Council Corner: Future Directions Mission/Ministry Goals Identified
At the regular March meeting of the Congregation Council there were five mission/ministry goals identified as a part of a “Future Directions” initiative within the council to lead in ministry, rather than simply manage ministry at Our Savior. Here are the five areas of focus and their goals for the end of 2025.
Increase Average Weekly Worship Attendance (AWWA)
In 2024 Our Savior had an in-person AWWA of 120 and online AWWA of 45. Worship attendance is a key indicator of a congregation’s ministry vitality as it is one of the seven marks of discipleship. The goal for 2025 is an In-person AWWA of 132 and an Online AWWA of 60. This represents a 10% increase or more from 2024. The in-person AWWA combines Sunday school attendance as well as those in the sanctuary since from the Meal portion of worship until the dismissal all those in the church are in worship. Worship and Music is already looking at how to improve the virtual worship experience for those utilizing the Facebook Livestream when not able to attend in person.
Diverse Worship
The 9:15 Reflections Worship option was a meaningful worship experience for a small, but faithful, group of people in the congregation due to its greater interpersonal sharing of faith in daily life as it related to the Scripture reading. When the late service was moved up an hour it eliminated this service time to the dismay of that “congregation.” A team will explore how this worship service, or a variation of it, might be offered again at a day and time that is optimal.
Increase New Members
In 2024 Our Savior only received 3 new members other than the 25 former members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Collingswood for whom Our Savior became their shepherding congregation when they closed a year ago. The goal for 2025 is to receive a minimum of 15 new members and a stretch goal of 30. This would represent an increase of 2.5-5% in the number of baptized members that is currently at 610. Redevelopment of our website along with the last two initiatives will greatly impact the fruitfulness of this goal, which is already underway due to the financial support of the Memorial Gift Board for the cost of the project.
Advertise Outward Focused & Diverse Activities
Often churches plan their ministry programs and events for the current membership without regard to the people who live in the neighborhood or community. The Faith Stepping-stones faith development program has the potential to include local families in developing a faith life for their children, and in a school-age family environment this ministry has the potential to be fruitful. A new and improved website will be an instrumental tool in communicating with Our Savior’s neighbors and local area.
Integrate & Connect Mustard Seed and Music Together Families
Each week there are over 50 kindergarteners and another 60 toddlers and their respective families that walk through Our Savior’s doors on a daily basis. Assuming those interested in being a part of a faith community will simply show up for worship and Sunday school “osmotically” is the myth too many churches claim as evangelism. A concerted and intentional effort needs to be made for those same families to know they are both invited and welcome to join the congregation in ministry beyond their use of the building for childcare or music programs. The same could be said for other groups using the church, such as Toastmasters, Possibility Players, Tai-Chi, Children Song, and any other groups using the building during the week.
Our Savior is currently one of the largest worshiping Lutheran churches in the New Jersey Synod and a leader in the variety of ministry programs and partnerships we provide and support. But as we anticipate our Centennial Celebration in 2027 the Council is focused more on “what’s next?” rather than managing “what has been.” They hope the congregation will not only support these Future Directions efforts, but will participate in making them a reality.
