THE SURVEYS SAID...
To "prime the pump" of our early discussions... we've sent out
some early surveys.
Approximately 50 IBC'ers responded to our first survey seeking
fresh ideas for IBC's future! We challenged our folks to come up
with what they thought were both "inside" and "outside the box"
ideas. We are beginning the process of "mining" the data. You
can check it out yourself at
www.iowabgc.org.
In the second survey, which is underway right now, we are asking
IBC pastors and leaders to tell us what they want to preserve,
achieve and avoid as they look ahead!
We are listening. What is "The Spirit saying to the
churches?..."
LEAD TEAMS ARE TALKING...
The surveys are generating a lot of discussion, clarifications,
and wisdom sharing among the pastors who participate in their
regional LEAD teams. Questions are being asked and answered. New
ideas are being generated and refined. And our overall message is
being sharpened.
We are
listening. What is "The Spirit saying to the churches?..."
REGIONAL TOWN HALL MEETINGS ARE
SCHEDULED...
Six regional opportunities for face-to-face discussion are
scheduled for:
1. March 13, 7:00 pm at First Baptist Church, Kiron
2. March 15, 6:00 pm at Grandview Baptist Church,
Davenport
3. March 29, 6:00 pm at Grace Baptist Church, Waterloo
4. April 5, 6:00 pm at First Baptist Church, Algona
5. April 12, 6:00 pm at The River Community, Iowa City
6. April 26, 6:30 pm at Union Park Baptist Church, Des
Moines (tentative)
Once again... more opportunities to hear what "The
Spirit is saying to the churches."
PASTORS... YOU ARE INVITED TO CALL ME!
Yesterday, at the Prayer First Conference in Sioux Falls, I was
talking with Pastor Dave Koenigsberg (Senior Pastor @ Hampton).
He suggested that there may be other IBC pastors/lay leaders who
would benefit from a more personal, or more extended time, to
discuss a NEW thing! Good idea!
Consider this your invitation!
Anyone who would like to have a personal one-on-one discussion
about a NEW thing!... call me. I'd be happy to schedule
a time to meet!
What is "The Spirit saying to the churches?..."
WE ARE NOT ALONE!
The Spirit has already told us, "There is wisdom in many
counselors." (Proverbs 15:22) God has given many great
benefits to IBC through close relationships with highly skilled
and spiritually gifted people!
In addition to BGC President Jerry Sheveland, neighboring District
Executive Ministers Bernie Tanis (Mid America,) Dr. Dwight Perry
(Great Lakes,) Larry Odle (Heartland,) and newly appointed Dan
Carlson (Minnesota), have eagerly offered to lend strength to our
processes in the months ahead.
BGC Executive Vice President, Director of Mobilization, Ray
Swatkowski, has offered to guide our district leadership through a
SWOT analysis at the appropriate time in our process. This
exercise will help us identify our Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats.
Jim Spickelmier, Associate Vice President of Seminary Development
at Bethel University, recently shared with me some of the crucial
lessons they learned during the first failed attempt to unify the
New England and Mid-Atlantic districts. Later efforts resulted in
the formation of the Northeast District that exists today!
Next week, Al Magnuson, the former DEM during the formation of the
Heartland District, will be sharing with me some lessons they
learned during the union of the Nebraska and Dakotas district.
NOTE: Although I
want you to be aware of conversations I'm having, be careful not
to jump to conclusions. Such consultations are an important part
of our "due diligence" process, and should not be
interpreted as to imply any inclination toward any specific course
our future may take.
You might look at it this way: what has "The
Spirit already said to the churches?..."
KEY QUESTIONS:
I'm sure my thinking will continue to develop and refine. But
early on, as I'm formulating my personal thoughts, I'm thinking
that any outcome we choose to present for consideration by the
conference a year from now should pass through the following
"grid":
-
Will our chosen outcome first and foremost best
"magnify" God. That is... will it actively demonstrate His
greatness?
-
Will our chosen outcome serve our churches best. That
is... will it actively provide best avenues for helping
churches become all that God wants them to become?
-
Will our chosen outcome best reflect the Spirit-led
will of those IBC partners whose credible commitment to our
future mission has already been demonstrated through faithful
support of and active participation in our current mission
together?
