Guiding Vision Discussion and Comment Page

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From: Terry Neel - 03/04/2009 06:47 PM

I appreciate all the work that has been done by the NDND team, particularly on The Guiding Vision statement. I have used it in our church, am doing a 2 part message with it, and we have parts of it on our video system each week during our parting comments/prayer. I am very positive and excited about much of what I see happening in CCSW!

Terry L Neel
Pastor, FCC, Guymon, OK

From: Andy Mangum - 02/10/2009 10:23 AM

I appreciate the work you have done. There are many good things we could do that would fall under headings you have named here. But it is not possible to do all that which is good. What is the mechanism of discernment? It seems to me that we still need to do some work in learning how to narrow our focus. How to choose the best from among all the good possibilities.

From: terry Rothermich - 01/21/2009 04:32 PM

Thoughts & comments on the draft of "The Guiding Vision"

Firstly, Congratulations and THANK YOU to the group for its diligent work over these past months.

Secondly, I offer the following in an attitude of respect and for the good of the cause, being appreciative of the invitation to offer a response while also knowing my response comes out of a context that is very different than the context of the working group for many months.
________________________________________________________________

If a "guiding vision" significantly represents long-range and/or ultimate goal(s), then it might be thought that this document offers rather a listing, valuable and insightful as it is, of how we comprehend who we are and function...or at the least should be and should function or wish to be and wish to function.

If a "guiding vision" is that succinct verbiage that offers us a picture of ourselves in the future, then the picture might be more tactile, I suggest.

If a "vision statement" is a clarification of what we hope to be or want to be or will be in the near future...it seems to me it needs to be much shorter so people can memorize it and say it easily and readily.

I know there seems to be frequent confusion as to the differences between and purposes of (a) a vision statement and (b) a mission statement.

Perhaps one clarifier could be that a "vision statement" inspires people to a specific goal (or goals) in the relatively near future. It needs to be both exhilarating and inspirational.

In these 7 statements I find information on who we are, who we wish to become, and how we might move forward within certain spiritual understandings. What I do not find, at least within my frame of reference, is a brief and concise statement to the future that excites me to really, genuinely, and fully be part of that "drive"-- a statement I can learn, memorize, and easily repeat when the going gets tough and we need to press on.

Again, I realize my comments are spoken from my perspective and without the many days, weeks, and months experience of conversations those who crafted this listing had. So, I recognize I am speaking out of a vacuum of sorts.

And once again, I recognize I may be off base or off the wall with my comments. If so, I seek your patience and understanding!

Also...so that I do not merely offer observations and then leave (smile), I figure I need to offer a "sample" of a motivating, inspiring vision statement...as least one as I see or understand it...

For example: "Within the next ___ (5, 8, or 10) years, the CCSW will become the premier relational, missional, and spiritual region within the denomination."
or
"By 2014 (?) the CCSW will become the premier relational,missional, and spiritual community of churches within the denomination."

Then would come a mission statement that would include approaches as to how we might or hope to arrive there.

Thank you for listening.Respectfully Submitted,
Rev. Terry Rothermich
Memorial Christian Church
1001 Andrews Highway
Midland, TX 79701
trothermich@mccmidland.org
432-694-5321

From: Bill Anderton - 01/16/2009 10:06 AM

Congrat's to the whole NDND team for getting these materials out. Your hard work is appreciated!