What is Task Force 50?
Task Force 50 is comprised of 22 Epworth members, representing a solid cross-section of the congregation. They have been commissioned by the Administrative Council to help set plans for guiding Epworth’s future for the next five, 10 and 50 years, furthering Epworth’s mission to
“Create Christian Community
by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ.”
What is the purpose of Task Force 50?
The purpose of Task Force 50 is to develop an action plan based on the recommendations brought forth by the Dream Team and the Building Utilization Committee. The Task Force has been charged by the Administrative Council to conduct a strategic review of the structural facilities on the Epworth campus, making coherent, long-term strategic recommendations for key areas of our building that may need to be renovated or enlarged to meet the needs of our growing programs and ministries – recommendations that will then be shared with the congregation at large.
What were the recommendations of the Building Utilization Committee?
The Building Utilization Committee identified several changes to the facility to enhance fellowship. These modest renovations were mentioned as a possible first phase for expansion and renovation:
- Opening up the parlor
- Better utilize and possibly enlarge
the chapel - Expand the narthex to the circular drive and cover the driveway
What were the recommendations from the Dream Team?
The Dream Team identified five ministry/program objectives, which have become the foundation for our Task Force 50 objectives:
- Contemporary worship service
- Family ministry
- Young adult ministry
- Youth ministry
- Christian education
Many of the goals of the Dream Team have been accomplished. The remaining ones required the church to look far into the future and make structural changes to the campus. The Dream Team was not charged with making structural recommendations – that’s the role of the Task Force.
What meetings are being held?
To chart the course for the next fifty years, our Task Force 50 Committee thinks it is important for every member to have an opportunity to be heard. While every idea will be considered, it needs to be understood that not every contribution will be acted upon. Watch the bulletins, The Tower, weekly e-mails and the Epworth website for more information about these meetings.
What is going to happen to the Wesley property?
This is one of the top questions everyone is asking. The Task Force is addressing the Wesley property as it relates to the overall future of the church’s mission and the physical needs of the identified programs. The Board of Trustees has told the Task Force that the structure is not suitable for use in its current state and is not worthy of additional investment.
We have a large building—why do we need to make it bigger?
Every building has limitations. There are areas that are simply overcrowded and restrict the growth of programs and vital ministries. We’re limited where technology is concerned. Expansion is imperative to keep up with the growing needs of our congregation and community, and our buildings must be adaptive to allow for that future growth.
What happens next?
An architect has been enlisted to create a campus plan for discussion and review based on the Building Utilization Committee recommendations. This plan is being developed with no additional expenditure from the congregation, and will be shared in the coming months. As things progress, Task Force 50 promises to keep you updated every step of the way.
We’re all in this together and share the same goal. In that spirit, we welcome your input as we build Epworth’s future together.
