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The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
Congregation Mission Profile
Executive Summary
February 1, 2008
Part 1 – Congregation Information
Section 1 – The congregation’s ID
number, address, phone number, etc.
Section 2 – The Congregational
President’s contact information
Section 3 – The Call Committee Chairpersons’ contact information
Section 4 – A concise congregational
history including beginnings and other
significant events.
Section 5 – Other historical issues
- List the last three pastors, the time served, and the reason for leaving.
- Significant Conflicts in the last 20 years are summarized below:
- Issues with the Synod about calling a new Youth Pastor in 1999
- Issues with Called to Common Mission
- Issues with ordination of practicing homosexuals and the blessing of same sex unions and
the subsequent reduction of Synod benevolences
- Promotion of our Associate Pastor of 17 years to Senior Pastor in 2003
- Issues involving our Associate Pastor and his resignation in 2004
- Lack of information to the congregation during the Synod investigation of the events
leading to the resignation
- Disruption of the youth program
- Issues with Church Night in 2006
- Issues with the Intentional Interim Process and Pastor in 2007
- Lack of understanding of the process by the congregation
- Legacy process
- Difficulties at forums during the interim process
- Delay of the call process
- Issues with our Associate Pastor not being promoted to Senior Pastor and subsequent call
and resignation in 2007
Section 6 – ELCA Congregational Trend
Report and Demographic Zip Code Report
- Demographic Zip Code Report - An analysis of potential effects on membership and
programs at Good Shepherd. Demographics include population changes in size and ethnicity,
family structure and size, housing type and cost, income, employment, etc. The analysis
was done on the two adjacent zip codes and the 15 surrounding zip codes. The data showed
opportunities for expanded couple’s and children’s ministries and a potential
new singles ministry
- Congregational Trend Report – An analysis of trends indicate reductions in
membership, attendance and financials, budgets and income, during the period of the report
[1999 – 2006]. Errors in reporting for 2004 – 2006 were corrected in an attached
spreadsheet in the appendix.
Section 7 – The dates of the latest
revision of the congregation’s constitution, bylaws
and leadership manual are all in 1993.
Section 8 – An analysis of our membership indicates almost half live more
than 5
miles from church and less than 1 percent do not drive their cars to
church.
Part 2 – Ministry Practices and Structure
Section 9 – Describe present programs
and practices in worship, education,
evangelism and special ministries
- Worship – The 7:45, 8:30 and 11:00 service structure and attendance are described.
Special services are listed.
- Education – Educational and fellowship opportunities for children, youth, post high
school and adults are described.
- Special Ministries - IMPACT, FUN NIGHT, and Preschool.
- Evangelism – Opportunities include the special ministries, invitation to festival
services, the website, etc.
Section 10 – Service ministries for
community involvement and ecumenical
partnerships
- Community – Support of IMPACT, FUN NIGHT, Sacramento Lutheran High School, and use
of our facilities by organizations
- Congregation – Health ministry and education on global mission
- Ecumenical – Food closets, shelters, missions
Section 11 – Description of the staff – part time, full time and volunteers
Section 12 – Description of the Facility
- Buildings including age, maintenance status, future viability
- Master plan for repair or replacement
Section 13 – Stewardship practices
- Temple talks and ingathering of pledges
- Permanent Trust Fund
- Trustee tracking of expense vs. income
Section 14 – Current Spending of the
Congregation
- Budgets/ Actual for 2006 and 2007
- Permanent Trust Fund
Section 15 – Synod and Churchwide
participation
- WELCA and LMM[Lutheran Men in Mission]
- Voting members at Synod and Churchwide assemblies
- Use of our facilities for local and synod events
Section 16 – Congregation as an integral
of the ELCA and Synod
- Global missions, Lutheran Social Services, Lutheran World Relief, World Hunger
- Issues with the Synod
Part 3 – Mission in the Community
Section 17 – Description of the larger community in which our church is
located
includes:
- Residential Type
- Other religious institutions
- Commercial
- Thoroughfares
Section 18 – Attributes of the community
- Ethnically and economically diverse
- Variety of housing options
- Large unchurched population
Section 19 – Primary business and
industries in the area include government,
agricultural processing, technology, and health care
Section 20 – Community trends the congregation should address in the next 5
years
Include: Christian education of our youth and those who don’t
know the Gospel, an aging population, affordable housing, working
families’ needs and the homeless.
Section 21 – Opportunities for ecumenical cooperation in your community
- Members lead and participate in Bible study with people from differing denominations
- Sierra Arden Food Closet and St. John’s Shelter
- Korean Presbyterian uses our facilities on Sundays
Part 4 – Where is God Leading Us?
Section 22 – Congregation review of ministry and goals
- 1993 Ten Year Vision for Ministry
- 2004 Visioning process and goals
- 2007 Natural Church Development
- 2007 Legacy Process
Section 23 – Congregational Mission
Statement
Section 24 – Top three congregational mission priorities
- Revitalize, enhance, and grow the Youth Program
- Stewardship including financial and time and talent
- Expand outreach and evangelism in the community
Section 25 – What is your congregation
excited about?
- Worship activities including Bible study and music
- Fellowship opportunities
- Outreach
- Youth and Family Ministry
Part 5 – The Leader We Seek
Section 26 – Position Title – Senior Pastor
Section 27 – Expectations for the position
THE LEADER WE SEEK:
The leader we seek is a pastor experienced in Word and Sacrament ministry, with a high
level of skill in preaching, teaching, ministry with children and youth, evangelism,
interpersonal relationships and administration.
The qualities we seek are:
A Leader/Visionary: Able to see beyond who we are, to whom we can
become, celebrating our past and looking ahead to what we can do and be with enthusiasm,
confidence, and passion.
A Spiritual Leader: Strong interpreter of theology and doctrine from a Lutheran
perspective - espousing the supremacy of Scripture, faith and grace; the creeds and
confessions as ‘true declarations of faith’ and ‘faithful expositions of
Scripture’; and embracing us as members of the priesthood of all believers.
A Preacher/Teacher: Rooted in scripture, able to convey the teachings of Christ
and the Gospel in balance with the Law in an inspirational dynamic way – endeavoring
to be a motivating force, while blending wit and humor.
A Healer: Able to bring people together in the spirit of Christian unity –
one who is tolerant, flexible, and diplomatic, with exceptional interpersonal skills, and
who employs warmth, compassion, and empathy.
An Evangelist: Serves as a living example of the Gospel and motivates others to reach
out with love.
A Recruiter/Equipper: Able to discern gifts and abilities of others and foster their
use for God’s mission for this congregation. Enable volunteers and staff to
accomplish their tasks – an out- going, personable individual that seeks to
encourage, and motivate.
An Administrator: Possesses strong supervisory skills. Someone who leads by
example, is able to delegate, is a good listener, and is assertive.
A Fiscal Steward: A manager with a solid understanding of financial matters, capable of
handling the fiscal issues that are typical of a congregation this size, and experienced
in stewardship.
Section 28 – Ministry Priorities and
Skills. From a list of 30 skills, the Call
Committee rated the following the highest for skill and priority:
- Interpreter of Theology
- Interpersonal Climate
- Utilizing Conflict
- Preaching
- Worship Leadership
- Evangelism
Section 29 – Compensation and
professional reimbursements
- Compensation was derived for Synod guidelines for a pastor with 15 to 20 years
experience
- Housing allowance as a part of salary explained
- Sabbatical policy
Screening Questions
- Describe why you are still passionate about ministry.
- Describe how you practice personal spiritual renewal.
- Describe the role you would take in the congregation’s Christian stewardship.
- Describe your views on the supremacy of Scripture, the Creeds, and the Lutheran
Confessions.
- Describe your views on the issues of the larger church – the ordination and
blessing of unions for homosexuals, Called to Common Mission, etc..
- Describe your experience in addressing and resolving conflict in your congregations.
- Describe your experience in establishing and promoting youth ministry.
Appendixes
A – Demographic Zip Code Report
B – Congregation Trend Report
B1 – Corrections to Congregation Trend Report
C – Financial Statements
D – Vision 2006 Goals
E – 2007 Legacy Mission Priorities
F – Natural Church Development Survey Result
Above appendixes can be viewed in the
Church Office
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