vision process

The vision team will meet in-person with our coach on campus six times over the upcoming seven months. This process involves a deep dive in assessment and evaluation of the unique call of God on our congregation for our specific place in this particular time. This is the first phase of a longer process. Once the vision team has completed their work it will be processed and integrated within our Session, Staff, and Congregation over the coming year(s).

We believe the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the wise discernment of a community submitted to the authority of Jesus. It is healthy for a community of faith to regularly assess and revisit God’s call on them and the reason for their existence. This is especially true in the wake of difficulties, trauma and transition – which certainly has been part of our experience over the past few years. Pastor Donny has strongly recommended the need for a process to bring clarity to our vision and leadership decision making in the years to come. A vision team is a key part to this process.

Learn more about who is on the team here. You will notice our team consists of active ruling elders, inactive ruling elders, staff, and church members-at-large. Within this team of 12, we have representation of ages and every decade of life - from their 20’s into their 80’s.

Through much prayer and discussion which involved our Session, Executive level staff, Pastor Donny’s coach, and several trusted voices from Fair Oaks Church, Pastor Donny invited the team that has agreed to serve in this capacity over the next seven months.

It is wise to ask for help. Many churches make the mistake of thinking they can lead themselves in key areas of transition and discernment. It is our experience that those outside the system can provide invaluable insight and guidance through difficult processes.

Ellen Gardner from Knot Navigators will be coaching and leading our vision team. Ellen has her Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PA). and a bachelor’s degree from Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC where she double majored in Music Performance and Theatre. She currently serves as a Teaching Elder in the ECO (Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians).

In her 25+ years of ministry, Ellen has lived the frustration that many churches feel when discerning God’s Preferred Plan for their ministries. She understands that churches want to serve Jesus Christ passionately, but often just don’t have the tools or process to achieve that goal. In response to that need, Ellen pursued training and endorsement as a Certified Navigator in the Auxano method of church visioning and long-range planning. Since then, Ellen has further developed a unique process that understands and meets the unique character and needs of churches formed in the Reformed Tradition. As a result, she has had the honor of “a front row seat” guiding and witnessing how this process can achieve breakthrough clarity and truly transformative outcomes for the life and ministries of the churches she has been honored to serve.

I am an ordained pastor and visioning/ long-range planning specialist in the Auxano process. The word auxano, in Greek, means, to cause to grow. This is our goal: growth in Christ’s call for His Church. This process will develop a strategic framework to help Fair Oaks discover anew and articulate God’s unique identity and mission in real-time. By emphasizing the importance of understanding Fair Oaks’ unique context and calling, the vision that will emerge will be not just aspirational, but also deeply rooted in your community's specific needs and Fair Oaks’ considerable organizational strengths. The process will take place in three phases:
1. Rethinking…“What obstacles are we facing as a church?”
2. Uncovering… “What do we do best?”
3. Taking Up…. Answering the question, “What missional mandate, values, strategies and desired outcomes will hold God’s vision together?”  

In September 2024 we invited you into this process by taking a spiritual gifts survey. We were encouraged and grateful so many of you participated! Thank you! This data will be a valuable information for our vision team as they are guided through the vision process. Knowing how our church body is gifted will help discern the unique calling and vision for Fair Oaks. We hope this also helped you to discover your gifts, learn more about what they are and how you might use them for God's Kingdom!

Inactive Ruling Elder

Senior Pastor

Inactive Ruling Elder

Inactive Ruling Elder

Church Member

Church Staff, Inactive Ruling Elder