Futuring
conference
“breathes new life” into
New Life Ministries
Twenty five persons representing all partners of New Life
Ministries met at The Sandberg Leadership Center on the campus of
Ashland (Ohio)
Theological Seminary, April 23-26 for an intensive time of visioning for New
Life Ministries. The group was very ably led in the process by two consultants,
Dr. Richard L. Parrott and J. David Schmidt, Jr.
Richard Parrott is the Executive Director of The Sandberg
Leadership Center and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Ashland
Theological Seminary. David Schmidt is founder and president of a Wheaton-based
management consulting firm that specializes in strategic planning and
organizational development.
Those participating included denominational executives from
groups that have had a relationship with New Life Ministries (Church of the
Brethren; Mennonite Church USA;
Mennonite Church Canada;
The Brethren Church;
Christian Community; and
Shalom Foundation), pastors, NLM management team members
and members of the board of trustees for NLM.. The process included working at
our vision and mission statements, clarifying objectives for NLM, and naming
specific goals.
A definite reality that the group worked with is the
changing financial situations that our partner denominations/agencies are
experiencing.
The group was encouraged to think beyond the Anabaptist
markets to the wider possibilities of our resources that can have a great impact
on the Christian community. Dr. Parrott indicated that our market is “huge” and
people are hungering for the Anabaptist/Pietist influence/witness.
As a result of these meetings a committee was assigned to
finalize the wording of our new vision and mission statements. Several of the
board members will meet with the director,
S. Joan Hershey, to “fine tune” the
objectives and goals. Immediate action will be given to finding bridge monies
for this year. Very intentional time will be given to long-term goals.
The annual “Big Event"—the
Anabaptist Evangelism Council
meeting—will continue and be enlarged. At the same time we are meeting in 2003,
the Council on International Anabaptist Ministries will meet and we have invited
them to join us for our Friday evening banquet event.
by S. Joan Hershey, Apr 30 2002
