Way Forward

In late 2019, Starmount began a process of discerning God’s call upon the congregation for the future.   Many members of Starmount participated in “Discovery” or “Impact” meetings at that time.   We had no idea of what lay ahead with Covid and the pandemic did slow our discernment and study process.  But the past two years also clarified our conviction that we must be prepared to re-examine all our ideas and assumptions about how we are church in the world.   Way Forward initially referred to a small ad hoc committee who would study various issues and make recommendations to the Session, Starmount’s governing body.   In early 2022, this report was presented to the Session; considered, amended, and is being introduced to the congregation in March 2022.  

Over these two years, Way Forward has come to refer this comprehensive effort to, in the prayer of the 13^th century bishop Saint Richard of Chichester, “Know Thee more clearly, Love Thee more dearly, Follow Thee more nearly.”   Because the earliest Christians were known as “the people of the way” [Acts 9:2], Way Forward is a biblically grounded and relevant way to understand our work as followers of Jesus Christ in the 21^st century.  

There is no denying the changing demographics of Starmount are a concern we must address.   We all miss families with children!   But the motivations behind “Way Forward” run deeper than those we miss on Sunday mornings.   All churches have been compelled to change over the past several years, but COVID only hastened fundamental shifts already taking place in American society.  The choice for Starmount is not “change vs. no change” but rather reactive change (to what is happening to us) vs. proactive change based on our belief in the call of God and God’s providential care.   Change is constant in all of life.  The challenge for the church over 20 centuries has always been to wisely discern between the foundational beliefs which must not change and how to engage with the world which is always changing.   How can we be both faithful to the Gospel and the relevant to those we are called to serve?  This is the exciting question that frames all our Way Forward conversations and prayers.

Much of what you love about Starmount will not dramatically change- our commitment to rich and meaningful worship, our abiding concern for the well-being of others, especially refugees in the Greensboro community, the sense of being part of a loving and caring community.   What will change is how we are organized and equipped to live out our ministry and mission.   We aim to have a more flexible and responsive organizational structure that allows for a multitude of ministries- some existing and some new to thrive and grow.  We will be more willing to try experiments with new ministries, some of which will succeed, and some will not.   But in our successes and failures we will be learning about persistence, resilience and the grace of God which covers all.

This transition will occur over the next 6 months; however, it will be an ongoing process of learning and adapting that will endure far beyond that timeframe.  During that same timeframe, elders and committee chairs will be matched to new ministries. In April, newly identified ministry leaders will revise their ministry descriptions, and current committees will be invited to discuss the transition. In May, we anticipate a second congregational gathering in which the ministry leaders will share the scope of their ministries and invite members to participate. The summer months will be a time of further transition. The new ministries will be in place by August.

In the simplest terms, a “committee” tends to be more task-driven.  Our intention for the new “ministries” is that they will be more purpose-driven.  In a task driven committee, the work to be done sets the agenda.   This agenda can easily become fixed and resistant to change, even when so much else around us is changing.   This often leads to committees feeling overwhelmed and it also tends to leave little space for innovative ideas or creativity, since anything new must be done on top of the existing list of tasks.   Our ministries will focus first on the “why” behind what they are doing. They will engage in continual discernment regarding the impact God is calling them to make.  Tasks and activities will flow out of a clearer understanding of this intended impact.  Tasks will also be regularly evaluated to determine if they are achieving their intended outcomes.  This allows ministries more flexibility to engage in creative ideas, to try new things, and adapt to changing circumstances

The answer to this question will of course vary depending on which ministry you are serving. In some cases, your responsibilities may remain the same. In other cases, they may change.  Our hope is that in each of these ministries you will find more opportunities to try new things, experiment with innovative ideas, and collaborate with other ministries to bring these ideas to life. 

There will be many ways to participate in these new ministries.  Some individuals will serve as voting members of the ministry, meaning that they will attend regular (usually monthly) meetings to make decisions regarding that particular ministry.  Others may simply indicate that they are interested in serving on a specific ministry team or an individual project. No matter what your availability or level of interest may be, there is a place for you to serve in the ministries of the church.

Starmount Presbyterian currently has 15 Committees. Under the Way Forward Plan, we would have 8 Ministries.  This means some of our committees will be absorbed or combined into new ministries.  The responsibilities of the Administration committee will be distributed across several ministries.  The Endowment Committee will be absorbed into the Finance ministry.  We will continue to have seasonal committees such as Stewardship and Nominating. Elders will serve on these groups in addition to the 8 ministries.  We will also continue our strong support for our outstanding preschool.  The Preschool committee will continue to have an elder liaison and church members who serve on it, however we will give them the freedom to select their own chair who may or may not always be a church member.

Below is a list of how our current committees match up with the new ministries:

Inspiring Faith – Worship & Music + Faith Formation

Children & Youth – Faith Formation

Connections – Fellowship + Membership

Congregational Engagement & Growth – Caring + E&M

In March 2022 we hired Annette Black as our newest staff member.  As our Administrative Assistant, Annette will work closely with Anne Cullinan & Sheila Beane to collaboratively support the congregation, program staff and ministries of Starmount. There are no current plans to hire additional staff but staffing, which is always in response to needs, resources and vision may change soon.  The staff will be leaner going forward and though they will support various ministries the expectation that staff will “take care of it” needs to change as well.   In Way Forward, ministries must be supported by active lay involvement if they are to grow

In the coming months, you will have various opportunities to share your ideas and questions in person and virtually.   These gatherings will be announced in the coming weeks.  You may also, at any time, reach out to a Session member or one of your pastors, as well.  Also, you can send an email to wayforward@starmountpres.org any time.  To learn more about Way Forward, stay in-touch through all Starmount’s media- the monthly newsletter, “This Week” updates. These various media are in addition to the in-person and virtual meetings for you to attend if you wish.  

The Session has been overwhelmingly supportive of the general direction of Way Forward and we believe this reflects the sentiment of the congregation.  Please continue to pray for Starmount, your church leaders and for the various aspects of Way Forward.   Expressions of kindness and goodness (the fruits of the Spirit!) are always welcome.   Mainly, you are encouraged to find your own way to participate in the Way Forward, through your financial