We are now two years into Shiloh's five-year ministry plan. The original five-year plan and the two-year report are available in the Church office for anyone who wants to read them. A copy can also be found in the library. Instead of repeating what I have already said in the two-year report, I want only to outline what each of the nine steps in the plan means and offer a nearly mid-term comment for each section.

Adopting a Younger Orientation: Shiloh needs to more intentionally open itself to our culture by sacrificing some of its tried and true (and comfortable) forms and locating new and exciting ways to faithfully function. Energy and excitement are key. Being positive is crucial. Hospitality and welcome become more important than ritual. After two years of the five-year plan, Shiloh has done tremendous work, though there remains considerable challenge.

Establishing a Servant Theology: The theological challenge is to turn a congregation from being served, from getting something, from 'our way,' to serving, giving, and celebrating change. Theological transformation is never easy, and there have been significant moments of resistance. Overall, though, Shiloh has progressed more quickly than the five-year plan assumes. Our theological shift is well ahead of schedule.

Instill a Mission Orientation: Shiloh has done significant mission work. The congregation supports many services in our community and beyond. Hands-on mission work is yet to become a major force at Shiloh, despite some very fine mission opportunities. Mission is Servant Theology in practice and needs additional focus as we move ahead. The small group program (see below) should propel us forward.

Small Group Process: Shiloh's small group program is based on Spiritual Gift assessments. Later this year the congregation will be invited to engage in inventories that will form the basis of our ministry groups. Each group, being similarly gifted, will be challenged to establish a mission statement and a 'job description.' The ministry is dreamed, planned, implemented, and maintained by the group. It is mission at its best: People gifted by God using their gifts in service to others. We are ready to bring the dream to reality.

Configure Staff: The staff of Shiloh Church is now configured to provide the congregation the best possible opportunity for doing its ministry. The staff understands that it is here to equip the congregation, to assist in its growth, to support, pray for, and nurture the congregation. Staff members are functioning well.

Christian Education for All Ages: This is the least successful section of our plan. Shiloh belongs historically to the Christian Church movement, where every person is free to make educated decisions about faith and life. Core to that freedom has always been a strong focus on education. Without a strong educational focus, the five-year plan fails. If we are not providing the education necessary to making a theological shift, a move to personal and communal mission, and an overall orientation, then it simply will not take place, except from what will look like 'from the top down.' That is clearly not what the five-year plan intends. Shiloh needs to be more responsive to educational opportunities.

Build Strong, Spiritually-Based Youth Organizations: We are well on our way to establishing a marvelous youth program at Shiloh Church. In the two years of the plan, we have more than doubled involvement, interest, and numbers of participants. Thanks go to those who have worked hard to make this dream a reality. The challenge remains to add a spiritual basis to what our youth do. We need to define ourselves as other than non-church related groups. We are making quick progress toward establishing such programs.

Create Young Adult Programs, Projects, and Ministries: Shiloh has done much in two years to strengthen our ministry to, with, and through young adults. Shiloh's 'missing generation' is once again growing. There is a new social and service group, CSI, a Sunday morning educational opportunity, though very few take part (see above), and a general new excitement among our young adults. We need to continue our work with a stronger focus toward the needs of young adults. What ministries, educational programs, and projects might we do that target their particular needs?

Evangelism: All too often, churches make the mistake of believing that great programming, wonderful opportunities, beautiful facilities, or expensive advertising make the evangelical grade. The truth is, none of these approaches work. None of them work, that is, without one other necessary component. Congregations cannot and will not spread the good news if they do not recognize it and celebrate it. We do education for the sake of evangelism. Mission is evangelism. Small groups are evangelism. Excitement is evangelism. No matter what programs we implement, projects we offer, or advertising approaches we take, nothing will work until we share in the excitement of what is happening here at Shiloh. Even then, nothing happens until we share that excitement with others. We are doing truly remarkable things. We need to increase our investment in what is going on and share our excitement with others.