St. Gregory's is developing a strategic plan-and we need your help. The more we understand about your spiritual needs and desires-and the more you understand about the strategic planning process-the better plan we can create.
Over the coming month, you'll hear quite a bit about RenewalWorks (RW). RW is a ministry of the Episcopal Church that helps refocus parishes (and the individuals in them) on spiritual vitality. Through a guided methodology of self-reflection, sharing, and workshop discussion, RW challenges congregations to focus on spiritual growth, identifying specific ways that we are called to grow in love of God and neighbor. This work is based on 10 years of research and examination, uncovering key characteristics of vital Episcopal congregations.
The process begins with an anonymous, confidential, and thought-provoking online Spiritual Life Inventory (SLI), which each member of the congregation is invited and encouraged to complete. The SLI is actually a powerful spiritual exercise. Parishioners often report that simply taking the SLI is an important reawakening in evaluating their own spiritual needs and desires.
Responses are then statistically compiled into a snapshot of the congregation's overall spiritual vitality. The parish then forms a Leadership Team to undertake four guided workshops, exploring the topics of spiritual growth informed by the survey findings. From there, St. Gregory's will develop congregation-wide growth initiatives.
This data will also inform Phase 2 (February 2016 - April 2016) of the strategic planning process that will examine the other vital components of life at St. Gregory's: worship space, capital needs, ministry leadership and structure, and staffing needs.
The SLI takes 35-40 minutes to complete and is available to the congregation over three weeks and four Sundays, beginning on Sunday, October 11. Stay tuned for further details!
St. Gregory's: On the Road from Good to Great!
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