Channing Memorial Church Year of Decision 2006-2007 Committee Information & Resources Governing Board

Subject: Governing Board Position on Vision and Growth.

Issue: The Governing Board has established the goal that by June 2007, Channing Church has reached a consensus on a common vision for our ministry and our property that empowers the Congregation and its leadership to move in specific directions. The Board recognizes that the need to develop a vision stems from the Congregation's desire to grow in ministry, programs and community outreach and to solve the problem of our deteriorating buildings. Developing a vision is a means whereby the Congregation can discuss and articulate the direction and level of commitment it is willing to make (in terms of time, talent, treasure) to achieve its desires.

Discussion:

• Channing has come a long way in the last 10 years.
  • Settled minister has infused new energy and helped us greatly expand the ministry and programs of the church.
  • Growth of Congregation commitment has been manifested in increase in financial support (average of 16.8% annual increase in pledges) and increase in participation in programs: RE, social justice, property, worship, ministry, etc.
  • Congregation has begun to grapple with long-standing property deterioration issues.
    • Robust property committee leverages professional expertise in Congregation.
    • Professional surveys have provided insight into challenges and opportunities.
    • Historic grants in 2006 demonstrate potential for outside support.
• Congregation appears to want to continue the trend of growth in ministry, programs and community outreach.
  • First "Year of Decision" focus discussion results clearly indicate desire for more "maturational" and "incarnational" growth. See Transition Team paper on growth.
• Governing Board recognizes that to sustain or expand existing programs and solve property challenges, more resources are required.
  • Staff and volunteers are overstretched maintaining existing programs and infrastructure. Many leaders have expressed feelings of burnout even while it becomes more difficult to find other members to take on the challenge of replacing them.
  • Financial resources, while significantly greater than 10 years ago, are not keeping pace with needs.
    • Property maintenance costs are increasing as deferred maintenance can no longer await action.
    • Capital repairs, such as steeple, must be addressed, but it is questionable whether current body of financial contributors could raise enough funds to repair the steeple and make required capital improvements.
  • Failure to increase resource base could result in long-term diminishment of our ministry and programs as fewer people are willing to take on the work load to sustain them.
  • Failure to increase resource base could also result in further deterioration of our properties since current funding levels are not sufficient to repair and sustain them.
• The Governing Board also recognizes that growth could change some of the intimacy and bonds of fellowship that many Channing members treasure.
• Therefore, the Governing Board recognizes that Channing's long-term vision must embody a clear statement of the level of commitment the Congregation is willing to make to meet the growing needs / desires of the Congregation and solve our property challenges while fully expressing the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism and sustaining an environment of intimacy and fellowship that so many of us treasure.