Reaching Outward to Connect People with God's Abundance
![]() The Future Story of Bedford-First Christian Church offers, in narrative form, our vision of the ministry of our congregation circa 2023. It is the culmination of a year-long visioning process in which the entire congregation was invited to participate. It was read to the congregation on November 18, 2018. Keep your eyes on this space for updates on the implementation of the Future Story, as well as questions and answers that will arise as we move forward with implementation; following, we trust, the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To read the Future Story, click on the link below:
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Steering Committee and Task Force Chairs
We are starting down the exciting path of implementing Our Future Story. To do this, we will be using a Task Force structure. Listed below are the Steering Committee Chair and the five new initial Task Forces Chairs that will be charged with implementing specific parts of Our Future Story:
We shared the Task Force Mandates with the Church Board this past Tuesday night and would also like to share them with you, the congregation. Please review the Task Force Mandates attached to this email and if you have a passion for one of these areas, please let me know of your interest.
According to our By-Laws, task force personnel will be selected from the Congregation by the Moderator. So, it has been my distinct honor to get the Leaders of these Task Forces named to date. However, we now need to fill the task force teams with team members.
As you can see in the mandates, the task forces will report to the Church Board of Directors, through the Future Story Steering Committee. The Steering Committee Task Force will also ensure that the congregation is regularly informed of Future Story implementation developments, and will ensure that the implementing task forces receive congregational input and feedback.
The Task Force Mandates are provided for your information and also as a reminder to let me know of your interest areas. The Task Force Teams will be crafting the steps required to help us live into Our Future Story. Please let Jamie Blackwell know of your interest in any way that’s most convenient for you …. In person, or via email ([email protected])
- Steering Committee - Jamie Blackwell
- Bedford Camp Revitalization Task Force - Steve Miller
- Community Service Task Force - Jack Maxwell
- Faith Formation Task Force - Leona Russell
- Open and Affirming Task Force - Ashlyn Reynolds
- Worship Initiatives Task Force - Melissa Wilkerson
We shared the Task Force Mandates with the Church Board this past Tuesday night and would also like to share them with you, the congregation. Please review the Task Force Mandates attached to this email and if you have a passion for one of these areas, please let me know of your interest.
According to our By-Laws, task force personnel will be selected from the Congregation by the Moderator. So, it has been my distinct honor to get the Leaders of these Task Forces named to date. However, we now need to fill the task force teams with team members.
As you can see in the mandates, the task forces will report to the Church Board of Directors, through the Future Story Steering Committee. The Steering Committee Task Force will also ensure that the congregation is regularly informed of Future Story implementation developments, and will ensure that the implementing task forces receive congregational input and feedback.
The Task Force Mandates are provided for your information and also as a reminder to let me know of your interest areas. The Task Force Teams will be crafting the steps required to help us live into Our Future Story. Please let Jamie Blackwell know of your interest in any way that’s most convenient for you …. In person, or via email ([email protected])
Future Story Steering Committee Task Force Mandate
Bedford-First Christian Church
Chairperson: Moderator Jamie Blackwell
Purpose
To provide overall direction for the implementation of Our Future Story, the 5 year vision for ministry at Bedford-First Christian Church and Bedford Christian Camp. The task force will consist of 1 member from each of the 5 task forces that will be charged with implementing specific parts of Our Future Story. These 5 task forces are as follows:
The Steering Committee and the implementing task forces will be mindful of two priorities:
It is hoped that members of the Steering Committee Task Force will serve for the entire 5 year period during which Our Future Story will be implemented. Members will be expected to serve for at least 2 years, with yearly renewals of terms thereafter.
Accountability
The Steering Committee Task Force will be accountable to the Congregation, through the Board of Directors
Bedford-First Christian Church
Chairperson: Moderator Jamie Blackwell
Purpose
To provide overall direction for the implementation of Our Future Story, the 5 year vision for ministry at Bedford-First Christian Church and Bedford Christian Camp. The task force will consist of 1 member from each of the 5 task forces that will be charged with implementing specific parts of Our Future Story. These 5 task forces are as follows:
- Bedford Christian Camp Revitalization Task Force
- Community Service Task Force
- Faith Formation Task Force
- Open and Affirming Task Force
- Worship Initiatives Task Force
The Steering Committee and the implementing task forces will be mindful of two priorities:
- Reaching outward to connect people with God’s abundance
- Giving the congregation permission to pause current ministries
- Meeting at least monthly, the Steering Committee Task Force will receive regular reports from the 5 implementing task forces, and provide direction to same
- The Steering Committee Task Force will ensure that the implementing task forces operate within the broad parameters outlined in Our Future Story
- The Steering Committee Task Force will appoint a representative to the Church Board of Directors and will report regularly to the Board
- The Steering Committee Task Force will ensure that where implementation plans require Board and/or congregational approval (including approval of budgets), said approval will be obtained before a given task force moves ahead with its plans
- The Steering Committee Task Force will insure close cooperation between the work of the implementing task forces, using work under one task force to leverage the work of the other taskforces
- The Steering Committee Task Force will ensure that the congregation is regularly informed of Future Story implementation developments, and will ensure that the implementing task forces receive congregational input and feedback
It is hoped that members of the Steering Committee Task Force will serve for the entire 5 year period during which Our Future Story will be implemented. Members will be expected to serve for at least 2 years, with yearly renewals of terms thereafter.
Accountability
The Steering Committee Task Force will be accountable to the Congregation, through the Board of Directors
Bedford Camp Revitalization Task Force Mandate
Bedford-First Christian Church
Chairperson: Steve Miller
Purpose
To renovate the physical plant of Bedford Camp and Conference Center and expand the Camp program into a year-round operation.
To do so, such that the Camp will eventually pay for its entire operation (including the renovation costs) out of the revenue that it generates.
Our Future Story will be used as the task force’s blueprint.
Specific Tasks
Our Future Story will be implemented over a five-year period. Members of the Bedford Camp Revitalization Task Force will be expected to serve for at least the first two years of that period, with yearly renewals of terms thereafter.
Bedford-First Christian Church
Chairperson: Steve Miller
Purpose
To renovate the physical plant of Bedford Camp and Conference Center and expand the Camp program into a year-round operation.
To do so, such that the Camp will eventually pay for its entire operation (including the renovation costs) out of the revenue that it generates.
Our Future Story will be used as the task force’s blueprint.
Specific Tasks
- Develop a master plan for the Camp renovation and oversee implementation
- Oversee the hiring of a year round, full-time Camp Manager, who will be an employee of First Christian Church
- Work with Camp Manager in the area of revenue generation (including, but not limited to, donations, bequests, revamping fee structure, expanded usage, endowment development and grants)
- Work with Camp Manager to generate annual budget and forward to Church Board for approval
- Work with Camp Manager to establish an online presence for the Camp
- Additional tasks as directed by the Future Story Steering Committee
- The Bedford Camp Revitalization Task Force will be accountable to the Congregation, through the Future Story Steering Committee and the Church Board of Directors
- A member of the task force, preferably the chairperson, will represent the task force on the Future Story Steering Committee
- The chairperson of the task force will report to the Church Board of Directors, through the Future Story Steering Committee
Our Future Story will be implemented over a five-year period. Members of the Bedford Camp Revitalization Task Force will be expected to serve for at least the first two years of that period, with yearly renewals of terms thereafter.
Community Services Task Force Mandate
Bedford-First Christian Church
Chairperson: Jack Maxwell
Purpose
To promote partnerships with community organizations and other service providers and individuals in Bedford and surrounding communities around issues such as workforce development, education, addiction recovery and other concerns related to connecting the community with God’s abundance.
Potential partners must be committed to helping the children, youth, adults and families of Bedford and environs to be all that God has made them to be, that they might prosper spiritually, emotionally and/or economically. By working with and making our building available to such partners, First Christian Church will endeavor to reveal the love of God for the whole community. Our Future Story will be used as the task force’s blueprint.
The primary purpose of building use under the auspices of this task force will be to serve the community, not to generate income for the church. Such building use must be self-sustaining, but not profit generating.
Specific Tasks
Our Future Story will be implemented over a five-year period. Members of the Community Services Task Force will be expected to serve for at least the first two years of that period, with yearly renewals of terms thereafter.
Bedford-First Christian Church
Chairperson: Jack Maxwell
Purpose
To promote partnerships with community organizations and other service providers and individuals in Bedford and surrounding communities around issues such as workforce development, education, addiction recovery and other concerns related to connecting the community with God’s abundance.
Potential partners must be committed to helping the children, youth, adults and families of Bedford and environs to be all that God has made them to be, that they might prosper spiritually, emotionally and/or economically. By working with and making our building available to such partners, First Christian Church will endeavor to reveal the love of God for the whole community. Our Future Story will be used as the task force’s blueprint.
The primary purpose of building use under the auspices of this task force will be to serve the community, not to generate income for the church. Such building use must be self-sustaining, but not profit generating.
Specific Tasks
- Developing a fee structure and a building use policy consistent with the purpose of the Community Service Task Force
- Searching out, and receiving requests from, potential partners, meeting and negotiating with same, and making recommendations to the Church Board of Directors regarding entering into agreements with these potential partners
- Transforming the Coat Bank into a year-round Clothing Ministry
- Additional tasks as directed by the Future Story Steering Committee
- The Community Services Task Force will be accountable to the Congregation, through the Future Story Steering Committee and the Church Board of Directors
- A member of the task force, preferably the chairperson, will represent the task force on the Future Story Steering Committee
- The chairperson of the task force will report to the Church Board of Directors, through the Future Story Steering Committee
Our Future Story will be implemented over a five-year period. Members of the Community Services Task Force will be expected to serve for at least the first two years of that period, with yearly renewals of terms thereafter.
Faith Formation Task Force Mandate
Bedford-First Christian Church
Chairperson: Leona Russell
Purpose
To expand and deepen faith formation opportunities in the congregation for all ages, using Our Future Story as the task force’s blueprint.
Specific Tasks
Our Future Story will be implemented over a five-year period. Members of the Faith Formation Task Force will be expected to serve for at least two years of that period, with yearly renewals of terms thereafter.
Bedford-First Christian Church
Chairperson: Leona Russell
Purpose
To expand and deepen faith formation opportunities in the congregation for all ages, using Our Future Story as the task force’s blueprint.
Specific Tasks
- Oversee implementation of a Children Worship and Wonder program, including volunteer training and supply acquisition
- Work closely with the Bedford Community Children’s Chorus so as to develop this program as a faith formation resource
- Work with the Program Coordinator to develop a Sunday faith formation program for older children and youth
- Develop a program of faith mentoring
- Encourage the inclusion of children and youth in the whole life and work of the congregation
- Nurture an atmosphere of “faithful questioning” around both the Bible and issues of belief and doctrine
- Encourage the development of additional adult faith formation opportunities
- Additional tasks as directed by the Future Story Steering Committee
- The Faith Formation Task Force will be accountable to the Congregation, through the Future Story Steering Committee and the Church Board of Directors
- A member of the task force, preferably the chairperson, will represent the task force on the Future Story Steering Committee
- The chairperson of the task force will report to the Church Board of Directors through the Future Story Steering Committee
Our Future Story will be implemented over a five-year period. Members of the Faith Formation Task Force will be expected to serve for at least two years of that period, with yearly renewals of terms thereafter.
Open and Affirming Task Force Mandate
Bedford-First Christian Church
Chairperson: Ashlyn Reynolds
Purpose
Explore the possibilities of becoming an Open and Affirming congregation and bring a recommendation re same to the Church Board of Directors, using Our Future Story as the task force’s blueprint.
Specific Tasks
Our Future Story will be implemented over a five-year period. Members of the Open and Affirming Task Force will be expected to serve for at least the first two years of that period, with yearly renewals of terms thereafter.
Bedford-First Christian Church
Chairperson: Ashlyn Reynolds
Purpose
Explore the possibilities of becoming an Open and Affirming congregation and bring a recommendation re same to the Church Board of Directors, using Our Future Story as the task force’s blueprint.
Specific Tasks
- Create a plan by which the congregation will
- come to understand what it means to be an Open/Affirming/Welcoming congregation
- discern if this is the direction that God is calling the congregation to go
- Oversee the implementation of the plan and the nurturing of the congregation along the way
- If/when it seems wise to the Holy Spirit, bring a recommendation to the Church Board of Directors regarding the congregation becoming an Open and Affirming Congregation
- Additional tasks as directed by the Future Story Steering Committee
- The Open and Affirming Task Force will be accountable to the Congregation, through the Future Story Steering Committee and the Church Board of Directors
- A member of the task force, preferably the chairperson, will represent the task force on the Future Story Steering Committee
- The chairperson of the task force will report to the Church Board of Directors, through the Future Story Steering Committee
Our Future Story will be implemented over a five-year period. Members of the Open and Affirming Task Force will be expected to serve for at least the first two years of that period, with yearly renewals of terms thereafter.
Worship Initiatives Task Force Mandate
Bedford-First Christian Church
Chairperson: Melissa Wilkerson
Purpose
To expand the ways in which the congregation is able to worship, praise and give glory to God, and the number of people who are touched by such worship, using Our Future Story as the task force’s blueprint.
Specific Tasks
Our Future Story will be implemented over a five-year period. Members of the Worship Initiatives Task Force will be expected to serve for at least the first two years of that period, with yearly renewals of terms thereafter.
Bedford-First Christian Church
Chairperson: Melissa Wilkerson
Purpose
To expand the ways in which the congregation is able to worship, praise and give glory to God, and the number of people who are touched by such worship, using Our Future Story as the task force’s blueprint.
Specific Tasks
- Overseeing equipment upgrades as highlighted in Our Future Story
- Expanding the congregation’s online worship presence
- Exploring the possibilities of a second, alternative worship service and overseeing implementation of same
- Additional tasks as directed by the Future Story Steering Committee
- The Worship Initiatives Task Force will be accountable to the Congregation, through the Future Story Steering Committee and the Church Board of Directors
- A member of the task force, preferably the chairperson, will represent the task force on the Future Story Steering Committee
- The chairperson of the task force will report to the Church Board of Directors, through the Future Story Steering Committee
Our Future Story will be implemented over a five-year period. Members of the Worship Initiatives Task Force will be expected to serve for at least the first two years of that period, with yearly renewals of terms thereafter.
Initial Answers to Future Story Questions
How can we get more kids and young people? (The questioner took this stab at answering his own question):
In Baton Rouge our Youth Pastor took the Church Van down a street and asked 3 little girls if they wanted to come to Sunday School, saying, “We’ll have pizza.” Sunday morning there were 30 kids wanting to go to Sunday School. For the pizza those 3 little girls went up and down their street saying, “Hey! Come to Sunday School; they’re serving pizza!”
We need more programming for the youth, in addition to Holy Moly. For example, we need to re-initiate Sunday School for the youth. At least one of our young people feels like she has been missing out on programming suitable for her age group since about her 4th grade year, compared to some of her friends in other churches, in regard to having Sunday School or other educational forums specifically for kids and young people. Perhaps a contemporary service might be more of a draw to kids and young people.
Also, if we would be able to have a full-time Program Coordinator, like we dream about in the Future Story, this could be an additional resource whose main job is to focus on programs within the church, which definitely would have kids and young people as a key component of that focus.
A program that is specifically mentioned in Our Future Story is Children Worship and Wonder. This is a popular and successful model for Sunday morning Christian education and faith formation that has worked in Disciples churches in Indiana and other regions. With programming such as this, we should have a much better success rate in attracting and keeping young families.
In Baton Rouge our Youth Pastor took the Church Van down a street and asked 3 little girls if they wanted to come to Sunday School, saying, “We’ll have pizza.” Sunday morning there were 30 kids wanting to go to Sunday School. For the pizza those 3 little girls went up and down their street saying, “Hey! Come to Sunday School; they’re serving pizza!”
We need more programming for the youth, in addition to Holy Moly. For example, we need to re-initiate Sunday School for the youth. At least one of our young people feels like she has been missing out on programming suitable for her age group since about her 4th grade year, compared to some of her friends in other churches, in regard to having Sunday School or other educational forums specifically for kids and young people. Perhaps a contemporary service might be more of a draw to kids and young people.
Also, if we would be able to have a full-time Program Coordinator, like we dream about in the Future Story, this could be an additional resource whose main job is to focus on programs within the church, which definitely would have kids and young people as a key component of that focus.
A program that is specifically mentioned in Our Future Story is Children Worship and Wonder. This is a popular and successful model for Sunday morning Christian education and faith formation that has worked in Disciples churches in Indiana and other regions. With programming such as this, we should have a much better success rate in attracting and keeping young families.
How soon do we anticipate hiring a Program Coordinator? Or is this going to be Ramona?
Of course, this new staff position which we hope to create will not be filled by Ramona. She already has a day job!
We are currently in the dream stage of Our Future Story and we have made no move to hire a Program Coordinator. Our thoughts are that in the future, we would use this role as an overall coordinator for all of our church activities inclusive of youth development, etc. Additionally, the volunteer base could be used in conjunction with the role so that one person is not handling all activities that we develop in the future. We have not budgeted nor determined our financial ability to hire for this role.
Will additional pastors be needed? And staff?
Again, our determination of additional staffing will be based on our choices to pause certain ministries and encourage new ministries. Be aware that during our Study Group time in our community, our discussions and research indicated that many groups in our community have a dream for a Future Story and many of those dreams co-ordinate with ours in terms of reaching out to those in need with love, compassion, assistance , etc. It is possible that we could co-ordinate with many of these groups and be a PART of the overall plan, which gives us the opportunity to complete our dreams and assist with their dreams. Potentially a lay person would be available, whether in our church or in a co-op arrangement with another church, to fill some of the additional needs: such as a youth service in the church, or a second service in our church.
Future Funding? Projected budget?
As we are in our initial dream stage, we have not nor can we project a budget for many of our Future Story plans. As we move through each phase from the standpoint of prioritizing what our congregation wishes to see happen, and determining what is available in terms of funds – both from our budget and from other sources such as grants, awards, and collaboration with other agencies – we can determine necessary funding and budgeting. We may not be the agency funding some of our dreams, but may simply be the space provider, the organizer, the volunteer base, etc.
Where do our workers come from?
We do not have to do this alone since we know that there are agencies and community organizations that need our input and assistance and we as well need theirs. Much of the work may well be provided by these other agencies and organizations, while we simply provide the space where this work will take place.
Of course, this new staff position which we hope to create will not be filled by Ramona. She already has a day job!
We are currently in the dream stage of Our Future Story and we have made no move to hire a Program Coordinator. Our thoughts are that in the future, we would use this role as an overall coordinator for all of our church activities inclusive of youth development, etc. Additionally, the volunteer base could be used in conjunction with the role so that one person is not handling all activities that we develop in the future. We have not budgeted nor determined our financial ability to hire for this role.
Will additional pastors be needed? And staff?
Again, our determination of additional staffing will be based on our choices to pause certain ministries and encourage new ministries. Be aware that during our Study Group time in our community, our discussions and research indicated that many groups in our community have a dream for a Future Story and many of those dreams co-ordinate with ours in terms of reaching out to those in need with love, compassion, assistance , etc. It is possible that we could co-ordinate with many of these groups and be a PART of the overall plan, which gives us the opportunity to complete our dreams and assist with their dreams. Potentially a lay person would be available, whether in our church or in a co-op arrangement with another church, to fill some of the additional needs: such as a youth service in the church, or a second service in our church.
Future Funding? Projected budget?
As we are in our initial dream stage, we have not nor can we project a budget for many of our Future Story plans. As we move through each phase from the standpoint of prioritizing what our congregation wishes to see happen, and determining what is available in terms of funds – both from our budget and from other sources such as grants, awards, and collaboration with other agencies – we can determine necessary funding and budgeting. We may not be the agency funding some of our dreams, but may simply be the space provider, the organizer, the volunteer base, etc.
Where do our workers come from?
We do not have to do this alone since we know that there are agencies and community organizations that need our input and assistance and we as well need theirs. Much of the work may well be provided by these other agencies and organizations, while we simply provide the space where this work will take place.