Deep Shift Transformation 
 

Beginning in 2007, at the 'Big Event' gathering sponsored by the Baltimore Presbytery, a number of Ashland members became enlightened about a need for transformation.  The idea of church transformation has been around for some years, but we now recognize that it is something that Ashland must consider.  At the 'Big Event', the featured speaker was Brian McLaren, one of the leaders of this movement.  His message that day was very compelling: the church of our parents (and their parents) is struggling to minister to its communities.  As a result, many congregations find that attendance is down, financial support is waning and they are facing an uncertain future.  During a large part of 2007, the Session and Deacons worked to identify goals and needed actions for Ashland and we have made some excellent progress.  However, there is a lot to be done. 

In the latter portion of 2007, the Ashland leadership became aware of a Presbytery sponsored / financially underwritten program to help churches in our Presbytery to evaluate themselves and, with God's help, determine if change / transformation is necessary.  The Ashland leadership accepted this offer and has been working with the consulting group that calls itself 'Deep Shift' (www.deepshift.org).  

The process began in the Fall of 2007 when Ashland and 14 other churches signed on to participate in phase one of this two year program.  The first six months was designed to be an assessment and evaluation and we are impressed with the Deep Shift process.  Since beginning the first phase, we have participated in two 'cluster' meetings with the other churches and several on-site visits at Ashland led by Linnea Capshaw and Denise Van Eck of Deep Shift.  All of these events have given the Deep Shift team opportunities to get to know Ashland and to share information and some insights into the process. 

At the end of phase one (around the end of February, 2008), Deep Shift will submit a proposal for a second phase, customized for Ashland's situation, which will last up to an additional eighteen months.  That proposal will define the changes that Deep Shift believes that Ashland should make and some of their recommendations may be revolutionary, or in other words, requiring some deep shifts.  Ashland will have the option to accept or decline this proposal at that time. 

In the meanwhile, we are in the final part of phase one and we need your help.  Based on the phase one information sharing process, Deep Shift has developed a survey and has requested that everyone at Ashland complete the questionnaire.  For the computer users, we have been provided with a link that will allow you to complete the survey using your computer from home or anywhere that you have internet access.  For those who prefer, we will provide paper versions of the survey that you will need to send to Ashland so that we may respond to the survey online on your behalf.  Deep Shift has asked us to complete the surveys by January 31.  Based on the strong response to the recent worship questionnaire, we are hoping for an equal number of responses.  You may browse to the survey by entering the following link in your computer internet browser:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=5lyfb1xcSBM6kAH_2bh3NRGA_3d_3d. 

We will provide paper surveys for anyone who prefers not to use the online version.  Amy Cavolo, our newest Elder, suggests that the computer users assist others by asking the questions via phone or in person and completing the online survey for them.  

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Pastor Brett Morgan via e-mail at morgan (at) ashlandpc.org or at the church office (410-527-1844).  You may also contact Ron Baldwin via e-mail at rbaldwin (at) baldwinsolutions.com or phone (410-472-0830). 

If you have questions or comments for Deep Shift, please e-mail Denise Van Eck at denise (at) deepshift.org or by phone at 616-516-9855.