First Baptist Church Bryan

One Church One Body Temporary Committee Final Report

Submitted By: Bryan Cole (co-chair) Neal Lee (co-chair) Rae Adams Jeff Andrick Annette Cortinas Mike Downie Marsha Herron Derek Moore Hannah OSullivan Nathan Tichenor Harold Chilton (Transition Team, ex-officio) Michelle Sanderson (Transition Team, ex-officio) Lynn Eckeberger (Staff, exofficio) Tyler Boss (Recorder/College Intern)

November 1, 2013

PRIOR TO READING THIS REPORT

PLEASE TAKE NOTE

The Transition Team is appreciative of the work of the temporary committees and their associated working groups. All reports and suggestions are being made available to the church body and have been forwarded to appropriate committees and staff members for review. Encouraged by the Transition Team some recommendations within the routine churchauthorized service of our staff and lay leadership are being enacted. Any major recommendations rising to the level of church approval will not be performed without first being presented to the church in an announced business meeting. Please accept the content of this report as counsel from members of our church asked to provide thorough consideration to the assigned matter. They have each offered their considered suggestion for the betterment of our church. We are grateful to their dedicated and heartfelt labor on our behalf.

One Church One Body (OCOB) Committee Final Report Table of Contents
SECTION One Church One Body (OCOB) Committee Final Report Appendix A - OCOB Charge Appendix B - FBC Bryans Mission, Vision and Core Values (OCOB research) Appendix C - PEEST (Political, Economic, Evangelism, Sociological and Technological) Analysis (OCOB research) Appendix D - SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis (OCOB research) Appendix E - Top Selected Environmental Factors (OCOB research) Appendix F - Proposed Strategic Priorities and Goals Appendix G - Proposed Organizational Structure Appendix H - Proposed Potential Early Victories for the new senior pastor PAGE 3 8 11

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One Church One Body Temporary Committee Final Report

October 28, 2013 The One Church One Body Temporary Committee (OCOB) was given the following charge: Develop a proposed comprehensive guide from the present to the year 2020 that enables FBC Bryan to become One Church One Body that is able to fulfill, grow and sustain its mission. The Objectives of the work of the One Church One Body Committee are outlined in the complete charge at Attachment A. As noted in the complete charge, the outcomes of the One Church One Body Committee are to be used to inform the Transition Team in the Future Focus of the IIM Process in preparation for calling a new pastor. The members of the Committee included Rae Adams, Jeff Andrick, Annette Cortinas, Mike Downie, Marsha Herron, Derek Moore, Hannah OSullivan, and Nathan Tichenor along with Neal Lee and Bryan Cole serving as Co-Chairs. Michelle Sanderson and Harold Chilton served as Ex-officio Transition Team Representatives and Dr. Lynn Eckeberger served as Exofficio Staff Advisor. Tyler Boss served as Recorder and College Intern. The Committee was very representative of the Church and brought exceptional church-wide perspective as well as constituency perspectives to the Committees discussions and deliberations. Beginning June 30, 2013 the OCOB Committee worked diligently to fulfill its charge, completing their work in late October. One Church One Body Operational Definition The OCOB Committee developed the following definition of FBC Bryan as "One Church - One Body." First Baptist Church of Bryan, Texas is a body of believers that is continually reminded of Jesus' sacrificial love for us. This love is what motivates us to put others first in humility, which leads to unity. Our unity is an imperative from God that is a result of the Gospel power at work among us. As we work together, we Believe, Connect, Grow, and Share, so that all will have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ making us One Church - One Body. (Ephesians 4:1-4, Philippians 2:1-4) Development of the Strategic Plan The OCOB Committee began its work by reviewing the FBC Bryan Mission, Vision,

Core Values, Guiding Principles, FBC Beliefs and Ministry Model. The OCOB Committee was informed that these critical aspects of viewing and planning for the future would continue as stated for the foreseeable future and would not be subject to modification. Because of the significance that these critical components play in a strategic planning effort and their reference throughout the OCOB Committees work and this report, they are included in Appendix B. The OCOB Committee studied the Coming to Terms with Our History Survey results compiled by the Transition Team to ensure that our deliberations incorporated these very important points into our planning and the fulfillment of our charge. To initiate the development of a comprehensive plan to the year 2020, the OCOB conducted two environmental scans. The first environmental scan included conducting a PEEST Analysis. This Analysis identified the key internal and external Political, Economic, Evangelism (Christian World View), Sociological and Technological forces that are impacting or may have an impact on the mission and ministries of FBC Bryan in the next 5-7 years. The results of the PEEST Analysis are outlined in Appendix C. The second environmental scan included conducting a SWOT Analysis which identified the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to FBC Bryan Mission and Vision that the Committee should consider in its planning. The results of the SWOT Analysis are included in Appendix D. In addition to these analyses, the OCOB Committee examined in some detail generational factors/issues that will likely influence FBC Bryan becoming One Church One Body. The OCOB Committee had earlier requested Clay Price, Director of Decision Support at the BGCT, to conduct an in-depth demographic analysis of the Bryan College Station area and FBC Bryan in order to understand better both how FBC Bryan is currently serving the BCS area as well as anticipated future demographic trends. This demographic analysis was presented to church leadership and the OCOB Committee and then the OCOB had an additional meeting with Clay Price to understand better the implications of the analysis. (Because of the voluminous nature of these reports, they are not included as Appendices to this Report, but may be acquired from Bill Wimans office.) This information further served to inform the OCOB Committee in its consideration of future plans and opportunities. An additional frame from which all of the Committees findings in all of these analyses were viewed was which of these factors present the highest leverage challenges that if appropriately and intentionally addressed in the next five to seven years, afford the greatest potential for achieving and enhancing FBC Bryan's mission/vision and in FBC Bryan being One Church - One Body?" As a result of all of these analyses, the Committee selected the fifteen categorical factors (Appendix E) that were viewed as having the greatest potential for impacting the fulfillment and enhancement of the FBC Bryan Mission and Vision and FBC Bryan becoming One Church One Body. After further prayerful and concerted deliberation, the fifteen categories were reduced to eight. The Committee then examined the relationships between and among these categories to understand better the relative influence that these factors are likely to have and to enable the Committee to have a

better understanding of how to prioritize the plans for the future of FBC Bryan. This work enabled the OCOB Committee to develop five Strategic Priorities that it is recommended that FBC Bryan intentionally pursue over the next several years. In addition, 27 Goals were developed to address these Strategic Priorities and it is further recommended that FBC Bryan work to achieve these Goals over the next five to seven years in order for FBCB to fulfill, grow and sustain its mission, vision and core values and to become One Church One Body. The development of the Strategic Priorities and Goals were further informed by the work/reports of the Worship Review and Discipleship Community Review Work Groups and many of their considerations and recommendations have been incorporated into the Strategic Priorities and Goals. The OCOB Committee also reviewed the work and reports of all of the other Working Temporary Committees and Working Groups to assess the synergy and consensus emanating from these groups and how their work should inform our Strategic Priorities and Goals. It is evident that the Holy Spirit has been directing each Working Committee and Working Group to achieve the level of alignment and mutual support that is apparent throughout all of the reports. The Strategic Priorities developed by the OCOB Committee are as follows: Missions and Evangelism Strategic Priority o Develop and emphasize mission opportunities, both locally and globally, which glorify God by leading people to a personal growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Engage active participation by all members of the FBCB body of Christ, drawing us closer to God and closer to one another. Christian Education Strategic Priority o Ensure Christian education is based on Bible content for all ages through (but not limited to) sermons, Sunday School, ABFs, Small Groups, Bible study groups, new member training, conferences and programs which focus on Christ-centered living. Intergenerational Strategic Priority o Create Christ-centered, intergenerational experiences to facilitate biblical relationships through a culture that values various life stages, perspectives, time together and communication styles. Family Ministry Strategic Priority o Develop a Families Ministry that strengthens family relationships and nurtures support of the Christian home while providing a family oriented intergenerational approach to discipleship, missions and service. Organizational Structure Strategic Priority

o Build a Christ-centered organizational structure that supports/encourages multiple styles of worship and discipleship, provides a broad variety of ministries and missions and that is sensitive to the opportunities afforded by the dynamic growth and diversity of the BCS community. The Goals associated with each Strategic Priority are in Appendix F. The OCOB Committee elected not to adopt a particular timeline or action plans for the implementation of the Strategic Plan; rather, it felt that the new Senior Pastor, other new ministerial staff and the Church should adopt implementation strategies consistent with the vision of the new Senior Pastor and the realities of time, resources and growth. Organizational Structure and Pastoral Duties The OCOB Committee considered and evaluated several organizational models to provide the governance and management structure for our church. Given the size of FBC Bryan, the "pastor-centric" model that we have followed in the past places too many responsibilities and unrealistic expectations on the Senior Pastor, thus taking away from his primary responsibilities of proclamation of the gospel (preaching and teaching), visioning and strategic direction. The proposed organizational structure (Appendix G) reframes the structure to focus on FBC Bryan Vision and Mission and provides a more manageable span of control and delineation of responsibilities. Pastoral duties of the Senior Leadership Team outlined in the Organizational Structure Strategic Priority and Goals and Organizational Chart are repeated here for ease of reference. Senior Pastor responsible for proclamation of the gospel (preaching and teaching), visioning and strategic direction. Ministries Pastor - responsible for pastoral vision implementation, Christian education, ministries, missions, ministerial staff supervision and mentoring, and shared responsibility for pastoral care. Executive Pastor responsible for operations and administration including all support and logistical functions, and shared responsibility for pastoral care*. *The OCOB Committees definition of Pastoral Care is ministry to the congregation such as: members in the hospital, shut-ins, family tragedies, funerals, weddings, candidates for baptism, etc. Early Victories As a part of our charge, the OCOB Temporary Committee was asked to identify potential "early victories" that the new Senior Pastor might implement. These are identified in Appendix H. Closing Comments The members of the OCOB Temporary Committee approached their charge with a keen sense of humility and a desire for the Holy Spirit to guide our work. Our work benefitted

greatly from prayers and devotionals that each member brought to the Committee. We also benefitted from the multiple perspectives that were represented and challenged us all to be more sensitive to the diverse needs across our church membership and to the wealth of opportunities that lay before us. We prayed, learned and grew together and are unified in our recommendations and humbly submit them to the Transition Team and FBC Bryan membership for their consideration.

Appendix A First Baptist Church - Bryan "One Church One Body" Temporary Committee Charge June, 2013
Develop a proposed comprehensive guide from the present to the year 2020 that enables FBC Bryan to become One Church One Body that is able to fulfill, grow and sustain its mission. The outcomes of the One Church One Body Committee are to be used to inform the Transition Team and Church in the Future Focus of the IIM Process in preparation for calling a new pastor. Objectives: 1. Understand our current church situation; understand the internal and external environmental forces (Christian world view, sociological, political, economic, and technological) that are and will be impacting FBC Bryans ability to fulfill its mission; understand the key strategic factors (key challenges, stakeholders, programs/services, systems, staffing, and opportunities) that FBC Bryan must address in fulfilling its mission. Analyze FBC Bryans situation to consider multiple alternatives that offer the greatest potential for fulfilling, growing and sustaining our mission; review and analyze relevant data (church demographics, joining and leaving patterns, collective giving patterns, ) to inform alternatives. Develop proposed operational definitions for One Church One Body; one body; one in the spirit; congregational formats (contemporary, traditional, etc.); a statement which could be used for external and as well as internal audiences that defines who we are (FBC is .) Develop a proposed comprehensive plan from the present to the year 2020 that enables First Baptist Church, Bryan to become One Church One Body that is able to fulfill, grow and sustain its mission. The plan should answer, but not be restricted to the following questions: a. b. What is our strategic direction for the next eight years? What is our overarching philosophical approach to mission fulfillment?

2.

3.

4.

c.

How do we validate, direct, encourage, and mutually support multiple methodologies of worship, ministries, evangelism, missions, fellowship and service? What structures (programs, ministries, worship services, small group/ABF, mission endeavors etc.) should we consider? What staffing needs might be required to align with future mission, worship, programs, evangelism, missions and ministries? How do we market (internally and externally) One Church One Body? What are a few immediate, practical, and measurable victories that can be positioned for the new Pastor to have ownership and to achieve that will also support the trajectory that he wants to achieve? What facilities will be needed to meet the goals of the proposed long-range plan? What are potential threats or risk factors that will be obstacles to the strategic direction of FBC Bryan and how can the risks be mediated. (Some examples are: geographic location, projected population growth, projected ethnic growth patterns, generational differences). Is a committee-led church organizational structure or an elder-led model a better fit to govern the future operational needs of FBC Bryan?

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

i.

j.

Parameters: 1. The "One Body - One Church" Temporary Committee should utilize breakthrough thinking that will potentially lead the Church to new levels of evangelism, mission/ministries, service, personal and collective spiritual growth and communication; Validate the changes in generational, technological ("digital natives" vs. "digital immigrants") and other potentially identifiable interests and how an understanding of these can strengthen and provide multiple and varying ministries, worship and service.

2.

3.

Be open to approaches beyond our own individual experiences, biases and limitations; Be informed by the findings of the Transition Team and the "Coming to Terms with Our History" Survey Results; Be informed by, but not constrained by the way we have always done things;

4.

5.

Assumptions: The comprehensive plan should be 80-90% strategic and 10-20% operational in scope. The current First Baptist Church Bryan mission, vision, core values, guiding principles, beliefs, and ministry model serve as an appropriate framework within which to consider alternatives and to develop a plan for the future. Timeline: The "One Body - One Church" Temporary Committee should provide its report to the Intentional Interim Transition Team by November 1, 2013.

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Appendix B First Baptist Church Bryan Mission Statement

"To live with a passion for Jesus and His purposes in the world by leading people to a personal, growing relationship with Jesus Christ."

Vision Statement
An authentic community of faith, reflecting Jesus and taking bold steps to expand the Kingdom of God. 1 Thessalonians 3:10; Luke 4:43

Core Values
Be passionate - Loving God with our entire being - Mark 12:30 Be transformed - Becoming more like Jesus through Spirit-directed worship, prayer and obedience to the Scriptures - Romans 12:2 Be a servant - Equipping, encouraging, and releasing one another to serve others - Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 4:10-11 Be compassionate - Going to people where they are with the love of Jesus Matthew 9:36-38 Be real - Sharing our spiritual journey and building genuine friendships in smaller faith communities - Hebrews 10:24-25; James 5:16 Be family-focused - Strengthening all family relationships - Colossians 3:18-21 Be mission-driven - Partnering with others as we courageously introduce Jesus to the world - Acts 1:8

Guiding Principles
Stewardship - We will be responsible stewards of all the resources that God has entrusted to us - Matt 25:21 Strategy - We will strive to use innovative strategies to accomplish Gods purposes for us - Proverbs 21:15 Respect - We will show mutual respect by putting others first in church and family life -Lev 19:18

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FBC Bryan Beliefs

About God God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; 1 Peter 1:2) About God the Father He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. He reigns with providential care over the universe and the flow of human history goes according to His purposes and plan. (Psalm 19:1-3; 1 Timothy 1:17) About Jesus Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus has eternally existed and be-came man at His incarnation. He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He bodily arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heavens glory and will return someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Romans 1:3,4) About the Holy Spirit He is the third person of the Trinity. He guides men into all truth; exalts Christ; convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment; cultivates Christian character; comforts believers; bestows spiritual gifts by which believers serve God; and seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the lives of believers is the assurance of God to bring us into the fullness of the stature of Christ. (John 14:16-27; John 16:7-13) About the Bible The Bible is Gods Word to us. It is written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it has salvation for its end and is truth without any mixture of error. (Psalm 19:7-10; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21) About Human Beings People are made in the image of God and are the supreme object of Gods creation. All of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sin. Sin separates people from God and causes many problems in life. (Ephesians 2:1-22) About Salvation Salvation is Gods free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting Jesus Christ as Gods offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sins penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his/her life by faith. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5)

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About Eternal Security Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot lose your salvation. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the selfeffort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. (John 10:29; Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 Peter 1:3-5) About Eternity People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness by salvation. To be eternally separate from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16; Revelation 20:15) About Baptism We believe that scriptural baptism must be: (a) by being completely immersed under the water, and (b) after salvation. Jesus was immersed, and all baptisms in the New Testament were by immersion. These two facts set the standard for baptism today. Baptism has no saving power but is the first act of obedience symbolizing (a) the believers faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus; (b) the believers de ath of sin and resurrection to walk a new in Christ; and (c) the Christians belief that he will die, be buried, and that Jesus will resurrect him from the dead. (Matthew 3:1317; Matthew 28:18-20) About the Lords Supper The Lords Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby believers remember the death of the Lord Jesus and anticipate His second coming. The bread is symbolic of His body and the juice represents His blood. (1 Corinthians 11:23-29) About Tithing We believe in giving of the titheten percent of our gross incomeas the biblical standard of giving. The tithe is to be given as an undesignated offering to the storehouse ministry of the local church. According to Scriptures, we are to give cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemers cause. (Malachi 3:8-12; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11) About Evangelism It is the duty of every born-again follower of Jesus Christ and of every church to endeavor to make disciples of all men everywhere. It is the command of Christ for every believer to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal effort and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 9:37, 38; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15) About the Church A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by their common faith and fellowship with Jesus. A local church is to observe to ordinances: (1) baptism, and (2) the Lords Supper. The church should exercise their God-given gifts and extend the gospel to the ends of

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the earth. The church is an autonomous body serving under the Lordship of Christ. All members are equally responsible as they serve with the scriptural officers of the church, the pastors, and deacons. (Acts 2:41, 42; Acts 15:1-30) About Christian Unity To live in harmony with other believers is clearly the teaching of the New Testament. It is the responsibility of each believer to endeavor to live in fellowship with each member of the congregation. It is further the responsibility of each member to bring all gossiping and backbiting to an end. (Ephesians 4:3-6)

"Ministry Model"
Here at FBC Bryan we believe the world needs the witness of strong churches in our communities. Our culture needs to see strong bodies of faith that seek to evangelize, disciple, fellowship, missions, and worship. So how do we act as a church passionate about all of these areas? Our staff has created a "Ministry Model" that captures the daily journey of our members to help live out our mission statement. The model is a pattern of how the ministries of the church fit together to fulfill the mission of the church. The model also serves as a guide. It shows each member where they are in the discipleship process and how far they have to go. Believe, Connect, Grow, and Share is the model that we hope every ministry of the church resembles. We pray all may believe then quickly connect through fellowship with other believers. Then we open avenues to grow through bible studies and different small groups. Finally, we hope growth in understanding of the gospel will overflow in a passion to share the truth of Christ.

Believe
The first step in following Christ is to believe. If you are going to be a Christ follower you must first believe. The Scriptures found in Romans 10:9-10 explain the very basics of believing. It makes it clear that believing involves confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord and believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. "Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:30-31 Not only is the word believe central to this verse, but it is a huge word throughout the whole bible. The bible makes believing an essential requirement for becoming a Christian. "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who

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believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26 The word of God says we must confess Jesus is Lord. What does this mean? Some may confess Jesus as a good man or a prophet or teacher. We believe you must confess Jesus as Lord of your life. You are admitting that He rules the world and there is none like him. The word of God also says you must believe with your whole heart. How do you believe with your heart? To believe with one's heart is to commit oneself at the deepest level to the truth of God's Word as it is revealed and experienced.

Connect
As a follower of Christ, we are called not only to believe but also to connect. Believing is how you connect with God. But after you connect with God, He expects you to connect with a Christian fellowship of believers who can support you in your journey with God. God created us with the need to connect with other believers and one way we do this is by actively serving the Lord in a local church. We see church membership as a pattern in the New Testament of God's word. For instance, in Acts converts repented, believed, were baptized, and they were added to the number of the church. "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." Acts 2:46-47 Another way we see believers connecting in the bible is through fellowship. Fellowship is a very real sense of sharing our lives with others. At FBC we strive to allow fellowship opportunities to happen. Please view our events calendar for upcoming fellowships. As relational beings, we believe connecting with other believers helps in several ways. Connecting enriches each other's lives. Connecting provides accountability in a world temptation. Connecting encourages one another. Connecting develops a support "family"

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Grow
Here at FBC we believe an important aspect of being a Christian is growing. We believe Christ did not spend his time on Earth promoting a stagnet lifestyle, but we continually notice his passion for teaching others Spiritual truths. At FBC we hope to cultivate disciples through an atmosphere of growth. And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20 The overriding mandate to every church is to make disciples. A disciple is a follower of Christ who is on a lifelong journey of obedience to Christ that results in the transformation of a persons values and behaviors. Once you become a disciple, it is your responsibility to help make disciples. We also recognize three characteristics of a growing Christian. Christlikeness (Eph. 4:13) Sacrificial Giver (Matt 19:16-22 & Luke 14:25-33) Learner (Matthew 11:29)

Share
Share is the ministry or mission portion of the model. It is our attempt to reach out to others in the name of Christ and meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Jesus sought to share his life with others and to care for the needs of people everyday. And being a Christian involves being like Jesus. We believe sharing involves: A person with a need (Mark 1:40) A compassionate heart (v. 41) A witnessing mouth (v.41) A willing hand (v.41) A met need (v.41) At FBC we believe handing out food is good, but we also need to be handing out Jesus. Giving out food will not save the soul. The greatest need is the salvation of the soul through Jesus Christ. Through Christ we hope to be a church who will embrace our city and our world (Acts 1:8). We desire to be a church with her sleeves rolled up. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

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Acts 1:8 Here are different opportunities our church focuses on sharing with our city and world: Missions (Local, National, and Global)Locally, members can share through community outreach projects like First Serve and Share the Gift. Nationally, our church family has partnered with church plants in different parts of the country. Globally, we have the opportunity to send several teams internationally to areas that desperately need the message of Christ.

Appendix C Political, Economic, Evangelism (Christian World View), Sociological and Technological Factors Environmental Scan
One Church One Body Temporary Committee July - August, 2013 This environmental scan was conducted by the One Church One Body Temporary Committee to assess those key environmental factors that are seen as potentially having the greatest impact on FBC Bryans ability to fulfill and enhance its Mission and Vision over the next five to seven years and in becoming One Church One Body. POLITICAL Community Relationships Whats good for A&M is good for B/CS TAMU becoming more liberal in thinking Our relationship with TAMU & student organizations Im from Bryan, I live in Bryan (not CS) Local groups that would restrict church activities/ministries in our community Conservative Presence Fast growth of independence that do not affiliate with party or denomination Conservative pride anti-Austin mentality Lack of conservative representatives to advocate our beliefs Conservative mores Perception that Baptist is equivalent to conservative republicans

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Global Connections Relationship with other countries we send missionaries to Social media allows more opportunity to share the gospel world wide Influence of media in informing perspective How we view Christ Church beyond our nations borders Tax Exempt Status Taxes and giving IRS/IRC Relationship of Church and State

Family/Home
- Home school - Divorce

National Influences - Diverse Parties - Taking Gods name out of government - Supreme Court decisions on moral issues - Supreme Court not using wisdom from God - Influence of media - Government mandates going against Gods laws & how we deal with them - Potential loss of religious freedoms
Denominational/Political Affiliations

- Political push causes confusion - Church should be free of national or state political but not free of moral issues - Church politics are not desired or wanted as engaged discussions - Creath Brazos - SBC politics
Local Church Authority

- Difference in theology - Lack of Godly leadership

Changing Belief System

- National leaders who espouse to be Christians but actions to not reflect Christian values - Increasing Liberal views in all areas of government - Im not from a Baptist background - Fear of intimidating one sector of society while allowing Christian values to be discredited - Tolerance of Biblically sinful activities by U.S. population 18

- Multicultural Sensitivity (PC) laws - Medical facilities

ECONOMIC
Economic Instability

- Economy increases difficulty for people to participate in missions - Create jobs/job loss - Rising prices/cost of living - Transportation costs affecting attendance - Health of TAMU - Transient nature of community/members - Non-profit status of Churches - Primary givers are getting older and dying - Liberal agenda focus in the future at TAMU
Tithe

- Less tithing because of economic strain - Unable to support Church missions - Economic pressure often leave church last one to be paid - Younger generation driven by cause giving - Number and frequency of special offerings - Funding special projects - Poor/Needy members not tithing - Lack of understanding biblical giving
Benevolence

- Welfare - What is given away in direct ministry/donations - Need for churches to meet more social needs
Long Term Expenses

- Staffing - Maintenance of existing facilities - Future payoff of building Personal Bills/Expenses Single parents More single families 50% divorce rate Some affluence here, wide span of middle class, lots of below the poverty line How to divide and use finds/tithes Economic struggle may increase relying on God for needs Debt of families College loans/debt Life priorities 19

Misc. Realtors telling people moving to the area that CS schools are superior to Bryan (less minorities) Commercial & population growth in CS & the much smaller growth in Bryan Crowded north & south thoroughfares; lack of north-south access other than by HWY 6 with will lead to more travel time to get to FBCB Long Term Funding Endowment Testamentary bequests Other organizations in competition with giving to church

EVANGELISM / CHRISTIAN WORLD VIEW Christian Targeting Passive persecution of Christianity More persecution of Christians Muslims want us dead, why risk our lives for them? (rhetorical) More competition from other religions Christianity being challenged from every direction Increasing number of atheists/agnostics Perception of that Christians are losing the battle Foreign Missions Equip & raise up leaders in countries to spread Gospel to people in their country Political upheaval in foreign countries that we have evangelized may force more national mission activities Christian Education Fewer people growing up in a Christian home Church planting Need to educate our children on Biblical world views Deeper knowledge of the Bible Church pews are full of lost souls This has turned into a me world discussing Jesus has become taboo Theologically weak Christians Revival People Groups College, foreign exchange students, elderly Single parent families

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 Outreach through college ministry TAMU brings in people from all cultures and faiths Slavery 27 million in the world today Difference between slavery and sex trafficking End it movement
Obstacles

- Racial diversity of church not consistent with B/CS population - Budget constraints to do missions - Why do churches feel the need to spend so much $ on buildings when there is need in the community - Younger generation rejects door-to-door evangelism
Relational Evangelism

- Builds trust - Childrens ministry - Camp focused ministries - Ministries need follow-up/discipleship - Continue to reach lost while discipling Christians - Foreign relationships through constant mission trips -Meeting physical needs first
Disrespect for Things Once Held Sacred

- Definition of family - Remaining in truth without being judgmental - Christians viewed as close-minded - Church has lost cultural influence
Competing World Views

- Post-modernism - Mentalized faith vs. holistic life - Lack of absolute faith

Relevance of Church

- Church once key to communities not as much today - 19-29 year olds love Christ skeptical of Church - Baptist reputation

SOCIOLOGICAL Outreach Opportunities Building relationships with people different than ourselves We are a primarily white church Growth of Hispanic population 21

 International community in B/CS Minority population growth in Bryan as opposed to CS & how to reach those groups with the Gospel we should be more willing to support such activities Assimilation Breaking social barriers We are a wealthy church Decrease in racial prejudice over the past decade Socio-economic differences More accepting of different dress codes Generational Differences Different priorities among generations nature of social engagement across generations Separate staff to serve contemporary & traditional services Less in person involvement in church activities / connecting with digital natives Changing perceptions of authority Loss of Influence by the Church

Lost people do lost things More acceptance of sinful nature less on Biblical teachings & values Tolerance & acceptance is more common. Can be positive or negative Opposition to conservative views Secular influence of media Loss of trust in the Church Movement away from Church membership Decrease in Church-centered activities Christianity scoffed at by society - Secular Educational System - 12,000 Blinn students - 50,000 Aggies - Future Growth of B/CS bio tech corridor, medical district, small businesses - B/CS stable job market

Educational and Business Influences

Changing Nature of Families

- Family will no longer have traditional make-up - Busyness of family schedules - High divorce rate - Breakdown in traditional family values
Population Changes

- Declining Church membership 22

- Teens dropping out of church in college - Growth of senior adult population - Member vs. attendee - Older population growing due to baby boomers - Demographics changing - Increased number of retirees in the area - Retirees in B/CS - Socioeconomic status of foreign exchange students - Most population growth to the south rather than in Bryan - Mobility of Society TECHNOLOGICAL Social Media Social media making greater impact Facebook / Twitter Podcast Social Media Website and On-sight TV Communication Need for media minister Our website is the new front door Our Website (registration, tithes, classes) How should Church utilize technology Quality and audience of TV ministry Updating website Satellite campuses Negative Aspect of Increasing Tech Expectation to incorporate technology in Church activities Competition with technology Instant access leads to increased expectations Technology vs. Bricks & Mortar Decreased face to face interaction Overcome mentality of online-church (cant replace fellowship) Technology cost money
Technology Evangelism

- Outreach through technology - In reach through technology - Sharing/marketing ministry opportunities - Contact quickly with other countries - E-literature - Transportation organization
Technology Barriers & Priorities

- Communication goes between generations - Competing world views facilitated by internet 23

- Young audiences live their lives around technology - Will continue to have to communicate in traditional ways to older members - Need to educate Christians on technological dangers - Communication increase - Preventing division between technological vs. non-technological
Creative

- Demands on more convenience, more entertainment - We must be creative

Appendix D Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, & Threats Environmental Scan

One Church One Body Temporary Committee August, 2013 This SWOT Analysis was conducted by the One Church One Body Temporary Committee to identify those Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats that are seen as potentially having the greatest impact on FBC Bryans ability to fulfill and enhance its Mission and Vision over the next five to seven years and in becoming One Church One Body.

Strengths o Missions Local, national, & global Relationships with full-time missionaries Relationships with international congregations o Childrens Ministry Childrens and youth programs Strong family focused ministry o People Long-term members Dedicated volunteers

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Loving, friendly Relationships with fellow believers Welcoming to visitors Strong college students

Weaknesses o Slow to Change Pride, stubborn, feeling of entitlement Gossip of church drama Hearts critical of each other o Lack of Unity Current reputation Debt Separate services Unresolved conflict Separate ABFs o Clique-ish Unfriendly to outsiders visiting assigned seats ABF closed groups Static small groups Large size daunting for new members Opportunities o Local outreach College ministry Mormon church on Barak The Bridge, SoS, salvation army Bryan high Building use for non-FBC events Provide discipleship and mentoring to college students Socio-economic community which is not currently effectively accessed Adoption/ foster care Low-income families People lost/needy at our doorstep o Strengthening Relationships Need older mentors in each younger ABF Bring people together once a quarter for events similar to summer nights Potential for plans to bridge generational gaps 25

 Start from scratch in areas with new staff Intentional interim process to re-focus FBCB Updated SOPs to minimize divisiveness o Christ-Centeredness Trusting God Allowing challenges to strengthen our church Being known as a house of prayer Sunday night service Spiritual growth & revival Getting to know others in church Threats o Inward threats B/CS ego & pride Prideful people within the church Becoming inward focus Not showing favoritism or valuing one member higher than another Members not willing to serve Declining budgetary giving If older leave, lose valuable wisdom & financial resources Older generations are responsible for 83% of giving o Church competition Baptist label isnt popular Church plants targeting young families/college Fellowship could lose young members Population growth to the south and west Popularity of non-denominational churches o Complacency Not welcoming new people No corporate worship to get to know others Lack of personal, face-to-face, conversations Our unwillingness to reach out to those different than us o Unhealed Wounds Lack of conflict resolution/hanging onto the past Need to move forward Forgiveness Negative impressions of FBCB Fear

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Appendix E 15 Top Selected Environmental Factors

One Church One Body Committee August September, 2013

Lack of Unity Lack of unity o Current reputation o Debt o Separate services o Unresolved conflict o Separate ABFs Strengthening relationships o Need older mentors in each younger ABF o Bring people together once a quarter for events similar to summer nights o Potential for plans to bridge generational gaps o Start from scratch in areas with new staff o Intentional interim process to re-focus FBCB o Updated SOPs to minimize divisiveness Unhealed wounds o Lack of conflict resolution/hanging onto the past o Need to move forward o Forgiveness o Negative impressions of FBCB o Fear Childrens ministry o Children and youth programs o Strong childrens ministry o Family focused ministries Family home o Homeschool o Marriage/divorce Missions Missions o Local, national, & global o Relationships with full-time missionaries o Relationships with international congregations

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Global connections o Relationship with other countries we send missionaries to o Social media allows more opportunity to share the gospel world wide o Influence of media in informing perspective o How we view Christ Church beyond our nations borders

Economic Instability Economy increases difficulty for people to participate in missions Create jobs/job loss Rising prices/cost of living Transportation costs affecting attendance Health of TAMU Transient nature of community/members Non-profit status of Churches Primary givers are getting older and dying Liberal agenda focus in the future at TAMU Tithe Tithe o Less tithing b/c of economic strain o Unable to support Church missions o Economic pressure often leave church last one to be paid o Younger generation driven by cause giving o Number and frequency of special offerings o Funding special projects o Poor/Needy members not tithing o Lack of understanding biblical giving Personal bills/expenses o Single parents o More single families o 50% divorce rate o Some affluence here, wide span of middle class, lots of below the poverty line o How to divide and use finds/tithes o Economic struggle may increase relying on God for needs o Debt of families o College loans/debt o Life priorities Relational evangelism Builds trust 28

Childrens ministry Camp focused ministries Ministries need follow-up/discipleship Continue to reach lost while discipling Christians Foreign relationships through constant mission trips Meeting physical needs first

Christian Education Fewer people growing up in a Christian home Church planting Need to educate our children on Biblical world views Deeper knowledge of the Bible Church pews are full of lost souls This has turned into a me world discussing Jesus has become taboo Theologically weak Christians Revival People People o Long-term members o Dedicated volunteers o Loving, friendly o Relationships with fellow believers o Welcoming to visitors o Strong college students Clique-ish o Unfriendly to outsiders visiting o assigned seats o ABF closed groups o Static small groups o Large size daunting for new members Technology barriers and priorities Technology Barriers and Priorities o Communication goes between generations o Competing world views facilitated by internet o Young audiences live their lives around technology o Will continue to have to communicate in traditional ways to older members o Need to educate Christians on technological dangers o Communication increase

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o Preventing division between technological vs. non-technological Technology evangelism o Outreach through technology o In reach through technology o Sharing/marketing ministry opportunities o Contact quickly with other countries o E-literature o Transportation organization Website and on-site communication o Need for media minister o Our website is the new front door o Our Website (registration, tithes, classes) o How should Church utilize technology o Quality and audience of TV ministry o Updating website o Satellite campuses

Inward Threats (pride) B/CS ego & pride Prideful people within the church Becoming inward focus Members not willing to serve Not showing favoritism or valuing one member higher than another Declining budgetary giving If older leave, lose valuable wisdom & financial resources Older generations are responsible for 83% of giving Loss of Influence by the Church Relevance of Church o Church once key to communities not as much today o 19-29 year olds love Christ skeptical of Church o Baptist reputation Changing belief system o National leaders who espouse to be Christians but actions to not reflect Christian values o Increasing Liberal views in all areas of government o Im not from a Baptist background o Fear of intimidating one sector of society while allowing Christian values to be discredited o Tolerance of Biblically sinful activities by U.S. population

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o Multicultural Sensitivity (PC) laws o Medical facilities Changing Nature of Families o Family will no longer have traditional make-up o Busyness of family schedules o High divorce rate o Breakdown in traditional family values

Community Relationships Outreach opportunities o Building relationships with people different than ourselves o We are a primarily white church o Growth of Hispanic population o International community in B/CS o Minority population growth in Bryan as opposed to CS & how to reach those groups with the Gospel we should be more willing to support such activities o Assimilation o Breaking social barriers o We are a wealthy church o Decrease in racial prejudice over the past decade o Socio-economic differences o More accepting of different dress codes Local outreach o College ministry o Mormon church on Barak o The Bridge, SoS, salvation army o Bryan high o Building use for non-FBC events o Provide discipleship and mentoring to college students o Socio-economic community which is not currently effectively accessed o Adoption/ foster care o Low-income families o People lost/needy at our doorstep Slow to Change Slow to Change o Pride, stubborn, feeling of entitlement o Gossip of church drama o Hearts critical of each other Complacency 31

o o o o

Not welcoming new people No corporate worship to get to know others Lack of personal, face-to-face, conversations Our unwillingness to reach out to those different than us

Christ Centeredness Trusting God Allowing challenges to strengthen our church Being known as a house of prayer Sunday night service Spiritual growth & revival Getting to know others in church Church Competition Baptist label isnt popular Church plants targeting young families/college Fellowship could lose young members Population growth to the south and west Popularity of non-denominational churches Generational Differences Music Dress code Technology Refreshments in the Sanctuary ABF vs. Small Groups Educational Differences Inclusive dialogue with different faiths Need for apologetics Memberships vs. attendance Curriculum choices Giving vs. going

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Appendix F One Church One Body Temporary Committee 2014-2020 Proposed Strategic Priorities & Goals
Missions and Evangelism Strategic Priority o Develop and emphasize mission opportunities, both locally and globally, which glorify God by leading people to a personal growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Engage active participation by all members of the FBCB body of Christ, drawing us closer to God and closer to one another. Goals 1. Train and equip each member of the Church to share their faith and lead others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 2. Strengthen existing relationships and further develop new partnerships with local ministries, through service and monetary support. 3. Expand our mission and evangelism activities by growing our participation with state, national and international mission opportunities. 4. Create a monthly missions-centric forum communicating specific mission needs and opportunities including updates of FBCB sponsored missionaries. 5. Annually evaluate fulfillment of FBCB mission and vision, collectively as a church and individually as members.

Christian Education Strategic Priority o Ensure Christian education is based on Bible content for all ages through (but not limited to) sermons, Sunday School, ABFs, Small Groups, Bible study groups, new member training, conferences and programs which focus on Christcentered living. Goals 1. Give serious and intentional focus to the spiritual development of families, youth and college students, leading them to impact our community, nation and world.

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2. Build communities of faith that equip each member with biblical truths for everyday living. 3. Provide for the pastoral care and spiritual development of the 55+ members and grow that ministry. 4. Provide opportunities within discipleship groups for both intra- and inter-generational interactions. 5. Ensure that Bible based literature is taught as approved through the established church process. 6. Regularly conduct a membership class that addresses FBCBs Mission, Vision, Core Values, Beliefs, Ministry Model, mission opportunities and organizational structure.

Intergenerational Strategic Priority o Create Christ-centered, intergenerational experiences to facilitate biblical relationships through a culture that values various life stages, perspectives, time together and communication styles. Goals 1. Significantly increase the participation of intergenerational ABFs and Small Groups. 2. Increase and foster intergenerational mentorships. 3. Join together congregationally for blended worship experiences and fellowship events at least quarterly. 4. Provide intergenerational evening opportunities that are considerate of family schedules. 5. Create an intergenerational adoption ministry (grandparents young couples students youth). 6.

Family Ministry Strategic Priority o Develop a Families Ministry that strengthens family relationships and nurtures support of the Christian home while providing a family oriented intergenerational approach to discipleship, missions and service. Goals 1. Provide training and mentorship that support biblically based family roles (husband, wife, parent, grandparents) 2. Increase and emphasize training (e. g , Faith at Home) that equips parents/guardians and grandparents in teaching faith qualities and values to their children/grandchildren.

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3. Train lay leaders to recognize families in crisis and how best to engage the church to aid in addressing the crisis and ministering to the family. 4. Encourage each member to contemplate their role in ministering to orphans, serving as adoptive or foster parents, and/or providing care for children in need. 5. Provide staffing and develop lay leadership to grow and nurture a high quality and comprehensive Families Ministry.

Organizational Structure Strategic Priority o Build a Christ-centered organizational structure that supports/encourages multiple styles of worship and discipleship, provides a broad variety of ministries and missions and that is sensitive to the opportunities afforded by the dynamic growth and diversity of the BCS community. Goals 1. Reorganize our current pastoral duty structure: a. Realign ministerial duties to provide more time for the Senior Pastor to focus on teaching, preaching, visioning and strategic direction. (see attached organizational chart). See Exodus 18:17-27 and Acts 6:2-4 b. Educate church membership on rationale/need for restructuring of ministerial staff duties and expectations due to our church size and in anticipation of significant growth. c. Establish a Ministries Pastor position that has responsibility for pastoral vision implementation, ministerial staff supervision and mentoring, and shared responsibility for pastoral care*. The Ministries Pastor position should be established as soon as practical after arrival of the new Senior Pastor. d. Establish an Executive Pastor position that has responsibility for all support and logistical functions, and shared responsibility for pastoral care*. The Executive Pastor should be established as soon as practical after arrival of the new Senior Pastor. 2. Add a Family & Young Adult Pastor position that is separate from the College Pastor position. 3. Develop and support comprehensive lay leadership that emphasizes discipleship and fellowship and partners with staff in taking responsibility for the FBCB Ministry Model.

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4. Restructure Sunday morning worship and ABF/Sunday School schedules to have one service with a traditional style, one service with a contemporary style, and one common ABF/Sunday School hour. 5. Develop, publish and follow a decision matrix for church decision making that outlines categories of decisions, decision makers and roles/authorities. 6. At least annually, evaluate staff and facility needs to effectively and efficiently minister to all members while building unity, transparency, and trust within the church body. An example of an additional staff member that should be considered in the future is Director of Communications. An example of an additional facility that should be considered in the future is a recreation building. *The OCOB Committees definition of Pastoral Care is ministry to the congregation such as: members in the hospital, shut-ins, family tragedies, funerals, weddings, candidates for baptism, etc.

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Appendix G

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Appendix H Potential Immediate and Practical Early Victories For the New Senior Pastor
One Church One Body Temporary Committee October, 2013

As a part of our charge, the OCOB Temporary Committee was asked to identify potential "early victories" that the new Senior Pastor might implement. The following are offered for the new Senior Pastor's consideration. 1. Reconnect with and re-engage inactive members of FBC Bryan. 2. Be actively involved with college ministries through a few key college ministry events. 3. Have a church-wide Blue Bell ice cream Sunday. 4. Create an intergenerational focused SAM program (grandparents and aunts/uncles and big brother/big sister). 5. Bring a guest Sunday - Example: Pack the pew Sunday, "Howdy" Sunday (normally done as a western theme dress on promotion Sunday in the fall), neighborhood canvass, etc. 6. Advance technologies to facilitate communication and ministries. 7. Establish a purposeful 5th Sunday evening service & intentionally include intergenerational fellowship on that evening. 8. Conduct town hall type of meetings that allow the new Senior Pastor to connect with different segments of the church. 9. Establish regular updates of current FBCB missionaries through some type of missions forum (example: Missions Minute during Sunday morning service, website rotation, etc.). 10. Begin the process to establish a Baptist Bible Institute supported by the Baptist University of the Americas to provide Biblical training to leaders, future pastors, church planters, and other community members. 11. Re-establish a strong prayer room ministry (currently only about 25% of slots are filled.). 12. Show support of volunteer workers by visiting in preschool, children, youth, college, and ABFs. (Will be much easier to do if we go to only one Sunday School.) 13. Be actively involved with youth ministries through a few key youth ministry events. 14. Have a Mens Retreat or another key Mens ministry event. 15. Establish a Technology University (tech savvy teaches the non-tech savvy.) 16. Re-establish Up to the Minute the Sunday morning service media insert

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