MISSION STATEMENT AND VISION
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Congregational Mission Statement
The mission of Westminster Presbyterian Church is to:
Reach up to God in praise and prayer,
Reach across the ages in fellowship,
Reach within in Christian education,
Reach out in mission locally and globally.
Future Vision and Plans
Elders, Deacons and other leaders in our congregation attended a retreat on August 27 at the
Presbyterian Camp on Lake Okoboji. The purpose was to understand “transformation” and be prepared to
communicate this with the congregation.
During a role playing exercise the questions were asked: “Where did this idea for transformation come
from? Who’s to blame?” Who’s to be credited?” The helpful responses contained this information:
The Presbyterian Church (USA), like many once “mainline” denominations, has been experiencing
decline. We acknowledged Westminster has fewer members, a greater percentage of older members, and
fewer community leaders than it once did. Worthington has a higher percentage of ethnic population. The
same numbers of churches are competing for a smaller number of Caucasians. Transformation deals with
changes. Key decisions need to be made on whether the best strategy is to recover what once was or to
adjust to what now is.
As we face these challenges, there is hope! The PCUSA has researched our congregations that have
had a turn-around. The “five dynamics of transformation plus one” were identified out of how these
congregations were able to redevelop new vitality and ministry. They include: Spiritual Energy,
Congregational Identity, Congregational Leadership, Re-entering the Community, Building a Ministry Plan +
Developing a Financial Plan.
For the last three years, members of Westminster have been attending Transformation Conferences.
Our interim pastor Rev. Paul Soderquist was aware of the dynamics. He helped Westminster to see its
strengths and challenges. The Pastor Nominating Committee searched for new pastoral leadership by
presenting a need for a Five Point Action Plan. That plan included: Involvement of more members, More
diversity, Willingness to Change, Dealing with Conflict, and Friendliness. Rev. Krapf brings us training and
experience in transformation. For three years now he has participated with other pastors in a project called
“Charting a New Path for the Mainline Church.”
Transformation is not a “canned” program to impose on us; it is a process to allow what God is doing in
us to emerge into new life. During the role playing exercise two varying attitudes were expressed: “What
do I have to do?” and “How can I help?” I hope you will choose the latter attitude. One way you can begin
to help is by letting the leaders of our congregation know what you need to know about transformation.
Their responsibility is to guide the balance between the need for people to feel safe and the urgency to
move forward in mutually determined directions.