Same Place--Different Structure

On April 4 we gathered for a double celebration. Not only was it Easter, a time we always celebrate, but it was also the 10th Anniversary of our First Sunday on Daniel Island. In the years since we have watched a town grow up around us. We have seen families choose to find their spiritual home at Providence. We have watched families form, children born, said goodbye to individuals and families as they have moved away or died. In short, we have grown up as a congregation! That is reason to celebrate!

But some things have not changed. While our congregation has tripled in size, while our facilities have more than doubled, while our budget has grown 4 fold--our organizational structure has remained the same. After 13 years, we are beginning to feel the restraint--like a teenager who is still trying to squeeze into the same clothes she wore when she was 4! It is a bit snug!

We knew this day was coming. In 2001 David Odom, who was at the time the President of the Center for Congregational Health, told our 2nd Long Range Planning Committee that at some point we would need to take a look at our structure. When our next LRP committee made their report in 2005, they recommended that we examine our structure. It has taken a while, but that time has finally arrived!

Some have asked, "Why mess with something that has worked?" That is a valid question. The most obvious answer is the one already mentioned. We have outgrown it. We need groups now that didn't exist 10 years ago--and with our current structure that would mean watching our Coordinating Council grow from 12 to 15 to who knows how many. At some point the numbers make meetings unwieldy. In fact, we have already reached that point. There are times when discussions are repeated many times over--before they ever get to the congregation. It is frustrating and time consuming. Even more, it doesn't help ministry happen.

Our current structure allows us to maintain what is currently happening, but leaves precious little time or room for planning and dreaming. What are we trying to achieve as a congregation this year? Are our programs, our priorities, our budget working towards that end? Our proposed structure helps our congregation decide on priorities, and then gives our various groups the freedom to make decisions to achieve them.

The proposal also gives us room to grow--both in size and spirit. There is the freedom for needed groups to be added, while groups that have served their purpose are allowed to disappear. It also calls on us to grow in trust and responsibility--allowing individuals to discover gifts that they may have never known existed.

On April 25 we will be voting on the proposed change in our By-laws. Before that time we will have time to talk--on Wednesday nights, and during Sunday School on April 18. I hope you will be a part of the conversation; that you will ask your questions; that you will begin to dream of what might be.

On that Sunday 10 years ago we could scarcely dream of what would take place around us. But we had the wisdom to move to a place we could expand and grow. I pray that same spirit is still at the core of who we are!