President’s Update message, March 2007
At the beginning of each new year is a good time to review our progress over the past twelve months and to look forward to the year ahead and the destination progress we hope to reach. Goals and objectives help us to be more focused and intentional about our task while remaining open to new and different directions the Holy Spirit might inspire us to accomplish.
Report on 2006 “Big Ten”:
1. GOAL: Commission a Strategic Planning Committee to develop a four year plan for adoption at next constituency
meeting.
PROGRESS: This Commission met for the first time on October 22, 2006, and continues to meet addressing five vital
areas of concern including Growth, Resources, Leadership, Accountability and Spiritual Foundations.
2. GOAL: Support and nurture of church planting initiatives.
PROGRESS: We have 14 church plants in process directed by the Upper Columbia Conference Church Planting
Committee and a part-time conference church planting director. Two networking events for church plant leaders were held in 2006.
3. GOAL: Revitalization system for long existing “traditional” churches.
PROGRESS: The ministerial department developed and conducted several church revitalization weekends.
4. GOAL: Solidify and secure financial turn around.
PROGRESS: General expenses were decreased in excess of one million dollars and current reserves, when combined
with the corporation, stand at 103% of recommended levels. Cash flow has improved, eliminating the need for short term borrowing. Healthy tithe increases were experienced in 2005 and 2006.
5. GOAL: Stop educational enrollment declines and evaluate academic and spiritual outcomes.
PROGRESS: K-12 enrollments held even in 2006. Further work needs to be done, including the North Pacific Union
Conference Education Summit being held in January of 2007.
6. GOAL: Strengthen pastoral support and leadership development.
PROGRESS: We have hired five new (unordained) pastors in 2006. Plans are in progress to reevaluate and redesign our
Excellence in Ministry accountability program.
7. GOAL: Address issue of integrating supporting ministries in the life and mission of the church.
PROGRESS: We are in the process of implementing the newly voted policy of the NAD defining “supporting” ministries and providing recognition of the church for that status.
8. GOAL: Improvements in conference Human Resources functions.
PROGRESS: We have appointed a part-time Human Resources director who is rapidly consolidating HR functions in an organized and functional way.
9. GOAL: Access and availability of conference resources to local churches and schools.
PROGRESS: We have increased evangelistic subsidies by nearly $100,000 and established a Special Outreach Grant program of $155,000. Qualifying churches can apply for resources to fund well planned projects.
10. GOAL: Make conference facilities representative and functional.
PROGRESS: We are currently remodeling the office including recarpeting (after 30 years) and providing ergonomically designed work stations for employees.
As we look forward to 2007, we plan to continue work on the “Big Ten” and to focus on some additional challenges.
- Promote, encourage and resource strong spiritual foundations for every member of Upper Columbia Conference.
- Maintain sound financial indicators while shifting more resources for use at the local church and school level, and for direct evangelistic endeavors.
- Strengthen accountability processes in various areas of the conference responsibility.
- Plan, organize & conduct the quadrennial constituency session on September 30, 2006.
- Focus increasing attention on our conference mission to the Hispanic community, especially 2nd & 3rd generation Hispanics.
- Complete our office remodeling project.
- Improve growth rates of Upper Columbia Conference including church attendance figures, school enrollments, and expanding church plant opportunities.
