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.

Where we have been,

We trace the origin of this congregation to the construction of our church building on a site at the north end of town clearly visible to those traveling to West Yellowstone on Highway 191. It was built in 1950-51, added to in 1955 and then remodeled in 1971. The first non-denominational services began in 1951 and the church operated actively in the summer with guest pastors.

In 1960 we affiliated with the Montana Council of Churches and in 1963 joined what is now the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Prior to this time we were a Mission Church receiving support from the Presbyterian Church. Over the years a number of dedicated pastors have served part time during the summer and later in 1961 in a year round capacity.

Because of our proximity to Yellowstone National Park tourism has dictated city growth from an active three-month period into a twelve-month business year with the impact of the snowmobile. As the population of the community grew so did the life of our church. Many people came to reside as either year round or as summer residents.

Becoming a member of the Presbyterian Church body was a significant event in the life of our church. It gave us year round pastoral residency, the challenge of carrying our own weight financially, and the opportunity to share through mission our resources to those in need locally, nationally, and internationally. We were also able to remodel our small building as well to build and maintain a manse for our pastor.

In 1994 with the call of a new pastor, the church body realized that there was a great need to encourage younger families to participate in our church life. The statistics at that time were 5 youth members, 35 people in attendance in winter and 130 in the summer. An active youth program, which would encourage youth to make a church home important to their lives, was deemed as most important. A new pastor with a strong background in youth ministry was, therefore, issued a call.

The Reverend Thomas Letts and his wife The Reverend Tammy Letts accepted that call to begin a successful ministry featuring dynamic worship services and expanded youth programs. Accompanied by a variety of musical instruments contemporary music was introduced to complement traditional hymns in Sunday services. Adding special services on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday plus a traditional Passover Seder dinner added greatly to our celebration of Easter. Membership and attendance doubled between 1994 and 2004; consequently our already cramped building became over-crowded and it became apparent that expansion of the facility was needed.

On August 15, 1999, after extensive planning, interaction with and input from the congregation ground was broken for a new church home. On October 1, 2000, the congregation convened to bid farewell to the little brown church on Canyon Street and to march en masse to the new building on Electric Street, led by a piper and drummer. It was indeed a gala celebration.

During this time new programs were designed and implemented to fit the needs of a congregation, which had grown and diversified. The Young Adult Volunteer program known to us as the Greenhouse project was introduced. These committed young adults whom we called interns began to introduce our children and teens to a new and expanded program of study, fellowship and action. Coming from throughout the United States as well as Great Britain the interns brought fresh perspectives, which excited our children and youth about the importance of the love of and for Jesus Christ in their lives. Attendance at youth activities, and the fact that seven of those who served as interns with us have been accepted into seminaries, bears testimony to the profound impact on students and teachers alike.

The congregation generously funded many scholarships for our young people to attend summer camps sponsored by the Yellowstone Presbytery. For most years in the past decade our church sent more kids to camp than any church in the Presbytery. It is noteworthy that many of the youth group participants and those attending camps came from nonmember families or families who attend other churches in the community.

Bible study groups for older and younger men’s groups as well as a women’s group attracted those who wished to discuss and learn from the scriptures. Women’s retreats have also been held as well as an Adults Together Ministry (ATM) featuring events planned to encourage the adults of our church to get together in informal groups. An adult Christian education class called Pathfinders was conducted before the Sunday worship service.

For the mothers of our young children the Mothers of Preschool Children (MOPS) was successfully organized and implemented. A nursery for infants and little ones during church services came into being. Children’s church was held during the regular Sunday service with children’s church school held on Wednesday afternoons. Vacation Bible School became an annual summer event attracting many youngsters from the community. None of these programs would have been possible without the devoted members of the congregation who served as teachers giving sacrificially of their time and resources.

Our church organization intentionally promotes active congregational participation and involvement in church affairs. The session and deacon board membership was recently expanded to provide a larger more diverse leadership base. The Session has convened at regularly scheduled meeting times, participated in frequent retreats for more intensive planning and spiritual growth, divided into triads to promote spiritual development and held social events to enhance relationships. The deacons have been charged with much of the pastoral care of the congregation and assisting with worship services as well as taking the lead in outreach efforts such as food baskets at Thanksgiving, helping with the community Thanksgiving dinner and providing gifts and financial assistance to the Intermountain Children’s Home in Helena, Montana.

The community of Big Sky, 45 miles to the north, is a resort community not dissimilar to West Yellowstone. Members of that community contacted our leadership early in 2000 about assisting with the development of a church there. For five years we have provided a minister, music and other non-financial support to this new congregation. Having operated as a Mission church, they have completed the prerequisites to become an independent church and are now in the process of a pastor search.

Beginning in 2000 rapid growth of membership and programs, construction of a new church building and the attendant problems of financing and fund raising imposed new demands on the church leadership, pastor and staff. The added burden of serving the pastoral requirements of the Big Sky congregation, while gladly borne, further strained time and human resources.

Against the emotionally charged backdrop of a local economic downturn and the attacks on the World Trade center, philosophical differences and the divergence of priorities emerged. Without making too much, or too little, of this, it is a fact that several key members left our congregation. Few programs and activities, particularly those related to education and youth, escaped the impact of this loss.

Significant reductions in staffing were required to balance the budget for operations during this period. Further cost savings were realized when the pastor began serving CPC three-quarter time and the Big Sky congregation the remaining one-quarter.

Session, seeking to promote healing in the congregation, responded by interviewing and attempting to reconcile with disaffected members, and by granting the pastor a three-month sabbatical leave for spiritual and emotional renewal. Regrettably, the effects of this rift are still felt by many in the congregation. By the Grace of God, however, the work and mission of Community Protestant Church continues.

We have been and remain an enthusiastic, energetic, caring and committed community of Christian people. We have been blessed with pastoral leadership and spiritual guidance that has opened our hearts and minds to the presence of Christ so that we have been both encouraged and enabled to spread the Good News to our community and beyond.

…where we are today,

The programs and activities of CPC are affected by the transient nature of a community whose economy is dependent on tourists attracted to Yellowstone National Park, fly-fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. The population fluctuates seasonally as many retired people arrive in the spring to spend the summer, and year-round residents schedule vacations between the tourist seasons of summer and winter. Many service sector workers also leave for other employment during the shoulder seasons.

Worship Services

Members and friends of CPC gather at 10:00 a.m. throughout the year to worship our Lord and Savior. Attendance is typically 70 to 80 during the winter and increases to 150 to 250 during the summer. Communion is commonly celebrated on the third Sunday of every month. Early in the service, the children’s lesson is given and is usually based on the bible reading of the day. The children second grade and under attend Children’s Church for a bible lesson and related crafts.

A volunteer music team leads congregational singing during the service every Sunday. For festival services at Easter and Christmas, a choir is formed to present special music for the occasion; the appearance of guest instrumentalists and vocalists is not uncommon.

Christmas services typically include a congregational sing, a contemplative Christmas Eve service and a concert featuring special music and dance.

In addition to celebrating a Seder Dinner on Maundy Thursday, services are held on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday during the Easter season.

Missions & Outreach

As a congregation and as individuals we have supported numerous mission projects in the community and around the world. A list of those most recently receiving support includes:

• C amp scholarships

• Thanksgiving food baskets
• Community Thanksgiving Dinner Gift boxes for local college students
• Christmas boxes for local service men and women
• Deacons Emergency Fund
• Parish Nurse Program
• One Great Hour of Sharing
• Young Adult Volunteers
• The Big Sky Mission Church
• Pastor’s Retirement Fund
• The Rafiki Foundation
• Presbyterian Disaster Relief Fund
• Intermountain Children’s Home & Services
• Soul Survivor: Senior High Mission Trip
• Presbyterian Seminary Mission
• Various projects of the General Assembly, Synod and Presytery

School Year Youth programs

Programs designed for young people has been CPC’s major outreach to the community; most of the children who attend are not members of CPC nor are their parents. All youth programs begin with a short devotion, sometimes extended to form a topic for the meeting, and the session ends with prayer. The devotions and prayer distinguish these programs from everyday school activities.

The programs listed below are those that have traditionally been offered; they are currently in a state of suspension.

• Church school for ages 4 through grade 4 meets after school once a week during the school term; typically 25-35 children attend.

• FAST (Fifth and Sixth Together) meets on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 for bible study, games, and recreation. Usually eight to ten students attend with sometimes as many as fifteen.
• CIA (Christ In Action): Junior High age students meet on Sunday morning. The children are shown how they can have fun in a safe, Christian environment.
• Senior High Lunch: High School students come to the church for lunch and bible study every Wednesday. Typical attendance is 5 to15 students.

Summer Youth programs

· Throughout the summer our youth meet about once a month to go bowling, have pizza, ice cream, etc. Occasionally they go to a theme park for special activities .

· VBS (Vacation Bible School) is normally conducted in June soon after school is out. In addition to the children of members many unchurched children from West Yellowstone and the children and grandchildren of summer residents are in attendance. Enrollment averages thirty-five. VBS is organized and staffed by dedicated volunteers, many of whom are summer residents.

· Grades 4-12 go to Westminster Spires summer camp near Red Lodge, MT. Many non-member children in West Yellowstone attend this camp and are enabled to attend through the generosity of contributions by congregation members.

Bible classes

· Ladies Bible class meets on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to11:00; participants take turns leading the class. The core group consists of 10 ladies and grows by 6-8 during the summer.

· Men’s Bible Class #1 meets on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00. Class leadership is rotated among the members. The core group of five men can double in size during the summer.

· Men’s Bible Class #2 meets at noon on Mondays during the lunch hour. It consists of four local young men who work or have businesses in West Yellowstone. Leadership is shared.

· Sunday Evening Bible Class is open to all members from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Attendance varies from 8-12 people.

· Pathfinders Class meets from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. on Sunday. Designed for adults, topics are selected that can be completed in 6-10 weeks.

Parish Nurse

This program was conceived as a means of extending and enhancing the care offered by our deacons. One of our members, a registered nurse who has taught nursing and had her own counseling service administers the program. Classes have been held on stress management and ways to speak to people about God. Help with parenting and relationship issues, finding health care providers, and assistance in finding caregivers is available.

Leadership

Session

Nine members are elected by the congregation, are duly ordained, and serve one or two three-year terms to provide governance and leadership.

Each session member heads a team of laypersons that plans and coordinates activities in:

· Christian Education:

o Youth and adult programs

o Greenhouse Project

· Care of The Body:

o Deacons

o Fellowship Team

o Personnel & Care of Staff Team

o Newsletter Team

o Parish Nurse

· Stewardship Team

o Finance Team

o Building & Grounds Team

· Worship Team

o Music Team

o Tech Team

o Bulletin Team

· Mission Team

o Greenhouse Project

Deacons

Ten members are elected and duly ordained to serve one or two three-year terms of providing care for the congregation, assisting with worship services and maintaining the prayer chain. Deacons coordinate participation in community events such as food baskets at Thanksgiving and the Community Thanksgiving dinner. Intermountain Children’s Home is also the beneficiary of congregational support marshaled by the deacons.

Staff

In this time of transition the staff is comprised of an Interim Pastor, a part-time Financial Secretary and volunteers who work in the office several days each week and provide custodial services.

…and where we want to go tomorrow.

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.