January 2007

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Fathers and Brothers of the Metro Atlanta Presbytery,   

With the formation of this new Metro Atlanta Presbytery, we have an unprecedented opportunity to mold and shape this presbytery into something that is a functional and effective process for our fellowship as brothers in Christ and our work as the Church.

A special committee has been formed to assist us in this process…the Strategic Planning Committee.  This committee has been meeting over the past several weeks and has proposed to the Administration Committee that we spend focused time in these first meetings addressing the questions that will determine what kind of presbytery we will be. 

For this purpose and to further define our new structure and fellowship a fair amount of our upcoming meeting this Saturday will be devoted to focus groups to discuss several key questions.  The notes of these focus discussion groups will be collected, received and considered by the Strategic Planning Committee for future proposals to the presbytery for changes that we all wish to make.  Obviously our effort is to involve as many of the brothers of the presbytery as possible, teaching and ruling elders as well. 

So with this purpose the members of the Strategic Planning Committee and the Administration Committee of the Metro Atlanta Presbytery wish to request that you give thought to the following discussion questions prior to our meeting this Saturday.  If you wish you may bring ideas and thoughts already written that will put on the table things that you think will improve how we function as a presbytery. 

Would you consider the questions below and be prepared to offer your input during our meeting?

1. Concerning our Mission:  What are the critical functions that you would like to see the Metro Atlanta Presbytery (MAP) focus on?  Brainstorm an initial list, and then identify your group’s top 5 or 6 priorities.  Don’t feel constrained to limit your discussion to those things that the North Georgia Presbytery was already doing; feel free to suggest functions or “missions” for the MAP that are “outside of the box”.
2. Concerning our Vision:  Over the next 3 to 5 years, what are the main things that you’d like to see the MAP accomplish?  Again, develop an initial list, and then identify your top three or four objectives.  Feel free to be bold, and suggest some stretch goals against which to aspire.
3. Concerning our Values:  What are the governing ideas or principles that you hope will characterize how the MAP sets and pursues its priorities and purpose?  Within the denomination, what do you hope the MAP will be “known for”?  Develop a list of these “values”, and again identify your top four or five priorities.
4. Concerning our Meetings:   Describe your ideal presbytery meeting.  Consider frequency, length, agenda content, location, etc.  Versus your typical experience, what should the MAP start doing?  Stop doing?  Continue doing?

May the Lord bless our efforts in doing this, our love and fellowship as brothers in our Lord Jesus, and our work as laborers together in the work of the gospel for His Church and for His Name.

Rod Entrekin

For the Members of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Metro Atlanta Presbytery