Wilshire, who are we? What is God calling us to do in this time and place? How can our capabilities and resources be faithfully stewarded toward that end? Wilshire’s Visioning Team was selected from the congregation in February 2026 and has been prayerfully working to help Wilshire answer these questions. If you have any questions, ideas or thoughts you’d like to pass along to the team, please email visioning@wilshirebc.org. Watch this page for updates.
Congregational survey and focus groups coming soon
Over the past several months, the Visioning Team has thoughtfully and prayerfully put together a short survey for the congregation to better understand the first question: who are we? As you know, our congregation is continually changing and evolving, and rather than assuming we know everything there is to know, we want to hear directly from you! Understanding who and whose we are is the first major phase of the visioning process, which will take place throughout the rest of the year.
On Friday, Sept. 4, we will launch a Visioning Survey, and it will be available for three weeks, closing at midnight on Saturday, Sept. 19. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete, and we hope you will give thoughtful attention to this essential piece of our information gathering.
On Sunday, Sept. 13, we will be hosting Visioning Day at Wilshire. We will have several times available to participate in focus groups of about five people, where we will ask a few questions to get more in-depth feedback from you. We will have group times offered before Sunday School, during Sunday School and after 11 a.m. worship. Your Sunday School director has information about how your group will participate. If you are not connected with a Sunday School class, please feel free to show up to Community Hall at one of the listed times to join a focus group. If you have any questions, please contact visioning@wilshirebc.org.
The “Church Unique” Visioning Process
The Visioning Team is utilizing the Church Unique process as a primary guide for this work. A primary tool within that process for vision discernment is the Kingdom Concept. Current Visioning Team efforts are oriented toward gathering information to help answer three questions about Wilshire:
Collective Potential: What are the unique resources and capabilities that God brings together in us?
Apostolic Esprit: What particular focus most energizes and animates our leadership?
Local Predicament: What are the unique needs and opportunities where God has placed us?
[INSERT KINGDOM CONCEPT GRAPHIC]
Visioning Team artificial intelligence (A.I.) use statement:
1. A.I. is used only in clerical tasks such as note taking, transcription and initial sorting of data. It is never used in the synthesis of data or formation of final product.
2. All A.I.-assisted material is reviewed, evaluated and edited by the Visioning Team. All final deliverables will be produced exclusively by humans.
3. Any A.I.-assisted material will be labeled as such in the final, detailed report from the Visioning Team.
Members of the Visioning Team
Lay Members: Mary Carver, David Colmenero, Christina Evans, Judith Guthrie, Mary Kay Jackman, Sue McElveen, Keri Mitchell, Rachel Murphy, Gina Ortegon, Paige Pendery, Max Post (in memoriam), Barry Preston, Emma Roden, Judy Ward, Collin Yarbrough
Staff Liaisons: Darren DeMent, Heather Mustain, Timothy Peoples, James Dolph, Amanda Hines, Jordann McMahan, Bryce Shelton
Visioning Team gathering invocation and sending benediction:
Invocation
One: We come before you oh God
All: in all of our weakness, seeking your strength.
One: Though we are far from the model you have set before us
All: we ask that you open our eyes and our hearts
One: so that we may see you clearly
All: and follow your way of the cross.
Benediction
One: We go now from this place
All: as followers who see through a glass dimly.
One: God, continue to give us clear vision
All: that we may not stumble
One: but walk a straight path
All: through your compassionate light. Amen.