Storytelling - October 2020 - Pastoral Search
The Transition Task Force took the notes from the multiple Story Telling meetings and consolidated them into one document. See the document below and let us know if the answers to the four Congregation Information Form questions accurately reflect who HPMF is. We are using the High Five method to determine congregation approval to answer that question. You can make your vote and comments at the bottom of the document. We ask that you focus your review on what we may have missed or needs to be changed without getting into word smithing. The bullets reflect multiple voices heard during the story telling meetings. The question we want you to answer in your review is “do these responses accurately reflect who HPMF is?” If you have any questions, please contact Rob Hanson, Jack Swaim, Gary Jewell, Beth Landis, or Meribeth Mathews. Please complete this review by Wednesday November 25.
5 = full agreement
4 = general agreement with some reservations
3= neutral, do not agree or disagree
2= general disagreement, but do not feel strong enough to block the use of the answers
1= disagree and will block the use of the answers
DRAFT FOR CONGREGATIONAL REVIEW
Congregational Information Form
Notes from Story Telling Meetings in October 2020
CIF Question One: Faith Heritage and Theological Commitments
Recognize our calling to turn faith into action by following Jesus in our daily lives. Expressions of love are paramount.
Cherish the Bible and believe it is not flat: Sermon on the Mount and the Gospels are at the top.
Congregation is aligned with and guided by the Mennonite Confession of Faith, but not ruled by it (note that in the congregation, there are varying degrees of familiarity with details of the Confession)
Strive to be open, welcoming and inclusive congregation, e.g., including but not limited to LGBTQ
See whole, nongender God
Being Mennonite: A vessel with boundaries and definition. Value peace, justice, simplicity.
Appreciate diversity of views, to help us struggle at the boundaries and edges of our faith [We are sufficiently grounded in the core of our Mennonite identity that we can and do welcome dialogue and engagement within our congregation, and with other faith groups. We see God in broader/other denominations and congregations, while remaining in Christian fellowship.]
Committed to the care of creation and environmental sustainability as an expression of our faith.
CIF Question Two: Mission: Areas of Focus
Our church does proactive service in alignment with our belief whereby we come together to serve and to build a common sense of community together, seeking to include all our generations. Historically our church has been an important incubator of many ministries within Boise. This has come about when individuals and sub-groups within our church have initiated justice work and inspired others (both within the church and within the community at large) to join in. In our justice and peace work we operate out of a “hub” model whereby church is the center out of which our many talents and interests find the support and strength to carry out the gospel’s work of healing in the world.
Our mission also includes the development of personal spiritual growth and transformation of its members. We, as a progressive Christian expression of Anabaptist thinking, seek to grow and expand our connection to God, self, and others.
Our mission is also to maintain and nurture the honoring of beauty as expressed (though not limited to) our musical talents. While music is important, we honor all expression of artist expression within our worship, and into the world.
CIF Question Three: Changes Envisioned: Next Five Years
Maintain our connections and caring within HPMF, which may require new ways of supporting each other, communicating, being vulnerable, and discussing hard issues.
Keep the church fresh, finding the balance between being grounded and relevant to all ages
Bring healing and hope and leadership to our Treasure Valley community through peace building, preventing violence, and promoting peace and justice.
Create/substitute/maintain infrastructure that works. Includes but not limited to technology, those living outside our area, classes, prayer, groups, less driving, and learnings from our pandemic time.
Assess our resources, our space, and our buildings to see the best way to meet our goals.
Walk with our changing demographics, such as a cohort of folks entering their 60s and 70s and our families with young children.
Hear more from our children and young adults about what is relevant. Increase their participation. Maintain Godly Play. Continue intergenerational time during worship.
Sustainability and preservation of human, social, economic, and environment for next generations.
Reflect on who we are, what we can bring, not just what the pastor is supposed to do. Who do we want to be?
CIF Question Four: Pastor’s Role and Gifts
Lead and motivate HPMF to create a vision for the future by helping us to see the big picture
Guide us in our Spiritual and community development across all ages using Bible study, contemplative prayer and service
Continue to guide youth development programs including an emphasis on young families; Pastor would not need to be the leader but would help create and ensure programs are implemented. Help HPMF evaluate other options including creation of a youth pastor position.
Be a prophetic voice in the community in alignment with personal and congregational calling.
As a person in a leadership position be able to hear and understand a variety of people across age, time spent at HPMF, gender, ethnicity, sexual identity and gender orientation, Mennonite or other faith background
Preaching will create a center for church in thinking and action; challenging people to question, learn and act from sermons that address Mennonite faith heritage and callings in the world
Always preach the Gospel and when necessary use words.
Be able to lead by consensus, but also know when and how to come to decisions critical to the church and rely on other leaders and delegation of responsibilities
Identify, nurture, and develop gifts in others, and provide opportunities to put gifts into service.
Take lessons learned during pandemic and apply to future including ways to conduct business, communicate, and make connections outside of Boise area
The personal characteristics of the pastor would include being humble and vulnerable. Being able to acknowledge own fear so they can make courageous decisions; also, able to create space to ensure that the Pastor is able to sustain their spiritual well-being
Thorough understanding and practice of what it means to be a Mennonite