S2-Q2-Responses

QUESTION #2 - What things should be AVOIDED? (Key: LL=Lay Leader // P=Pastor)

A. OPTIONS RELATED TO DISTRICT IDENTITY
	P	2. That whatever alliance we engage in is unified as a body.
	P	I think it is essential that we maintain our allegiance with the BGC nationally and ought to avoid any alliance that threatens the viability of our national affiliation.
	P	longer travel between fellowships. more incentive to disengage from the program. greater gaps in communication of the vision and purpose of the district.
	P	Becoming a "step-child" of another district.
	LL	A connection that has no personal relevance to the individual church. Right now, as a CE director, mother of 2 children, a full time job, SS teacher, nursery and children's church director, I do not have extra time to outside alliances that do not directly connect to my home or my church.
	LL	Not get into another district if that district would treat the Iowa churches like unwanted step children.
	LL	The only fear I have is we become a small "insignificant" part of a very large organization. We would loose some of the personal touch. It would be possible the larger community would not have compassion for what is going on in our situation.
	P	We need to avoid the feeling of loosing all identity. This could happen by being absorbed into a bigger district without any effort at inclusion of the Iowa contingent.
	P	Splitting Iowa churches in multiple directions, thus severing already existing ties
	P	Avoid a new alliance at all costs. This will devastate and destroy the district no matter what the solution. We will more than likely lose control of our camp. Stay away from new alliances. Our delegates want to voice this at the annual meeting? Why can't we do that? Why must we destroy our district? Will other motions and options be allowed to be brought before the delegates?
	LL	We need to have a presence of the conference in Iowa. People are reluctant to give money or support to something they can't see or relate to.
	P	4)feeling like we are the step child of another district if merger is in the future.
	LL	Trying to put our churches into existing districts that are too far away for pastors to be involved and to have support, encouragement and accountability.
	P	loss of Iowa association identity within the bigger association

B. OPTIONS RELATED TO THE TRANSITION YEAR PROCESS
	P	The appearance of conflict resolution as a value [both personal and corporate] without a very strong intervention policy with members and member churches.
	P	Avoid "unhealthy/angry/self-righteous" behavior as the inevitable conflicts and differing opinions arise. Avoid selfish ambition. Consider the needs of the other 40 congregations to be equally important as your own. Avoid thinking only of what is best for the 40+ Iowa churches - consider the needs of other districts/regions (as appropriate) Avoid any unnecessary anxiety or any unnecessary fear of change. God is bigger than we sometimes think.
	P	any assumption that the only way we can survive is to merge with another district. Make sure that other avenues are explored - like doing lead teams in a new way that frees up money for other things.
	LL	A closed mind and attention to our emerging culture.
	LL	Thoughts of we don't have enough money, put our trust in GOD, keep praying in all things Let GOD work in and through us. To me when a Christian relies on money, he or she has lost trust in GOD
	P	Making decisions without a season of prayer and fasting involving not just the BOO and staff but the churches. Mere pragmatism instead of faithfulness to Scripture in doctrine and practice. Therefore we must not make any alliance with those unfaithful to Scripture, no matter how seemingly profitable. Breaking up LEAD teams, as noted above. Allowing churches to fall into the cracks. Each church will need guidance, since affiliation is often in our bylaws and needs a church vote.
	LL	I think that what needs to be avoided is compromising Biblical truths for alliances. God is very clear in scripture to not throw our pearl before the swine, and that there are those out there that will try to deceive us and lead us away from God and the Bible. We must be like the Bereans before we enter into any alliance of any kind. Also, we need to avoid having the alliance take away our independence as the IBC and its churches
	LL	We also need to avoid trying to do things on our own without concerted amounts of time in prayer for God's wisdom and direction.
	P	I think we need to avoid coming into an alliance with a church simply to gain the alliance, that is, I don't think we should ignore any doctrinal differences as we look for future ministry partners.
	LL	Keep an open mind and see where the Lord will lead in the direction to best for the Kingdom.
	LL	We need to avoid the communication breakdowns. Sometimes communication gets to the church office but then stops or only certain information is sent on to the rest of the people in the congregation as certain people deem necessary or of importance.
	LL	Rushing into things usually does not bring excellence.

C. OPTIONS RELATED TO FUTURE DISTRICT OPERATION
	LL	Being rudderless. Continually being tossed and turned at the mercy of the wind and the waves. We need a plan and we need to be committed to make that plan succeed.
	LL	Staff Overhead
	P	A weakening of our doctrine.
	LL	Bureaucracy.
	LL	ANYTHING THAT WOULD WEAKEN THE THREE AREAS MENTIONED IN #1.
	LL	I am not sure that church planting is a wise use of time and funds. Our move to larger and larger churches makes it very difficult for church plants. People now seem to be willing to travel further to be a part of a large church and turn away from small congregations.
	P	Doctrinal compromise
	LL	As much as we THINK new church starts are very good, I feel they are not cost effective. I would rather see us wooing other non conference affiliated churches to join with us.
	LL	Having some churches that want nothing to do with the conference or it's leadership - re-engage them rather than cut them off
	LL	Loss of ministries from Pine Lake- growth opportunities need to stay in Iowa. Maintain some sort of Iowa District (LEAD team)
	LL	Mega churches. I have read a few things Bill Hybels has discovered in the lack of Spiritual growth of it's members. I heard that Leath Ericson was asked what the ideal church size should be and his response was 200 because we are meant to be relational.
	P	Ministries, projects, initiatives that further tax the present resources of the conference, i.e. time, talent and treasure of local Churches already committed to their local endeavors.
	LL	We need to do everything we can to prevent any IBC church from closing. I don't know what that is at this point, but it seems to me that the healthier the churches the more equipped they are to help the IBC. I don't know if I am saying anything new or if this already is the focus. If it is we need to refocus.
	P	Keeping present staff.
	LL	losing any churches to another entity or denomination or independence
	LL	Selling Camp
	LL	Having some churches that want nothing to do with the conference or it's leadership - re-engage them rather than cut them off
	LL	Loss of ministries from Pine Lake- growth opportunities need to stay in Iowa.
	LL	Maintain some sort of Iowa District (LEAD team)
	LL	Mega churches. I have read a few things Bill Hybels has discovered in the lack of Spiritual growth of it's members. I heard that Leath Ericson was asked what the ideal church size should be and his response was 200 because we are meant to be relational.
	P	Ministries, projects, initiatives that further tax the present resources of the conference, i.e. time, talent and treasure of local Churches already committed to their local endeavors.
	LL	Need to get the district staffing levels commensurate with the number of churches. Need to place people according to their gifts. Example: Skip's gifts lie in the areas of pastoring pastors and helping churches find their way. Instead of using those gifts to the fullest he was assigned the work of raising money by soliciting individuals. No wonder he got frustrated and depressed.
	LL	Keeping churches that don't really want to be a part of the mission we are called to, and identity and values we are and hold.
	LL	Focus on our existing churches, rather than on the mission of reaching unbelievers.
	LL	Compromise in our beliefs.

D. OPTIONS RELATED TO DISTRICT TRADITIONS
	LL	As I stated above no expectations of preserving our identity as an IBC or other things.
	P	having traditions encumber us from making good ministry decisions. entering into alliances with too many conditions attached
	P	I think we need to avoid making decisions based on nostalgia, i think we should focus on what is best for the future of IBC not preserving the past. The past is a rich heritage and should be preserved as history not a blueprint for the future.
	P	Turfism
	LL	Just things that haven't worked in the past. What ever they may be.
	P	1)trivial argument over non essential doctrinal issues; 2)the need for every church to come along to the exclusion of fulfilling a bigger mission. I want to avoid trying to please every church at the expense of a larger vision;3) allowing the camp and its survival to be the sole or even main concern to the detriment of larger kingdom/ministry issues;
	P	I don't think we can avoid the inevitable hurt that some will express because big changes may need to take place. We have avoided these issues for to long and we are finally at a place where we will have to deal with them.
	LL	turf wars
	P	Holding on to any and all sacred cows. And be willing to "reboot" completely.
	LL	I think we need to avoid the potential to protect some perceived sacred cow. Keep our minds totally open for all possible opportunities including camp.
	LL	Any dwelling on past experiences. Need to look ahead not behind.
	LL	Traditions that should be diminished because they are not grounded in scripture.

E. OPTIONS RELATED TO FINANCES
	LL	Taking on debt should be avoided completely. I wouldn't like to see us getting into anything non-financial we can't handle, either. I can't imagine what sorts of obstacles might occur, just that any new alliance should be beneficial to all parties.
	LL	much greater financial costs
	P	1.More money entanglements. I would like to ensure that whatever alliance we have it is sound financially.
	LL	Thoughts of we don't have enough money, put our trust in GOD, keep praying in all things Let GOD work in and through us. To me when a Christian relies on money, he or she has lost trust in GOD

F. NO IDEAS
	P	your call on that one
	P	No thoughts here. I am kind of cut and dried, let the chips fall where they may on the change