Annual Report: 2014

2014 ANNUAL REPORT

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FORWARD MOMENTUM What if you had to give an annual report to God? Wow, that could get interesting.

What did you do with your time – 8,760 hours? What did you do with your money? How did you participate in God’s work in the world? In what ways did you execute justice and mercy? Who did you help and what lives did you change? What’s your greatest weakness and need for improvement?

How will you go about pursuing that growth in the coming year?

That would be some annual report! Yet, are we not accountable to God? We cannot work our way into God’s graces, but we work out our gratitude because we already have God’s graces.

When a person, or a church, provides an annual report, is it not an accounting of our response to God’s grace? Is it not a record and assessment of our discipleship? We’re not in business, we’re in ministry.

Hopefully, the annual report you are about to read will reflect just that.

We are extremely grateful to all who gave of themselves during 2014.

We invite every member to be in ministry in this year to come.

To God be the glory!

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administration 2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

COUNCIL

FACILITIES

Coordinated issues and projects among our ministry teams; pursued identification and exploration of church management software packages, initiated formation of task group to work through selection, implementation and assessment phases.

Began planning for D-building renovation; partnered with Worship Council to obtain Session approval on the $500,000 sanctuary audio/visual/lighting initiative; laid groundwork to begin sanctuary lighting and sound upgrades when funds are available.

FINANCE

PERSONNEL

Developed and evaluated multi-year/multi-fund financial scenarios to enhance fiscal flexibility; operated for full year with no external debt; prepared 2015 operating budget with full recognition of complete costs following campus expansion and renovation projects.

Recruited and conducted on-boarding process for new outreach team leader, Derek Macleod; examined compensation packages to ensure competitive position.

COMMUNICATIONS Launched mobile app; developed branding for new initiatives such as Emerging Leaders Challenge, D2 Challenge and 20+ discipleship classes; concluded yearlong process and launched new bulletin format; partnered with Celebrate team on creation of weekly presentation; originated The Word graphics; and executed three Journey editions.

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2015 GOALS

COUNCIL

FACILITIES

Pursue options for a number of church-wide information technology needs.

Collaborate with ministry teams to identify and respond to needs for modified and upgraded space and mechanical systems; plan most effective use of available funds across multiple years to keep structures, vehicles and equipment in order.

FINANCE

PERSONNEL

Work with stewardship and other ministry teams to maximize effective use of financial resources from our operating budget as well as the endowment, designated gifts, and capital funds to deliver meaningful worship, learning, and serving experiences.

Support the interim and permanent senior pastor searches; sustain the work of our committed program and support staff members who serve to extend and multiply the efforts of ministry teams throughout the church.

COMMUNICATIONS Continue planning and begin execution of a multi-staged space animation project to optimize church campus, inspire discipleship, and reflect the passion of our congregation.

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financials

2014 APPROVED BUDGET EXPENSES

$

%

Adult Education

170,064

3.00

Children & Their Families

239,704

4.23

Congregational Life

248,073

4.38

Denominational Support

290,305

5.12

1,257,141

22.18

Outreach

825,349

14.56

Pastoral Care

318,150

5.61

1,445,787

25.50

Stewardship

150,592

2.66

Worship

489,959

8.64

Youth & Their Families

233,660

4.12

TOTAL EXPENSES

5,668,784

Facilities

Program Support Services

4.12% 8.64%

100.00

3.00% 4.23% 4.38% 5.12%

2.66%

Adult Education Children & Their Families Congregational Life Denominational Support Facilities

25.50%

22.18%

Outreach Pastoral Care Program Support Services Stewardship Worship Youth & Their Families

5

5.61%

14.56%

2015 APPROVED BUDGET EXPENSES

$

%

Adult Education

173,444

2.98

Children & Their Families

242,357

4.16

Congregational Life

228,802

3.93

Denominational Support

305,759

5.25

1,400,903

24.03

Outreach

829,459

14.23

Pastoral Care

323,962

5.56

1,440,462

24.71

Stewardship

170,901

2.93

Worship

475,485

8.16

Youth & Their Families

236,366

4.06

TOTAL EXPENSES

5,827,900

Facilities

Program Support Services

4.06% 8.16%

100.00

2.98% 4.16% 3.93% 5.25%

2.93%

Adult Education Children & Their Families Congregational Life Denominational Support Facilities

24.71%

24.03%

Outreach Pastoral Care Program Support Services Stewardship Worship Youth & Their Families

5.56%

14.23%

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2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

NEW OFFERINGS

Launched D2.2 in September for more than 50 participants to build on what they learned in the 201314 D2 Challenge (Deeper Discipleship); and began the 2014-15 D2 Challenge for 50+ adults on Friday mornings.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Introduced Men of Purpose, a new adult Sunday School class led by Joe Helweg and Todd Wilson.

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

Partnered with In Christ Supporting Ministries on two Foundations in Christ workshops.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Trained new class of 28 church officers (12 elders and 12 deacons, two youth elders and two youth deacons); initiated an eight-week Emerging Leaders class with over 100 participants; and joined with our outreach ministry to offer a spiritual equipping class for lay ministry leaders.

COMMUNICATION Developed individual discipleship class branding for use in print material, website, flat-screens and Celebrate worship.

FOUNDATIONS LAID

Offered first online weekly Bible Study group through video conferencing; and unveiled Table 20, a new fellowship and study group for members in their 20s.

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adult education “At Myers Park Presbyterian, cultivating faith is more than a Sunday activity. Hundreds of adults take part in learning activities on Sunday mornings, but nearly 200 men and women engage in Bible study throughout the week as well.

This speaks to our continued hunger for God’s word and our church’s call to meet that need.”

Jannica Greife, Adult Education Chair

2015 GOALS NURTURE

and solidify Table 20.

INCREASE

the number of discipleship (small) groups.

OPTIMIZE

adult faith formation marketing communications.

OFFER

a fall educational trip to Greece (and optionally to Turkey) to follow Paul’s missionary journeys.

CONTINUE

to experiment with new technologies to deliver adult education.

children & their families “Myers Park Presbyterian is blessed to have a growing community of children and young families. It is a joy to serve in this ministry where we nurture the faith formation of the children, build fellowship and relationships among the families, and provide opportunities for service within the church and through outreach programs.�

Mary Beth Pope Children and Their Families Ministry Chair

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2014

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

ELEMENTARY COORDINATOR

KINDERGARTEN MILESTONE

Searched for, and hired, Nicole Newton, to minister to our elementary-aged children.

Established this class for kindergarteners and their parents to focus on worship and further our overall learning continuum.

SPROUT OUTREACH VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Heightened understanding of outreach among children ages three through third-grade, and promoted serving alongside their families.

Revamped the schedule and increased the biblical focus.

WEEKDAY SCHOOL

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Transitioned the faith development class to the Godly Play model; and initiated the Weekday Wonders afterschool care for alumni families.

Launched a new workshop rotation model for first through fifth-graders to enhance learning, and appeal to all learning styles.

SECOND-GRADE MILESTONE

Introduce a milestone which focuses on prayer and furthers our learning continuum.

NEW MEMBERS

2015 GOALS

Partner with new member team to welcome incoming families with children.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LEADERS

Expand roles and equip teachers to help plan and lead workshop rotation lessons.

DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING

Improve process for calling, training and developing disciples and staff.

WEEKDAY SCHOOL

Work with facilities team to plan a learning kitchen and other building improvements.

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clerk's council 2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

TRANSITION TEAM Formed a team – Ann Caulkins, Vicki Garrett, Ray Killian, Allen Woodward, Dale Allison and Millie Snyder – to work on behalf of the Session to plan and oversee activities related to pastoral transition; met with Presbytery liaison, developed plan, monitored Interim Pastor search, and communicated with the congregation.

VISIONING TEAM Solicited and assessed feedback and priorities from deacons, elders and staff.

Engaged consultant Howard Mason to assist with our congregational listening ministry; developed questions for the listening ministry.

DENOMINATIONAL RELATIONS TEAM Named Marc Brinks, Vicki Garrett, Jim Miller, Roger Mills and staff resource Steve Eason; supported Ashley Cheek, Will Davis, Phillip Eason and Liz Wagner in their ministry calls; endorsed Katherine Atkins as an inquirer; oversaw Presbytery and General Assembly relationships.

ASSIGNMENTS TEAM Assigned officers to ministries and recommended individuals for the Transition Team, the Interim Pastor Search Committee and Officer Nominating Committee.

RESIDENCY/INTERN PROGRAM TEAM Formed a task force to evaluate -- Betsy Anderson, Rob Atkins, Charlie Stewart, Scottie Trapp, Bill Warren, Rainey Way, Millie Snyder and Susan Austin; researched national residency/intern models.

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GOD IS WORKING IN AND THROUGH MANY PEOPLE HERE “Our eight councils are made up of diverse ministries. The common denominator is we all seek to glorify God and further His kingdom on earth. What a blessing to serve together in Christ.”

Vicki Garrett, Clerk of Session

2015 GOALS

TRANSITION TEAM Make recommendations to Session and ensure oversight on approved actions; facilitate the process with the Presbytery; ensure appropriate communication with the Session, Board of Deacons and congregation.

VISIONING TEAM Facilitate leadership retreat listening process; gain feedback from congregation through ongoing listening sessions and report results to the Session so priorities can be established.

DENOMINATIONAL RELATIONS TEAM Oversee Presbytery and General Assembly relationships; formalize seminary scholarship guidelines and our role in supporting inquirers and candidates.

ASSIGNMENTS TEAM

RESIDENCY/INTERN PROGRAM TEAM

Create teams and search committees matching individuals with God’s call to ministry.

Present a structured residency / internship program recommendation to the Session for approval; name a team to develop specific guidelines and implement the recruitment and hiring of initial resident/intern classes.

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congregational life

2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS MEMBERS MINISTRY

WELLNESS

Expanded to a 12-person mentor team; assigned mentors to 350+ members; helped connect and encourage disciples across 170 ministry teams; surveyed lay leaders and partnered with outreach and adult education ministries to better equip them; co-hosted discipleship classes; collaborated with Session and staff on Emmaus Ministry launch to inspire member engagement.

Developed a mission statement; marketed to increase membership base/revenues; offered new church members trial wellness option; increased utilization/revenue of personal trainers; stabilized basketball league and improved experience with 600-player cap; increased youth-focused programming to attract a younger demographic.

NEW MEMBERS

Grew in faith and fellowship with individuals in their 30s and 40s; helped plan and implement Emerging Leaders forums; welcomed newcomers and strengthened relationships through an ongoing outreach partnership with the Urban Eagles, a summer barbecue and the Christmas Party.

Welcomed 177 new members – a 16 percent increase over the previous year – over half of whom are between the ages of 30-39 and have children four years old and under; and doubled new member team.

TRINITY

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Rebranded and directed the first annual Women of Faith luncheon with 250 attendees; led 12 yearlong circles/small groups; hosted special events such as the staff appreciation luncheon, the annual 2014 women’s retreat, the Sharon Towers social, Christmas Communion and the consignment sale; and donated the $10,000 consignment sale net proceeds to the Weekday School, CrossRoads Corporation, wellness ministry scholarships and six other community agencies.

HOSPITALITY

Staffed the reception desk during all Sunday worship services.

2015 GOALS MEMBERS MINISTRY

Emphasize spiritual formation as we serve; heighten awareness of the value of ministry involvement; expand ministry mentor program to better serve our congregation; strengthen our existing ministry teams so they function as small groups; implement equipping opportunities for lay leaders and disciples.

NEW MEMBERS

WELLNESS

Review expenses, programming and fees to determine optimal model for long-term sustainability.

TRINITY

Strengthen new member hospitality; and boost outreach involvement through the Harvest Center, Room in the Inn and the Urban Eagles.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Narrow scope of consignment sale proceeds distribution; redesign newsletter to reach all women of the church; broaden diversity of age range through programs and outreach opportunities.

HOSPITALITY

Develop additional ways to welcome members and visitors.

Implement new member handbook and improve website presence; collaborate with other ministries to ensure a smooth transition for new members and an emphasis on our church’s core values.

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2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

LEADERSHIP Welcomed new outreach leader, Rev. Derek Macleod, and his family.

FUNDING Provided nearly $600,000 in financial support to 35 local ministries and six global ministry partners in Congo, Cuba, Hungary, Habitat El Salvador, World Vision El Salvador and Malawi through annual funding; allocated over $550,000 from the capital campaign to underwrite the Billingsville Leadership Academy new teacher mentor and the Communities in Schools coordinator as well as an after-school program, provide start-up money for a new community housing initiative, and further Habitat critical home repairs and other CrossRoads Corporation initiatives in Grier Heights.

OUTREACH REIMAGINED The strategic visioning plan for outreach ministry.

HEIGHTEN COLLABORATION

INTEGRATE FAITH & SERVICE

Laid groundwork with council leaders and pastors to enhance the communication and partnership between church ministries.

Encouraged more intentionality with devotions at meetings and gatherings; deepened the prayer and reflection time for local ministry disciples; and enhanced the process of preparing for, praying through, and reflecting after mission trips.

EQUIP LEADERS & DISCIPLES

COMMIT TO FEWER, DEEPER MINISTRY PARTNERS

Surveyed leaders and found deeper spirituality is desired; collaborated with adult education and Every Member Has a Ministry on leadership training.

Developed criteria and began implementation of 2015 ministry partner funding decisions; created task force to identify future focus areas.

FUND MINISTRY JOYFULLY Collaborated with the stewardship council teams to address and avoid a decline in outreach funding support as the Deeper Discipleship capital campaign concludes.

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outreach “How do we love God and our neighbor as ourselves?

How do we experience God’s love and open ourselves to receive love from our neighbor?

Outreach is not simply offering help to those outside our church; it is an opportunity to experience God at work mending the brokenness of our world and within ourselves.”

Reimagining Outreach excerpt

2015 GOALS

Respond where God calls Myers Park to serve; integrate faith and service of disciples more deliberately; strengthen and deepen partner relationships; enhance operational and organizational effectiveness; and invest God’s human and financial resources prudently.

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outreach GRIER HEIGHTS

3,000 BOOKS

284 HOMELESS

Served as reading buddies, tutors, lunch buddies, classroom helpers, summer program leaders, gardeners, drivers, mentors and friends with the men, women, youth and children of Grier Heights.

Supplied over 3,000 books in a donation drive for students at Billingsville Leadership Academy, allowing each student to take home 5 books for a meaningful summer reading experience.

Served 284 homeless men, women and children on 17 consecutive Thursday nights during the winter.

DEBRECEN

URBAN EAGLES

CROSSROADS

Welcomed leaders and representatives of the Reformed Great Church of Debrecen and the PC(USA) mission co-worker and regional liaison of Central and Eastern Europe.

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Joined with youth of Grier Heights on the soccer field as they learned the game and grew in faith

Collaborated with CrossRoads Corporation in Grier Heights on three critical home repair projects, the expansion of afterschool and summer literacy projects, and the $600,000 rehabilitation of the Grier Heights Community Center.

757 YOUTH

RELATIONSHIPS

AFRICA

Mentored over 757 youth and adults from nine states through CROSS Missions as they provided 10,642 hours of community service at 35+ ministries in urban Charlotte.

Strengthened relationships at the annual Congo Mission Network meeting in Montana and the Cuba Partners gathering in Illinois.

Made substantive progress in education and healthcare in Africa – both Congo and Malawi; the Congo girls’ school is now self-sustaining.

CONGO

MISSIONS

Continued sponsorship of Antonio Martinez who is designing/renovating an outpatient clinic in Congo.

Deepened the faith of disciples who were mission trip participants to Congo, Cuba, El Salvador and Malawi which also strengthened relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

WORLD VISION Pioneered the first official “family mission trip” to El Salvador through World Vision.

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pastoral care 2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY Provided transportation for non-driving members who live at Sharon Towers, The Cypress and Southminster.

PRAYER MINISTRY

Offered weekly centering prayer at our church; continued our intercessory prayer ministry; prayed for every church member during Lent; and offered a day of silence for prayer and reflection.

MEAL MINISTRY

Shared compassion and meals with individuals who were experiencing illness or disability.

CHURCH FRIENDS

Fostered intergenerational friendships to keep those unable to attend services connected to the church.

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HEALTH MINISTRIES

Worked with parish nurse to train caring team members; provided physicians, nurses and translators for our uninsured neighbors at the Charlotte Community Health Clinic; hosted a flu shot clinic, a CPR training class and two successful blood drives; provided Billingsville Leadership Academy first aid and other supplies and educational programs for parents and children; and offered free medical equipment to church members with physical needs.

DEACONS

Participated in Sunday worship, serving communion and offering the prayer of dedication; provided fellowship opportunities for older members at The Cypress and Sharon Towers; and conducted weekly visits to hospitals, nursing facilities, assisted living and private homes of our less mobile members.

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Provided confidential support to members and others in the community; trained and commissioned new Stephen Ministers in partnership with another local church; attended funerals/memorials to console grieving families.

HELPING HANDS

Assisted senior adults, single parents and less mobile individuals with small indoor and outdoor household projects through this memberto-member ministry.

2015 GOALS Continue to offer prayer, compassion, and support for those who are in need of a positive relationship with God in our church and community; and reach out to those in need of spiritual healing and support.

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stewardship 2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

RESTRUCTURED the current endowment, valued at approximately $7.7 million, to simplify giving opportunities for current and prospective donors.

FORMED a committee which will partner with ministries to identify needs outside of the operating budget that the Legacy Fund could help meet.

ESTABLISHED the next generation’s commitment to generosity by ensuring that the annual giving team’s average age was under 40.

OBTAINED Session approval on the resolution of any Deeper Discipleship capital campaign attrition, given the $10 million outreach campaign budget.

GAINED Session approval to significantly increase the church’s endowment over the

next three to five years through major gifts and deferred giving, and began rebranding the endowment as the Legacy Fund.

HIRED Jim Holladay as coordinator of major gifts and planned giving.

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2015 GOALS

CREATE

a leadership structure for launching the Legacy Fund initiative.

INCREASE

both the number of participants and the level of participation in the Legacy Fund initiative.

EVALUATE

how to inspire and refresh the annual pledging campaign process.

”As we build upon the many successes of the Campaign for Deeper Discipleship, and prepare the way for the next generation of ministries, let us always remember Luke 12:48 which says that “from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.”

Henry Harkey, Stewardship Council Chair

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worship & music

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2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES Organized a worship task force to assess trends and recommend improvements that will stimulate participation; evaluated and endorsed the facility team’s sanctuary lighting and audio/visual initiative; presented the endorsement to the Session which approved a $500,000 fundraising effort.

WORSHIP

Hailed The Word sermon series as highly effective; celebrated an increase in attendance at both Celebrate and sanctuary worship services; initiated the Service of Wholeness at quarterly intervals; began new communion procedures; introduced two Celebrate Christmas Eve services in Oxford Hall to run concurrently with sanctuary services; and created a “Save Fred” video to recruit disciples for overall Celebrate worship needs.

DISCIPLESHIP

Initiated A Season of Transition, A Season of Prayer - a daily elder-led, congregation-focused prayer discipline; arranged and delivered 76 flower arrangements from weddings and memorial services to church members in senior living.

MUSIC

Produced a Maundy Thursday service – Is it I – in Oxford Hall; hired a new Celebrate music director, Chuck Jones; restored the sanctuary chancel area to its original design; and secured a donor to have the sanctuary piano rebuilt by Steinway.

2015 GOALS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Present worship task force’s recommendations to the Session; fund and implement the sanctuary lighting and audiovisual technology.

WORSHIP Experiment; use our new technology; produce more videos for both services; get people engaged; and make worship powerful.

DISCIPLESHIP

Continue to find new ways to engage and recruit our members in ministry before and during our worship services – ushers/greeters, communion preparation and servers, console operators, lay readers, captains, etc.

MUSIC

Purchase new sanctuary hymnals; produce a patriotic service with orchestra on July 4; conduct a Steinway dedication concert in the fall.

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2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS TEAM Welcomed Director of Middle School Ministry John Turnbull and parttime Director of High School Ministry Julia Ehringhaus.

LEADERSHIP Empowered our youth to create a unique role as leaders in our church and provided systematic spiritual and growth opportunities; furthered their ongoing leadership capabilities through Massanetta SALT leadership training; engaged youth as elders, deacons, directors of CROSS Missions and the wellness ministry, members of the outreach and youth council, and principals on the Room in the Inn, Cuba and El Salvador teams; created a 28-person team of ambassadors from the 15 schools represented in our youth group; and had youth direct planning for our middle school Montreat retreat and the youth conference.

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT Continued strengthening relationships with God and neighbor; challenged our youth to serve on an overnight mission trip and 437 out of 550 did so in 2014; furthered our church’s mission partnerships in Cuba through the youth’s first mission experience in this country.

ENGAGEMENT Nurtured Christian growth through ongoing discipleship classes and events – 123 youth took part in our November class dinners; raised money for our mission experiences through the annual pie sale with 92 youth and parents making, selling and distributing 615 pies; organized and helped staff the Jubilee Store for Charlotte Family Housing neighbors, purchasing 300 gifts for the store and baking 60 dozen cookies; and fostered fellowship and faith/life discussions with a Hunger Games event with nearly 100 attendees.

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youth & their families

2015 GOALS Challenge the 28-person ambassador team to reach out and welcome fellow youth in their assigned grades; ensure a smooth transition for sixth-graders who are joining our youth ministry and confirmands as they enter high school; cultivate understanding of our ministry and mission; explore our ministry’s three-year revolving goals; and create a task force to evaluate middle school Sunday School and the youth curriculum’s scope and sequence.

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