atascadero community church profile
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___________________ __________________________________
Date Position to be filled
United Church of Christ
LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE
FOR LOCAL CHURCHES SEEKING NEW LEADERS
Local Church
Statement of Consent
The covenantal relationship between a church and those called by that church to serve as pastors and
teachers and in other ministerial positions is strengthened when vital information is openly shared by
covenantal partners. To that end, we attest that, to the best of our abilities, we have provided information in this
profile that accurately represents our church. We have not knowingly withheld any information that would be
helpful to candidates. As the committee charged with the responsibility for identifying and recommending a
suitable new minister for our church, we have been authorized to share the information herein with potential
candidates
We understand that a candidate may wish to secure further knowledge, information, and opinion about our
church. We encourage a candidate to do so, recognizing that an open exchange of relevant information builds
the foundation for continuing and healthy relationships between calling bodies and persons seeking a ministry
position.
____________________________________________ ___________________________
Signature of Search Committee Chairperson Date
Church
Name: Community Church of Atascadero, UCC
Address: 5850 Rosario
City, State, Zip: Atascadero, CA 93422
Search Committee Chairperson or Contact Person
Name: Shirley Summers
Address: 8120 Azucena Ave
City, State, Zip: Atascadero, CA 93422
Telephone: (805) 466-1923
Email: [email protected]
___________________ _____________________________________________
Date Position to be filled
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LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE
FOR LOCAL CHURCHES SEEKING NEW LEADERS
Please return the completed document to your conference or association office.
1. Church: Community Church of Atascadero, UCC
2. Address: 5850 Rosario
City, State, and Zip: Atascadero, CA 93422
Church Website: www.atascaderoucc.org
3. Name of Search Committee Chairperson/Contact Person:
Shirley Summers
Address: 8120 Azucena Ave
City, State, and Zip: Atascadero, CA 93422
Telephone: (805) 466-1923
Email: [email protected] Fax: n/a
4. Conference/Association Staff Person Assisting Our Church:
Rev. Libby Tigner
Address: Southern California Nevada Conference Office
2401 Lake Ave
City, State, Zip: Altadena, CA 91001
Telephone: (626) 798-8082 ext 18
Email: [email protected] FAX:n/a
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
5. Membership: (as reflected in the eleven-year UCC Statistical Report for our church;
“est.” indicates the figure is an estimate.)
Last Year 5 Years Ago 10 Years Ago
a. # Church members 96 141 132
b. Average attendance at worship 58 81 80
c. Average participation of children/youth in C.E. 3 24 51
d. Average weekly participation in adult education 26 47 (26)(*not for the whole year, only during study sessions)
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e. # Members who are ordained clergy 1 not available not available
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6. Profile of Congregation
Estimate percentage of congregation. Each category should add up to 100%.
a. Age: c. Family units:
__ __% ages 0 - 5 __15__% couples with children at home
_ ___ % ages 6-18 __55__ % couples without children at home
_ _9__ % ages 19-34 __30__% single
__ 6__ % ages 35-49 __ 0__ % single parent with children at home
__19__% ages 50-64
__43__% ages 65-74 d. Occupation of adults:
__23__% ages 75 + __11_ % business
_ 8_ % clerical
b. Education level of adults: __ 0__ % farmer/rancher
__2__% completed less than high school __ 0__ % laborer/manufacturing
__2__% high school graduates _ 49__ % professional
_19_ % some college/vocational school __ 0__ % student
_ 34__ % college graduates __ 4__ % tradesperson
_ 43__ % graduate school _ 28__ % other
e. Employment: f. Describe the racial-ethnic makeup of your congregation:
_ 40__ % employed 90% caucasian, 2% African American, 4% Hispanic, 1% Native
_ 2__ % not currently employed American, 3% Other
__58__ % retired
CHURCH FINANCES:
(Figures reflect the eleven-year UCC statistical reports as well as the church’s annual reports.)
Last Year 5 Years Ago 10 Years Ago
7. Total Church Income 149,776 143,925 138,213
a. Members offerings and pledges 78,349
116,853
101, 233
b. Interest from investment or endowments 1,528 506 503
c. Principal reduction (endowments or investments)
not applicable not applicable 2,000
d. Rentals 17,059 12,415 not available
e. Special Fundraising 11,106 7,745 4,746
f. Other 41,734 6,405 11,707
If the church has conducted an annual stewardship campaign, list results for the past two years:
No goals set for the following stewardship campaigns:
2011 Pledges: $ 82,364 Actual Received: $80,101
2012 Pledges: $ 70,480 Actual Received: $ 60,894
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Last Year 5 Years Ago 10 Years Ago
8. Total Operating Budget 116,071 144,977 117,331
a. Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support 2,650 5,500 3,700
b. Our Church’s Wider Mission Special Support 2,066 2,031 1,430
c. Other gifts 1,444 4142 1,182
d. Current local expenses 109,911 133,304 111,019
e. Annual capital payments 0 0 0
f. Other debt 0 0 0
9. Identify UCC special offerings the church receives throughout the year and the amounts from last
year:
$ 628 One Great Hour of Sharing
$ 261 Neighbors in Need
$ 127 Christmas Fund
$ 76 Strengthen the Church
$ 150 Basic Support for Our Church’s Wider Mission (only if received through special offerings and
not included as a regular budget item in #8 above.)
10. Mission
a. Beyond your contributions through the UCC, name the most significant local or global
missions/ministries or agencies that were financially supported by your local church last
year and the amount of support:
Name Amount
1. Atascadero Loaves & Fishes $385 2. North County Women’s Shelter $100 3. Global Fund For Women $100 4. People of Faith For Justice $100 5. Senior Nutrition $100 6. Get On The Bus $194 7. Friends of Camp Hapitok $100 8. El Camino Homeless Organization $50
b. What mission project has excited your church the most in the past three years? Why?
Grants for Teachers- It was a fun, one time event that provided grants for projects of Atascadero Unified
School District Teachers giving them the funds to complete projects like watering stations, counseling
programs for teens, and field trips. It was a live/silent auction event with a full meal served. This event was
well attended by the congregation and the community.
Hunger Walk (SLO Food Bank)- The hunger walk is an annual event to raise money for the hungry in our
community. This event is enjoyable, helps support the community, and increases friendship among the
congregants.
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Homeless Meals/ECHO- ECHO (El Camino Homeless Organization) is a local homeless shelter that provides
meals, sleeping accommodations and showering facilities. Once a month a meal is prepared and served at the
shelter by our congregation. This mission brings congregants closer to one another while serving or donating
to their community. In the past our church has participated in overnight stays at the shelter.
11. Indebtedness
a. Total amount of outstanding mortgages/capital debt: $ 0
b. Total amount of other debt: $ 0
Describe:
c. Are payments current? N/A
12. Capital Campaigns:
a. If the church has had capital campaigns in the last ten years, note goal and results:
Goal: $ 16,000 Outcome: $ 16,000
b. What projects were undertaken as a result of your capital campaign?
Our Steinway Restoration Project- restoring our 100 year old Steinway piano, a public concert was
given to show off this historical instrument to the community.
c. Was there a mission or outreach component to the campaign? _____ Yes __X___ No
d. If a capital campaign is underway or anticipated, describe it: N/A
Goal: $ 6,000 Beginning Date: 9/1/2013
Purpose:Sound System Upgrade- we are currently in the process of upgrading our sound
system in the sanctuary. The total cost of the upgrade will be close to $8,000. We are hoping to
raise at least $6,000 to cover the majority of the costs.
13. Assets held by the Church:
a. Reserves (savings): $ 22,208
b. Endowments/Investments: $ 120,803
c. Describe buildings and property of your church except the parsonage:
Parking capacity: 202
-Sanctuary includes chancel choir area, and has a capacity of 200. The building was reconstructed
from a military chapel at the San Luis Obispo army base and moved to the property in 1952. The
basement contains 6 rooms, including a Bride’s Room, Nursery, Sunday School rooms and larger
meeting rooms and restrooms.
-Fellowship Hall is nearly 100 years old. The capacity is 230 people. It has a stage, full kitchen, and a
custodian’s room attached behind the stage. It includes original hardwood flooring and lots of windows.
It has a separate, adjacent parking lot.
-The Amsbury building is comprised of two rooms, the larger of which is the office, and the smaller is
the pastor’s study. It also includes a restroom.
-The Hewitt building is comprised of four rooms--two large, two small, and a restroom. It is used for a
conference room and storage.
-At the center of the buildings is a large lawn area that can be used for outdoor worship services and
recreational purposes. There is parking on all four sides of the property.
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d. Is the church building (including sanctuary and offices) handicapped accessible?
Yes _____
Partially (specify) Restrooms in Sanctuary/Fellowship Hall, Amesbury, and Hewitt buildings are not
No _____
Is the pulpit handicapped accessible? Yes _____ No__X___
e. If a building program is projected or underway, describe it, including estimated
date of completion: N/A
f. If the church owns a parsonage, describe it:
The Manse
Address: 5495 Palma Ave
City, State, Zip: Atascadero, CA 93422
Number of Rooms: 8 Number of Bedrooms: 3 Number of Bathrooms: 1 & ½
Description:
Two story, 100 year old, craftsman style home. There are hardwood floors in most of downstairs
and it is carpeted upstairs (some vinyl flooring). There is a partially-fenced yard, detached two-car
garage, and a basement.
Distance from Church On Church Site
Handicapped Accessible?
Yes ____No ____ Partial Upstairs not accessible/bathrooms not accessible
FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF MINISTERIAL LEADERS
14. If your conference has compensation guidelines, do you follow them?
_____ yes ___X__ yes for some compensation items but not all _____ no
Does the church consider this position to be full time or part time?
_____ Full Time ___X__ Part Time (specify) ⅔ time
How will church members be supportive of a part-time or bivocational pastor who may need another
job to supplement the church salary?
We are aware that a part-time minister would not be able to take on all aspects of a full-time
minister’s job. Congregants will be aware of the minister’s duties and availability for counseling,
working on missions, and involvement in worship.
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15. Salary History
To provide a profile of salaries for the position you are seeking to fill, indicate salaries at the beginning and
ending of the ministers’ tenure. Do not include interim positions. If a parsonage is provided, insert the letter “P”
in the space provided. Provide information for the last 3 leaders or the last ten years.
Start Date End Date
Year Salary Housing Parsonage Year Salary Housing Parsonage
a. Last 2005 31,364 3,000 P 18,000 2012 37,125 same same
b. Previous 1998 40,000 3,000 P 15,000 2003 45,000 same same
c. Next previous
***Last two previous ministers were employed full-time.
16. During the above period, has your church ever failed to fulfill its financial obligations to its
pastor? _____ yes __X___ no If yes, please comment:
17. Salary, Benefits, and Expenses Offered
a. Cash salary offered: ⅔ Time: $14,000.00 plus a $2,000.00 cash supplemental housing allowance_
Conference recommended salary range(2010): Full Time- $44,816.00 to $67,280.00 including
housing depending on the number of years experience as a pastor.
b. Housing: $18,000 is considered as the value of housing in the manse which is on site. In addition to
the aforementioned housing, there is a $2,000.00 cash allowance which is also identified in
item a. above. If housing allowance is chosen rather than living in the manse, $18,000 will be
added to the minister’s salary to supplement other housing.
____ Housing allowance only ____ Parsonage only __X__Would consider offering either
*** Our total salary compensation (including cash, housing and supplemental housing allowance) for ⅔
time employment is equal to $34,000 plus social security/medicare offset of $2601.
c. Customary benefits:
__X__ Vacation: _4_ weeks annually.
__ X__ Maternity/paternity leave
__ X__ UCC Retirement Annuity ( _14__% of salary and housing)
X__ UCC Life and Disability Insurance Benefits
_____ UCC Health Benefits ( ___X__ other health benefits)**
______ UCC Dental Benefits ( ___X__ other dental benefits)**
__X__ Social Security/Medicare Offset ($2601)
2 wks/yr Continuing Education Time
___X__ Sabbatical Leave After 7 years
__X__ Other benefits (specify) Holidays granted, sick leave at a rate of 10 days per year.
Those rates are based upon full time employment and will be reduced to be
proportional to the percentage of full time that the pastor will be employed
**Health and Dental benefit costs will be shared such that the Church’s baseline cost does
not exceed $9,600.
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d. Ministry Expenses***
___X_ Travel Reimbursement at the current federal rate
___X_ Meeting Expense Reimbursement
___X_ Books and Periodicals
___X_ Continuing Education
__ X_ Reimbursement of Criminal Background Check Fee
open Moving Expenses. OPEN FOR CONSIDERATION
***Total not to exceed $3,500
COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS
18. Population
a. Population of total city or town in which your church is located: 27,900
b. Describe the population by racial-ethnic category and identify the source of the information:
78% caucasian, 2% African-American, 4-6% Hispanic, 2% Asian, 4% Native American & Other
19. Economic Factors
Identify major sources of employment/income in your community:
a. Atascadero State Hospital, DSH
b. California Men’s Colony, CDCR
c. City of Atascadero
d. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
20. General Description (Add *** if the information came from a survey of the congregation)
a. Describe three distinctive attributes of your community:
1. Agricultural
2. Conservative
3. Bedroom Community
b. Identify major trends you envision in your community during the next five years:
According to the New Beginnings Assessment research, no major changes will happen to our
community within the next 5 years. The items below are those that the Search Committee feels may
occur in the next five years.
1. Residential housing growth
2. Hispanic population growth
3. Water Conservation restrictions
c. List three or four problem areas confronting your community that members feel your church should
address:
1. Homelessness (including poverty & hunger)
2. Discrimination (race, gender, ability, mental health & LGBTQ)
3. Bullying among youth in schools
4. Lack of support to the LGBTQ community
d. Indicate Mission Activities
1. In which your church participates as a part of its mission in the community:
Hunger Walk, El Camino Homeless Organization, Get on the Bus, LGBTQ support. Loaves
and Fishes, North County Women’s Shelter, Camp Hapitok, Family Care Network, Christmas
Stockings for Kids, and People of Faith for Justice.
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2. In which does your church expect the leader you are now seeking to participate:
***In ranked order:
1. Spiritual Development
2. Mission Service
3. Wider Mission
4. Decision Making
5. Relational Development
e. Describe how your church buildings are now being used by the community:
Several groups utilize the facilities throughout the week:
Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Fitness Classes, Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS),
Girl Scouts of America
Other events that happen occasionally:
Special Concerts, Social Justice Forums, American Association of University Women events, Colony
Day Committee, weddings, funerals, other social events including Quota Club Colony Days Tea, and
we are a neighborhood polling place.
f. Indicate the number of school districts from which members of your church are drawn:
___ one ____ two __x__ three or more
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
(Add *** if the information came from a survey of the congregation)
21. Identify major trends you envision in your church in the next five years
Increasing the congregation’s mission projects and visibility in the community to promote
Progressive Christianity. Becoming more involved in the Peace with Justice topics, such as
immigration. Being more visible and supportive in the LGBTQ community and embracing our New
Beginnings goals.
22. Planning
a. All churches do planning. How would you characterize the way planning is done in your church?
***A great majority of our members agree that there is a core group of members (our 8
ministries), who do the planning. The ministry chairpersons attend Council meetings, help in
decision making, and communicate to the rest of the members. There is ongoing
encouragement for others to participate in the ministries.
b. What expectations do you have of the person you are seeking in relation to the planning that takes
place?
***The congregation would like a minister who would play a supportive role with the
ministries; keeping informed, but not having to attend every meeting of every ministry. S/he
should provide guidance as we address our New Beginnings goals, and in general act as a
facilitator/consultant for the various mission projects. Other statements from members included
“being part of the planning process,” “bringing spirituality to us and to our mission projects,”
“encouraging communication regarding planning to all members,” and “possibly helping prepare
members for leadership roles.”
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c. When is the last time your church undertook a period of discernment and long-range planning in
an intentional way?
We transitioned from boards to ministries in 2004. The church went through the New
Beginnings process in 2013.
d. What were the outcomes of your intentional long-range planning?
Transition from boards to ministries:
The congregation has been able to volunteer vs. being appointed on a board. Congregation
members have been happier with having ministries.
New Beginnings:**
This process led us to adopt the following goals:
“We the Community Church of Atascadero, have chosen a hybrid of Mission Redefinition and
Restart to embark on a revitalization process that will meet our goal of insuring our viability as a
congregation by providing meaningful missions within our community. We will do this in the
following ways:
A. Have a more visible and effective Open and Affirming program in our community with an
emphasis on providing meaningful support for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and
questioning (LGBTQ) individuals.
B. Improve our effective use of resources to support social justice missions in the community,
C. Provide distinctive messaging of Community Church of Atascadero and our missions to our
community such as exploring a name change and new signage,
D. Create Sunday worship services that are more relevant to our contemporary society,
welcoming of visitors, and that strengthen bonds within our church family and our community,
E. Evaluate the church structure, including Church Council and the Ministries,
F. Study Progressive Christianity and consider its holistic approach as a guide to redefining our
mission,
G. Explore sharing our facility with other faith communities.
The Community Church of Atascadero will enter into conversation with our Southern California-
Nevada Conference, United Church of Christ (SCNCUCC) and request their guidance and
support for our next steps to achieve this vision.”
**New Beginnings is a Church revitalization project that begins with an individual Church
assessment and then proceeds through a guided series of “House Meetings” that involves
church members in discussions regarding the identification of collective values, goals, and
desired mission actions. The result of our process was a statement identifying the seven
missions (A-G) above. These seven points give priority to the Church’s missions in the
community. If this process is new to a prospective minister, resources will be made available to
them. Please see the attachment to this profile to view the New Beginnings Assessment that
was used to complete this process.
e. Does your church have any plans to undertake a period of intentional long-range planning in the
future?
Due to our recent completion of the New Beginnings program, we are not intending to
undertake any additional long-range planning programs.
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23. Reflections on Congregational Life
Comment on the following with what you believe to be the generally-held responses of the congregation. If
more space is needed, use additional pages. (Add *** if information came from a survey of the congregation.)
a. Identify the three most important faith experiences or events in the history of your church and the year each
took place:
*** Event Year
1. Participating in the New Beginnings Assessment/Study Process 2013
2. Becoming Open and Affirming 2003
3. Search for New Minister Present
Comment: Although this did not show up in the survey, our Peace With Justice designation is an
integral part of our church’s identity.
b. Identify the most challenging faith experience or event in the life of your church in the last three years and
what the church learned from it:
***Answers from our all church survey were overwhelmingly related to problems with the
previous pastor(s), and declining membership and attendance that were attributed to the personality
and worship style of those pastors. The relationship between some of the congregation and the most
recent minister was negative and strained. Many members reported that they’ve learned that in the
future it will be important for a Pastoral Relations Committee to be in place, that evaluations occur
regularly and that there is an overall issue with keeping someone in a negative position for so long was
a very damaging experience.
***The New Beginnings process also seemed to be a challenging faith experience for the
congregation. Everyone who participated in this process learned a lot about our facilities, strengths,
weakness, likes and dislikes. We have established some very challenging goals because of our
experience with New Beginnings. We have found that this process has helped us to see how we can
become a more “missional” church.
c. What is God calling your church to do/become over the next few years?
God is calling our church to reach out to our community as a Missional Church and display, as
representatives of the Church, the concepts of Just Peace; expanding our position to be Open and
Affirming, and launching the implementation of the 7 Bold Inspirational Goals (BIGs), items identified
through our study of New Beginnings. We will not only continue to work with the Homeless through
ECHO (The El Camino Homeless Organization) but we are also being called to expand our outreach to
the LGBTQ Community, by addressing bullying in the schools and by performing wedding ceremonies
to same sex couples. Once a new minister is in place, we will begin the study of Progressive
Christianity.
d. Describe how the church expects the person you are seeking to help your church reach these goals:
Our church expects the minister to nurture our spiritual needs as a faith community, prepare us
to engage in Missional work within the community, and to support the goals of expanding the Peace
with Justice outreach, and responding to the needs of LGBTQ community.
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e. Choose the statement that most accurately describes the theological/faith stance of your church: You may
check more than one.
____ We tend to be theologically conservative.
____ We tend to be theologically moderate to conservative.
____ We tend to be theologically moderate.
____ We tend to be theologically moderate to liberal.
__X__ We tend to be theologically liberal.
____ We tend to be quite diverse theologically.
____ Other
Comments:
While we are largely a liberal church, we welcome people of all theological stances, and
have several members who are very conservative in their views.
f. Describe the educational program of your church:
-Identify the curriculum/a used in your church school and the person or committee responsible for
selection of curriculum/a:
Adult Christian Education: Progressive Christianity, Church Council
Youth Christian Education: Grow, Proclaim, Serve! United Methodist publications that have
been adapted for our church (Preschool and Primary ages), Christian
Education Ministry has chosen this curriculum for the last 4-5 years.
-Indicate resources used for Confirmation and the person or committee responsible for the selection of
these resources:
There is not currently a Confirmation program at Community Church due to the lack of
members in this age group. In the past, the minister and/or Christian Education Ministry Team
has chosen the resources/curriculum for confirmation courses.
-Are there educational opportunities for all ages?
In the past, there have been book studies, bible studies, forums, etc. offered for adults
to attend. With more children in attendance there was a wider variety of educational
opportunities as well. ***At this time, the majority of the congregation feels that there are not
enough educational opportunities for all ages.
-Does your church have a written Safe Church Policy?
______Yes ____X_____No (If No, has a group worked on this issue in the past?
What was the outcome?)
**This is something the church is currently working on.
g. Describe how the church expects the person you are seeking to participate in the congregation’s
educational programs:
We would like to have the pastor help develop adult educational opportunities such as a Lenten
Study Series, Bible studies, and perhaps studies of books that were not included in the Bible. With the
pastor providing encouragement and leadership, lay members have, in the past, led groups such as
these with great success. The minister may also be involved with the Christian Education Ministry to
ensure that quality, relevant, and appropriate curriculum is chosen to use for Sunday School, adult
educational programs, studies, etc.
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h. Describe how programs or ministries of your church are evaluated:
Although no formal evaluations of our ministries take place, ministries are held accountable
by the church council where they report their goals and progress.
i. Describe the strengths or positive qualities of your church: (Add *** if information came from a
survey of the congregation.)
***People felt that we are a welcoming congregation who is Open and Affirming,
we are a socially centered group of people who are kind and generous,
we are socially active in our community,
we are also open and affirming of LGBTQ,
we are progressive and well educated,
we also believe we are open minded and have a strong caregivers ministry.
24. Indicate major boards, committees, small groups, and organizations that are a part of your church; the
frequency of meetings (monthly, weekly, etc.); and expectations for leadership. For leadership role use: 1 =
pastor takes primary initiative and responsibility; 2 = pastor and laity share responsibility; 3 = laity take primary
initiative and responsibility; 4 = the pastor’s presence is expected periodically/occasionally.
Board/ Committee
Purpose #Members Frequency Leadership
Building our Community
Responsible for hospitality, publicity, visitor follow up, inquiry/orientation sessions, new member assimilation, membership enrollment, attend to discipline as provided for in the By-Laws.
6+ monthly 2
Buildings and Grounds
Responsible for maintenance and security of church property, securing and supervising maintenance staff, remodeling projects
9 monthly 3
Worship Responsible for working with the Pastor to enable and enhance all aspects of worship including sanctuary preparation, communion, music, sound, multi-media, sanctuary space visual arts, drama, dance, ushers, greeters, liturgists, obtaining a supply for the pulpit during the absence of the Pastor, the conduct of any meeting of worship in the absence of the Pastor, etc.
4 monthly 2
Christian Education
Responsible for Sunday Church school, Vacation Church school, youth ministries, adult education, the church library
1 monthly 2
Stewardship Responsible for the Annual Campaign, a Continuing Ministry Gifts Program, the Spiritual Gifts/Interests Inventory, year-round Stewardship Education
1 monthly 3
Peace With Justice
Responsible for local missions, wider missions, Justice issues education and projects, support for Missionaries, individuals and families
6+ monthly 2
Fellowship Shall oversee and supply Sunday fellowship hour, organize potlucks and special meals, arrange for funeral receptions, Whatever they are asked to do.
several core members/ many who help out
none 3
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Caregivers Responsible for calling on the hospitalized/homebound, serving communion to the hospitalized/homebound, arranging transportation for those who need it to participate in church activities, providing flowers, meals and cards to those in the church who need them, establishing and overseeing support groups
10 monthly 3
Church Council
Appoint the chairs and members of all church committees, establish such other committees and ministries as the work of the church requires, assign new responsibilities to the ministries as the work of the church requires, elect all delegates
16 monthly 2
Pastoral Relations Committee
Promote harmonious relations between the Pastor and the Congregation, and deal with specific issues brought before it by the Pastor or individual members of the congregation.
5 at least quarterly
2
Personnel Committee
Establish and publish personnel policies for paid Church staff, develop and maintain written job descriptions for each staff position, recommend salary levels and benefits for all staff as part of the budget process, prepare written performance reviews for all staff at least annually, employ and dismiss all staff (with the exception
4 as needed 3
Ongoing Small groups
Purpose #Members Frequency Leadership
Young Adult Group
This Young Adult group includes church members who are 21-50 years old. They meet for fellowship and some bible/spirituality study while other members of the church provide childcare for them.
8 monthly 3
Finance Committee
Provides for maintenance of Church financial records, makes regular financial reports to the Church Council, pays expenses authorized by the adopted budget, provides for deposit and safekeeping of Church funds, makes recommendations to the Church Council as to any mid-year budget adjustments needed and prudently invests reserve funds.
6+ as needed 3
Budget Committee
Prepares the annual budget proposal for submission to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting.
12 as needed 3
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25. Conflict
Most churches experience conflict at various times. Characterize your church’s experience with conflict given
the following possibilities. Indicate the extent to which each statement describes your church:
C = closely; S = somewhat; N = not at all.
__s__as a church, we respect and listen to each other and work things through without generating
divisiveness
__s__ as a church, we try to respect and listen to each other, but it is not uncommon for differences of
opinion to be a problem and for some people to choose sides
_ c___ some have left our church because of conflict
__s__ conflict hurts our sense of unity, but we tend not to talk about it
__s__ painful experience with conflict has been present, but it has been worked through, and we have
learned from the experience
__s__ we have had some painful experiences with conflict, and they linger in the background
__n__ open conflict is present, and we need a minister who can help us deal with it
____ other Specify:
Comment:
Each identifying letter above is indicative of approximately 58% to 66% of the classification
provided by those completing the survey. The only questions outside that range were the last two
questions which were answered on a more equally spread out response rate. The indicators assigned
were 43% and 47% respectively. We have lost many church members due to conflict during the past
few years. The descriptions identified above were completed only by those who remain within the
Church.
26. Worship
a. Describe the weekly worship schedule (number of services, times, languages in which the services
are conducted, frequency with which communion is included, special emphases such as healing
services, contemporary worship, etc.)
Community Church of Atascadero Sunday Worship Service is held at 10:00am.
Childcare is always available in our nursery during worship. Communion is celebrated on the
first Sunday of the month and all are welcome to partake.
Community Church also conducts Band Sunday on the first Sunday of each month with
more contemporary music and diverse services and on remaining Sundays, the church features
special music. Overall our worship has a traditional feeling to it. It is however, one of the areas
we plan to focus on while we work on our New Beginnings goals. This is an area we feel could
use some adjustments.
We have just hired a music leader to rejuvenate our once enthusiastic choir and chime
groups. Each will perform once per month during Sunday services.
b. Are your worship services or church gatherings sign language interpreted?
_____ Yes __X___ No
Are there particular ministries with persons with developmental disabilities or mental illness?
Comment:
Yes. As a part of the ministries at Community Church, the congregation members are involved
in programs for seniors, homeless shelters, and shut-ins. There are several of these individuals that
have developmental disabilities and/or mental illness that frequently visit or are members of the church.
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c. Identify how worship is planned on a regular basis in your church
_____ by a worship committee
_____ by the pastor
_____ by the pastor in consultation with the church musician
__X___ other – specify: the pastor is the primary planner for worship and meets regularly with the worship
ministry to consult, gather ideas and or make changes to worship. Our new Music Leader will
be crucial to this planning process as well.
d. Describe the style and content of preaching valued by your congregation:
A service could include but is not limited to: having a sense of humor; a message to take home
with you; concise; a focus on mission in each service; relatable; using different texts related to current
issues in the world or the community; making the service relevant to daily life and meaningful; down to
earth; relevant to social issues.
e. Describe the role in worship of the person you are seeking:
The minister has a synergistic role with the Worship Ministry and Music Leader as it relates to
developing and facilitating worship. He/She shall act as leader during worship, helping to ensure a
smooth cohesive service. It would also be the expectation that the minister bring in relevant topics that
are related to our local community, current world affairs and our church’s goals as outlined above. The
minister should empower people to be engaged in the service itself.
f. What hymnal(s) are currently used by your congregation in worship?
● The New Century Hymnal
● Sing! Prayer and Praise
● Alternative Hymnal- a collection of songs using the church’s CCLI licensing
● Pilgrim Hymnal (only used occasionally)
g. Have you considered using another hymnal? Not at this time
h. Churches have a variety of practices related to the use of Inclusive Language in worship services.
(Some churches have made the decision not to change any language in worship; others are intentionally
inclusive in their references to people avoiding words such as “mankind”. Some avoid exclusively male
references for God and seek to include male and female images as well as a variety of metaphors; other
churches exercise care in the words of the liturgy but still utilize “traditional” hymns.) How important is this
issue to your church?
Due to the fact that there is an opportunity for each congregation member to use the language
that they most prefer (and are encouraged to do so), this is not an issue that comes up regularly. We
tend to use multiple references for God throughout the worship service that are gender neutral.
WIDER CHURCH CONNECTIONS
27. United Church of Christ
a. Association, conference, or other denominational programs and activities in which church members
participate:
Do you send delegates to association and conference meetings?
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Regularly ___X_______Occasionally __________Never__________
Have members of your church ever served as delegates or visitors to General Synod?
Yes___X____ No_______Not Sure _________
b. Association, conference, or other denominational settings in which your church expects the leader you are
now seeking to participate:
Participation in both Association and Conference as well as the local organization, People of
Faith & Justice (local clergy and laity group).
c. Choose the word that best describes how lay leaders of your church consciously identify with the United
Church of Christ:
____ closely __X__moderately ____nominally ____other
Comment:
28. Ecumenical and Interfaith Activities
a. Describe ways your church participated in ecumenical and interfaith activities during
the past three years:
During the past three years we’ve had Jewish, Catholic and Muslims speak to the
congregation from the pulpit. At one point we met at the Jewish Synogogue to learn what we
can do together to help our community. For several years we participated together in the
Hunger Walk and Get on the Bus events.
For several years we were lead in a seder dinner, by a Jewish lay leader. This meal was open
for the whole congregation to attend. It gave us an understanding of the celebration.
We joined in an interfaith remembrance of 9/11, participate in events like global prayer day,
interfaith Thanksgiving services, Earth Day services, homeless vigils, etc.
Our previous minister was a founding member of People of Faith for Justice, a county wide
clergy and laity group who joined together to tackle social justice issues.
In past years we joined with the Episcopal church for Palm Sunday walk with palms.
b. Describe how your church expects the leader you are now seeking to participate in
ecumenical and interfaith activities:
It would be good if the new minister could join the People of Faith for Justice (formally
called Central Coast Clergy and Laity for Justice); our church has supported it from it’s beginning and
would like to see it’s work continue.
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RELATIONSHIP WITH MINISTERIAL LEADERS
29. Relationship With Prior Leaders
Characterize your church’s experience with pastoral leaders over the past 15 years.
You may check more than one response:
____In general, our lay leaders have a history of strong, cooperative relationships with the
church’s pastoral leadership.
____ We have had some fairly rocky moments, but we have worked them through, and
relationships with pastoral leaders have grown in significant and important ways.
__x__ We have had some tough times and things did not always work out.
____ Other. Specify:
Comment:
b. Indicate the tenure of the last three installed persons who filled the position you are seeking to fill. Do not
include interims:
Name To From
1.Larry Etter 2.Wr’near Wilcox 3.Susan Brecht
July, 1996 12/15/2003 12/31/2012
July, 1984 1998 11/16/2004
c. If a previous pastor or pastor emeritus/a is currently a member of the church, describe his or her
involvement in the life of the congregation: N/A
d. In addition to financial support, describe how your church supported the most recent person to hold
the position you are now seeking to fill:
Retreats, sabbaticals, attempted pastoral relation activity
e. Involuntary Terminations:
Have any of the last three persons serving in the position you are seeking to fill left involuntarily or
under pressure?
__x___ yes _____ no
If “yes,” respond to the following:
• Choose all the issues that may have contributed to the involuntary termination. You may check more
than one or indicate “not applicable.”
_____conflict of personalities in the church
_____inadequate performance
_____pastoral style inappropriate for this church
__X__ethical issues or issues of fitness for ministry
_____financial stresses
__X__other. Specify: Emotionally unstable, outburst of anger
• Indicate, if you can, which of the following best describe the congregation’s behavior toward that
person prior to her or his leaving: You may check more than one.
___x_civil __x__kind
_____compassionate _____supportive
_____harsh _____indifferent
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• Describe what your church has learned from the experience about itself and its relationship with
persons who provided ministerial leadership:
There is a divergence of opinions about what our congregation has learned from this
experience. We do recognize that we have played a role in the breakdown of relationships with
previous ministers. We have identified institutional and relationship issues that we are going to examine
and reconcile with a trained facilitator.
30. Does the church have a Pastoral Relations Committee? ___x_ yes ___ no
If yes, describe its purpose, functions and how often they meet:
We will be reinstating our Pastoral Relations Committee as it is suggested by the conference to
include the members of the Search Committee.
According to our Bylaws:
Pastoral relations Committee is appointed by Church Council, consists of five members serving
three year term on a rotating basis. This committee meets at least quarterly to promote harmonious
relations between the Pastor and the Congregation, and to deal with specific issues brought before it by
the Pastor or individual members of the congregation. All discussions and actions by the committee
shall be held in confidence by the committee and Pastor.
31. If there is periodic assessment/evaluation of the nature of the work and of the performance of that
work for the position you are seeking to fill? Describe it:
According to our Bylaws:
The Personnel Committee which consists of the Moderator, Moderator Elect, and the
Chairperson appointed by Church Council, prepares written performance reviews for all staff at
least annually.
-Is the periodic ministerial evaluation coordinated with a regular assessment of the overall ministry of
the congregation?
We will be using evaluations as recommended by the conference.
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32. Leadership Expectations
A list follows of 45 items which represent a range of qualities in the ministry of the church. Place an “X” beside
the 12 items which your church feels are the most important aspects of ministry for your church at this time. All
the qualities are important. However, please mark those 12 which you feel need first priority at this time. Do not
rank the items. If the aspects you consider to be important are not included in the list, place them at the end in
the blanks provided.
Mark only 12 of the following items. Do not rank the items.
Our church needs a person who…
1. __X_ is an effective preacher/speaker 24. ____ regularly encourages support of
2. ____ continues to develop his/her Our Church’s Wider Mission
theological and biblical skills 25. ____ reaches out to inactive members
3. _X__ helps people develop their spiritual life 26. ____ works regularly in the development
4. ____ helps people work together in solving problems of stewardship growth
5. _X__ is effective in planning and leading worship 27. _X_ is active in ecumenical relationships and
6. ____ has a sense of the direction of encourages the church to participate
his/her ministry 28. ____ is a person of faith
7. ____ regularly encourages people to 29. ____ writes clearly and well
participate in United Church of 30. __X_ works well on a team
Christ activities and programs 31. __X_ is effective in working with youth
8. __X__ helps people understand and act 32. ____ organizes people for community action
upon issues of social justice programs 33. ____ is skilled in planning and leading
9. _____ is a helpful counselor 34. ____ plans and leads well-organized
10. ____ ministers effectively to people in meetings
crisis situations 35. ____ encourages people to relate their faith
11. _X__ makes pastoral calls on people in to their daily lives
hospitals and nursing homes and 36. _X__ is accepting of people with divergent
those confined to their homes views
12. ____ makes pastoral calls on members 37. ____ encourages others to assume and
not confined to their homes carry out leadership
13. ____ is a good leader 38. _X__ is mature and emotionally secure
14. ____ is effective in working with children 39. ____ has strong commitment and loyalty
15. ____ builds a sense of fellowship among 40. _X__ maintains confidentiality
the people with whom he/she works 41. ____ understands and interprets the mission
16. _X__ helps people develop their leadership of the church from a global perspective
abilities 42. ____ is a compassionate and caring person
17. ____ is an effective administrator 43. ____ deals effectively with conflict
18. ____ is effective with committees and officers 44. ____ ______________________________
19. ____ is an effective teacher 45. ____ ______________________________
20. ____ has a strong commitment to the If there are other comments you wish to make
educational ministry of the church about expectations, include one or more
21. ____ is effective in working with adults paragraphs here on an additional sheet.
22. ____ inspires a sense of confidence
23. ____ works regularly at bringing new
members into the church
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GENERAL
33. Does your governing body or your search committee have a well-defined policy against
discrimination? _____ Yes __X___ No Comment:
As members of the Southern California-Nevada Conference of the UCC, there is a
discrimination policy that we abide by but we do not yet have one specific to our congregation.
34. Has your congregation participated in an ONA (Open and Affirming) study/discernment
process?
__x___ Yes _____ No Comment: ONA since 2003
35. Is there a position description of the pastor’s role and responsibilities?
__X___ Yes _____ No If “yes,” please attach a copy.
Does your church have a personnel policy covering this position? X Yes No
36. List the titles of other paid staff positions for whom this person provides supervision and indicate
whether these positions are full-time (FT) or part-time (PT).
Title: Office Manager __x_ PT ____ FT
Title: Music Leader _x__ PT ____ FT
Title: Grounds Maintenance _x__ PT ____ FT
Title: ____ PT ____ FT
The Supervision of the three positions listed above is jointly held with the chair of the Ministry Committee
responsible for the function of that position. The Personnel Committee will complete annual evaluations of the
people holding the above positions with input from the Minister and the Ministry Committee Chair.
37. Name three people who have agreed to serve as references. Make sure they are not
members of your church, but know your church well enough to be helpful to a final
candidate seeking more information about your church, e.g., conference staff, person in
community, neighboring pastor:
Name Telephone Relationship to Your Church
a. Charlotte Byrne 805-466-0678 ECHO Founder, Friend of the Church
b. Matthew Conrad Ph.: 466.0379 Neighboring Pastor at St. Luke’s Episcopal
Church, Friend of the Church
Cell #: (805)550-1609
Email: [email protected]
c. Richard Carsel Office: (805)544-8510 Lawyer, Lay leader in San Luis Obispo
County, Friend of the Church
d. Chuck Arnold Home: (805) 736-9423 Previous Interim
38. What groups or individuals in your church have contributed to, reviewed, and/or
approved this profile for circulation?
Search Committee, Church Council & the congregational membership.
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STATEMENT ON LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRY
The Community Church of Atascadero underwent the New Beginnings
Assessment in developing the seven goals addressed within the profile.
The Assessment that was used is attached for your convenience in reviewing
our Profile. (Please note that a vote for Attachment of the Assessment was a
vote of the majority, but not a unanimous vote).
The Community Church of Atascadero has a long and active history within the community of
Atascadero. The church was founded in 1915 as the Federated Church and has its roots in the
origins of Atascadero, affiliated with the Congregational Church in 1930 and joined the United Church
of Christ in 1960.
Since its beginnings, church members have been actively involved in community service, searching
for the Will of God as “they live their faith" in worship, in caring for those who are disadvantaged and
by contributing through community leadership to the development and maintenance of a community
that embraces all of it's citizens.
As you read our profile, you will undoubtedly see that during the last few years we have had our
struggles. As we seek to find the right path and leadership for our Church, the path has not always
been easy. We are a church that has worked hard to find God's will in our personal lives and in the
life of our congregation. As we worked through the New Beginnings process toward revitalization, we
had lively discussions, worked hard to improve communication and to enhance our ability to
compromise in the presence of divergent ideas. We accomplished this by being open and receptive
as we looked to see God as the directing influence. In the end we developed the seven (7) Big
Inspirational Goals (BIGs) as identified in the body of our Profile.
We have taken the goals developed through New Beginnings seriously and have looked at ourselves
and our desire to be a true reflection of God in the Community and in the world. In order to facilitate
that end we have hired a facilitator to work with our congregation to insure that our operational
structure is sound and that our guidelines for communication are strong and that they build on our
values, our mutual goals and our acceptance of one another.
Throughout our search for God's will for our Church, we have maintained the position of being a
positive pillar within the Community. We continue to support the homeless, feed the hungry, and
meet the needs of the disadvantaged. We raised a significant sum of money for the building fund of
the El Camino Homeless Organization, as they move to provide a permanent shelter for the
homeless. We support the LGBTQ community and are one of few churches in the county that
perform same sex marriages. The congregation is active in organizations for social justice and seeks
to meet needs that are presented to us.
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Music is a very important component of our worship and of who we are, both as individuals and as a
congregation. We are broadening the music program through the hiring of a new music leader,
enhancing both the choir and chime choir, plus the encouragement of congregational participation in
community concerts. With the restoration of our 100 year old Steinway piano we have had two
concerts that have been well attended by the community and are planning additional ones in the
future.
The city of Atascadero is celebrating it's Centennial this year and because of its history Community
Church is one of the sponsors of the celebration. As one of the founding bodies in the community, we
were provided a place for the congregation to hold a worship service on the celebration grounds and
were invited to participate in the centennial parade. This is one of many examples of community and
cultural visibility for the church.
We are filled with enthusiastic energy and are looking for a minister who, with the help of God, will
guide and lead us to channel that energy to accomplish the Bold Inspirational Goals (BIGs) of our
revitalized future and lead us to serve God's community.
Conference or Association
Descriptive Reference
Church Name:
Location:
Conference:
Association:
Name of Staff Assisting in the Search:
Staff Comments:
___________________________________________________
Signature of Staff Assisting in the Search
________________________________
Date