|
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
[ Back to index of November articles ] Access Franken's full presentation online Regional Assemblies
look to the future
The future was the focus of the Diocese of Washington's annual regional meetings, where consultant Robert Franken presented data designed to help the diocese set priorities for mission strategy and growth. At the three meetings, held Oct. 18 and 25 at locations around the diocese, Bishop John Chane, clergy and delegates came together to hold elections, make nominations and craft resolutions for January's diocesan convention. They also heard a report from Franken, managing director of Strataventure, a St. Louis-based consulting firm, who was contracted several months ago to analyze statistical data and feedback from focus groups in the diocese. "Many of you may remember the vision we laid out for the diocese," said Paul Cooney, canon to the ordinary, introducing Franken at the Oct. 18 assembly for regions 5 and 6. "One aspect of that territory is to grow... By and large over the last 30 years, the diocese has not expanded, despite population trends in our diocese that are quite robust and growing." In his study, Franken analyzed attendance and financial data collected from church parochial reports and data on American religious attitudes from Percept, a demographics firm that provides information for church leaders. His presentation also drew on maps that integrate church locations with Census figures showing median income and population trends. In addition, Franken conducted four focus groups comprised of a cross-section of people in the diocese.
"I think that you have all of the pieces in place to grow successfully," Franken said. "In general, there are no areas that are shrinking. Your diocese is growing." Population in the diocese is projected to grow at 1 percent per year over the next five years, he said. But from 1992-2002, while its population grew approximately 8 percent, the average Sunday attendance at the diocese's churches declined 1.8 percent. Franken identified seven geographical areas in which there was no Episcopal church, or in which a very small church served a fast-growing, population dense area. These include Germantown, South Gaithersburg, Montgomery Village, Kettering, Clinton, Rosaryville (east of Clinton) and West St. Charles. He also identified geographical areas where there appears to be a cultural shift in the population. Churches in central, northeast and southeast D.C., Wheaton/Glenmont, greater Landover, Gaithersburg and Suitland/Silver Hill may need help changing to better serve new populations, he said. While Franken said the diocese was on the
right track in developing its mission strategy, he stressed the importance
of continued progress. To foster future growth, Franken made the following recommendations:
"It's important to see the diocese as a whole and to focus on what the greatest areas of need are," he said. "I think the challenge is always money. It doesn't do any good to create a plan if you don't get to do it. “Whatever you do, change needs to happen with a sense of urgency." To see Franken's presentation, go to www.edow.org/missionstrategy Contact Amy Elliott at aelliott@edow.org [ Back to index of November articles ]
[ Back to index of November articles ]
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
