West Yellowstone, Montana is nestled in a high mountain valley, in Southwest Montana, the west gate to Yellowstone National Park. We are a small community (approximately 12 blocks by 7) located four miles from Wyoming, eight from Idaho and stand at an elevation of 6, 666 feet. We are the West entrance to Yellowstone National Park with a year around population of nearly 1200 souls. With a major influx of 'summer folks' and tourists, advancing that figure to around 2400. Our economy is almost exclusively based on tourism and our population tends to be highly independent, fluid and temporary in the sense that folks come and go with the jobs or the businesses. Lifetime residence is rare. Primarily we are white with a significant seasonal Hispanic addition. Our school serves approximately 240 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Our lives and ministry at Community Protestant Church are shaped by the outdoors (water/alpine/cross-country skiing, backpacking, cycling, flyfishing…). We are a church in transition. We are seeking to become strong within so that we might reach out to our inactive membership, our community, our extended community of seasonal residents and the greater world through some of the 1.2 million who visit Yellowstone each year.

"Community" is a key descriptive word in our name and make-up. As one of the only Protestant houses of worship in West Yellowstone, we draw many believers with lifelong church membership in other denominations and Christian fellowships. The joy and celebration of this for CPC is that people are identified as "Christian" first, rather than by denominational affiliation.

Our membership numbers 100. In 2003, through children's, youth and adult programs, our Christian Education registered 216. Due to the seasonal nature of this community, a winter Sunday may see as many as 100 or more members and friends worshiping together, while a summer Sunday may find 250 or more gathered together. We are committed to being intergenerational in all aspects of our time together from worship to fellowship. We value intentionally blended worship. This blending includes not only traditional and contemporary music and technology, but also recognition of our multitude of Christian traditions. The result has been the seeking of a theologically complete service that emphasizes the cultivation of a worship relationship with Jesus Christ over any specific liturgical tradition. We seek to be constantly on the move, always growing and being grown by the word of God. We also seek to stay open to new programs and ways to do ministry while staying unwaveringly rooted to the calling of Scripture.

May 8, 2005

The Mission Study Team was charged with developing goals to strive toward rather than recommending specific programs or activities. To that end we asked the Holy Spirit to guide our attempt to discern the dreams and desires that will serve as the foundation of all CPC does in the future.

They emphasized the importance of our participation in this process---the first step in selecting new pastoral leadership for CPC. Every comment received was reviewed and incorporated as it was appropriate to do so. Written comments were preferred and were included with the final Mission Study that was submitted to the Pastor Nominating Committee.

With gratitude for your continued encouragement, prayers and support, we offer this draft of Our Vision for your prayerful examination.

-The CPC Mission Study Team

Mission Study

Community Protestant Church

West Yellowstone, Montana

May 8, 2005

It is the mission of Community Protestant Church to follow the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds and souls; and then to go and make disciples.

Our Vision for Care of The Body

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

We have a purpose to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, personally and corporately. We ARE the church body and we have the privilege of sharing each other’s burdens and joys. We desire to become a healthy, caring and whole congregation and seek to:

• Effectively communicate the special needs of the congregation;
• Provide pastoral care from both clergy and laity;
• Provide care to staff to help facilitate their work;
• Provide training to church leaders and lay persons on care issues;
• Conduct retreats and seminars for spiritual development and to build a sense of intimacy among the body;
• Conduct dynamic and diverse fellowship and social activities

Our Vision for Christian Education

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Christian education plays a central role in helping us grow as disciples. The Bible is God’s inspired Word. Because it is trustworthy it can be read and applied to daily living. For this reason, we seek to:

• Foster a Christian-based learning environment for people of all ages, outside of and within the congregation, that is relevant and appealing;
• Provide activities and programs for all ages that focus on spiritual renewal and personal application;
• Provide training in teaching, leadership and evangelism;
• Equip lay and clergy leaders to model and communicate an enthusiastic and positive message of hope about the programs and work of the church;
• Continue and support our Young Adult Volunteer (intern) program, enabling them to assist in the work of the church.

Vision for Missions and Outreach

Then Jesus came to them and said, “…therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:18-20

CPC’s mission is a call to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all. By the Holy Spirit, we are gifted and empowered to proclaim the gospel message in works of compassionate service. We seek to:

• Increase the emphasis on local and global projects, including adequate funding to see this through;
• Provide adequate funding for persons outside and within our congregation who request emergency food, shelter or money;
• Explore means of attracting the unchurched, especially the unchurched parents of children and youth involved in CPC programs, and to meet their spiritual needs;
• Respond to the Great Commission by exploring the connection between evangelism and outreach. Simply put, focusing on our individual identity as an outreaching person in the home, workplace, community and all other spheres of our daily lives; and then renewing and deepening our corporate identity as an outreaching community. Witnessing for Christ is central to who we are as a body.

James exhorts us:

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17

Our Vision for Stewardship

Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. Malachi 3:10 from The Message

Stewardship is about being faithful disciples, caring for and managing all that God has given us. Stewardship is the grateful response to God’s grace and goodness. It requires a consideration of how our choices affect others and us, of how we can be good caretakers of the created world and how we can best serve God. It is a pro-active plan that will support our current and future needs. We seek to:

• Personally and corporately demonstrate responsible stewardship of our time, talents and money to glorify God;
• Develop and communicate strategies for increasing revenue;
• Control expenses by living within our means;
• Retire our long-term debt;
• Prioritize spending on the building and grounds, which will allow completion and furnishing of the facility, including paving and landscaping, and correcting acoustical problems in the sanctuary;
• Communicate clearly and effectively the financial needs and financial condition of the church;
• Communicate faithfully and regularly a comparison of budgeted and actual income and expenses.

Our Vision for Worship

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

Psalm 95:6-7

A worshiping community is a gathering of individuals who worship God together in grateful and joyful obedience to his commands. A worshiping community invites and accepts the presence of the Holy Spirit through whom God provides opportunities for us to experience a new life in Jesus Christ. We seek to:

• Offer appealing, inviting worship services that instruct and inspire;
• Balance our worship style between traditional and contemporary to touch the hearts of all;
• Increase the involvement of lay people in worship assistant roles;
• Invite guest speakers to address various topics of interest.

Session

Please feel free to contact any of the elders with questions or concerns

Glenn Wheeler (Clerk): 7716                    Joanna Welter (Worship): 640-0818              

Jackie Klatt (Christian Ed): 9237              Linda Blank (Fellowship Life): 9255               

Pam Sveinson (Treasurer): 5177             Donna Witbeck (Mission & Outreach): 0073 

Ben Chavers (Congregational Life): (208) 558-7014

Dick Strissel (Building & Grounds): (208) 558-7991

Nancy Dick (Summer Elder): 7958

Deacons

Please feel free to contact any of the deacons with any needs

Marlene Strissel (Moderator): (208) 558-7991     

Lou Chavers: (208) 558-7014                  Karen Giorgianni: 406-682-7563    

Wendy Harvey: 4701                                  Kay Eagle: 7566

Kiki Tips: 581-5644

Pastor Steven is “in and out” of the office Tuesdays-Fridays, (he takes his Sabbath on Mondays). Steven’s e-mail is: steven@cpcwestyellowstone.org

Spring Binfet, Finance/Office Manager, is usually in the office on Monday – Thursday and on Friday to prepare the bulletin. Spring’s e-mail is: spring@cpcwestyellowstone.org

Daniel Leupold, Children & Youth Ministries Coordinator, is available by cell phone or e-mail.  Daniel’s phone number is 406-640-0620, e-mail is: daniel@cpcwestyellowstone.org.

for additions, corrections or questions about this website,

please write the webmouse