Next Chapter
1998 signified a new chapter in the life of Bidwell Presbyterian Church with the arrival of Steve Schibsted as Head of Staff. Since his arrival, God has continually challenged the Bidwell congregation to consider the question, “Who are we here for?"
The congregation’s answer to that question is clear. We are here:
For those outside our walls
For those who do not yet know God’s love
For those who are hurting
For those who are experiencing hard times
For those who are lost
For those whom we do not yet know
As a church, we have taken many steps of faith over the last ten years, which demonstrate our commitment to those who are not yet part of our church family. Our membership has increased three-fold to 1,240, and our giving has increased by six times. We have completely remodeled our facility and had a successful capital campaign. In our recent survey of the congregation, we heard from you that we have many areas of excellence:
-Thriving Children’s and Youth Ministries
-Excellence in worship, both in preaching and in music
-Ministry facilitated by our hospitality and newly remodeled building
-A heart for those in our community and our world
-Strong internal structures
This has truly been a remarkable chapter in the life of Bidwell Presbyterian Church, so why do we need a new chapter?
We are so thankful for God’s many blessings to BPC, and while we’ve achieved a great deal as a congregation, we need to look forward and develop a new vision and plan for the future. We’re calling this the “Next Chapter."
The plan for the Next Chapter vision is now complete and will be unveiled in the Next Chapter Campaign. It is a plan for investment and growth in our ministries. We have captured the essence of this plan in our new purpose statement: Growing Deep, Growing Up, Growing Out. We want to grow deep in relationship with God, grow up in community with each other and grow out in service to our community and world.
It is the hope and prayer of The Next Chapter Task Force that the congregation will embrace and support this plan with joyful enthusiasm.
We know God calls us to something greater than ourselves. Who are we here for? We’re here for others we have yet to know and love.
We must be ready – for the challenge, for the blessing, for the Next Chapter.
What books did you read?
Treasure in Clay Jars by Lois Y. Barrett et al.
The Present Future by Reggie McNeal
Simple Church by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger
We are also reading Steve Schibsted's Doctor of Ministry paper. You can click to download : A Strategy For Transforming Bidwell Memorial Presbyterian Church into an Outreach-Oriented Congregation