Grace Updates

First let's state what will not change. Our mission of creating disciples of Jesus and launching them into the mission of God is unchanged in this path forward. Our model of accomplishing that mission, however, is changing in significant ways:

• North Indy and 146th Street campuses will combine congregations and resources to one location (146th building).
• Grace Church will begin plans to launch the Fishers campus as an independent church plant with the goal of arriving at full independence in January 2022.
• Grace will have a structure that better-prioritizes online ministry for a world where online attendance and engagement is rising steadily.

We are making these changes because we will always do whatever it takes to best-accomplish our mission - even change the model of how we do it. With our financial realities what they are with declining budgets, attendance, and giving, we had to determine a path forward for Grace Church to thrive.

The pandemic accelerated our need to make these decisions. In addition to that, we must become the church for future generations. The mission of Grace resonates with all generations, but we cannot become the church of the future under the current model in which we operate.

We believe God is leading us to a fresh vision of one in-person community with a Care Center and online focus while pursuing launching the Fishers congregation as an independent church plant with a focus on justice for kids and students.

Through much prayer and discernment, the leadership team began discussing the future of Grace in detail in August 2020 based on feedback solicited from the Covenant Community.

We discussed a variety of potential options for Grace Church to thrive as it moves into the future of a post-pandemic world. In the fall, we added key staff members and volunteers to engage in conversations with the Unstuck Group. From Unstuck's website, “We help pastors lead thriving churches by coaching them to focus vision, strategy, team and action. With every tool and consulting process for churches we develop, our priority is to help churches help people meet and follow Jesus.”

In January of 2021, we arrived at consensus that this is the very-best path forward for Grace Church to not just survive, but thrive, in the future.

• February 28 - North Indy & 146th Street combine congregations at the 146th building

As of right now, there will be very minimal changes to the operations of the Care Center. However, we are constantly seeking God's desire and direction for the Care Center.

We are in partnership with the GCC Foundation that funds much of the operations and staffing of the Care Center and we will continue to work together to make the Grace Care Center thrive in our world.

We believe the Care Center is a gift from God that has served hundreds of thousands of people and it needs to be multiplied. But right now, there will be minimal impact to the Grace Care Center operations.

North Indy

• The North Indy campus will join with the 146th campus and become one church location, gathering at the 146th building
• The North Indy office building will be sold

Fishers

• Under the leadership of Pastor Kevin Roth, the Fishers campus will be planted as a stand-alone, independent church
• Exact planting timelines & details are still in process (as of Feb 26)

Grace Church currently has 74 total employees.

Not counting the Fishers church plant, the new Grace Church org chart contains 47 full time-equivalent positions. Therefore, at least 26 current staff members will not have positions in the new structure.

In all, 17 staff members will be departing Grace staff by opting out of the organization, declining a role that was offered to them, or not being offered a role in the new structure. 

Staff members who opted out prior to being offered a role:

• Aaron Coon
• Gary Gallinger
• Lily Malcomb
• Liz Snyder
• Brad Beckey
• Scott Sutherland
• Lisa Telford

Staff members who declined a role that was offered in the new structure: 

• Denise Adair
• Mike Chandler
• Shari Ferris
• Erin Meyer
• Leah Golland
• Ephraim Owens
• Marcia Zgirta
• Eric Green
• Doug Perrigin

Staff members who were not offered a position: 

• Chris Shore

Regardless of whether a staff members leaves on their own (opts out of the new structure) or whether a position is not offered, all Grace staff members are eligible for a monetary severance based on their length of service on staff. An anonymous Grace family has generously donated the funds to cover the cost of staff severances.

In addition to severance packages, each Grace staff member has been offered several no-cost counseling resources; plus, resume writing assistance and job interview training.

Every Grace staff member (from all three campuses) has been invited to a one-on-one conversation with a current Lead Team member to discuss how they see themselves fitting within the new structure. Discussions are centered around their passions/interests/etc.

Based on their desires/interests expressed in this conversation, each staff member (regardless of current campus) can be considered for any of the available positions on the new org chart at both Grace and the new Fishers church plant.

If a position on the new org chart is not offered to a staff member, they will receive a severance package (based on the number of years of service) upon their departure.

Yes. Having a leadership team that reflects diversity in age, gender, and ethnicity is a priority. 

No, current Fishers staff members are not automatically part of the new Fishers church plant staff. Each Grace staff member (regardless of current campus) can be considered for any of the available positions on the new org chart at both Grace and the new Fishers church plant.