My primary focus at my new church has been getting to know the staff and getting to know the people.  I am getting to know the staff through staff meetings and working together.  The primary way I am trying to get to know the people is through “focus groups.”  These are groups of people who get together with me.  I ask them to share their stories as they relate to the church.  Then I ask them to share about what they value most at the church. Then I ask them to share about their hopes for the future or what they sense God is leading us into.  It has been fun and exciting to get to know the church through these meetings and to discover what their values and priorities are.

I have had 8-10 of these meetings so far and they have been very helpful.  I am beginning to feel more settled and a part of this church because of these meetings.  The other night I was talking with a long term member of Salem Covenant Church, where I served for 15 years.  She was reflecting on my new beginning in Attleboro and said, “You know what I think was helpful?”  I said, “No, what.”  She said, “it was those meetings you had with us when you first arrived 15 years ago.”  She was referring to these focus groups.  I use these meetings to get to know the church and to establish a vision for our congregation.  It is helping me and I hope it is helpful for our church in general.