This past Sunday (May 17th) the staff of Northbridge presented two important things to the community that again were steps forward from the previous Sunday’s discussion:

First, Shane presented what the democratic process of decision making and planning exactly is that the staff and leadership team have used to get us this far in our community discussions and why this process has been used instead of the more ‘traditional’ church model of decision making and planning.

Here are a few of the challenges of the traditional church process that were presented:

  • more hierarchical in nature & limits shared ownership, participation, and responsibility by community members
  • isn’t ideal for incorporating concerns, ideas, and strengths of larger church community
  • experiences a slowing in growth, change over time as as chosen model ’solidifies’

Here are a few of the benefits of the democratic church process that were presented:

  • does a better job at resisting hierarchical model of decision making process by including and listening to the voices and thoughts of the community members
  • moves community from being passive receivers towards being more active members in the process
  • more fluid in nature promoting opportunities for community change, input, and overall engagement

(For more information on this democratic process feel free to email Shane)

Second, Alicia presented what seemed to be the common obstacles that arose from the community’s discussion on what challenges Northbridge faces to achieving the six aspirations that had previously been identified.

These obstacles (with simple examples or explanations included here) were:

1. Lack of Facility-rushed Sundays (need to get out of space); lack of proximity to each other, lack of actual neighborhood, lack of routine.

2. Staff/Leadership-functioning as a ‘part-time church’, lack of experience in leaders, staff role questions.

3. Deconstruction-lack of sense of ‘ wider’ church connection, questions around kids faith formation, deconstruction of beliefs, theology, practices.

4. Differences-interpersonal (vulnerability), personalities, preferences, church practices, backgrounds, experiences.

5. Outreach-challenge with sustainability, introverted style of leadership and community personality, comfortable with supporting each other.

6. Time-people can offer during week, leaders can offer, limited Sunday morning time.

After the presentation of the democratic process and these six obstacles there was a good time of sharing in communal response and questions.

We will continue our community discussions in two weeks after having a simple service and outdoor picnic for Memorial Day Sunday and having a guest speaker from the Lift Community in St. Paul share with us the last Sunday in May.

Please plan to join us for these next two Sundays and on Sunday, June 7th when we will move into the next phase of our communal discussions.

Shane