“Nurturing the Roots” St. Paul Lutheran Church Plano, Texas

Nurturing: A Quick History Pre-January year old LCMS congregation Had suffered through a significant split Had been through 8 years of healing. A faithful community committed to Christ.

Nurturing: A Re-Newed Focus January 2007 Change the Way We Think. 3 Month Reflection: “We Are Not Ready!” –Re-Visit the Mission Statement. –Shift to a “Both/And” focus. –Shift from Doing to Being. –Shift the Way We Measure. Matthew 28:18-20

Nurturing: Today Transfiguration Sunday 2009 “We Are Ready!” Laying Out the Expectation of: Training Planting Mission/Service Community Center Where we are at: –We Have Had 3 Official “Creating Community Together” meetings this past year. –Last year M2C: 2 people involved –This year M2C: Planning team. Joshua 1:6-9

Nurturing: How We Got Here Keys to Christ-Centered Culture Shift: –Patience –Humility –Transparency –Integrity –Courage w/out Destruction –Celebration Simplicity + Consistency (done creatively) = Formation Philippians 2:1-11

Nurturing: Vision 10 year vision 1.) Easily Communicated 2.) Owned by the People. Reach, Establish, Send = Creating Community Together We are “Both/And” People Joel 2:28

Nurturing: Communication

Nurturing: Discipleship Starting A ReVolution The Shift to Intentionally Engage Transformation – –Galatians 2:20 The Shift from Institutionalization to Relational Movement – –Ephesians 4:11-13 The Shift from Consumerism to a Creative Culture – –Romans 12:1-3 The Shift from Rote Evangelism to Prophetic Speaking – –Mark 1:14-20 The Shift to a Strong/Focused Emphasis on Life Story - –I Peter 3:15 Deuteronomy 32:39

Nurturing: Strategic Theological Planning The ReVolve Calendar –Breaking the year into (3) parts to match up with our mission and vision. –Our preaching and teaching are in line with one another. ReVolutionary Preaching Series –Making The Connection –Building Relationships That Last –New Frontiers Revolutionary Bible Study –The Unity of Community –Confusing Cultures –Rebuilding the Walls of Community –Our experiential events are connected and specifically set and designed for particular times of year. ReVolutionary Experiences Deuteronomy 30:8-10

August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. January March April May June February July Begin 8 Sundays of Vision Preaching & Teaching on “Reaching” “Join the Journey” Character study on Abraham Bible Study on “Commitment” Epiphany Sunday – January 10 th, Begin 8 Sundays of Vision Preaching & Teaching on “Establishing” “Dare to Discover” Character Study on “Joseph” Bible Study on “Consistency” Pentecost Sunday – April 25 th, Begin 6 Sundays of Vision Preaching & Teaching On “Sending” “Experience the Adventure” Character study on “Joshua” Bible Study on “Courage” St. Paul “ReVolving” Calendar! August 2009 – June 2010 Mission trip to China, Yunnan Province During “Reformation” Oct. 26 th – Nov. 1 st Use a Reformation, ReVolution, & Mission emphasis to transition between the previous series and Advent. Nov. 29 th, 1 st Sunday in Advent Ash Wednesday – February 17 th, Kicks off Lenten Series “Stops in the Wilderness” Character Studies on Moses & Jesus Easter Sunday – April 4 th,

Nurturing: Culture Shift Tools Shifting to The Listening Project Shifting the Focus of Small Groups Shifting the Fiscal Year. Shifting the Metrics of the Church Council Shifting to Community Actions –Local Mission Experiences –The Neighborhood Picnic 60 (2006) – 225 (2007) – 300+ (2008) –Habitat for Humanity –Set them Free Ministries –National Mission Experiences –Global Mission Experiences –Hong Kong –Yunnan province, China Shifting to Meaningful Partnerships Water’s Edge, Frisco Prince of Peace, Carrolton LINC NT Romans 12:1-3

Nurturing: The Future Spring 2009: External Listening Project Summer 2009: Creating Community Planning Team brainstorm meeting with Water’s Edge. October 2009: Adult Mission trip to China January 2010: Up the communication of the Vision, Planning, & Timeline of planting a church & creating a community center to the congregation. Spring 2010: Prepare and coordinate the planting team – to work on identifying the right person and brainstorm the mission field opportunities. Fall 2011: Call the right lead person to research, build relationships, and lead us into a specific community through: –The Listening Project & –Community Service –To help prayerfully consider form & fashion I Corinthians 3:6-9

Nurturing: The Future