Dreaming God's Dreams - Part II

This Sunday, September 16, 2012, Rev. Bryson Lillie, one of our Associate Pastors, shared a message exploring the second part of our Long Range Plan which contains nine "strategic goals" that will focus our ministry for the next ten years. These strategic goals are set in place now, but they are open to adjustment and change as God moves us into the future. The idea is to review them annually to see (1) what we are achieving and (2) what may need modifying to take into account the realities of our community and ministry at that time. The nine strategic goals in place for 2012-13 and providing guidance for the next ten years are as follows.


By 2022, we envision Ft. Collins FUMC will:

1. Be a congregation committed to:

A. Following the guidance of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, emphasizing His Good News message of Love, Compassion, Forgiveness, Peace, and Justice.

B. Functioning in accordance with the principles of the United Methodist quadrilateral: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience.

2. Be a congregation of choice in Fort Collins for persons seeking:

• A. Worship, social interaction, and personal faith journey growth with other Christians.
• B. A warm, comforting place which welcomes people with diverse spiritual views, Christian beliefs, and theology.
• C. A congregation with a commitment to outreach and service, where one can make a contribution of time and resources for the betterment of our church, our community, our nation, and the world.

3. Be a congregation with a membership of 2,250*, and an annual operating budget of $2,000,000+,* each of which has grown significantly since 2012 as a result of:

• A. The expansion of local outreach and other ministries to our community.
• B. The support and establishment of new worship/activity sites in Northern Colorado.
• C. Planned intentional efforts which have created a church environment designed to promote increased membership and Christian commitment.

* Based on a net growth of 50 new members per year and an annual increase in giving which equals or exceeds the change in the CPI (estimated herein to be 3% annually).

4. Be a congregation with a central campus and operations located at the intersection of Elizabeth and Stover Streets*:

• A. Which is committed to have its physical facilities, technology, and other equipment effectively expanded, as needed, to serve its expanding ministries.
• B. Whose organization, staffing, and operational capabilities are increased and/or modified to support fully both its internal and external ministries.
• C. Which has been instrumental in the expansion of the church into additional sites in Fort Collins and along the northern Colorado I-25 Corridor since 2012.

* Subject to changing conditions in the next decade.

5. Be a congregation committed to the development and support of strong small groups:

• A. Which involve more people in the life of the church, and
• B. Which are a major factor in the church being more outward-looking and service-providing in the community. 

6. Be a congregation committed to:

• A. Encouraging each of its members to volunteer in some way to achieve the Mission of the church.
• B. Maintaining an effective and robust volunteer program directed by a qualified coordinator who recruits, trains, and assists all church volunteers.
• C. Operating a volunteer program which recognizes and positively reinforces the contributions made by each person. 

7. Be a congregation which:

• A. Continues its long term commitment to traditional forms of worship services and music, recognizing their significant role for our congregants.
• B. Also makes a commitment of staff, space, equipment and funding to offer non-traditional music and worship formats for our church and community.

8. Be a congregation committed to a ministry of Christian education which:

• A. Actively encompasses unique educational opportunities for all age groupings.
• B. Stays innovative and original in content to promote widespread interest and participation of not only our congregants, but also other significant segments of our community.

9. Be a congregation with active and outwardly oriented programs of service and nurturing whose inclusive ministries:

• A. Address:

Spiritual poverty,
Physical poverty,
Inequities in economic status,
Needed systemic changes in our community that can reduce such conditions.

• B. Partner with local governments, other faith-based entities, and local charitable organizations to establish and operate programs and facilities which serve others.
• C. Encourage more financial support and personal congregant participation which supports national and international missions and aid.