In 2003 the church adopted the following statements expressing its Vision and Mission. These guide us in setting our goals and priorities, notably our evolving Ends Policies.
Vision Statement
We strive to be a vibrant church community that challenges individuals to craft their own spiritual journeys and to engage in creative and responsible action in the world.
Mission Statement
Ours is a loving, supportive, prophetic, and joyful community. We welcome people of all ages, races, backgrounds, lifestyles, and viewpoints.
We build on the wisdom of tradition, but are never satisfied that any practice, belief, or institution is set for all time.
We challenge every individual and our larger community to cultural, intellectual and spiritual growth, honoring the creative tension between tradition and change, intellect and spirit, individual and community, science and faith, as the crucible for testing and refining beliefs.
Acting on these ideals, we:
- Worship, learn, lead, and play
- Maintain FSC as a beacon for liberal religion and a haven for discussion and action regardless of controversy;
- Build on our tradition of nurture and appreciation for the artistic, cultural and intellectual fruits of the human mind and hand;
- Serve and enhance the church community by financial support and sharing our talents in an open and democratic structure; and
- Bring social justice and compassionate support to the larger community and the world.
Ends Statements
In 2007, the Governing Board of Fountain Street Church established the following Ends Statements to guide and direct the Executive Team:
Fountain Street Church
Ends Statements 2008-2010
Worship & Proclamation
Ends #1: Worship and proclamation is a liberating message.
Measure of Success:
Themes of liberation and oppression such as sexism, racism, and homophobia are addressed in worship and proclamation.
Ends #2: Worship and proclamation is made broadly available in culturally relevant,
technologically astute, and widely sought-out venues which will include VOL, Chimes, website, pod cast, etc.
Measure of Success:
Improved production and distribution of VOL, using the internet, broadcast and print to reach all of Michigan and adjoining states.
Ends #3: Worship and proclamation connects with inter-faith and ecumenical
communities.
Measures of Success:
•A. Great Speakers will be incorporated into FSC programs.
•B. Partnerships are established with other liberal religious organizations.
Ends #4: Worship includes both old and new ways of worship.
Measures of Success:
•A. Traditional and innovative worship elements are easily identified and
skillfully integrated.
•B. Participant feedback will inform worship design and practice.
Ends #5: The Worship service will experience growth in attendance.
Measures of Success
•A. Establish a reliable, consistent, and accurate method to document attendance.
•B. Worship service attendance will increase by at least 10% annually.
•C. The Religious Services Committee will report to the Board, annually.
Adopted November 12, 2007
Fountain Street Church
Ends Statements 2008-2010
Stewardship & Preservation
Ends #1: There will be increased stewardship of and access to FSC archival heritage.
Measures of Success
•A. Archives and archival work will be supported with a dedicated budget.
•B. Archival work will be organized according to a master plan (to be written).
•C. Archives will be accessible to the public by May 2009.
•D. All sermons and lectures will be available in text, audio, or digitized format by May 2011.
Ends #2: FSC will develop a generous spirit.
Measures of Success:
•A. Completion of Stewardship Template, with year-long work calendar and metrics, will be in place by 2008.
•B. A development plan is created by May 2008 with implementation beginning in 2009.
Ends #3: FSC will grow in size and influence.
Measures of Success:
•A. FSC membership will be 2000+ members, including 500+ children by 2017.
•B. FSC will have an annual budget of $2.5 million by 2017.
•C. FSC will hold two Sunday services. A third service could be planned on Saturday or mid-week.
•D. FSC will produce, publish, and promote a brand name product used by others.
•E. FSC will employ clergy or professional staff devoted to leading each of the following: education, pastoral care, social action and worship. Worship positions will be full time.
•F. FSC will employ professional staff to support youth education, adult education, music, video & Internet production, memberships services, and fundraising & development. These positions will be part time by 2012.
Adopted November 12, 2007
Fountain Street Church
Ends Statements 2008-2010
Education
Ends #1: Education offerings encourage strong participation.
Measures of Success:
•A. Youth participation will increase by at least 10% annually.
•B. Adult participation will increase by at least 10% annually.
•C. Demographic diversity will increase.
•D. Programs provide varied aesthetic experiences.
•E. Programs will address varied learning styles.
•F. 20% of character school teachers will be qualified and interested adults who are not Character School parents by 2010.
Ends #2: FSC will be a leader and model in the field of congregational spiritual formation.
Measures of Success:
•A. Education will be one of the top 2 reasons people visit and join FSC.
•B. FSC education materials will exemplify criteria of a liberal religious education.
•C. Criteria will be developed to evaluate education curricula.
•D. Education curricula will be shared with other liberal churches.
Ends #3: Programs build diversity of thought and open inquiry.
Measures of Success:
•A. Programs employ diverse learning resources from within and outside the FSC community.
•B. Participants will report an increased ability to think theologically.
•C. Participants will successfully engage one another respectfully concerning life's essential questions.
•D. Participant feedback will inform program content.
Adopted November 12, 2007
Fountain Street Church
Ends Statements 2008-2010
Social Ministry
Ends #1: Social Ministry addresses oppression and liberation.
Measures of Success:
•A. FSC will provide forums for debate of controversial issues.
•B. Participation levels for forums will increase by 10% annually.
•C. FSC will be a welcoming church for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered community. Participation / attendance by members of the LGBT community will increase annually as measured by the perceptions of selected key FSC members.
•D. FSC events will be listed in alternate media regularly.
Ends #2: External Social Ministry increases awareness of, opportunities for, and participation in various
types of social ministry.
Measure of Success:
•A. Ministers and staff regularly identify existing service opportunities.
•B. Community service opportunities will double by 2010.
•C. Collaborative programming will increase between FSC and the community-at-large.
•D. FSC contributions to the wider community will increase to 5% of the annual budget by 2010.
Ends #3: There will be growth in participation levels in Beyond Sunday and in caring
ministries of the church.
Measures of Success:
•A. Beyond Sunday reports will show an annual increase of participants of 10%.
•B. Social Action of inquiries regarding involvement, as measured by Beyond Sunday, will increase.
Ends #4: FSC will build on existing public / community identity and will be considered
a crossroads for the community - spiritually, socially, and culturally
Measures of Success:
•A. FSC is mentioned in the media and press as the site of / or involved with an issue or cause six times per year.
•B. The ministers and senior staff will regularly participate in community organizations and events.
•C. Community perceptions of FSC affirms this identity.
Adopted November 12, 2007