What is Charting the Future?
Charting the Future
is a series of gatherings in 2026 to discern our “congregational DNA,” which will help us make faithful decisions for the future of our ministry.
❋ Who is invited?
Everyone who is a member or who participates in our congregation in any way is invited to be a part of these gatherings.
❋ What is the goal?
Our goal is to update our congregation’s mission statement, set expectations for members and leaders, and determine our core values.
❋ Who is leading these gatherings?
Pastor Ted Carnahan and the Congregation Council will facilitate these conversations in a way that allows everyone to participate.
❋ Why work on this now?
In order that our congregation move forward in our post-COVID reality, the Congregation Council hopes that this time of discernment will help to set a direction for the future.
Schedule of Events
Note that this schedule is subject to change depending on the needs of the congregation.
What is the Church’s Mission?
April 26, 2026, 10:15am — Fellowship Hall
A study and discussion focused on the mission statement that Jesus gave the Church in Matthew 16:18 and Matthew 28:19-20. From this will come one or more proposals for a short Mission Statement that the Congregation Council will discuss and refine into one proposed Mission Statement at its meeting on April 20.
What is Expected of Our Members?
May 31, 2026, 10:15am — Fellowship Hall
A study and discussion focused on the existing membership expectations listed in our congregation’s bylaws and the need for accountability and discipleship in Christian life. From this may or may not come proposals to amend these expectations to reflect our congregation’s current Biblical expectations for our members. These will be discussed and refined by the Congregation Council into a proposed Membership Covenant at its meeting on May 18.
What is Expected of Our Leaders?
August 30, 2026, 10:15am — Fellowship Hall
A study and discussion focused on additional expectations that our congregation has for leaders in our ministries. From this will come items for the Congregation Council’s consideration in discussing and refining a proposed Leadership Covenant at its meeting on June 15.
Discerning #1: the Past
September 13, 2026, 10:15am — Fellowship Hall
A discussion of what we have done in the past at Our Savior’s, what it reflects in our congregation’s ethos, and how it relates to particular passages in the Gospels.
Discerning #2: the Present
New Date TBD, 2026, 10:15am — Fellowship Hall
A study of what we are currently doing at Our Savior’s, what it reflects in our congregation’s ethos, and how it relates to particular passages in the Gospels.
Discerning #3: our Values
New Date TBD, 10:15am — Fellowship Hall
A study and discussion bringing together the results of the first two parts and engaging with the Gospels to produce a proposed list of Core Values that will be discussed and refined by the Congregation Council at its meeting on September 21.
Informational Meeting
Date TBD, 10:15am — Fellowship Hall
The Council is engaging in a parallel process to revise and update our congregation’s governing documents. This is a hearing conducted by the Congregation Council for the congregation discussing the proposed restatement of OSLC’s Bylaws and any proposed amendments to the OSLC Constitution coming from the Governance Working Group. Amendments to the Bylaws and any Constitutional Amendments are approved at the Special Congregation Meeting.
Annual Congregation Meeting
February 14, 2027, 10:15am — Fellowship Hall
Questions?
Charting the Future is a big project that will keep our congregation busy throughout 2026. If you have questions, please talk to Pastor Ted or any member of the Congregation Council.