StrategyTaskGroupReport201908

Link to CouncilAgenda20190828 > CouncilMinutes20190828

Notes from meeting of working group from CC to look at strategy, staffing and resources

Present: BenKrieger, NeilPeters, DavidFraser, GlynHowells – 7:30 – 9:30

• “What keeps you awake at night?” “…the thought that my congregation won’t fulfil its potential”.

Context of our discussion: Statistics from ABS for Glen Waverley

• 40300 people in G Wav
• 11,000 familes
• 40.9% Aus born
• 40.5% English only at home
• 31% no kids

• 28.3% Chinese ancestry -> 19.3% speak Mandarin at home; 8.5% Cantonese

• 15.9% mainland China
• 1,738 0-4-year-olds

Discussion followed the sub-headings from Ministry Team’s previous report to CC

Pastoral care – visit, chat, phone call, coffee…

Share the responsibilities more widely-- “more lay responsibility in pastoral care” Who?

• Sick/rehab
• Other difficulties
• General populous
• New members

Care network and welcoming - be aware of visitors
Timeliness (when problems are vocalised)
Need more layered involvement
Groups, the pastoral group in this case, have specific focuses
Create Pastoral elders” – possible terminology – each person/ people with a particular focus?

• pastoral care primary focus – people with a gift; could also involve “training” of some sort
• -specific person/people to talk to; maintain confidentiality -- build up trust
• identify groups and see that each is covered = each service/ group/age group –
• -begin this year if possible

Idea needs to be further developed:

• bring congregation on board
• help congregation understand
• how to recruit?

Process: Begin/discuss with InclusiveCommunity then to church council

Welfare

More resources/human power needed

Currently, committee consists of DorothyLockhart, BraceBateman, NeilPeters and FayeMcDougall

Days divided between Dorothy, Neil, Faye (Alanee as back up) with Dorothy as consultant

One proposal has been to employ social worker part-time/full-time (funding???)

Other possibilities:

• via Rod Dungan access trainee social workers
• Have a referral service to local government network; take people over when necessary.
• Tap into other networks?

Unresolved. Raise at next Church Council meeting.

Suggestion: Church Council reps. (Alanee plus person other than ministry) to discuss with committee. Meet when Dorothy comes back from trip.

Intercultural - brainstorming

Draw in wide range of people and experiences/ backgrounds with Bible study using simple English.

Strengthening communities grant from federal govt. through local fed member. (Gladys Liu link with David Fraser)

Electronic whiteboard for English classes???

Chinese fellowship:

• with more helpers leaders have more time to talk with people and build the community

• Define roles for helpers e.g.non Chinese language speakers help by– setting up, helping with crafts/ activities. -> talk to Angel and Sheila about how others can help.

• Attempts have been made to find speakers/ preachers in Chinese but without a response
  • people to practise their multilingual preaching
    • MIST in Wantirna South
    • UCA Chinese church in CBD

Indonesian church pageant Christmas service?? Promote it in combined service – video from last year.

Sri Lankan group in congregation present song? cultural segment

Lead into other cultural group segments

Local Mission

Festivals: find prime movers.

To be addressed at a later stage

Children and Families

Overall strategy: Greater investment in children, families and young people Future: Need new leaders for 2020.

To consider: Paid staff 8 hours a week to help 9:15 and 4:30 ‡

• (similar to Di Paterson)
• bilingual [Mandarin]?
• Al could plan and have oversight?
• Wait long term to get right person if necessary
• Begin with short term employment = part of 2020
• Talk with People and Culture (and Finance) about 6 month contract

Finances

• Reallocate part of the budget to C&F position?? – put something in place before seeking more money.

• Or Stewardship drive??

Multiple options to solve this issue/s (also work with Chinese Fellowship?)

‡Alanee has sourced excellent US resources already

Worship

Daniel has begun process of discernment (Neil mentor)

• preaching this and next year

Conversation has begun over 4:30, what does the future hold?

• comes from within the group, combine with 5:30?.

“What talents do you have?” – ask members {based off the country global}

Did not look at:

Local mission

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