We're finding
that the traditional vision and planning
process is less and less worthwhile for churches today. ChurchFuture,
therefore,
takes a customized approach, one that is tailored
to the circumstances of each
client congregation. This process is God-centered and transformative,
but at the same time it is down-to-earth.
Some ChurchFuture assignments are short-term to deal with a specific objective or situation, such as a leadership retreat or one-time consultation. Other projects involve a longer-term journey toward a new vision and direction. In every case we emphasize relationships, because a change in direction can't be accomplished by edict or lecturing. ChurchFuture never takes a "one size fits all" approach. You tell us what your needs are and we'll outline an approach to fit those needs.
Here are some of the services that ChurchFuture provides:
A vision and planning process that involves members and ends with a shared vision of the future and pathways to get there
Experience based guidance on collaborations
Coaching to help you understand how your congregation’s history and culture impact on your future
Case studies instead of just theory, so you can learn from the successes and mistakes of other similar churches
Education on topics like
organizational change, conflict, effective
congregations, and rebranding
Advice with financial and real
estate issues
—“Dave Raymond kept us focused as we faced our new realities. His experience, anecdotes and the videos he showed mixed humor with grace, spirituality and practicality. And he learned to conduct meetings the Methodist way!”
Cynthia Lueck Sowden
Lay Leader, Council Chair
Northeast United Methodist Church
In 1999 the Minneapolis Area
Synod (ELCA) asked Dave Raymond to join the synod’s Urban
Planning Consultants team. This team included pastors and
lay people and who were trained in the Search Institute
congregational planning methodology. After the Urban
Planning Consultants disbanded Raymond continued to work
with local congregations as a sideline to his other
business. At the same time he did research in the area
congregational development.
Over the past 10 years Raymond
has provided coaching, consulting, training, and planning
services to over 50 congregations. He co-led workshops at
Minneapolis Area Synod assemblies on worship, high performance
congregations,
and multiracial churches. He co-chaired the Minneapolis
synod’s effort to train congregations in the use of
demographic data, and served as a trainer in
congregational collaboration for the Florida Bahamas Synod
of the ELCA. In 2002 and 2005 he represented the
Minneapolis Area Synod at the ELCA’s national Evangelism
Leaders Network. He is an ELCA-trained coach in Natural
Church Development.
In his younger days
Raymond has an MA
in American Studies from the University of Iowa. After a
career in real estate management, finance and development
he now owns a human services business located in downtown
Minneapolis. He occasionally serves as a consultant to
other small businesses.
Dave Raymond is
motivated by a conviction that we are called to share
God’s unconditional love for us as shown in Jesus Christ.
The Christian congregation—imperfect as it often is—is
almost always the best vehicle available to share God’s
love with others.
We tailor our fees to fit the
circumstances of each congregation. No matter how tight
your finances are, we are almost always able to figure out a fee
structure that works. We’ve often helped churches get grants or
assistance for part of the fee and in some cases we discount or
defer part of the fee. We insist, however, that each client
congregation pay at least a portion of the cost. We also take
measures to reduce travel expenses for clients outside the Twin
Cities.
You can call Dave at 612-823-0526 or send a note to Dave@ChurchFuture.com to discuss how ChurchFuture services might work in your situation.