
- Conduct a short term Mission trip to Zimbabwe to give our people further exposure to the enormous spiritual and physical need in this region of the world and to partner with Bishop Trevor Manhanga.
- Conduct our Fourth Annual Missions Team Strategy and Vision Weekend to challenge, educate and inspire each team member, and in so doing create a team that can more effectively convey a world vision to the Providence family.
- Evaluate and upgrade (where needed) our total commitment to each of our missionaries and organizations throughout the world to quicken our response time to the spiritual and physical needs of our missionary families and organizations.
One Year
- Plan and conduct our annual Global Missions Festival to provide a concentrated period of time where missionaries can inform us of what God is doing in their region of the world and of the needs that are still unmet.
- Plan and conduct our first, national, short-term mission trip to provide an opportunity for our families to work alongside of congregations with the hope that we can share our combined resources to impact their communities.
- Plan and conduct the first of several vision trips to our target city in Turkey to increase our congregation's awareness of the challenges and opportunities that will be faced by our team scheduled to arrive in 2009.
Five Years
- Develop a plan to increase our efforts to prayerfully, financially and with personnel to support evangelism and church planting with the North American Mission Board. Help local congregations reach new areas of their communities that they may not be able to reach without our support.
- Develop, enhance and elevate in the minds and hearts of our people the work we are doing among our adopted people group to fulfill the commitment we have made to help reach this unreached people group for Christ.
- Develop a plan to assist theological training centers in the procurement and use of technological and media advances. Enhance the communication of the Gospel in areas of the world that could benefit greatly from these new advancements but lack access to these current media.
Other Priorities for Consideration
- Partner with Student Ministries to develop additional short-term mission trips designed specifically for their students.
- Advise, help, plan and coordinate new, short-term mission trips for our Singles and College Ministries.
- Plan short-term mission trips with churches that may not have the resources to do so.
- Sharpen and define what our missions focus is over the next five years.
- Assemble an interactive display in a high traffic area that would provide the latest information on evangelism, community ministries and global missions.
Pastoral Care
Purpose
To encourage, equip and caringly minister to the Providence community; to promote strong Christian marriages and healthy families; and to train prospective members in the principles and expectations of the Providence ministry.
90 Days
- Implement and enhance the use of the Shelby Servant Module to improve the matching of member profile information to ministry positions. Improve the recruitment of, commitment by and involvement of volunteers in various church ministries.
- Implement and evaluative approach for addressing diverse counseling needs of those coming to us for help. Provide a balanced model for effectively meeting the variety of counseling needs of those approaching us through in-house and referral counseling.
- Provide an updated network of Christian counselors and therapists for pastoral referral and ministry partnership to improve our options for counseling referrals and to aide in meeting the growing and diverse needs presented to us.
One Year
- In partnership with Education Ministries, implement the Adult Ministries Council to provide an effective means of instilling biblical teaching in ways that promote practical application for enhancing marriages and families.
- Expand the marriage mentoring ministry through recruiting, training and encouraging mentor couples. Increase the effectiveness of marriage mentoring and provide more mentoring opportunities that strengthen the marriages of both mentee and mentor couples.
- Expand the membership training approach for special needs members to provide options for a spectrum of capabilities. Provide an effective approach to enable special needs members to gain an understanding of Providence that welcomes them into membership.
Five Years
- Develop a church membership approach for youth and children (in conjunction with Student and Children's Ministries) to provide suitable means for students and children to better understand and participate in church membership.
- Develop options for offering a family camp experience that provides opportunities for encouraging and equipping families in growing relationally and spiritually together.
- Develop a variety of brochures on Providence's biblical positions (e.g. church discipline, sexual immorality, etc.) and practical biblical insights on dealing with various issues of life (e.g. worry, fear, temptation, etc.). Improve the communication of biblical principles and practices.
Other Priorities for Consideration
- Expand the effectiveness of counseling by identification and/or development of materials focused on the practical application of biblical principles.
- Organize and coordinate the Marriage / Parenting Conference in September 2008.
- Evaluate our approach to support group ministry (Hope & Care Studies) and implement changes as appropriate to best meet the needs of the congregation. Establish a library of resources on marriage and family topics in conjunction with Providence's library.
- Develop a curriculum for marriage-related LIFE classes in conjunction with Education along with identified resources.
- Identify marriage related, small group studies and workshop topics, speakers and resources for addressing issues and teaching relational skills.
- Revise and update the Gifted for Ministry workbook for new member training.
Shepherding Ministries
Purpose
Encourage and equip those in the church family to use their spiritual gifts, passions, natural talents and experience in sacrificially serving others through the various pastoral care ministries of Providence.
90 Days
- Recruit and train Shepherd Ministry teams to prepare and encourage each ministry team to be increasingly effective in leading the various pastoral care ministries of Providence.
- Implement the enhanced Shelby Servant Module to improve the matching of member profile information to ministry needs and opportunities and improve the recruitment and meaningful involvement of committed volunteers to fulfill ministry opportunities and needs.
- Develop an effective short-term counseling approach for our pastoral staff that will enable us to address the diverse counseling needs of those coming to us. Provide a model for meeting the needs of those who come to us for counseling that balances pastoral availability and skill with community referral resources.
One Year
- Implement a coordinated prayer initiative for our congregation through existing networks (LIFE. classes, the Upper Room, Aaron and Hur, etc.) to develop a community experience of focused prayer for Providence's ministries supplemented by broader involvement in our core prayer ministries.
- Recruit and train leadership for existing and new flock groups. Provide environments to meet the spiritual, emotional and relationship needs of those in our church family so that we continue to become a community of growing believers practicing love and care.
- In cooperation with Education Ministries, implement an Adult Ministries Council while directing the recruitment, training and pairing of marriage mentor couples. Provide an effective means of biblical teaching and helpful resources to enhance the marriage and family experience of our congregation.
Five Years
- Develop and make available a variety of brochures giving practical, biblical teaching and encouragement on life issues such as worry, temptation, forgiveness and addictions confronting our people. Equip and encourage Christians to live lives that are growing and honoring to our Lord.
- In cooperation with Community Ministries, develop practical, community strategies and resources (example, Love, Inc.) to address the needs of the poor in our community in a coordinated way. Provide community wide, sustained and coordinated responses to those who come to us for help.
- Develop and expand the membership process to address special needs adults, youth and children. Make the membership process accessible and meaningful for everyone seeking membership at Providence.
Other Priorities for Consideration
- Further develop and expand our follow up ministries including new moms, widows, Empty Arms, death of a loved one, hospital visits, post hospital recovery, cancer support, dementia and aging, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
- Enhance our referral network of area Christian counselors, therapists, mental health professionals and related community resources.
- Formalize our understanding of domestic violence and our process of responding to reports of domestic violence in our congregation.
- Evaluate our approach to support group ministry (Hope and Care Groups) and implement changes so we more effectively meet the needs of our congregation and community.
Singles Ministry
Purpose
We exist to enjoy God and bring Him the fame due His name by equipping single adults to practice worship, prayer, personal purity, love and evangelism.
90 Days
- Recruit and train individuals to serve on the Gathering Ministry Teams to provide hospitality to the visitors and regular attendees of the Gathering.
- Host our Singles Leadership Council Retreat and a Singles LIFE Leadership Cook-Out. Equip our LIFE leadership teams and our Singles Council in harmony with our core values regarding humble servant leadership and faithfulness to God's Word.
- Host an off-site Summer Special Outreach at Falls Lake for Singles in the community to provide a safe and welcoming environment to share the Gospel with singles in our community.
One Year
- Implement ministry refinements for The Gathering to grow more effective in reaching and equipping singles in our community with the truth of God's Word.
- Plan and host our annual Memorial Day weekend beach retreat at Fort Caswell to provide our single adults with concentrated Bible teaching, reflection and rest in an atmosphere of community and friendship.
- Implement upgraded communication plan through website, e-blasts and printed materials to enhance our communication efforts to our singles adults and to our community.
Five Years
- Develop a partnership and participate in the planting of new churches in Northeastern cities. Mobilize our single adults to do missions in American cities that are void of a Gospel witness.
- Develop a creative media team to enhance the effectiveness of the Gathering. Provide creative methods of communicating the Truth to the single population in our community.
- Find and integrate married couple mentors into the Singles LIFE classes to bring alongside our LIFE teachers a married couple(s) to help provide support and mentoring.
Women's Ministries
Purpose
Lead women to spiritual maturity, equip women to minister and provide opportunities for fellowship and service as women are encouraged to live for the glory of God.
90 Days
- Implement ministry-wide Women's "Battle for the Mind" strategy: commitment to purity Objective: To provide opportunity for spiritual accountability among Women of Providence within context of small groups.
- Recruit and train women's mentors Objective: To expand the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry to provide a mentor for each prospective mentee.
One Year
- Introduce stream-lined, targeted Women's Ministry initiatives for the off-years of Whole Woman Day. Provide continuity for Women's Ministry events in light of Whole Woman Day moving to a biennial cycle.
- Implement a single mother's ministry plan to reach out to women who have no spousal support within the home.
- Conduct two community service projects in cooperation with local area ministries to provide the women of Providence service opportunities oriented toward evangelism within the local community.
Five Years
- In partnership with various ministries, develop a plan for increasing inter-generational involvement in women's ministry to improve the interaction and relationship development among the various age groups of our women.
- Develop an information packet for equipping other churches to establish a Women's Ministry to efficiently respond to the numerous requests for help and information and to better equip other churches.
- Develop an approach for increasing the awareness and understanding of the role of women within the church consistent with the biblical framework. Encourage women with an understanding and appreciation of their value and their contribution within the family of faith.
Worship Ministry
Purpose
Encourage all people to participate in worship by providing worship opportunities and direction in building lives of obedience.
90 Days
- Assist in the design of the new multi-purpose worship space to create a space that is conducive and technically supportive to corporate worship.
- Develop a plan for a music recording in 2009 and other worship resources for our congregation and experience in recording for our musicians.
- Plan and prepare for the Providence 2008 Christmas celebration to provide an event and atmosphere that encourages our congregation in relational evangelism.
One Year
- Plan, prepare and host the FUSION Worship Conference in the spring of 2009 to assist in equipping churches in both technical arts and worship leading.
- Plan for and prepare a music team to take a missions trip to create opportunity for musicians to use their gifs to share the Gospel oversees.
- Create a short-term solution for better audio and video recordings to improve recording quality while we wait for our new multi-purpose worship facility to become available.
Five Years
- Develop a concept of a multi-generational fine arts ministry that cultivates the use of the arts in worship to engage more of our congregation to use their gifts for the glory of God.
- Evaluate how Providence can better connect resources and technology to make resources more readily available through growing personal technology.
- Develop a ministry for vocational artists who are not connecting to the local church to invite them into the body of Christ and model for them how they can use their gifts to the glory of God.
Other Priorities for Consideration
- Develop communication for Fine Arts Camp.
- Hold auditions for worship teams.
- Continue to implement original worship music and multi-use charts.
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