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Windows of Opportunity.

2011 Annual ReportMyers Park Presbyterian Church

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In many ways life is about accountability. Some would say accountability is accepting responsibility. Others think it is explaining your actions. Still others call it being transparent. As Christians, each of us is accountable to God and to one another. Daily we should ask ourselves how we are using our God-given gifts, and whether we are glorifying Christ to the best of our abilities.

Those are the very same questions we ask here at Myers Park Presbyterian. Here we hold ourselves to an even higher standard than you might as an individual. Does our church maximize the resources you make available? Are we good stewards of our facilities? Are our ministries being pruned and tended to so that they may grow? Is this church a vessel for Christ to use?

60 seconds in a minute. 60 minutes in an hour. 24 hours in a day. 365 days a year. An average of 78 years. God grants us a finite window of opportunity in our lifetime. How will we use it? Working hard and playing harder or honoring God? Living for all that the world has to offer or glorifying Christ? Investing in the finest portfolio imaginable or giving generously, knowing that all that we are and all that we have are gifts from above?

These are the questions of accountability. Good answers build trust and strengthen this church for service in Charlotte and beyond.

This annual report is our statement of accountability. We hope it provides you with helpful information about the life of Myers Park Presbyterian. We hope that the work reflected in these pages has brought honor and glory to God.

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Communications completed analysis and designed new communications system; created How to Tell My Ministry’s Story guide; enlisted Facebook content providers and early adopters; conceptualized Equip, a new real-time e-publication; designed new streamlined churchwide website and sites for self-sustaining ministries – Weekday School, CROSS Missions and wellness ministry; produced stewardship video and print campaign; developed print and visual components for integrated ministry worship experience launch; and assessed overall effectiveness with quarterly congregational surveys.

Facilities partnered with building committee to open the 42,000 square foot Outreach Center on-time and on budget; installed wayfinding/signage; renovated space to further Weekday School expansion; standardized door hardware and key system to improve campus function and access; remodeled Cornerstone bathrooms and bedrooms for intern and Family Promise use; and completed pre-construction projects necessary for the Oxford Hall renovation.

Finance balanced 2011 revenues and expenses; developed the 2012 budget using 2 percent pledge increase projection; informed/shaped the session’s decision to move forward with remodeling Oxford Hall; and devised a building financing plan with a $5.5 million project cap, $1 million short-term borrowing and repayment plan.

Personnel filled existing positions by installing Associate Pastor for Children and Their Families Julie Hester, Stewardship Development Director Sean Mitchell, Half-Day Weekday School Director Heidi Alexander and Wellness Director Donna Fair; and reviewed job description, compensation and performance evaluation systems.

Communications complete launch of new communications system in January to maximize efficiency and balance our print and electronic mix; use diverse tools to build community and deepen awareness of opportunities for growth and transformation; and partner with ministries through think tanks and the communications committee.

Facilities coordinate and integrate Oxford Hall renovation in partnership with the building committee; and plan and execute day-to-day maintenance and major projects despite budget reductions.

Finance partner with the stewardship team and heighten year-round awareness of giving; assist our self-sustaining ministries – Weekday School, wellness, food service and CROSS Missions – in strengthening their financial future.

Personnel welcome the Weekday School Managing Director; continue restructuring music staff; heighten performance via job clarity, adequate compensation and regular evaluations.

Administration

2011 Accomplishments

2012 Goals

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Onwards and upwards. Completing the Myers Park Presbyterian Outreach Center; proceeding with the Oxford Hall renovation; filling key staff openings; developing new communication methods; and continuing faithful giving. All bear witness to Christ at work within our church.Norman Walters, Administration Committee Chair

WindoWs of opportunity: AdministrAtion

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Adult Education

Sunday School introduced a new class taught by Rev. Dr. Millie Snyder; blended the Mingles group into our eight other offerings; and conducted a lay-led Faces of Faith summer class series.

Academy conducted 36 classes with 268 participants.

Other Initiatives hosted A New Kind of Christianity book discussion group and continued the seven-year tradition of a weekly men’s Bible study.

Officer Development trained and installed 26 officers.

Speaker Series planned the 2012 speaker series.

Educational Travel completed a Greece/Turkey summer trip with Union Seminary and Myers Park Presbyterian participants.

Library opened for regular hours on Sundays and selected weekdays.

Sunday School provide ongoing resources and guidelines and evaluate additional

summer offerings.

Academy research and analyze peer church’s offerings; evaluate new initiatives and methods of diversifying and broadening the Academy’s appeal.

Educational Travel plan a 2012 trip to the Holy Land and Egypt and a 2013 reformation heritage experience.

Book Discussion develop book-centered small groups including Rob Bell’s Love Wins.Groups

Small Groups begin initiative during Lent, expand in the fall, and explore ongoing methods of support.

2011 Accomplishments

2012 Goals

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Beyond our walls. “In 2011, the entire adult educational ministry team began a strategic planning process built around Faith Formation 2020. We are researching best practices among our peer churches nationwide, evaluating current program offerings, and analyzing the best ways to help members and friends grow as followers of Jesus the Christ.”Matt Gantt, Adult Education Chair

WindoWs of opportunity: Adult EducAtion

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Leadership welcomed a new associate pastor, Julie Hester, who has a vision for, and commitment to, a deeper, streamlined ministry; and restructured to focus on deeper, interconnected programming that aligns with the church’s discipleship initiatives.

Vacation Church surveyed and used key constituent groups’ feedback to revampCamp Vacation Church Camp; the 2011 camp provided a more intimate

experience for children and disciples and focused on key community outreach partners.

Wednesday Night revitalized Art and the Bible into a lay-driven ministry with simplerProgramming crafts and a thematic tie to the previous week’s Sunday School lesson.

Weekday School opened a full-day, four-year-old class; restructured management to include full- and half-day program directors; hired a half-day director; and continued the board’s evolution into a governing entity.

Leadership improve process for calling, training and developing ministry disciples and integrating new church staff.

Communication heighten communication within the children and their families community and the overall congregation.

Outreach strengthen the Vacation Church Camp outreach partnerships throughout the year.

Weekday School continue the board development process; initiate a strategic planning process for programming and facility needs; welcome a managing director; and complete the playground safety upgrade.

Equip Parents develop and share ways parents can become primary faith educators for their children.

Children & Their Families

2011 Accomplishments

2012 Goals

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Stronger and deeper. “Change is never easy, especially in a large, established organization such as ours. The efforts to transform this ministry into a more intimate and intentional program began in January 2011. Vacation Church Camp is a perfect example of this new focused approach with its mornings-only schedule, packed lunches rather than hot meals and fewer but deeper outreach partnerships. By verbalizing and acting on our vision to build

a deeper, streamlined ministry, we reconnected with many families and their children, we became better at collaborating with other church ministry teams to reach common goals, and most importantly, we called an associate pastor who has a similar vision and nurturing heart that will continue to lead this reformation. So let the children and their families come – our doors are wide open!”Pam Clark and Jen Schubert, Children & Their Families Ministry Co-Chairs

WindoWs of opportunity: childrEn & thEir fAmiliEs

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Wellness Ministry transformed land-locked recreational program into a full-fledged wellness ministry thanks to its midyear move into the new state-of-the-art Myers Park Presbyterian Outreach Center; initiated, expanded and managed comprehensive program offerings for children, youth and adults; took membership from 0 to 710 in less than six months; enrolled 670 boys and girls in our youth basketball program; and engaged adults of all ages through our more than 35 fitness classes, exercise room, track and other facilities.

New Members introduced a one-day class for new members; welcomed 126 individuals through our new member program – a 13 percent year-to-year increase; and enhanced activities such as faith statement preparation, meaningful small groups, and an overview of growth and service opportunities.

Presbyterian Women fostered the growth, service and community of 290 women through 17 circles – a 23.4 percent increase over 2010; hosted various special events including the women’s retreat, birthday celebration, consignment sale, fall gathering, and Christmas communion; raised $1,278 for the Joy Offering; and contributed $6,164 in consignment sale net proceeds to the Myers Park Presbyterian Weekday School playground renovation, Seigle Avenue Preschool Cooperative, CROSS Missions, Room in the Inn and Family Promise.

Generation Y encouraged and supported Trinity, a fellowship of adults 25- to 40-years-old; and furthered their community of faith within our broader church family through Sunday School, social activities and fellowship, and serving together through Habitat for Humanity and Freedom School.

Every Member offer year-round ways of prayerfully discerning God’s call and making aHas A Ministry service commitment.

Welcome Our encourage members to serve as ambassadors for our faith community,Neighbors fostering welcome throughout our campus, during this year of renovation.

Wellness Ministry strengthen the breadth and depth of wellness offerings to enrich the mind, body, and spirit connection of its members; analyze and focus on health activities which have the most meaningful impact; build community; and

encourage the faith of all who walk through the Myers Park Presbyterian Outreach Center’s doors.

Congregational Life

2011 Accomplishments

2012 Goals

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Living our faith. “As we move into 2012, we know that every class, practice, and game gives us a chance to exhibit the kingdom of heaven to our community. We are energized by the grace God has shown us and will strive to change hearts rather than increase numbers. Our prayer is that we can encourage one another to truly live out our lives as Christ calls us to do.”

Beth Bell, Congregational Life Chair

WindoWs of opportunity: congrEgAtionAl lifE

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Funding approved grants for 30 regional ministries and agencies; continued to support Congo, Cuba, El Salvador, Hungary and Malawi global ministry partners; applied endowment funds towards Billingsville Elementary’s school garden, Charlotte Family Housing office equipment, Learning Collaborative scholarships, RAIN expenses and East African disaster relief; authorized capital expenditures for Billingsville Elementary’s Freedom School and teacher mentor programs, Union Presbyterian Seminary’s new campus, the outreach center’s initiatives, The Learning Collaborative’s facility, Remedios Presbyterian Church, and Habitat for Humanity El Salvador.

Relationships continued building Grier Heights relationships through CrossRoads’ book discussions, tutoring, sports teams, girls’ ministry, and Urban Eagles mentoring program; sponsored Grier Heights Habitat for Humanity home; opened new Double Oaks Child Development Center; participated in Congo, Cuba, El Salvador and Malawi mission trips; partnered with Congo Presbyterian Church on girls’ school; and hosted visitors from Debrecen, Hungary.

Engagement hosted a homelessness community forum with over 200 attendees; organized a PC(USA) event in Louisville, Ky., to foster the denomination’s mission approach.

Mission welcomed 200 homeless neighbors through Room in the Inn; served as a home for 10 Family Promise (now Charlotte Family Housing) families in transition; provided over 40 Loaves and Fishes disciples; dispensed monthly Men’s Shelter of Charlotte meals; and nurtured over 600 CROSS Mission youth and adult teams.

Outreach

2011 Accomplishments

Building Bridges deepen the depth and breadth of discipleship with our partners; develop new outreach champions in key ministry areas; foster cross-pollination as a church; and transition funding of several ministries with annual rather than capital funds.

2012 Goals

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The amazing power of connection. “The opening of the new Myers Park Presbyterian Outreach Center was a highlight for our ministry. Take a recent night in December. Our Room in the Inn disciples were hosting 15 homeless neighbors, the basketball courts were packed with youth teams, siblings were playing in the recreation area, parents were connecting with one another, and folks were working out in the gym. Meanwhile, our

neighbors from Urban Ministry were settling in and having dinner with their member hosts. It really looked and felt like an outreach center – a place where people can connect and get involved in the outreach ministry of our church.” Joe Helweg, Outreach Chair

WindoWs of opportunity: outrEAch

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Meet people where they are. “During the year, the deacons held worship services and fellowship time with our church members at The Cypress and Sharon Towers. These meetings deepened our relationships and were an outward expression of our love and compassion for one another.”Stephen Heeseman, Deacon Moderator

WindoWs of opportunity: pAstorAl cArE

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Prayer Ministry deepened congregational prayer by continuing weekly centering prayer and conducting follow-up sessions for area churches; continued our intercessory prayer ministry; and offered Christian meditation classes through the Academy program.

Meal Ministry shared compassion, meals and on-site visits with those experiencing illness or disability.

Church Friends fostered intergenerational friendships to keep those unable to attend services connected to the church.

Health Ministries hired a new parish nurse to work with the pastoral care, outreach and wellness ministries; provided physicians, nurses and translators for our uninsured neighbors at the Charlotte Community Health Clinic on a monthly basis; hosted a flu shot clinic, a CPR training class and two suc- cessful blood drives; provided first aid and supplies for Billingsville Ele-

mentary; and provided medical equipment to church members in need.

Deacon Connections continued to expand the 2010 initiative that identifies each deacon’s personal network in the church so he/she can stay informed about individual concerns/needs and foster caring for one another.

Stephen Ministry provided support to over 30 members; commissioned and trained new Stephen Ministers in a joint partnership with another local church; continued to look for outreach opportunities with Room in the Inn and the Grier Heights neighborhood; consoled grieving families through the bereavement ministry by attending funerals and memorial services; and hosted a Kindermourn reception after worship for parents grieving the death of a child.

Helping Hands assisted senior adults, single parents and less mobile individuals with small indoor and outdoor household projects through this member-to-member ministry; also hosted an informational women’s coffee.

Deepen Connections heighten awareness, and encourage use, of the deacons’ ministry for individuals who are in physical or spiritual need; and continue to deepen the prayer life of our church by praying the name of every member and member family during Lent.

2011 Accomplishments

Pastoral Care

2012 Goals

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Welcomed a full-time stewardship development director to focus on all aspects of Christian stewardship.

Received $8.5 million in annual and capital campaign contributions to further the church’s local and global ministries.

Fostered giving through an integrated combination of videos, pulpit interviews and printed materials.

Made special holiday music, seminary student scholarships and global ministries possible through endowment funding in lieu of using annual operating funds.

Implement a 12-month stewardship ministry that encourages and equips disciples to develop a faith-based money management and giving plan.

Increase awareness of the many ways the church endowment fund supports ministries and sustains congregational life.

Communicate capital campaign progress and demonstrate how it is transforming lives.

Invite members to financially support the church’s ministries, and if possible, to grow in their giving.

Stewardship

2011 Accomplishments

2012 Goals

Answering the call. “Stewardship is not about raising money to satisfy a budget. Stewardship is about building God’s kingdom in this time and place. It is about equipping ministries to preach the good news and to answer Christ’s call to serve the least of these. Stewardship and budget are such sterile words, but each is necessary in allowing Myers Park Presbyterian to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world so in need of His

loving care.”Bill Plyler, Stewardship Chair

WindoWs of opportunity: stEWArdship

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Praising God in new ways. “We pray worshipping God and serving Him will reach new levels in 2012. For nearly a year, we have been planning how to communicate the mission of our church in a holistic way and demonstrate how serving as Christ’s disciples is transforming our own lives and those of our neighbors. Get ready to be amazed at God’s power working within us as we worship Him.”

Rainey Way, Chair, Worship Ministry

WindoWs of opportunity: Worship & music

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Worship Services maintained four Sunday morning worship services; shared the beauty of worship by creating floral arrangements for 117 members living in retirement homes; enhanced worship with beautiful seasonal decorations; modified Communion by using wafers, significantly reducing disciple preparation time; strengthened disciple participation in worship.

Choir added new members to adult choir; sang as a combined youth/adult choir during Christmas and Easter music services; adjusted programs in light of budget but maintained vibrancy; developed a 2012 staffing plan.

Special Services conducted special worship times on Maundy Thursday, Palm Sunday, Easter, Lenten Wednesday and Christmas Eve, as well as the Travelers’ Service and the Service of Remembrance and Hope.

Enhance Meaning provide a meaningful worship experience and demonstrate the vibrancy of our church’s ministries in a holistic way, utilizing photography, disciple interviews, designated offerings and commissionings; research ways to deepen the meaning of worship.

Build Youth further incorporate youth into worship through lay reading, ushering and Involvement flower ministry.

Strengthen add new disciples to the usher and flower ministry teams; grow the youthParticipation choir; encourage giving flowers for worship services.

Facility Changes relocate Celebrate worship to the Myers Park Presbyterian Outreach Centerand Updates successfully while its space is renovated; analyze ways to revise sound systems

including evaluation of microphones, speaker placement in the sanctuary and assistive technology for those with disabilities.

Choir stretch budget dollars to acquire new music, provide section leader support, and expand the youth choir; give a young musician vital post-graduate experience through an organ internship and help supplement our needs; restore a church-owned concert Steinway piano for worship use.

2011 Accomplishments

2012 Goals

Worship & Music

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Nurturing and challenging our youth. “Our goal as a youth ministry is to provide small group activities that nurture and challenge youth to grow on their faith journey and to offer accountability to each other. The youth council is a wonderful opportunity for the youth in our church to learn and develop their leadership skills.”Rob Willingham, chair, youth and their families ministry

WindoWs of opportunity: youth & thEir fAmiliEs

2011 Accomplishments

Youth & Their Families

Clergy & Staff welcomed youth ministry interns, Wilson Kennedy and Jennifer Paden; created an intentional community with the CROSS Mission interns; and met weekly to discuss calling, boundaries, relationships and faith.

Summer held weekly Feasting on the Word summer events.

Fundraisers hosted a successful Chicken Pickin’, raising $38,000 for mission activities and trips, and sold a record-breaking number of holiday pies.

New Space transitioned smoothly into the new outreach center holding weekly summer events; began offering new senior high Sunday School elective series thanks to expanded classroom options, sparking a 35 percent attendance increase.

Parenting initiated Faithful Parenting series in partnership with First Presbyterian Church, Covenant Presbyterian Church, and Providence Presbyterian Church and participation levels are exceeding expectations.

Mission Trips engaged 43 youth in mission to El Salvador; 33 youth at Heifer Ranch; hosted Room in the Inn two full nights; and nurtured 174 youth on mission trips, including 108 different youth.

Fellowship conducted monthly grade dinners, Sunday youth group and Sunday School classes on an ongoing basis.

Leadership fostered a youth-led youth council and summer interns.Development

Confirmation Class taught 77 confirmands – the largest confirmation class on record.

Vacation Church celebrated 51 youth who served, included three in key leadership roles.Camp

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Mission identify an ongoing mission project where youth can serve several times a year and establish a partnership; create a three-year middle-school mission trip rotation.

Family Ministry initiate a parent-youth mission trip and explore possibilities for family mission.

Youth Participation bridge the transition into middle and high school and welcome the youth through an active buddy system; maintain high school youth involvement; increase participation in other youth activities such as choir, class dinners and Sunday youth group; and keep it relevant.

Adult Participation broaden the base of parents who serve behind the scenes, yet encourage the youth to lead.

2012 Goals

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2012 Budget

Expense Summary 2011 Approved Budget

2012 Approved Budget

$ % $ %

Administration

administrative services 234,170 4.58 265,430 4.94

communications 89,150 1.74 89,150 1.66

facilities 737,644 14.42 747,244 13.90

personnel 2,918,222 57.04 3,078,094 57.27

total administrative 3,979,186 77.77 4,179,918 77.77

Adult 20,014 .39 20,014 .37

Children & Their Families 80,000 1.56 80,000 1.49

Congregational Life 30,000 .59 42,000 .78

Denominational Relations 275,000 5.37 280,000 5.21

Outreach 535,000 10.46 535,000 9.97

Pastoral Care 40,000 .78 40,000 .74

Stewardship 14,200 .28 54,500 1.01

Worship 83,000 1.62 83,000 1.54

Youth & Their Families 60,000 1.17 60,000 1.12

Total General Fund Budget 5,116,400 100 5,374,432 100

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Source 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 TotalGeneral Fund 688,483 663,128 627,021 610,141 501,579 3,747,913Endowment Fund 37,000 51,635 80,646 135,131 75,267 408,379Special Gifts Fund 6,831 4,693 19,784 24,034 0 68,836Designated Gifts 4,750 1,089 4,691 41,024 55,967 109,147Global Gift Catalog & Other 43,215 37,588 49,189 34,353 35,805 214,147

Annual Expenditures 780,279 758,133 781,331 844,683 668,618 4,548,422Capital Expenditures 2,130 767,086 683,253 1,439,473 1,244,963 4,136,905

Total $ 782,409 $ 1,525,219 $ 1,464,584 $ 2,284,156 $ 1,913,581 $ 8,685,327

2011–2012 Pledge Comparison(by households)

Increase 399 New Pledge 95Decrease 149 Held Constant 349

2007–11 Outreach Spending

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Annual Operating Fund

2011 Financial Summary

Budget ActualIncome

Total Income $ 5,116,400 $ 5,037,709

Expenses

AdministrationCommunications 89,150 88,493

Facilities 737,644 806,707

Finance 65,000 75,129

General Office Operations 109,100 109,426

IT Operations 60,070 61,105

Personnel 2,918,222 2,862,301

Total Administration $ 3,979,186 $ 4,003,161

Congregational LifeAdministrative 4,600 5,998

Congregational Ministries 25,400 33,736

Total Congregational Life $ 30,000 $ 39,734

Denominational RelationsDenominational Support 183,500 180,682

Special Offerings 21,500 17,431

Pass-thru Benevolence 70,000 51,308

Administrative 0 10

Total Denominational Relations $ 275,000 $ 249,431

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*facilities spending includes additional utility costs.

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Budget ActualEducation

Adult 20,014 20,280

Children 80,000 40,600

Youth 60,000 60,026

Total Education $ 160,014 $ 120,906

OutreachEducation 116,700 116,486

Shelter 186,700 184,835

Health 120,400 116,463

Global 95,700 74,998

Mission Education 5,700 3,390

Administrative Expenses 9,800 5,407

Total Outreach $ 535,000 $ 501,579

Total Pastoral Care $ 40,000 $ 28,118

StewardshipEndowment 2,300 140

Stewardship Development 11,900 14,446

Total Stewardship $ 14,200 $ 14,586

WorshipMusic 50,000 51,969

Worship 33,000 28,225

Total Worship $ 83,000 $ 80,194

Total Expenses $ 5,116,400 $ 5,037,709

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Cumulative thru 2011

Income

Total Income $ 18,871,810

Expenses

Outreach & Evangelism

LocalEducation 949,526

Housing 1,642,274

Church Transformation 122,942

Health 33,285

Total Local $ 2,748,027

GlobalCongo 402,580

Malawi 268,945

El Salvador 380,204

World Vision 100,492

Cuba 17,500

Total Global $ 1,169,721

Total Outreach & Evangelism $ 3,917,748

Campus DevelopmentOutreach Center 7,950,259

Oxford Hall Renovation 353,729

Building B Renovation 1,518,848

Maintenance Endowment Contribution 1,576,964

Total Campus Development $ 11,399,800

Campaign Expenses & Debt Retirement $ 4,177,246

Total Expenses $ 19,494,794

Capital Campaign

2007-2011 Financial Statement

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Elder Class 2012Becky AbernethyDick DarlingtonLinda deCastriqueJack FenlonMatt GanttAmy HouseSusan McConnellBob McKinneyMary Yorke OatesDick SpainPaul Stroup IIINorman Walters

Elder Class 2013Pam ClarkElizabeth DickensJoe HelwegJack Hinson Jeff LongPeggy McBrydeJen SchubertJulian SprattSandy ThompsonRainey WaySandy WeathersbeeRob Willingham

Elder Class 2014Beth BellGlenn BooneBob DaviesJimmy FlowersBev HanceCarolyn HudsonMary MandevilleBeth PenceBill PlylerErnie ReigelBill WarrenAllen Woodward

Steve EasonPastor/Head of Staff Millie SnyderExecutive Pastor

Dale AllisonAdministrator

Bob BreedAssociate Pastor for Outreach

Von ClemansAssociate Pastor for Adult Education

Deborah ConnerAssociate Pastor for Pastoral Care

Julie HesterAssociate Pastor for Children and Their Families

Michelle Thomas-BushAssociate Pastor for Youth and Their Families

Rob FrazierDirector of Music Ministries

Myers Park Presbyterian Church

2501 Oxford PlaceCharlotte, NC 28207

704.376.3695www.myersparkpres.org