Vision

Sunday, March 7, First Presbyterian started the next leg of its journey in the search for a new pastor.

Following a survey of all members concerning the direction of our congregation, retrospection on our history, and reflection on our current and future ministry, the Mission Study Committee began a series of large and small group meetings to involve every member in this critical planning process.

While Chair David Quist nurtured one of First Presbyterian's newer members (off-camera), Co-Chair Phillip Riddle (above) kicked off the first session, inviting input and insight on the vision process.

Survey results, and discussion highlights will be provided to the Pastor Nominating Committee, to guide them in their search for the right person to lead us in the direction we choose. It takes a special shepherd to guide sheep who have a strong sense of direction.

A Bold Vision is called for to redefine FIrst Presbyterian's ministry for present times.

Appropriate Scripture readings offered by Committee Secretary Fran Kamp, charts, graphs and handouts galore help guide the discussion process.

The early prophets lamented the injustices and shortcomings of their days, while proclaiming more optimistic circumstances to follow. Like them, we are aware of our world's shortcomings, but share their conviction that the status quo can be altered by shared vision and shared action.

March 14 brought the second large group discussion to our Fellowship Hall. Chairman David Quist and associate Chas Kite led us through a mountain of data provided by the Percept Group, including census and research data about the Capital District, and results of our congregational survey.

Chas Kite (right) warned us this would be a very detailed and complex discussion. Those attending that session earned 2 CPE's toward certification in statistical methodology, as we ruminated upon convergence and divergence - analyzing the social construct and community needs of our cachement area (a 5 mile radius around Willett Street), with the strengths, interests and desires for spiritual growth evidenced in that highly detailed congregational survey.

This all relates to First Presbyterian defining itself for present times, and defining the desired qualifications of our next permanent pastor.

David Quist had the enviable job of explaining all those facts and figures to a highly educated congregation (52% of those surveyed had post graduate degrees). That gave us the confidence to ask questions which belied our academic attainments. Fortunately the survey also indicated we were highly committed to First Presbyterian, so we are likely to return next Sunday for Session Three.

This just in - yes, we returned on March 21 AND March 28 for the third and fourth large group session. The curriculum provided by the Percept Group could be applied readily to any government or service enterprise.

April 5 saw the first in a series of small group meetings held at members homes, with Mission Study Group leaders facilitating highly focused and highly energized discussions with a dozen folks, here and there. You can do a lot with a dozen zealous individuals. We also got to be insightful, creative, dedicated and opinionated - inevitable by-products of our inclusivity. So many ideas surfaced at the first home-based meetings, that we will need three more such gatherings to meditate, cogitate, ruminate and enjoy the congenial hospitality of our host homes.

VISION 2004