Our leaders have learned—and continue to learn—a great deal about our congregation through the surveys many of you chose to complete.
Over the coming weeks, we will share different aspects of what we’ve discovered. We also invite your prayers and your participation as we begin to engage more deeply with the work ahead.
As part of this assessment, we explored Congregational Culture through two key questions: Do we tend to be adaptable or settled? Progressive or conservative?
It will likely come as no surprise that responses from First Church participants leaned strongly toward the progressive side. We landed almost in the middle between adaptable and settled.
From the 168 individuals who completed the survey, we can begin to recognize and better understand who we are as a community.
Churches that are both progressive and adaptable are described as having a Magi culture. Churches that are progressive and more settled are described as Paraclete cultures. Because First Church falls so close to the line between these two, it is important for us to understand and learn from both.
Magi Culture (Progressing and Adaptive)
Strengths:
- Analytical
- Open to different views
- Intellectually curious
- Advocates
- Inclusive
Shadow:
- Over-thinks issues
- Avoids emotion
- Tried to be everything to everyone
- Lack of interpersonal skills
Paraclete Culture (Progressive and Settled)
Strengths:
- Inclusive
- Healing
- Accepting
- Spiritual practice that unites
- Driven to ministry
Shadow:
- Overcommits easily
- Goes through routines
- Burn-out
- Lack of accountability in behavior
- Internally focused
As we reflect on these strengths and shadows, we consider how they show up in our life together—as a congregation, as leaders and participants, and as followers of Jesus.
Where do we see these strengths already bearing good fruit? Where might the shadows be shaping our life together in ways we need to name with honesty and care?
In the weeks ahead, we invite you into a shared practice of prayer and discernment. Pray for wisdom to recognize both who we are and who God is calling us to become. Pray for courage to build on our strengths and to gently, faithfully address the places where growth is needed.
And we invite you to take one small step: notice. Notice where you see inclusion, curiosity, healing, or advocacy come alive in this community. Notice, too, where we may be overextended, disconnected, or stuck in routine. Your awareness, your voice, and your presence will help shape the next chapter of our shared ministry.
This is holy work we do together.