The Year Ahead

Our staff recently spent a whole day together looking at the year ahead, which for us is basically the weekend after Labor Day through Mother’s Day. Besides some team building exercises and fellowship, we basically spent our time together looking at our priorities for 2026-2027. These priorities were identified by our Strategic Leadership Team last spring, who since then have worked out what they will specifically involve. Our staff day was the opportunity for everyone to get to know these priorities and agree that together this is the path we will take. There are five. 

1. Creating a Culture of Consistent Invitation

One of our primary responsibilities as a parish community is “evangelization” which is basically sharing the Gospel. It’s really everybody’s job but practically speaking, what does that mean, how do we do it? Over the years we have consistently talked about “invest & invite” challenging parishioners to invest relationally in unchurched friends and family and, when the opportunity arises, invite them to church. It’s all about taking a great big goal like sharing the Gospel and making it actually do-able.

This year we’re going to be very intentional about shaping the whole of our parish culture around those invitations.  This will mean more opportunities for our parishioners to make those invitations, and an even greater sense of hospitality when newcomers actually do show up. It will also be about creating open seats at optimal times, so guests can find a seat, which might mean current parishioners choosing a less crowded Mass time. And finally, it will be about improving the on-campus parking experience by getting more parishioners to park off campus. We’ll kick off the whole effort with our first message series of the season in September, called “Belong.”

2. Multiplying Our Capacity

At Nativity, our goal has always been “every member a minister.” But this year we’re going to take it further. Our focus is very much going to be on “BOTB”, bringing out the best in people. We’re interested in drawing out God given potential in the congregation, modeled on St. Paul’s investment in Timothy. This will be about investing in people, not just filling positions and getting jobs done. It will also be about building up “layers of leaders” so our ministries are strong and well run, which will also allow us to do more.

3. Introducing Our New Book

We are currently in the process of introducing our newest book from Ave Maria Press, Jesus, The Rich Young Man, And The Meaning of Life. We plan to focus on the book as a parish during Lent, especially in our adult small groups and our Lenten message series. The book, the Lenten preaching, and the small group discussions will basically form a parish wide retreat focused on six spiritual disciplines for living more successfully in the light of eternity. In other words, it will basically be an exercise in discipleship.

4. Hosting the REBUILT 2027 Conference

Again this year we will be hosting a REBUILT Conference, welcoming what we hope will be a thousand parish leaders from across the country and even further afield. As in the past, the conference can be a very special opportunity to help many of the attending churches to really go further, faster in terms of parish renewal. At the same time, the conference can powerfully energize our own parishioners who will be participating. And besides, it’s going to be a lot of fun! The conference is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, May 3 & 4.

5. Getting Shovel in the Ground

Finally, with our Wonder Campaign progressing robustly and design development coming together, we now anticipate that we will be able to begin construction next spring on our new wing. In fact, we have tentatively set May 16, 2027 for a groundbreaking ceremony with the Archbishop. It is anticipated that construction will take about 14 to 15 months (if all goes well) . It will definitely involve disruption to our programs, especially during the following school year, but we will work through it together, and of course, it will all be well worth it. The wing will include new nursery space, lots of room for kids and student programs, space to accommodate adult small groups, much needed office space, and a beautiful new chapel.

The coming year looks to be one of our biggest, busiest, and potentially most impactful years ever. We can’t wait!