TRANSFORMATION PROFILE Helpful Hints: Resources for use in completing this profile should include: ELCA Web page for demographic data and neighboring church info; local planning/zoning authorities; local school boards; chamber of commerce; school board or superintendent office; internet yellow pages. Go to realtor.com or similar web sites; other pastors in the community. Congregation Name and I.D. Number _Saint Paul Lutheran Church, ELCA (05492)___________________ Synod _Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA (2E)____________________________ Address _1100 Indian School Rd NE; Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102‐1617 (Physical)________________ _PO Box 25001; Albuquerque, New Mexico 87125‐0001 (Mailing)___________________________ Pastor _ Patricia L. Holman____________________________________________________________________________________ Phone _(505) 242‐5942/(505) 242‐7067 (fax) E-Mail _info@stpaulabq.org _________________ Director for Evangelical Mission __________________________________________________________ The Congregation – Describe the congregation’s current situation, including any notable factors that contributed to its decline or plateau. 1. When did the congregation “peak?” (When was its heyday?) Based on a membership of 66 years, I would say its peak was approximately from 1955‐1980. 2. What has happened since then to cause that to change? In the mid‐1900's St Paul was a large community of families and children with a thriving Sunday school program. There were active subgroups: couples' club, youth group, vacation bible school. The numbers were large and the activities, upon reflection, were inwardly focused.....Mother‐Daughter banquets, congregational picnics, Confirmation retreats. Then, over the years, especially since the 1970s when we moved to the Indian School Rd location, the aging of the nucleus of members affected the focus of the congregation. Original families had grown up and moved on. With a non‐ neighborhood address, the church was not in location to funnel in new young families. The more mature nature of the members moved the focus toward outreach and social issues. The energy of the active members is now more outwardly focused. There are few active young couples and very few active children and youth. So potential new members are probably not drawn to what we offer unless they are in the demographic of our aging membership. 3.
How many members live in the Primary Service Area (PSA) – usually 1-3 zip codes or 3-5 mile radius? This is a challenging number to gather. Looking at the latest membership directory, approximately 120 members live within this radius. The majority of people drive more than 5 miles to attend and have for years, even when there is another Lutheran church closer to their homes. 4. What is the average weekly worship you believe this congregation can attain in 5 years? Looking at the past 5 years, it is believe a goal of 150 could be obtained. 5. What other factors cause you to believe this congregation can grow and become strong? We can make difficult decisions to alter our spending to match our income if necessary. We have committed and faithful members. We have a wonderful music program and a beautiful worship space than can be shared with the community. St Paul plays an active role in the community of faith in Albuquerque. We have Calico Butterfly, a highly rated daycare/preschool.
6.
What was the average worship attendance PER YEAR for the past 5 years: 158 (2010), 147 (2011), 137 (2012), 121 (2013), & 120 (2014
The Community – Describe the community, including any factors that indicate the congregation has potential for growth and revitalization. (Check www.elca.org/ and go to resources for demographics.) 7. What is the total population in the PSA? St Paul is primarily a destination church—our members drive to our church from all over Albuquerque—from the far north to far west to far east to far south. We do have some members who live within biking/walking distance as well. There is not one area where all our current members live. To answer these questions about our primary service area (PSA), we chose the three zip codes 87102 (the zip code of St Paul and extends from St Paul to the west and south), 87106 (the zip code to the east and south of St Paul), and 87107 (the zip code north of St Paul).
The total population in St Paul’s PSA is 77, 871 with 20, 972 in zip code 87102, 26648 in zip code 87106 and 30251 in 87107. The population is declining in 87102 (‐4% over past decade), increasing in 87106 (.5%) and declining in 87107 (‐2.3%). 8. How many families live in the PSA? The total number of families in St Paul’s PSA is 16,630 with 3975 in 87102, 4852 in 87106, and 7803 in 87107. 9. What is the average age of the area? The median age is 36 with a median of 35 in 87102, 31 in 87106, and 42 in 87107. 10. What is the ethnic make-up? There are only two categories for ethnicity—Hispanic or Non‐Hispanic. Over all, the ethnicity of St Paul’s PSA is 51% Hispanic and 49 % Non‐Hispanic, weighted by zip code population. The breakdown for each zip code is shown. Population Non‐ of each zip Hispanic Zip code Hispanic code 20972 62% 38% 87102 26648
37%
63%
87106
30251 Total for PSA 77871
56%
44%
87107
51%
49%
Within these ethnicities, some about 3 % identify as black and 5% as Native American. 11. What is the average household income for your PSA? The average income for St Paul’s PSA is $52980 (weighted by zip code population). Median Zip Code Income 87102 $44,305 87106
$47,961
87107
$63,416
PSA Average
$52,980
12. What is the median income for the county? The average income for the county is $65,004. 13. What is the rate of growth or decline in the community? The population is declining in 87102 (‐4% over past decade), increasing in 87106 (.5%) and declining in 87107 (‐2.3%). 14. What age, income level, education level, race, or language group accounts for that change? (Who is moving in? Moving out? Yearly turnover rate? Ratio of renters to homeowners?) Some of this information is not discernible from the data St Paul has access to, but we can compare these zip codes to the county as a whole. Overall St Paul’s PSA is less educated and slightly more Hispanic than the county as a whole. The ratio of renters to owner occupied is fairly constant across the three zip codes at 2 to 3.
For zip code 87102, the number of families stayed the same over the past five years at 3976 and the majority of residents have completed some college education (22% did not complete high school, 23.6% with have only a high school diploma). For zip code 87106, the number of families increased by 100 over the past five years to 4852 and majority of residents have completed some college education (11% did not complete high school, and 14% have only a high school education). For zip code 87107, the number of families increased by 30 to 7838 over the past five years, and the majority of residents have completed some college education (13% did not complete high school, and 28% have only a high school education). 15. What other mainline congregations are in the area? Indicate worship attendance. There is only one other church in a one‐mile radius around St Paul—San Ignacio Catholic Church .8 miles away. There are hundreds of churches in St Paul’s PSA from all different denominations.
16. What other Lutheran churches are in the area? St Tim’s Lutheran Church is 3 miles away from St Paul Lutheran. Luther House, which serves the UNM students, is 1.1 miles away. 17. How has the community changed in the years since the congregation’s peak? (Economically, racially, socially, residentially/commercially, in terms of language.) St Paul has become isolated physically in a UNM hospital area. In fact, the closest zip code to St Paul 87131 has zero residents—it is associated with the university. 18. What segment of the population is the congregation most likely to attract? Older retired Lutherans and people who are already familiar with our beliefs and worship style.
The Ministry – Describe the life of your congregation, its activities and mission. 19. What is the congregation’s mission statement? When was it adopted? MISSION STATEMENT (Adopted 2010) St. Paul Lutheran Church, as a community of faith in Christ, is radically welcoming, strives for justice, and loves its neighbors as itself. WELCOMING STATEMENT (Adopted 2005) St. Paul Lutheran Church is committed to becoming a radically loving and welcoming community of faith, rooted in the Good News of Jesus Christ. In faithfulness to the Gospel and our Lutheran heritage, we will with God’s help provide programs, ministries, and pastoral care to all who see God in this place. What does this mean? As we seek to embody our commitment to become a more welcoming community, this means that regardless of your: AGE 3 days old, 30 years old or 130 years old ... CULTURE OR RACE Hispanic, Native American, Asian, Black or White ... ECONOMIC MEANS Employed or not, rent or own or live with parents or are homeless ... EMOTIONAL STATE Happy or struggling with addictions or phobias ... FAITH EXPRESSION OR BACKGROUND Buddhist, Jewish, agnostic, Christian, Muslim, atheist ... FINANCIAL PHILOSOPHY Tithe, hoard, would share it if you had money ... GENDER AND SEXUAL PERSUASION Male or female; straight, gay or lesbian ... HOUSEHOLD STRUCTURE Blended, two‐parent or single parent, with children or not, or solo ... MARITAL STATUS Single, married, partnered, separated or divorced ... PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CAPABILITIES Able, disabled or a person of differing abilities ...
POLITICAL LEANINGS Republican, Democrat, Independent, Socialist, registered to vote or not ... SPIRITUAL CONDITION At peace or having a troubled spirit ... ... or whatever terms you use to describe yourself, You Are Welcome Here. Your gifts are needed at St. Paul for the sake of God’s mission in the world. 20. How well do the current activities and programs help you live out that mission? As a community of faith, St. Paul involves and “feeds” its members and worshipers in such ways as: o Providing educational opportunities on Sunday mornings for children, as well as special classes for those of appropriate age who are preparing for baptism and/or communion. In addition to Sunday morning classes, youth education includes confirmation training and annually sending confirmation age and senior high youth to Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp. Adult education includes Sunday morning issue forums and often special classes during the year, such as “Living the Questions.” o Sponsoring Stephen Ministers who meet the special needs of members of the congregation. o Making prayer shawls to be given to those in need of comfort. o Visiting and taking communion to members who are unable to get to church. o Scheduling fellowship dinner groups which meet on a rotating basis during the year to become better acquainted as individual members. o Enjoying a monthly movie night for dinner, fellowship, and discussion. o Involving members in a strong volunteer corps throughout the church; for Sunday morning worship (assisting ministers, lectors, communion assistants, greeters, ushers, sacristy workers, acolytes, choir members, offering counters, Worship Adventure leaders, welcome center staffers, Friendship Corner hosts, etc.); for the office (answering phones, bulletin preparation, assisting with ongoing activities, etc.); and then the countless unsung volunteers who pull weeds outside, assist with needed repairs and take care of whatever needs to be taken care of. o Supporting a strong women’s support group named Lilith which unfortunately has not been functioning recently. There is a women’s Bible study group meeting monthly. o Addressing issues and concerns through our Talking/Listening Circles (facilitate small group conversations) which are convened whenever needed and led by trained members of the congregation. St. Paul is radically welcoming in its ministry by: o Being aware of the stranger in our midst and offering assistance in becoming acquainted with our facility and our style of worship. Greeters outside and at the entrance to the sanctuary, ushers and other members, as well as the pastor in her opening announcements, provide this welcome. o Making our worship materials as “user friendly” as possible and including our mission and welcoming statements. o Acknowledging that we are a Reconciling in Christ community and in that regard are welcoming to all in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. o Staffing the Visitor’s Corner and offering materials about our congregation. o Providing our new welcoming Labyrinth Garden for use by all including the dialysis center and the cancer center. o Including all in our Friendship Corner gathering time for refreshments and conversation following worship. St. Paul strives for justice when members are active in: o Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in NM and attend legislative sessions and advocacy and issue training events, and advocate for the poor and marginalized in New Mexico. o Albuquerque Interfaith and advocate for the poor and marginalized in our community. o The Adopted Families project which manages the collection, distribution and delivery of useful household items to individuals and families in need, as well as providing financial support when needed.
The annual “God’s Work, Our Hands” activities, such as assembling giveaway bags for the homeless on the streets and this year assembling 70 backpacks with school supplies for children through Cristo Rey Lutherano in El Paso, Texas, our Mission Partner congregation. o Friends Feeding Friends and providing monthly meals for those in need. o Breast Cancer Walks. o CROP Walks. o Food collection for the Storehouse. o Any educational activity that informs our action for justice. o Participates with a float and multiple volunteers in Albuquerque’s annual Pride Parade and Interfaith Worship Services. St. Paul loves its neighbors as itself by: o Supporting our ministry of Calico Butterfly Preschool, a highly rated daycare and preschool serving families in the university neighborhood and beyond. o Collaborating with Camino de Vida congregation, a Hispanic ministry in Albuquerque’s south valley. o Providing quilts and lap robes for those most in need (include LFS‐RM refugee families) through our Sewing Circle. o Providing special cakes for the residents of the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute in Las Vegas, NM. o Committing support to our Mission Partner congregation, Cristo Rey Lutherano in El Paso, Texas, and its Border Immersion Project. o Providing financial assistance to the ministries of our global and community partners, such as Bread for the World, ELCA World Hunger, Malaria Fund and locally, New Mexico Conference of Churches, Lutheran Campus Ministry and the Storehouse. o
21. What things do you think the congregation would most resist changing? Our traditional style of Lutheran worship which includes a strong music program. How the building is used, or not used, when maintenance costs take so much of the financial resources. o We’ve already moved to one service which certainly wasn’t easy to do after a long history of at least two services. We carefully worked through the decision of going from two services to one service, but we haven't had time yet to judge the congregation's reaction once that significant change is in place for awhile. 22. What are the barriers you see to growth in the congregation? Have very few youth Are located in a mostly business/university/university medical buildings neighborhood. Most of our members do not live nearby, but are scattered throughout the city and outlying areas Have an aging congregation 23. What is the congregation’s greatest strength? How will it serve the redevelopment? The community. Those who attend and are involved are the glue of the congregation. We are a very welcoming church. There is a core group leaders that want to figure out how to best help the congregation with its declining membership and aging facilities. 24. Describe the congregation’s worship life (style, resources, instruments, participants.) Summer Worship Style o Use a different liturgy. This year it is Marty Haugen’s Tree of Life o Have children’s sermon since children are in the service the entire time o We now use offering station in addition to baptismal remembrance station and prayer candle station referred to as “open space” during worship service
o Following the service there is coffee and snacks Rest of Year Worship Style o Still hasn’t been defined since we are moving to one service on Sundays o Children will go to worship adventures during sermon o The open space opportunities will stay the same. o There will be coffee before the service at 9:00, worship at 9:30, and coffee and snacks after the service o Education for children, youth, and adults at 10:45 Resources o Pastor Holman supported by volunteer lay assisting ministers o Music Director, choir, and Organist (part‐time) o Volunteer lay communion assistants o Volunteer Lectors o Volunteer Ushers/Greeters o Acolytes from the youth membership o Volunteers providing altar care, pew care, collection counting, as well as opening/closing church Instruments o Church contains a pipe organ (valued in excess of $500,000), an organette, three grand pianos, and one upright piano o Summer Choir off in July and August During that time we have different music events, piano, vocalists, groups o Other times Mostly just organ and choir. Occasionally there are other instruments. Always other instruments at Easter When we had an early service the piano and organette was used
The Facility – Describe the state of repair of your current facility and its location. 25. Is it a welcoming, attractive place (consider inside and outside?) The current facilities that house Saint Paul were opened in 1971 and are an iconic feature of the Albuquerque skyline. Its sweeping roofline is often compared to the bow of a ship. The church spaces (Sanctuary, offices, fellowship hall, support facilities, etc.) occupy 22,000 square feet. The lower level of the administrative wing houses Calico Butterfly Pre‐School in 7,000 square feet. The Sanctuary space surrounds the altar and features a beautiful pipe organ, choir loft, as well as custom stain glass and furnishings. There is a two story support area behind the Sanctuary that contains additional classrooms, choir spaces, and a small chapel. In spring 2015 to “kick‐off” our 125th Anniversary year activates, Saint Paul dedicated an eight‐cycle labyrinth surrounded by native landscaping and three shade structures. His new out‐side mediation garden now provides a beautiful and welcoming entry into the church. The labyrinth also houses the bell rescued from Saint Paul previous home after it was destroyed by fire.
26. Is it in good repair, and appropriately heated and cooled? The building is entering its forty‐fifth year, and unfortunately was beginning to show its age. Maintenance and utility costs were on the increase, but in 2013, the Congregation dedicated itself and resources to “staying in the building”. This decision included the hiring of a property manager (part time) and the approval to construct the labyrinth in a previously neglected vacant space adjacent to the most‐used entry to the church. The addition of the property manager has significantly improved the facility and operating plant – utility savings are beginning to be realized and noticeable facility improvements are being seen. These decisions understandably impacted the operating expenses for the church. 27. What is the seating capacity of the worship space? The fellowship space? The classroom space? Is it accessible to the physically challenged? Seating Space Note Capacity Sanctuary Only – Comfortably but Worship 500 additional seating for 60+ can be added Fellowship 109 Fire Marshall Occupancy Hall Estimate includes Choir Music 150 Loft and Two Rehearsal Spaces Estimate include Calico‐ Butterfly Pre‐School, Classrooms 210 Library, Conference Room, and Youth Education Spaces Most of the facilities within Saint Paul are handicap accessible except the choir loft and second floor area behind the Sanctuary. This second floor area houses storage, youth education classrooms and an additional choir practice space. The sidewalk leading to Calico‐Butterfly Pre‐school is useable; but is not fully compliant as a handicap access ramp. Saint Paul recently modified pews to accommodate and be more welcoming to the physically challenged and disabled. 28. What is the capacity of parking? There are a total of 162 parking spaces, 12 of which are designated as reserved for handicap parking. 29. Is it located on a major road? How many cars drive past during a typical peak time? Saint Paul is located on the corner of two major northeast arteries in Albuquerque – University Boulevard and Indian School Road. There is no published traffic volume available for this intersection. 30. Is it easy to locate? Saint Paul is easily accessible from both University Boulevard and Indian School Road. University Boulevard is accessible from Interstate 40. The church is visible from the “Big I”, the intersection of Interstate 25 and Interstate 40, and is often used a point of reference to other destinations due to its unique roofline. However since the access from the major interstate intersection is not direct, although you can see the church, “you can’t get there from here”.
31. If you were starting a church today, is this the facility you would build in the location you would choose? Why or why not? This is an interesting question that was recently debated as Saint Paul re‐evaluated our insurance coverage prior to renewal. The consensus answer was “NO”. The current facility is larger than needed for our current congregation, and is not easily maintained. Since we are a “destination” church rather than a neighbor hood church, we would probably not even re‐build at the same site if we were to experience a catastrophic loss. Financial Stewardship – Describe the resources of the congregation and its partners. 32. What reason do you have to believe that your congregation can support a radical transformation? In other words, what financial resources (pledged income, savings, assets, partner support, etc.) would your congregation be putting on the table to make this happen? While the average contribution per giver (~$3000/yr) has increased by nearly 50% in recent years, that has been more than offset by a decline in membership and its associate decline in the number of givers. We do not expect any additional increase in giving from our current members. The congregation has an endowment, currently valued at ~$900,000. Approximately 5% of this value ($45,000) is available each year for mission – typically this money is used for benevolence of one type or another. The congregation has a fund of unrestricted money from bequests and memorials of about $140,000. This money is available for special projects. The congregation has an operating reserve of about $80,000 (as of 6/30/2015). However, this money is being consumed at the rate of about $50,000/year due to deficit spending. We expect to consume a significant portion (perhaps all) of this reserve by the time that we reestablish financial equilibrium. 33. What has been the “bottom line” EACH YEAR for the past 5 years? List your congregation’s total income, expense, and balance for each year: From the Annual Reports, but see note a) Year 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
SPLC $338,000 $361,000 $382,000 $352,000 $393,000
Income Calico $468,000 $486,000 $455,000 $399,000 $381,000
Total $806,000 $847,000 $837,000 $751,000 $774,000
SPLC $244,000 $339,000 $357,000 $383,000 $411,000
Expense Calico Shared $424,000 $191,000 $467,000 $422,000 $421,000 $382,000
Total $859,000 $806,000 $779,000 $804,000 $793,000
Balance ($53,000) $41,000 $58.000 ($53,000) ($19,000)
Same as the previous table, but attempting to pull out shared expenses to create an apples-to-apples comparison for each year (see note b) Year SPLC 2014 $338,000 2013 $361,000 2012 $382,000 2011 $352,000 2010 $393,000 NOTES:
Income Calico $468,000 $486,000 $455,000 $399,000 $381,000
Total $806,000 $847,000 $837,000 $751,000 $774,000
SPLC $244,000 $254,000 $262,000 $283,000 $303,000
Expense Calico Shared $424,000 $191,000 $423,000 $129,000 $390,000 $127,000 $392,000 $129,000 $370,000 $120,000
Total $859,000 $806,000 $779,000 $804,000 $793,000
Balance ($53,000) $41,000 $58.000 ($53,000) ($19,000)
a.
b.
c.
For all years prior to 2014, benevolence pass‐throughs have been removed from both the income and expense totals. These items were formally removed from the operational accounts beginning in 2014. For years prior to 2014, Calico assessments for shared expenses (facilities, insurance, etc.) were $44,000 (2013), $32,000 (2012), $29,000 (2011), $12,000 (2010). Shared expenses are tracked separately beginning in 2014. The items currently tracked as shared expenses are shown in the second table for each year, with appropriate adjustments to the SPLC and Calico Expense totals. A property manager was hired beginning in 2014 at an annual cost of $41,000. Calico had a fiscal year running from July 1 to June 30 until the middle of 2011. For 2010 and 2011, the numbers shown are simply the average of value of the totals for the two fiscal years that fall in the given calendar year.
34. What is the total amount of debt, if any, your congregation is carrying? List the lenders to whom the debt is owed and the amount owed. The congregation has no debt. However, the congregation has a full‐time preschool program with an annual budget of about $470,000, compared to the annual budget of $330,000 for the church without the preschool (total annual budget of $800,000). What this means is that a relatively small deficit on the part of the preschool (in percentage terms) has a huge impact on the church finances, since it has to be covered from general contributions. In addition, the congregation occupies a 29,000 sq. ft. building built in 1971, which must be maintained by the combination of the preschool and general contributions. This is a significant financial liability. Having an on‐site preschool means that property issues generally have to be addressed immediately as they arise. In order to manage this requirement the congregation has had to hire a part‐time (25 hours/week) property manager. Including the property manager’s compensation, the congregation is currently spending about $160,000/year to maintain the building, which amounts to about half of the annual general contributions from congregation members. 35. What is the total value of savings and endowments, if any, that the congregation has in reserve? See question 32 above. In addition to the assets listed there, the congregation has about $75,000 in temporarily restricted funds for various purposes – Youth, Music, Capital Improvements, etc. It also administers two endowed scholarships with a combined corpus of about $130,000. However, most of the scholarship money is highly restricted (must be a member of the congregation and be attending a Lutheran or Baptist college or seminary full‐time). The unrestricted scholarship has a corpus of about $40,000, and provides $1500‐$2000/year in scholarships.