FPCA Leaders Gather


Members and friends work to identify church priorities and take next steps toward the dream


“This is a church of great vision,” Rev. Dr. Jack Haberer said, pointing to First Presbyterian’s community involvement and embrace of innovation. His remarks came at the beginning of keynote comments to more than 65 FPCA members and friends who attended a leadership gathering in Fellowship Hall on November 5.


Haberer introduced himself as FPCA’s new lead pastor and affirmed his support of the church’s path toward becoming an equipping church—one that sees every member as a minister doing the work of Jesus Christ. An equipping church “is a member-driven, not a staff-driven, church,” he said, referencing Ephesians 4:11, Acts 1:8, and Acts 2:38–39.


A sense of calling to ministry takes different forms but typically involves clarifying several elements, Haberer said. First comes self-discovery or realizing that you are gifted— recognizing not just professional, intellectual, or artistic skills but also gifts such as being a caring friend or sympathetic


NEXT LEVEL REGISTRATION UNDER WAY


Any member or friend of FPCA is invited to attend the 2017 Next Level Seminar to learn more about their spiritual gifts and how FPCA works, be equipped and empowered for discipleship to do God’s work, and improve how a team, committee, or group works together.


The seminar will meet every other Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. beginning March 13 and ending May 22. Sessions will address the connection between theology and FPCA’s mission, goals, and ministries; explore discipleship through the equipping model; teach personal leadership and team building skills; expand understanding of FPCA organization and operation; offer examples of discipleship in action; and build relationships.


To sign up, email Kelsey Doney at kelsey.doney@ fpcallentown.org or call 610-395-3781.


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listener. Tis relates to the second element of realizing that somebody or something needs you. A third element involves questions of authorization. Here, Haberer emphasized that ministry doesn’t necessarily require permission from a church hierarchy. He suggested that “Go for it” be operating bywords. Fourth is a sense that following Christ is a movement, not a bureaucracy, so the greatest energy to act as Christ’s hands and feet often is joyous and spontaneous.


In the spirit of a member-led organization, Bill Townsend, elder for leadership and team development, led a powerful facilitation process to collect and prioritize the current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for FPCA.


Attendees working in small groups at tables began with discussions that produced key ideas on areas that need attention. Tese were ranked in a statistically meaningful way through several steps that ultimately allowed each person to indicate which ideas they felt were most important to focus on in the near term. Te resulting list provides a sense of where FPCA members could consider using their gifts to advance progress toward broadly shared goals.


Below is the priority-ordered list of actions that emerged from discussion. Our Session will weigh items with higher votes (number indicated after each item) in the 2017 budgeting and ministry development process. Many of these high-vote items align well with specific Vision 2020 goals.


• Address communication needs/issues (33) • Breathe new life into children and youth ministries (32) • Cultivate equipping culture, etc. (27)


• Develop comprehensive strategy for small group ministry (19)


• Develop relationship initiative within congregation (14) • Massage/tweak Sunday morning schedule/format (13) • Building [facilities] priorities and capital campaign (13) • Evaluate all existing programs (11)


• Clarify/redefine leadership roles and responsibilities— staff and congregation (9)


• Start outreach ministry—prison, adults, past members (7) • Unite church around common goals (6) • Reach out to families (2)


Director of alternative worship Bobby Siegfried concluded the gathering with music. Townsend invited all church members to attend the 2017 Next Level Seminar to learn more about specific ministry skills.


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