The Intentional Interim Process to Pastoral Search
In October of 2010, the Board of this church made a bold decision to engage in an Intentional Interim process that would involve coming to terms with history, clarifying identity, connecting to the community, encouraging leadership and efficient processes, and committing to the future.
In order to do that, Joy has had three questions to answer:
- 1.Who has Joy MCC been?
- 2.Who is Joy MCC now?
- 3.Who is God calling Joy MCC to be?
We have answered the first question through the Wall of Wonder exercise we did last summer and fall where we created a timeline of the congregation.
From that, we found that this church was the first to respond to the AIDS crisis, the first primarily GLBT organization in Central Florida to own land, provided support for the beginning of many other organizations, has been a place of healing for many, has been very committed to feeding people.
We answered most of the second question with the Snapshot Survey that 116 people completed the week of December 11, 2011. From that, we found that:
•The top 3 things people appreciate most about this congregation are:
- •Openness to diversity
- •Sermons or preaching
- •Style of worship or music
- •60% of our congregation either has never really attended church or have not attended in a long time, so are basically unchurched.
- •The religious background of our congregation is:
- •35% Liturgical (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran)
- •21% Mainline (Methodist, Presbyterian)
- •43% Free Church (Baptist, Pentecostal)
- •14% have attended other MCCs regularly at some point
- •55% of the congregation identifies as male; 44% female; 1% transgender
- •88% of the congregation identifies as gay or lesbian; 7% bisexual and 5% straight
- •50% of the congregation is between the ages of 30-55
- •80% of the congregation has at least some college education
- •18% of the congregation is Latino and 5% African American
- •50% of the congregation has an annual household of $50,000 or less
- •60% of the congregation considers themselves "progressive" or "very progressive" theologically
And, now, we have gone a long toward answering the third question at our retreat on January 28, 2012, Advancing Our Spiritual Journey. With 48 people in attendance, we discovered that Joy's core values are:
- •Spirituality
- •Generosity
- •Community
- •Compassion
- •Inclusion
We discerned together God's dreams for Joy MCC using a variety of images:
- •A tree with God as the roots and the branches reaching out
- •A tree with a rainbow of light and love over it
- •Hands opening up big doors for light to shine on lots of smiling faces
- •A coral reef that is a community that is being fed and always reaching out and has the sun shining on it
- •The sun shining down on people at the fountain of Joy
We saw God's purpose for Joy MCC to be a growing, living community, reaching out to include many people in the light and love of God.
Specific areas where we discerned God's call were to:
- •Multicultural, multilingual worship and programs
- •Programs for children and youth
- •Study and spiritual formation for all ages
- •Music, theater, and the arts as an expression of spirituality
- •Commitment to social action and services
- •Being a part of the wider community
- •Fiscal stability
So, what does all this means? Well, there is still a good bit of work to do, as we now need to take this information and formulate a plan for the future. But, we are more clear than ever about what that plan may include, are energized to move forward with that plan, and ready to go where God guides!
This is indeed a great time to join us on the journey with Joy!
