Donegal Presbyterian Church

Next Decade Team begins meetings

The Next Decade Team had its first meeting on July 27th. The team is charged with considering the needs of our church for the next 2 -3 years and recommending actions, activities, and directions for our church to take. The team consists of Linda Campbell, Steve Douple, Tina Enck, Norene Fessler, Sally Harvey, Tom McKinnon, and Greg Musser. Steve and Sally have agreed to be co-chairs of the team. Steve Sturgis is also working with the team as a facilitator. The team met again on August 24th, so the results of that meeting were too late to make this edition of the Witness; however, news will come from the team shortly on where they are heading. To learn more, talk with anyone on the team!

What Is The Next Decade Team?

The Session of Donegal Presbyterian Church has the responsibility "to lead the congregation continually to discover what God is doing in the world and plan for change, renewal, and reformation under the Word of God." (Book of Order, section G-10.0102j.)

Donegal Presbyterian Church has not performed any long-range studies since 2003. The Session believes it is time for a systematic, thoughtful, and prayerful planning process for the church. Accordingly, the Session, at its June 17, 2010 meeting commissioned a team to be called "The Next Decade Team" with responsibilities of conducting a planning process with the church. The Session has formed a separate team as they feel the need for a planning process, but realize that governance of the church must continue. A specifically designated planning team will have freedom to study and analyze, yet not be bounded by worrying about day-to-day church matters. The Session has called the team considering the needs of the church and the skills and abilities of its members.

The Next Decade Team has these responsibilities:

1) To organize the team for a planning process, including naming its own chairperson.

2) To consider needs of Donegal Presbyterian Church in the next 2 to 3 years.

3) To gather appropriate data related to current conditions and future conditions.

4) To consider and recommend actions, activities, and directions for our church to take.

5) To keep the congregation involved and regularly informed of activities undertaken by the Team.

6) To report back to the Session with recommendations by the January 2011 Session meeting.

The Session authorized expenditures of up to $400 for planning related costs. Expenditures exceeding this amount need to be cleared through Session in advance.

Actions recommended by the Next Decade Team will return to the Session for review and action.

The Session has responsibility for implementation of recommendations made by the Team.

Last update: 08/29/10