Mission & Outreach Listening Session Minutes

Strategic Planning Committee

Saint Michael and All Angels

Wednesday, June 8, 2005 ~ 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

at the home of Kate and Dana Juett

1.       What do you appreciate most about the current SMAA program and content within this ministry?

•         Jubilee Center is local and the greatest.

•         Diversity is a blessing at SMAA. There seems or needs to be something for everyone. It’s okay to be 1” deep and a mile wide.

•         We have great visionaries in our church.

•         M & O is our beacon. It is organized and it works.

2.       What would you most like to see changed in the current program?

•         Though M & O works well at SMAA it could be underpinned with more theological imperatives about our calling to the ‘great commission’ and ‘making disciples’ and ‘why we go’. It is hard to talk about outreach without talking about evangelism. A great quote: “Preach the gospel to the ends of the earth and if necessary, use words” and a great country and western song title “Your life may the only bible someone will ever read” were cited.

•         Focus on the following Scriptures to develop the Mission part of Mission/Outreach:

          •         The Great Commission: Mathew 28:18-20 - Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

          •         Scope of the task of the Great Commission: Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

          •         Action-Hear, Preach, Send: Romans 10:14-15 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who being good news!”

•         We would like to instill in our children that all things are possible through God and help them learn to be visionaries for the church.

•         We need to build relationships with our M & O recipients. It is important to be consistent – not just hit and run.

•         We would like to see our youth doing mission work locally and nationally also– not just internationally – for instance, Rosebud, Appalachia, Texas – Mexico border, etc.

•         Need more places that are easily accessible.

•         Need to provide opportunity for education

•         Perhaps we are still needed in the panhandle of Florida to help with the hurricane clean-up.

•         Get a missions message into the sanctuary – regularly. We need to teach and treat our youth as adults. Teach a seminary course.

•         We need to get people fired up – their pocket booth follows their heart.

•         We need to support Anglican missionary in the field on a regular basis.

•         We should use technology to get more people involved with M & O.

•         Have missionaries come and speak to our congregation.

•         Support SMAA initiated ministries more with our limited funds instead of so many outside organizations.

•         Raise up and support our own missionaries from within SMAA.

•         Hold a perspective’s class on the World Christian Movement at SMAA.

3.       What are the most exciting, fulfilling experiences you have had with past programs, ministries and activities at SMAA?

•         Jubilee Center

•         Serving on Adult Education Council

•         LEM

•         Establishing the singles group

•         Helping with the Angel Project

•         Knitting ministry

•         Opportunity to work in Mission and Outreach at SMAA

•         Serving as Acolyte and Chalice Bearer and serving the host after being ordained

•         Spending an hour with Christ during the Maundy Thursday night watch

•         Attending Cursillo and continuing to meet in a small group

•         Mission trip to Bolivia

•         First Mission trip to Haiti

•         Trip to Palestine

•         Seeing the selfless acts of kindness with teenagers and others at Jubilee

•         A Fr. Mike Wallens sermon

•         Hearing Martha Schattman sing during worship services

•         Sharing worship and SMAA activities with dear friends and loved ones

•         Seeing people come together to make a difference in mission or outreach events regardless of their theological differences over a particular issue.

4.       Can you name some truly excellent programs or initiatives at other churches which you’ve experienced or heard about from others?

•         HP Presbyterian highlights mission work in each service including sometimes having a speaker phone conversation during the service with a missionary from wherever he or she might be in the world.

•         The Anglican Frontier Mission in Virginia would be good to contact to see what they do to support missionaries

•         Wilkshire Baptist (see Bruce Theunissen for details)

•         Wycliffe Bible Group may provide a wonderful speaker

5.       What initiatives or program changes at SMAA would cause you to increase your participation, and to be excited about doing so?

•         More trips in the USA with decent accommodations.

•         Continue to improve the transformative nature of the trips.

•         More affordable opportunities.