St. Stephen Lutheran Church 3510 72nd Street Urbandale, IA 50322 Phone: (515) 276-4628 Fax: (515) 276-0651

MVTF Conclusions

View the slide presentation here

Task Undertaken

• Assess the future of St. Stephen; including strengths and areas of calling
• Clarify the role of St. Stephen in the community
• Identify needs for the calling of a new Sr. Pastor
• Learn and share characteristics of a Healthy Congregation

Participation

• Community Research
• Patrick Garland
• Karen Fachman
• Rollie Williams

Steps in the Process

Community Research

• Interviewed Community & School Leaders
• Reviewed community demographics
• Discussed results as part of Congregation Gathering

Recommendations from the Mission Vision Task Force

Mature Program Church

• Decentralized Decision making
• Roughly 325 to 400 average attendance
• Paid Pastor & Staff size of 4 to 6
• Strong volunteer support
• Desire for attendance Growth

Staff reflects balanced Priorities

• Hire a full time Youth coordinator
• Call a Sr. Pastor with the following characteristics:

à Strong communication skills

à Capable of effectively leading staff & volunteers

à Will bring the Word to everday life through preaching and teaching

à Brings energy and commitment to outreach and ministry

à Relates well to youth (or support Youth coordinator)

à Provides continued support of the music program

à Alignment & communication of staff with strategy of the congregation

Leadership Structure

• Review Leadership structure to ensure a balance of operational and strategic needs of the congregation are met
• Annually review alignment of our programs with our strategy
• Every four years re-assess the strategy of St. Stephen.

New Members

• Establish formal new member recruitment.

Outreach, Ministry & Evangelism

• Commit to enhanced outreach, ministry and evangelism serving all our neighbors and local community.
• Expand local ministries by partnering with schools, churches and other community based organizations

Mission statement

• Adopt the following mission statement

“To love God and our neighbors; and by God’s grace, agree to differ, resolve to love, and unite to serve.”

Worship Times

Saturday Worship

5:30pm with Communion

Sunday Worship

9:00am with Communion

10:30am Contemporary

Office Hours

Monday-Friday

8:30am-4pm

Contact

Submit questions or comments or find a staff email address