“Bringing together Congregational Christian Churches for mutual care and outreach to our world in the name of Jesus Christ.” Scottsdale, Arizona 2011 A Strategic Plan For the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches

Strategic Planning Team Appointed by the NACCC Executive Committee Current team members : Bob Carlson Beth Faeth Michael Chittum Cheryl Holmes Jim Hopkins Barbara Mullen Jim Waechter, Chair Former team members: Neil Hunt Mark Jensen Arthur Voisin Staff Liaisons: John Carson Betsey Mauro Tom Richard

Strategic Plan Development 2008 Executive Committee commissions Strategic Planning Team 2009 – 2011 Regular meetings of the Strategic Planning Team (expenses paid by team members) Annual Meeting, 2010 Initial Plan components presented to delegates at Anchorage annual meeting Annual Meeting, 2010 Initial Plan components presented to delegates at Anchorage annual meeting Annual Meeting, 2010 Encourage- ment from delegates to continue developing plan Fall, 2010 Team members refine strategic plan February, 2011 Executive Committee unanimously recommends strategic plan February, 2011 Executive Committee unanimously recommends strategic plan

Communicating the Plan Discussed the plan at several meetings, offered feedback to the planning team Accepted the proposed plan in February, 2011 Executive Committee Invited to participate in two conference calls to discuss and question the plan in April, 2011 NACCC Leadership Team Strategic Planning Team presented the plan to various regional and state association spring meetings Regional and State Associations NACCC Website, All Church mailings

Regional and State Associations Central Michigan Association of Congregational Christian Churches Fellowship of Connecticut Congregational Christian Churches Iowa/Nebraska Association Minnesota Fellowship of Congregationalists Massachusetts Association of Congregational Christian Churches New York – New Jersey Association of Congregational Christian Churches Pacific Northwest Association of Congregational Christian Churches. Southeastern Michigan Association of Congregational Churches

Communicating the Plan Discussed the plan at several meetings, offered feedback to the planning team Accepted the proposed plan in February, 2011 Executive Committee Invited to participate in two conference calls to discuss and question the plan in April, 2011 NACCC Leadership Team Strategic Planning Team presented the plan to various regional and state association spring meetings Regional and State Associations Article in current “Congregationalist” Plan posted on the NA website Invitation to churches to view website via mailing Plan ed to distribution list; hard copy mailed upon request NACCC Website, All Church mailings

Plan Components Advisory Teams formed around the key functions of the NA: Growth, Vitality, Outreach Essential services delivered to our churches utilizing the gifts and talents of local church members A strengthened connection between the local church, regional associations and the NA through a Year Round Delegate NACCC Mission: Bringing together Congregational Christian Churches for mutual care and outreach to our world in the name of Jesus Christ.

Strategic Plan Components

Congregational Church Vitality Congregational Church Growth Congregational Church Outreach Administration Leadership Conflict Management Pastoral search Revitalization Stewardship Worship Technology Strategic Planning Planting churches Youth Inquiring churches Identity CFTS Missions ICF WCRC(World Christian Relations Commission) Annual meeting Financial services Communications Technical services Fundraising & donor development services Key Functions :

What will change? Key functions will focus on churches Advisory teams will be elected by delegates (first year appointed by Executive Committee) Program and Project Teams will be formed to assist Advisory Teams with the work of each key function One member from each Advisory team will serve on Executive Committee Churches will have choice of approved consultants to deliver services Churches will commission a Year- round Delegate (who may or may not be the same as the Annual Meeting delegate)

Key Questions Why aren’t there more details to the plan? The current structure was meant as a temporary solution when it was written fifty years ago. We gain a focus on local Congregational Churches. We lose a focus on the maintenance of a national structure. The Transition Team will work directly with the current Divisions over the next year to fill in the operating details. Why do we need to change anything? What do we lose? What do we gain?

Key Questions What happens to CFTS? The Missionary Society, etc? How will the Advisory teams do the work of each key function? All these functions will continue under Church Vitality, Church Outreach, Church Growth. Project and Program Teams will help the Advisory Team accomplish the work that needs to be accomplished. Why now? If not now, when is the right time?

What’s next? Scottsdale delegates vote on proposed plan If approved, Executive Committee appoints a Transition Team Transition Team works with the current Divisions and Commissions to implement plan Transition Team regularly reports to Executive Committee on progress Transition Team makes implementation report to 2012 Annual Meeting

Moving forward…