Reimagining Church and Community Outreach Initiative

Church gathering: September 20, 2026

Overview

The discussion reviewed a church task force’s work over the past 15 months to help the congregation grow and remain sustainable. Speakers described changes to the church’s mission and welcome messaging, a new logo and printed materials, an improved website and social media presence, updated signs and landscaping ideas, and outreach events in the community. They also emphasized that the effort should not only attract people but clearly reflect worship of Jesus and practical Christian service.

Church Renewal Effort

How the initiative began

The effort started after a lay leader, John Shafer, attended a conference workshop on reaching new people through effective marketing and later presented it to the church council. The council approved using part of a Sunday service to show a one-hour video, which led to the first marketing task force meeting. The church committed to moving forward to a self-sustaining church.

Core purpose

The group stressed that growth should be tied to spiritual renewal, not just attendance. It was emphasized that the church should welcome people while also keeping Christ at the center of the message. Several comments framed the work as necessary change rather than optional improvement.

Branding and Welcome Materials

Mission, welcome statement, and logo

The church created a mission and welcome statement and made them more visible across materials. A new logo was introduced as an additional identity, not a replacement for the cross and flame. The logo was described as more approachable for some younger people and tied to the church’s worship space and windows.

Printed materials

New welcome cards and updated key cards were prepared for visitors and members to hand out. The cards included friendly language and questions intended to help the church learn more about the people who visit. These materials could also used to give to others.

Digital Communication

Social media

Facebook was identified as an early priority because the old presence was limited and inactive. Engagement has grown, with more posts and more attention to photos, correct information, and relevant events. They encouraged members to share images from camping, golfing, and other activities to broaden reach.

Website

The website was described as outdated and in need of a major refresh. The updated site now includes sections for music, studies, gatherings, special events, and a monthly “inside scoop” feature. A new front-page news section was designed to highlight current sermons, fall studies, meditation, and other active items.

Physical Presence and Campus Updates

Signs and landscaping

 The group reviewed the condition of the church signs and discussed ways to make them more visible and inviting. They explored possible landscaping around the signs, including low-maintenance and roc garden options

The main sign was cleaned and painted, the medium size sign has been painted and redesigned, and the landscaping around the smallest sign will be restored and a new sign installed.

Sanctuary screens and visual presentation

The church is exploring ways to improve the sanctuary viewing experience, including possible changes to monitors and the big screen setup.Some people cannot clearly see the cross from where they sit.The goal is to make worship visuals more effective while preserving the church’s existing symbols.

Community Outreach and Volunteer Needs

Public events and outreach

The church participated in community activities such as a pride parade booth, a senior little league event, stuffing backpacks and music on the porch. These events created positive interactions, especially with younger people and visitors looking for a spiritual home. The group saw these efforts as ways to show that the church meets people where they are.

Volunteer roles

People were asked to sign up for specific roles, including landscaping help, sign cleanup, AV support, social media assistance, and event participation if they can and will. The church also invited people to share outreach ideas, such as tailgating, music events, and other community touchpoints.

Our success depends on all of us looking towards reimagining our church - from our focus on Christ and his ways, to our going out into the community more, to our reaching out in love.