The Words of the Cotter Family
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The Words of the Cotter Family |
National Headquarters was abuzz this weekend (Jan 23-25) as 154 leaders gathered from around the nation to plan for a breakthrough year in 2010. The participants received incredible inspiration and guidance from our national president and CEO, Rev. In Jin Moon, and learned about the groundbreaking work in Korea and Japan under the leadership of our international president, Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, and chairman of the HSA-UWC Korea Foundation, Kook Jin Moon. Under True Children's leadership, it is definitely not "business as usual!"
The purpose of the conference was to bring together leaders so that they could learn from each other and develop professionally, resulting in more effective ministry nationwide. One district director wrote, "Thanks for a great meeting. It is rare that our far-flung leaders can meet, even at the district level. All of our state leaders attended this time. The impact was powerful on many levels and provided much clarity." The conference gave us an opportunity to connect. A pastor spoke for everyone when he shared, "I think In-jin-nim and her team did a wonderful job of making us feel like a part of their team."
The conference started off with a World Café session that examined both the successful aspects of the 104 ministries represented at the conference and the challenges those ministries face. Most importantly, it was an opportunity to explore strategies to grow the Church. One district director expressed, "Allowing American leaders in on these important meetings and World Café discussions goes a long way to enable our leaders to gain personal ownership over the goals and vision for the next three years. The goal of 30,000 new members has been a mountain surrounded by a dark cloud for me these past few years. I would look at how little we accomplished in the past two decades and get a feeling of near-hopelessness. This weekend has lifted the cloud and the mountain has become much smaller."
Another district director shared, "Through the Leader's Meeting I started to understand deeply what ownership requires and was given the tools that could help me gain the ownership that I was missing."
One of the tools leaders were introduced to was Key Performance Indicators (KPI). Chairman Kook Jin Moon has shown us that you cannot accomplish what you do not measure. By focusing in on key indicators such as membership growth, church attendance and tithing to measure the health of the community, we gain the ability to put our energy where it is needed and discover what works, adopting practices that can accomplish our goals. Our church in Korea is leading the way in this and the American church is now adopting the system developed in Korea to help us succeed. Leaders expressed that it was tremendously helpful for them to see our work here in America in the context of the worldwide movement under True Parents' and Rev. Hyung Jin Moon's leadership. "The reports on Hyung-jin-nim's and Kook-jin-nim's activities showed the professionalism, sincerity, and seriousness of their work. They are providing a model for our work here in America and other nations."
Everyone was incredibly inspired to see the positive media coverage the True Children have generated and their no-holds-barred approach to testifying to True Parents. Finally, we are changing our image in the world. The presentation by the HQ Communications team showcased all the information that is available on www.familyfed.org and how to keep up with the breaking news in America and abroad.
The leaders received guidance on applying what we have learned from Korea and Japan. We have developed KPIs for America and shared how they will help us evaluate our activities and drive growth. Each leader has been encouraged to develop an action plan and, together with a team of members, establish SMART goals that are relevant to their individual community. Leaders were excited to plan for growth using practical methodology so that all of their spiritual determination and dreams could be accomplished. A state leader made an insightful comment, "The combination of modern management techniques with the spiritual understanding of leadership taught by True Parents will create something very special."
The leaders enjoyed presentations on church growth, membership and natural witnessing. One leader noted, "This weekend's meeting was so jam-packed with tools I can use. One key topic was on witnessing and education. I have made a goal to learn the DP Master's program, Lasting Imprint presentation and REAL Relationship Seminar so I can gain spiritual children!"
One of the benefits of having our national pastor's sermon shared live across the nation is that it frees up local church pastors to focus on caring for members and outreach activities. This was exemplified in the testimony of a state leader, "I am gratified that In-jin-nim has essentially given me another day for activities as I do not have to prepare to give a sermon myself. Worrying about whether the message was effective or not used to weigh me down immensely and take up much of my mental real estate for the week. Now I am free to pastor."
Pastoring is important as church growth does not happen without nurturing people. One pastor wrote about the inspiration he gains from Rev. In Jin Moon, "In my mission area I desire to mirror In-jin-nim's level of listening and caring for our community of both elders and youngers."
Pastors Jaga Gavin and Dave Hunter continued on the theme of pastoring through their presentation on developing a relevant and dynamic youth ministry based on In-jin-nim's vision for Generation Peace. Youth ministers needs to teach youth how to talk about their faith and present the movement with pride. Youth ministers can help young people understand how the Divine Principle applies to daily life. Rev. In Jin Moon's philosophy is that if we minister to kids the right way from day one, they will want to bring their friends.
Ballroom dancing provided a fun experience for leaders to interact with youth, and also exemplified a method of applying the spirit of Lovin' Life Ministries to daily relationships. It teaches young and old how to treat each other as brothers and sisters with respect and love. One pastor shared, "In-jin-nim has given us a path to joy! Our youth, especially, have known only a rather lifeless and unexciting existence until she showed them they can have fun and build God's Kingdom simultaneously."
Leaders shared about the value of In-jin-nim's sermons. Their comments are eloquently summed up in a pastor's letter to Rev. In Jin Moon, written during the conference, "I wish to thank you for your constant desire to testify to our True Parents. I love your personal examples of what it was like to grow up with True Parents and with True Family. Over, the years I have heard members say create a guest-friendly service and that we must be careful about what we say and share. Thank you for your boldness to always testify to True Parents and for showing us the way."
Reflecting on the conference, one district director wrote, "I leave here with the most concreteness to my redetermination that I have ever possessed after a leaders' meeting. I will be encouraging the leaders in my district to download this weekend's content. In the coming weeks our communities throughout the seven states I manage will have a refreshing opportunity to join in making their community's first action plan for real improvement, accountability and substantial results, which can tangibly reflect the transformation and growth for which In-jin-nim and headquarters staff have been working."
The conference closed with a transition in leadership. Archbishop Ki Hoon Kim was thanked for his service to the Unification Church in America as its continental director, and wished success in his new mission to share the contents of Rev. Sun Myung Moon's seven major textbooks with America. Leaders participated in the inauguration of Dr. Chang Shik Yang as the new continental director. In her address, In-jin-nim spoke about how she looked forward to working together with Dr. Yang and creating a strong team.