Name of congregation: Hermitage Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Pastor: Rev. Patty Case

Address: 410 First Street, Hermitage Missouri 65668

Phone: (417) 745-6750

Total No. of members: 84

No. of participating members: 70

Ages 1-11: 3

Ages 45-54: 5

Ages 55-64: 13

Ages 65-79: 51

Above 80: 12

Married: 85%

Single Adults 36+ yrs.: 15%

Education level

High School: 50%

College: 35%

Graduate School: 5%

Specialty Training: 10%

Employed full time: 5%

Retired: 95%

Worship

Traditional, on-site, average attendance of 60-70

Children’s Church School average attendance: 3

Adult Church School average attendance: 30

Bible Study (weekly): 12-15

Administrative and oversight groups

Board

Elders

Diaconate

Pastoral Relations

Planning/functional committees

Fellowship and service groups

Women’s group

Men’s group

Prayer

Choir

Paid Staff

Pastor

Secretary – 1

Property

Sanctuary – seating capacity of 150, erected in 1970

Classrooms – 4, erected in 1970

Fellowship facility – seating capacity of 80 with 9 tables, erected 2005

Administrative facility – 2 offices, erected 2007

Parking spaces – 35, paved

Church location

Small town, county seat

Agricultural and tourist/recreational

Slow growth

County-wide population of est. 9,000

100% Euro American

Parsonage

4 bedrooms, 1 ¾ baths, age: 40 yrs., no garage, good to excellent condition

Area concerns

Teen needs, senior citizen needs, alcohol/drugs

Financial

The church is debt-free. We have experienced a good growth in our regular giving yearly.

Congregational outreach ministries

Disaster shelter, food pantry, nursing home, Mary Kay Shaw Butler, schools, women’s ministry, Share Your Christmas, Salvation Army, seniors’ programs, individual families, music programs

Participation in Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Area, Regional, National

Ecumenical activities

Community choir, ministerial association, union services, others as needed

Congregational dynamics, dealing with conflict

As a church, we respect and listen to each other and work things through without generating divisiveness

Nearly no one has left the church because of conflict

Very little painful experience with conflict has been present, but it has been worked through and we have learned from experience

Nothing lingers in the background and the congregation seems united and one in its purpose

Goals of the congregation for the next five years:

To grow as a congregation, within and without

To be a stronger presence in community

Increase outreach

Personal and professional qualifications desired in our pastor:

Worship/proclamation of word

Evangelism

Visitation

Leadership

Teaching

Spiritual development of members

Congregational fellowship

Administrative leadership

Counseling