This Is Where We're Headed

Our Leadership Board intentionally sets Salem’s direction each year. They shared our goals for 2019 with our annual Church Conference on October 29 and were subsequently approved. Therefore, this is where we are headed next year:

First, we want to improve the Discipleship Pathway to engage people more, specifically to worship, connect, serve, and share their faith with others.

Second, we want to create and implement an intentional plan for hospitality, serving as Christ's ambassadors to invite, welcome, and connect people into the life of the church.

Third, we want to create and implement a strategy for growth of the congregation. The reality is, if we do not grow, we will decline.

Fourth, we want to create and implement a strategy for intentional funding of the ministry, including another three-year capital campaign.

You might notice that paying our apportionments is no longer one of our goals as it has been in the last several years. This continues to be an expectation of our congregation and it is our intention to pay our apportionments, however, we realized it’s not one of the most important things we’re working towards. Also, as a side note, the United Methodist Church has done some research recently that found our current apportionment rate unsustainable. Therefore, denomination-wide, our apportionments will likely drop by 25% in the next couple of years.

Also, I often look back to our 2011 study, analyzing the needs of the church and community as we prepared for a building project that led to our current facility. We noted how important it is to find ways to host our community in our facility. We’ve often thought of using space on our 8.3 acres for a playground as well as a walking path that connects to the sidewalks.

An article from The Atlantic tells of Larry Duggins, who left a successful career in investment banking to attend seminary, and now works on helping congregations consider alternative forms of Christian community. He says, "Years ago, the neighborhood church was the place many in America got together and, along with the local schools, was where they got to know their neighbors." This model doesn't work for many people now, so he says, "Churches have to think creatively about how to help people encounter others and God in their everyday lives."

There are so many possibilities. We could offer a gymnasium or fitness area. We could provide public work space and meeting areas with accessible Wi-Fi. Currently, we host neighborhood housing associations, but we could also provide space for businesses, AA, and other groups. We could build retreat space for Emmaus and Chrysalis as well as for other community groups. We could offer space for artists, performers, and students learning a second language. Cooking classes could use the kitchen.

The idea and hope is that our facility could be used every day if we create opportunities and space for the community to gather and connect. That also draws people to the church who might not otherwise come. Since we exist to make disciples of Jesus Christ who will transform the world, then how can we provide Salem/shalom (peace, wholeness, completeness, health, well-being, joy, beauty, justice, friendship, and salvation) for those around us?

This is my eleventh year at Salem. So much has been accomplished since the flood of 2008 changed Salem’s course. While it’s encouraging to step back and reminisce, we’re never really done. We continue moving forward, serving, growing, creating, and building in God’s kingdom.