First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood - Mission Study Blog

Hollywood Pres - Looking Forward

2008-10-21T19:41:00.000-07:00

The Mission Study was completed this past summer, and our task was to listen for God's voice, often still and almost silent in the midst of our busy lives. What is God calling us to be, as a church, the Body of Christ, in the midst of one of the most dynamic cities in the world?

But what if we, as a church, had spent an entire year meeting, listening, studying, talking, praying, writing and reflecting on our future as a church - and then had locked up the results of our findings in the church basement? What if we started a series of wonderful and engaging conversations, only to let them fall silent?

At the recent All Church Camp at Forest Home, about 200 members of FPCH met in small groups to think and reflect about our church, and dreamed together about our future. This conversation should not fall silent. We would love for you to share in this dialogue!

The FPCH Community and the Changing Community of Hollywood

A large portion of the church body seems to travel great distances to come to FPCH. Only a few actually walk, BUT, this is slowly changing. Often, newcomers to FPCH live quite close. The large amount of new apartment units, lofts, and condos being built in Hollywood presents both opportunities and challenges for the growth of FPCH. How do you see this growth affecting the future of FPCH? What are some opportunities? What are some challenges?

This is your opportunity to continue the conversation begun at Forest Home. Post your comments below and share your ideas, as we continue the conversations started during the Mission Study.

Coming Soon...The Mission Study

2008-03-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

For the past three months, we have been listening. Carefully. Prayerfully, listening.

We believe that God chooses to speak through the voices of his gathered people; the congregation of Hollywood Presbyterian.

We are in the final stages of preparing the Mission Assessment Report. Within the next month the report will be completed and published, and a link to the report will be placed here on this blog.

In the meantime, over the next several weeks, we will be sharing portions of our findings here.

Stay tuned, more is coming!

Listening to Each Other - Focus Groups

2008-01-20T22:52:00.001-08:00

The results of the Congregational Survey are in! As mentioned below, more than 400 surveys have been tabulated and carefully reviewed, and we have new insights on the nature of our congregation. We are continuing to listen to what God may be saying to us all.

The survey also raises interesting questions and ideas that deserve further exploration and discovery. Your PNC Committee wants to know your thoughts about these ideas and questions. As a congregation, we need to listen to one another, and by doing this, listen for God's calling.

And so, we will soon begin the process of Focus Groups, designed to carefully listen to what God is doing amongst us. Beginning next Sunday, January 27th, we will be taking sign-ups in the Garden after worship services for those who would like to be a part of Focus Groups. Focus groups will be held over three weeks in February, and will involve reviewing some of the results of the Congregational Survey, in order to begin conversations among us all about where our future together will lead us.

Sign up soon, become a part of the conversation about the future of our church!

Whats Next?

2007-12-11T22:40:00.000-08:00

The congregational survey is completed, and we are happy to announce that over 400 surveys were completed! A remarkable response by a wonderful congregation.

A heartfelt thank you to all in our church family who contributed their thoughts, ideas, and comments.

Now begins the of tabulating the information, the next step in the process of listening well for the voice of God, as spoken amongst his people in our church.

After a Christmas break, in early January, the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) will be meeting with Session and our consultants to further explore the results of the Congregational Survey.

Then, beginning in late January and early February you will have the opportunity to participate in Focus Groups to discuss the findings of the congregational survey, and to provide your reflections, input, and ideas as we together begin to envision the future of our church.

Stay tuned for more!

The Congregational Survey Is Here!!

2007-11-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

After months of organizing, prayer, studying, consulting, and careful preparation, the Mission Study Congregational Survey is at last here.

But now.....time itself is running short. It is only a matter of days before the three week time period allotted for collecting your input will be closing.

You will need about 30 to 45 minutes to complete the survey; it is thorough and detailed - we want your input! You must complete the survey in one sitting, you cannot return to the survey later after partial completion. The survey should be taken by each member of your family over the age of 15 years old. Remember one per person, NOT one per family.

The deadline for your input is December 3.

The survey is being conducted in conjunction with the people at Allelon. Why not just do this job on our own, you might ask? Don't we have the resources to put together a survey and understand ourselves, by ourselves? The simple answer to this is, no, we don't!

The past years in our congregation have taught us that wisdom lies in an abundance of counselors. We have been through a process that has lead us to what we believe to the the best advisers for our church. Together, our efforts have resulted in a thorough survey that can be taken over the Internet.

We are beginning a voyage of discovery and learning together. Come along!

Go for it! Take the Survey. Be heard!

Its Almost Here!

2007-11-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

Where is the congregational survey?

You have been patiently waiting. For months, even! What is taking us so long, you may wonder?

Your Committee wants to make sure we get it right. We are striving for excellence in all we do. Often, this striving takes time.

You have been very patient with us. For this, we are very thankful, and we take your trust in us very seriously. We cannot afford to do a less than excellent job.

All this time, your Mission Study / Pastor Nominating Committee has been very hard at work; praying, listening, discussing, discerning. What we have learned is that the questions you ask are just as important as the answers you get. We want to ask the right questions.

The survey is very close at hand. Stay tuned. Get ready.

Take the survey. Be heard.

Shining Light on the Mission Study

2007-09-07T10:06:00.001-07:00

Like searching for clues with a good flashlight, the Mission Study process is underway! We are searching to define and describe our diverse congregation, and trust Christ to give us the light to see the way.

The Holy Spirit has unified your Committee, and we are organized to produce a Mission Report in the first quarter of 2008. The Committee is hard at work, meeting weekly, and involved in the process of creating a research instrument, or congregational survey, which will be used to illuminate the Mission Study.

Your Committee is in unanimous agreement that we need to generate additional questions to help identify the congregation's vision for our church. To assist us in the identification process, we will shortly be at the contract-signing point of retaining Branson Consulting Services, after considering several other possible resources. Mark Lau Branson and Alan Roxburgh will assist us in working through the Mission process. Mark Branson will also be our speaker at this year's Forest Home conference. Learn more about Alan Roxburgh here.

Our timeline for our process is that we are now creating the congregational survey, and hope to have it available for the congregation (both at the services and on-line) by mid or late October. (Of course, not to conflict with Forest Home Church Conference!)

Following this, we will be interviewing focus groups in our congregation, for more in depth discussions on what we appreciate about our church now, and our hopes for the future.

The writing of the Mission Study report will take place (approximately) during Dec/Jan with a view towards presenting a Report to Session in the First Quarter of 2008.

Please pray for us to continue, to hear the Holy Spirit's leading through this process, to grow in Christian community. We are deeply thankful for the opportunity to serve our church.

Solo Deo Gloria!

Your Committee - In Their Own Words

2007-07-25T08:54:00.000-07:00

Listed below are brief biographies, individually created by the members of the Mission Study / PNC Committee, so that you can get to know these folks just a bit better:

Inge Famularo
Wife for 35 years, mother of 3. Chaplain at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, faithfully attending FPCH since 1972. Loves God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength; lived out in helping others know the Lord. Work in progress.

Brian Armes
FPCH member since 2004; current elder; active in FPCH's music ministry. A playwright and filmmaker, Brian spent his summer in Pennsylvania doing neither of those things. Instead, he facilitated programming and led worship at the Spruce Lake Wilderness Camp, all the while longing to challenge his lack of golf skills with those of Steve Norris.

Patty Valentine
God's servant...Member of FPCH over 50 years..Cathedral Choir member over 50 years...Married to Howard 50 years this February. Mother of four, GRANDMOTHER of eleven. Totally committed to JESUS my savior.

Gretchen Larkin
"Bible studier, former textile stylist, mother of two adult sons, bibliophile. Asking tough questions my specialty. Member of FPCH and Voyager Class since 1990. Likes eating; bored by cooking. Seeker of the kingdom of God who loves this church and all the people in it."

Steve Norris
"Husband, father, commercial real estate consultant, follower of Jesus. Member of FPCH since 1984. Can do a pretty decent cannon-ball in the pool. Elder. Bad Golfer. Passion for the next generation of the church, and learning what God has in store for Christian community, lived out in Hollywood."

Fred Gruberth
"Elder elder (3 children, 6 greats, and 1 great great). Retired financier recalled for Kingdom duty. Souled out on Holy Spirit's vision for Hollywood. Rejoicing always, praying continuously, and thankful for PNC circumstances. Pray for us."

Marvin Wadlow
"Father of 3, master of none, gifts from God to train up. Passion for more of the Holy Spirit in our church, not old church doctrine that is dying. Put on this earth to use my God-given gifts to serve the under-served and to love the unloved who are told they don't quite fit in. Peace and Chicken Grease!"

Nancy McLeod
"At FPCH since 1994, daughter of the King, lover of faithful teaching of the Word, former banker, wife to awesome husband, mother of three, homeschooling mom, passion for families, filled with hope. Pray unceasingly!"

John Safoyan
"Elder, adult Sunday School leader, member of FPCH since 1994. Committed to the Lord Jesus Christ, to his wife Jan and son Bobby, and to this wonderful church of ours here in Hollywood."

Liz Smith
"Elder and member of FPCH since 1994. Health Care Executive and Chair of the Health Ministry at our church. Completely surrendered to God’s faithful guidance as he paves the way for growing the kingdom at FPCH. We ask for your ongoing prayers as we prepare our minds and our hearts for the wonderful blessings God has in store for our committed church."

Christine Park Peterson
"Seeker of God's will, whatever that might hold. Happy wife of amazing man, harried mother of preschool boys, retired investment banker. Member of FPCH since 2000. Organizing maven who loves finding order amidst chaos."

More bios coming soon......stay tuned.

Mission Study Effort is Underway

2007-07-19T16:05:00.000-07:00

The Mission Study / PNC Committee is busy at work during this summer, involved in research and preparing for a season of discovery to begin during the Fall of this year. This will offer everyone a chance to contribute and interact, including a congregational survey, smaller focus groups, reflection, and dreaming together.

These input efforts will be followed by preparation of the Mission Study for our congregation. The Mission Study and its vision will be a key tool in the process of search and call for a new Pastor for Hollywood Pres.

Your Committee is enthusiastically underway on their work, growing in community, praying, crying and laughing together, all with the goal of looking forward to serving the church and our city.

Pray for us. May Christ be glorified, and His Kingdom furthered in Hollywood and beyond, as a result of our efforts together.