PresbyGrow

(from Donna Hoppestad)

New Vision is a program of the Presbytery of East Tennessee.

New Vision has both a regional (Presbytery) and a local (church) aspect. The regional effort includes mass-media advertising (television, radio, billboards, etc.). We have all the information you need if a group want to investigate this possibility. It’s really very easy to set up, but it does take a financial commitment of at least a year for it to be truly effective. Prices will vary, depending on the size of your area, but I can get prices for any area - I already have people up here who will get that information for me at no charge.

The regional portion of New Vision tends to unify the churches in the Presbytery, and encourages them to try ideas on the local level to continue the awareness the regional advertising has started in their areas. As you can imagine, it also creates a whole lot of goodwill between Presbytery and the local church!

On the local level, New Vision concentrates on three areas: awareness, accessibility, and adaptability. We have developed different programs for different kinds of needs. I usually tailor the program to the individual church itself, since each one of us has unique issues. Every program encompasses these same three issues, however.

Awareness, of course, is first a review of what your Presbytery is doing in this area if they are, in fact, participating. We also explore ways (not abstract, but concrete) to increase immediate visibility of your church . There are so many simple, inexpensive, and effective ways for your church to let their neighborhood know that they exist, and none of them include going door-to-door!

Accessibility is a discussion of what we do with visitors when they come after hearing about us. This, as you know, is crucial, because we only have that one chance to make a positive impression, or they won’t be coming back. We focus on making sure that we really are what we say we are - no false advertising! This is also a discussion of easy ways to make everyone feel welcome without being smothered. You’d be surprised at how a few changes can shake the whole congregation up (in a very positive way, of course!).

Adaptability is the discussion of the necessity of change without compromise. New Vision is not about pushing any particular agenda - for example, if your congregation likes contemporary worship, then great! If not, that’s also terrific, and we’ll work the program around what your members desire and need for their spiritual growth, keeping in mind the Great Commission, of course!

The reason why New Vision is working is because everything is positive - no one is doing anything wrong, but everyone needs a little lift now and then - a little “cheer leading!” All of us should feel okay at letting our friends and neighbors know that our churches are doing great things. It’s funny how people do start talking about their church when they get started in New Vision - that part doesn’t need to be taught; given the opportunity, they do it on their own!

Finally, this is something your church can do without committees (unless you just have to have one!), without a lot of money, and without lengthy training.

Please contact me via email and I will be happy to answer your questions and help in any way possible!

– Donna Hoppestad, 2008newvision@gmail.com

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About Donna Hoppestad

Donna is the main contact and facilitator of the program and has been part of the planning process since its inception. Donna, an ordained elder in the PC(USA), is the daughter of a retired Presbyterian minister, was a DCE for almost 10 years in the PC(USA), and, in her “previous life,” worked in marketing and advertising in private, non-profit and government sectors.