If we could somehow transport ourselves to the year 2020 and look back, what accomplishments and growth would you want to see at our church? Are we making the most of our resources and opportunities to pursue our mission of Touching Heaven, Changing Earth or are there new directions we should explore?
In June 2008 we launched an exciting project called 2020 Vision to outline the direction and needs of our church for the coming decade. Since that time, we have taken many steps to gather ideas and feedback from the LAUMC community on the vision of our ministries and our strategic building plan. See below for results and summaries of those surveys and meetings (most recent updates listed first). Stay tuned for additional developments and updates. Open input from the congregation is welcome via email sent to 2020Vision@laumc.org or written communications sent to the church office (Attn: 2020 Vision).
Town Hall Meeting: Sunday, March 15, 12:45pm, Sanctuary
The only way our 2020 Vision can be fulfilled is for all members to become engaged in participation and leadership. Learn more about the future of LAUMC and how you can play a part in it by attending a Town Hall Meeting in the Sanctuary on March 15 when a panel of 2020 Vision Study Committee members will be available for information sharing and Q&A.
March '09 Update:
A full and detailed 2020 Vision report has been released with valuable information about where we've been, where we are now, and where our church community is going over the next decade. Consider reading this report before attending our Town Hall Meeting on March 15 (see above).
2020 Vision Framework for the Future
February '09 Update:
An All Church Meeting was held on February 8 at which the final report of the 2020 Vision Study Committee was presented to the congregation. See the links just below for a copy of that report (a summary of the 2020 Vision recommendations) and the meeting's presentation. At the meeting the church voted to elect a Building Committee to study the design for a campus project center. This is the first of many 2020 Vision projects that will be moving ahead in the coming months.
2020 Vision Recommendations Summary
Presentation from the Feb. 8 Meeting (26 MB)
January '09 Update:
Here is a summary of the LAUMC Area Demographics reported in the "Ministry Area Profile" produced for LAUMC in July 2008 by the Percept Group. Percept is regularly recognized as one of the best strategic information companies in the U.S. The mission of the organization is described as follows: "Since its inception in 1987, Percept has supplied thousands of churches and parishes, and hundreds of regional and national denominational agencies with demographic resources to help them engage in mission within their particular context. Percept adds value to its demographic information by integrating data about the religious attitudes, preferences and behavior of the American people."
December '08 Update:
The 2020 Vision Study Committee is nearing the end of its work on a long-range plan for LAUMC and we are looking for your help once more! Please take a few minutes to participate in an LAUMC 2020 Vision survey — survey now closed. We encourage every adult in the congregation (18 years or older) to complete the survey, whether they are members or not. The survey will close at midnight, December 19, 2008. Don't miss this opportunity to be heard and to influence the future of our wonderful church! Thank you for your participation!
We have published the results of last summer's Question of the Week surveys:
Question of the Week Results Summary / Question of the Week Results Details
November '08 Update:
Check out our 2020 Vision presentation from Annual Church Conference on November 3.
September '08 Update:
The 2020 Vision team posed eight challenging and thought-provoking questions to the congregation this summer as part of the Question of the Week series, which ended September 14. "Why do you come to LAUMC?" "What changes would you like to see here?" "What traditions do you value most?" "If we had additional funds, what would we spend them on?" "How can we better welcome newcomers?" Each question brought in hundreds of ideas and suggestions through written cards and online entries using our church website (laumc.org). Thank you to everyone who took advantage of this opportunity to share their hopes and dreams for LAUMC's future. Each response was appreciated and contributed to our understanding of the priorities and trends that will guide our strategic plan for the next decade. A summary of the results will be available online and in print by December (scroll down for results).
The 2020 Vision Study Committee is continuing its work by conducting interviews and focus groups with different constituencies to discuss ideas for further developing our ministries, facilities, and programs in a way that will strengthen our relationships with God, with each other, and with our extended community. If you are still looking for an opportunity to express your ideas for the future of our church, watch for a congregation survey to be released in November/December. You can communicate with the team by email at 2020Vision@laumc.org.
