Who We Are, Where We Are, and Whose We Are

The last two mid-month meals have been "most excellent," a witty phrase and popular term in the vernacular of this contemporary age. In other words, I heard it on t.v. somewhere.

In May, we talked about the survey the Church took in November 2008. While much has changed in the Church since November, it was helpful to talk about the survey results in great depth and detail. Reading surveys is a tricky business. Even with a Ph.D. in education, and a year's worth of statistics under my belt, I am in awe of the science of statistics and surveys.

What did we learn? Well, for example, there was a sharp break between those who want contemporary worship, and those who don't: 126% believe we need more emphasis on contemporary worship styles, music and language, while 33% are satisfied, and another 26% thinks it receives too much attention (p. 7). Likewise, on p. 2 there were 9% who thought contemporary worship should be strengthened. What does this mean? There is a large group in the Church who want contemporary worship while there is an equally large group who struggle with it. That's important! We probably should include more contemporary worship styles and music.

Likewise, there was an indication that issues regarding "spirituality" should be increased and strengthened (20% on p. 2). That is significant! Since the survey, we've included Midday Prayers during Lent and Eastertide, and will have a healing worship service in July.

Likewise, a resounding 83% believe that the pastor should "prepare and preach inspiring sermons" (p. 5). I'm trying my best to provide this.

There were more interesting insights into the life of our Church in the survey, and I'd be glad to go over those with anyone who is interested. Gary Daeke (Elder) and I had a great time discussing the statistics, and see it as helpful in where the Church is going in the future.

Tonight we talked about Henderson and Vance County, and talked about the strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the area. There were several lessons we learned today after watching a rose-colored glass DVD of Henderson, produced by the Chamber of Commerce of Henderson:

1. we are becoming a "browner" community: more people who speak Spanish as their first language are moving into the area, and they are not all Catholic, but include non-denominational Protestants as well;

2. 60% of the homes in the area are rented. This is very large compared to other towns and cities our size;

3. We are "importing poverty" into the area, with many people who are poor moving into the area because of housing (rental) possibilities, along with access to federal and state programs for food, medical care, and other resources;

4. no new industries are moving into the area in the near future, even though we are part of Triangle North, modeled on RDU;

5. drop out rate in high school is high, as is crime in this area.

6. many people have moved out of the area because of the quality of the schools, even though they work in the area. For example, many of the professionals at the nearby hospital live in Durham or Raleigh or Chapel Hill and commute each and every day;

7. We have a lot of retirees around Kerr Lake, and Kerr Lake is a positive draw.

So what does that tell us about our church?

1. people who are moving into the area, and will most likely be part of our church family will be from Central or South America, speaking Spanish as their first tongue;

2. poverty in Vance County is a reality and something we will have to address, and many of those who are poor are African American, and they are our neighbors;

3. we will have to be creative in figuring out how we will grow numerically in an area in which there is little to no growth of those who would have come to FPC-H in the past.

4. Preaching, writing newsletter columns, and other points of references in the life of the Church will change slightly as we become a more racially diverse body;

5. there is still a community of people with developmental disabilities and others with mental illness who need our assistance and who wish to come and be part of our worship.

As I looked around the room of 22 people last night I realized that few if any of us live in a house or apartment right around the corner or a block away from the church building. It dawned on me then: We are not necessarily a community or neighborhood church. We are a downtown church that many of us drive a good distance to come to, and then leave when worship or an activity is over.

So what would the congregation of FPC-H look like were it a neighborhood church?

My hunch? It would look slightly different than we look today.

Thanks to Elder Gary Daeke for his sharing his expertise in this area.

Our eyes, ears, hearts, minds, senses are open. We are aware of the opportunities and threats to Henderson and Vance County at large, and our Church in particular. I see this all as an opportunity to open wide the doors of the Church in welcoming all who desire to follow Jesus, especially our neighbors right around the corner and down the street.

What do you think?

Peace,

Pastor Brett