Vision
Executive Summary of First Baptist Church Visioning Process 2005-2006
First Baptist Church has developed a pattern of strategic planning and visioning throughout its history. The church’s history is marked by prayerful planning for the future. In early 2005 leaders of the congregation met with Dr. Robert Dale of the Baptist General Association of Virginia (legal name of the Virginia Baptist Convention) to consider the need for and design of such a process. The Administrative Committee of the church recommended names for the Visioning Team to the church by means of the Nominating Committee.
The Visioning Team began its work in September, 2005. The early months of our work were marked by prayer. The guiding theme of the team’s work has been “God’s will: nothing more; nothing less; nothing else.” The Visioning Team was divided into the following teams: 1) prayer; 2) history; 3) demographics; 4) congregational input and design; and 5) communications. These teams led the church to understand more of its history and its particular opportunities in the current setting.
Throughout the process the Visioning Team has sought the leadership of our Lord and the input of our congregation. You participated in a Strengths and Values Assessment entitled “Thy Kingdom Come.” This instrument was designed by the South Carolina Baptist Convention. More than 360 members of us contributed to this project. Some months later the congregation was asked to respond to the following question: “If Jesus came to FirstBaptistChurch, Kingsport in 2011, what would we be doing to cause him to say ‘Well-done, FirstBaptistChurch.’” Almost 1300 ministry ideas were given to the Team by members of our congregation.
First Baptist Church members have not only provided input, you have also committed to serve. The final phase of congregational input asked you to indicate your willingness to serve in, or gather more information about, thirty-nine ministry needs. More than 160 of you responded to this call.
The Visioning Team, along with the Administrative Committee which initiated this process, recommends that you endorse an Implementation Team to insure that your dreams are developed during the next five years.
The Visioning Team wishes to express its gratitude to all members of our First Baptist Church family for your prayers, encouragement, support and willingness to provide input and service. May God bless our efforts to do His will: nothing more; nothing less; and nothing else.
