We have been in the Auxano Vision Pathway process for about 9 months now. One of the key "felt needs" at The MET is that of alignment. Without common direction, goals, and language, our ministries in the past have each defined success in their own way, many times independent of how they contribute to the greater whole of who "The MET" is as a church. As we have navigated the Vision Pathway journey with Auxano we have strived toward the simple idea of everyone pulling in the same direction.
This past Easter Sunday was such an event. The Leadership at The MET took some seemingly minor steps on the surface but carried significant weight towards alignment:
- Children preregistration for members and regular attenders. The idea was to clear the way for guests to make their check in process as seamless as possible and avoid back ups in our check in lines.
- Canceled On-Campus Adult Groups (This was new this year). We did this to empower as many as possible to Serve (The third step in our strategy) to make the day as focused as possible on the expected increased attendance. We had an additional 125+ volunteers specifically in our Preschool and Children's ministry.
- Separated Worship Service Styles. Our normal Sunday Schedule currently offers an early "Classic" service that is less contemporary than our early services, followed by Contemporary services at 10:00 and 11:30. We offered a 6:30 AM Sunrise service in our Student Building that was a traditional worship format on Easter Sunday. Not only did that provide a positive experience for those in our church who resonate most with a more traditional style, but also cleared the way for us to be completely creative in our main worship service and align our key entry point environment.
- Unified our follow up plan for those guests and had a singular focus the week after Easter as well to connect as many of those to the real Jesus.
As a result, we had 271 first time Professions of Faith in Jesus Christ on Worship attendance of approximately 6,800!! There were also a number of additional responses requesting more information on everything from wanting to speak with someone about their spiritual life (which prayerfully will lead to more professions) to requesting information on how to join the church. Here are a few of the comments we received:
- Yesterday was AMAZING! The worship time was incredible. How God has blessed us with such talent and skill! The organization of the day was also incredible. Things just seemed to work like a well oiled machine. The atrium area was calm and the preschool/children?s classrooms were organized and running smoothly. It was such a joy to be at church yesterday and see how much everyone wanted to serve and provide an atmosphere of peace and love. God is moving us forward. I love my church! J.F.
- All I can say is WOW ! with a Heartfelt Thanks to each and every one of you who worked many, many hours for such a Spirit Filled, God Honoring, Resurrection Sunday. I am only one of many who experienced the fruits of your labors. What a privilege it is for God to allow us to see Him at work too. There was a lady sitting next to me, I introduced myself, and she said "I have been out of church for so long, with every excuse in the book for not coming, but just decided this morning to start back." (as the service began, she became emotional and) through her tears said "I must be a part of this, how do I do it?" She will be meeting me for Sm.Group next Sunday. S.A.
- I have to let you know that yesterday's service was AMAZING!!! Because of other commitments, I went to the 8:30 and 10:00, but then my husband and I got our children and took them to the 11:30 service. We are not the only ones who did that.......as the Nickleback song ended, many families left the balcony area where it was obvious parents had taken their kids so they could be a part of an incredible service. I just love it when church can go outside the box without losing sight of why we are there. It was one of the most worshipful experiences I have had in a long time. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! K.J.
The theme of the day was alignment. Not only was it a fruitful harvesting day, but it was a day where the church saw what alignment and focus could look like. I can honestly say this is a direct result of the process outlined in Church Unique.
Posted on
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
by Crull Chambless