Long-Range Plan

Adopted on February 1, 2001

Revised October 15, 2002

By the Administrative Board

Introduction

Highlands United Methodist Church is a part of the universal church, a worldwide community of all true believers under the Lordship of Christ.  The church exists in and for the world, where, under the discipline of the Holy Spirit, it seeks to “provide for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers, and the redemption of the world.”  (The Book of Discipline, p. 21)

The basic mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ by proclaiming the good news of God's grace, thus seeking the fulfillment of God's Kingdom.  Jesus' words in the gospel of Matthew define our mission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that 1 have commanded you.”

We make disciples as we:

The local church provides the most significant arena through which disciple making occurs.  The function of the local church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is to help people to know Jesus Christ personally and to live their daily lives in light of their relationship with God.

It is in light of this basic self-understanding of our identity and mission that we, the congregation of the Highlands United Methodist Church, seek to prepare ourselves for the future.  The following vision and priorities statements have been developed in an attempt to be faithful to who we are and what the Lord wants us to do.

Mission Statement

'Win, Disciple, Glorify, Serve"

Win individuals to the saving grace of God through His Son, Jesus;

Disciple these individuals in the community of faith, the Church;

Glorify God; and

Serve the greater community and its people.

Vision Statement

(A Picture of our Church in the Year 2010)

Highlands United Methodist Church is a strong, vibrant, Christ-centered church located in Highlands on Main Street with well-developed ministries, programs, and facilities, which meet the needs of its membership and the Community.

The membership is well diversified with respect to age and gender.  It has doubled over the past 5 years.  There are active programs for and involvement from both seniors and young families.  There is a strong membership base of year round residents that is complemented by a committed group of seasonal and weekend members.  There are many small group activities going on at the Church through out the week.  Small groups are focused on bible study, educational interests, and community service and are organized by age, gender and special interests, such as singles, parents, widows, etc.  These are complimented by several opportunities for the membership to come together as a whole for fellowship and food.

The Church facilities are comfortable and inviting.  They are well developed to support small group activities and corporate worship & gatherings.  The facilities are very accessible to those with handicaps or other limitations.  Wellspring has been developed with a peaceful garden and pond area that incorporates a Memorial Garden.  An amphitheater has been built to provide an outdoor worship and meeting space.  A facility has been built at Wellspring that houses a Child Day Care, space for counseling, administrative offices, a music room, class/meeting rooms, an Elder Day Care, recreation, an After School Program, etc.  Wellspring has been connected to the Main Street property in such a way that makes it very accessible.  The Main Street facilities have been renovated to include more space for Worship, offices, choir room, etc.  A cooperative effort with the Town of Highlands has added additional parking using the alley and Wellspring.

The mission work of the Church has both a local and global focus.  Members actively participate by the giving of their prayers, presence, gifts and service, supporting many different ministry organizations and missionaries both at home and abroad.  They volunteer on several Mission Teams that are supported by the Church.  There is a strong involvement from the Lay membership in support of the minister and his staff with respect to visitation and evangelism.

The staff of the Church is very progressive and enthused about the Church and its work.  There is excellent leadership being provided by the Senior Minister who is supported by two other ordained ministers focusing on small group development, music, visitation, education, Youth activities, Lay volunteer coordination, etc.  A business manager administers the organization, finances, and communication needs.  There are very exciting and well-attended ministries for children, youth, adults, and seniors.  Communication with the membership has improved significantly utilizing many avenues and formats.  Technology has been developed to support the communications effort of such a widespread congregation.  The Church now has an exciting interactive website.

Corporate Worship continues to be the highlight of the Church's activities.  Several services are now offered each with their own style and appeal.  There are services on Saturday.  There is a praise service with more contemporary music.  Through out all the services preaching and music remain excellent.  The space for all the worship services is comfortable and inviting.  Worship services are supported with an advanced, high tech, audiovisual system.

Priorities: 1-10 years

1. Develop plan for the use of Wellspring Property both for the-short term and long term.  Utilize the report regarding space utilization.  Responsibility: New Ad Hoe Team, “Master Site Planning Team” appointed by the Administrative Board.  Time frame: Short term.

2. Reach out to the un-churched in the Community through a variety of programs and ministry.  Develop programs that incorporate new members in the Church and establish them in a small group and a Sunday School Class.  Continue emphasis on Youth and increase focus on Seasonal Residents and Families.  Utilize Staff and Lay visitation program.  Responsibility: New "New Member Outreach Committee" appointed by the Administrative Board.  Time frame: Short term.

3. Establish a program for monitoring new member participation and insuring they are “plugged in.”  Develop a program of follow-up to contact members whose Church participation has fallen off.  Responsibility: Evangelism Committee.  Time frame: Short term.

4. Develop program of Visitation incorporating Staff and Lay resources.  Visitation would be to current members who are sick, housebound, etc.  Responsibility: Congregational Care Committee. Time Frame: Short term.

5. Increase activities during the week for Adults.  Develop small group activities.  Build on current groups such as Sunday School, Bible studies, Women's and Men's groups, etc.  Small groups may be based on age, gender, special interests.  Responsibility:  Discipleship Ministry Committee.  Time frame: Short term.

6. Improve communications to the Church membership regarding activities, programs, classes, business activities, finances, etc.  Responsibility: New “Communications Committee” appointed by the Administrative Board. Time Frame: Short term.

7. Formalize the long range planning process that has begun so that it is a part of the Church's regular activities.  Responsibility: Administrative Board.  Time frame: Short term.

8. Improve Committee participation and attendance; establish responsibility and expectations for Committee members.  Responsibility: Administrative Board and Committee Chairpersons.  Time frame: Short term.

9. Review current staffing and make recommendations for staffing changes to meet needs and additional programming requirements.  Determine the feasibility of establishing a position for an appointed full time Associate Pastor with responsibilities such as visitation and business administration.  This may help with the needs of pastoral care and business functions with the addition of one experienced individual.  Determine the feasibility of establishing a position of “Business Administrator.”  This may help with the needs for business management.  Responsibility: Pastor Parish Relations Committee.  Time frame: Short term.

10. Review Worship Service, including preaching, music, and lay participation for the purpose of continuing excellence.  Determine opportunities for different styles of worship to meet the interests of our different membership groups.  Responsibility: Worship and Music Committee.  Time frame: Short term.

Notes:  The order for listing these priorities in no way reflects their priority.  Committees are a permanent part of the Church's organization.  Teams are not permanent and dissolve when their work is completed.  Time frames: Short term: 1-3 yrs.; Medium term 4-6 yrs.; Long term 7-10 yrs.

Master Site Plan

Draft Brief

February 11, 2002

The basis for this Master Site Plan Brief is the Vision Statement adopted by the Church in 2001.  It should be read as an accompanying document.  The key elements in the Vision Statement that are to be incorporated in this Brief are as follows:

The following is the Architectural Brief which is to be the guiding document for the Architect to understand the scope of work desired by the Church and to develop a quote for his/her design work to develop planning drawings for review by the Church.  The Architect will work closely with the Church's Master Site Planning Team while doing this design work.

Main Street Property

Sanctuary Space:  The Sanctuary has been expanded to scat +/- 400 members comfortably.  This has been accomplished through a redesign of the balcony, a review and redesign of existing seating in the main Sanctuary area and “Chapel” area, and a major addition.  The acoustics of the area have been greatly improved.  The addition has created a flexible space that can be closed off and accommodate group meetings of 50.  This flexible space is also well supported with good audio/visual equipment for presentations requiring such support.

Sanctuary Choir Area:  The Choir space has been renovated to accommodate +/- 50 Choir members.  The space for the organ pipes has been expanded to accommodate additional pipes and organ equipment.  The organ/console should be appropriately placed so organist can hear the choir and direct the choir.

Sanctuary Entry Area:  This space has been redesigned to improve the visibility of the existing stain glass windows. It also now provides a crying room with visibility of the worship service but is sound proof.

Chapel:  A small Chapel has been added to accommodate individual or small group worship.

Choir Practice Room:  A room for the Choir has been developed which will accommodate +/- 50 members.  This room has storage for choir robes, music, built in risers, etc.  There is room for a piano.  This room has good access to the Sanctuary for processionals.  This room is sound proofed and isolated to allow practice while other activities are occurring and not be disruptive.  This room with its built-in risers could be a good room for presentations and performances for groups of +/- 50 so should have a good audio and AV setup.

Sacristy:  An appropriately sized Sacristy has been developed with easy access to the Sanctuary.

Administrative Offices:  There are five administrative offices appropriately located to support the Church's Minister, two assistant Ministers, Intern, Secretary, 2^nd Secretary, and bookkeeper.  A work area has been created for copying and other assembly work.

Coffee Bar:  A Coffee Bar has been developed to provide an area for small food preparation to support meetings and provide an area for fellowship before meetings and classes.

Library:  A library exists to support reading and research by the staff and Church members.  This room also supports meetings of small groups.

Classrooms:  There are 6 classrooms for:  2 adult classes, senior high, middle school, 2 elementary classes, and preschool.

Nursery:  A Nursery exists for 3 infants and several preschoolers.

Preschool:  The Preschool has space to accommodate 30 preschoolers.  The space should be reviewed to determine if some flexibility can be achieved where the space might be able to be used to accommodate other Church space needs on weekends/Sundays, evenings, and afternoons.

Elevator:  An elevator has been added to better access the lower level of the building and the Wellspring property.                            -

Support facilities:  There are sufficient bathrooms on both levels.  There is sufficient heating, cooling and dehumidification of all spaces.

Wellspring Property

Fellowship Hall:  A Fellowship Hall has been developed which accommodates 200 seats.  There is a "commercial" kitchen next to the seating space which supports the feeding of such groups.  The seating area has flexibility with dividers to reconfigure the space as required by the needs and size of the groups using it.  This Hall takes advantage of this location with good lighting, outdoor visibility, and access to a large deck and picnic area.  The deck space is setup for cookouts and eating areas with easy access to a ground picnic area.  This space will accommodate receptions.

Meeting Space:  Three meeting areas are to be developed.  One area is for large groups of 75 and two areas for groups of 20.

Parking:  Parking has been developed on the property to support the Fellowship Hall.  Access across the property has been developed to make Spring Street parking easier to use for activities at Wellspring and the Church.  Can additional Parking be developed along the alleyway?

Storage Space:  Several areas are to be developed for storage now and future expansion latter.

Wellspring property should be considered as the area to support moving any activity off of the Main Street property.