On Sunday, August 21, 2011, Community of Hope gathered for a special day of dreaming called, “IMAGINE! What’s Possible.” We all shared our dreams for where Community of Hope would be in August 2014, and then we developed some high-level priorities to guide us toward fulfillment of those dreams.
These are the 25 prioritized dreams that were decided on at that meeting. (They are stated as accomplishments, not goals.) They are ordered from highest priority to lowest priority, as determined by the Companions of Community of Hope.
1. We meet the needs of the current church without compromising the ability of the future church to survive.
2. Our “Joys & Concerns” time in worship has had a creative make-over, allowing companions to express themselves while respecting others and time.
3. We face conflict openly and unafraid, acting with discretion and prayer to lovingly resolve the conflict by private meeting, open discussion, active listening, and mediation as a last resort to reach a healthy resolution.
4. We have a well-trained care team that provides individual outreach to companions who are struggling, and assists the Pastor in providing pastoral care as needed.
5. We are a visible presence in the community, standing with people on the margins. 
6. We spend one dollar ‘outside our walls’ for every dollar we spend ‘inside our walls.’
7. We have a revised governance structure with a trusted “true” Council with authority, yet still allowing for consensus.
8. We openly face our financial responsibilities so that we may be a viable community able to function within our walls and beyond by encouraging all companions to give of their financial resources, time, and other talents. (Our financial responsibilities are a ministry of the community.)
9. Companions have a spiritual life that is strengthened through worship that is life-giving, along with more opportunities for prayer, spiritual formation, and theological reflection.
10. We are sustainable: financially, socially, and environmentally.
11. We work with other agencies on our mission and ministry activities, rather than trying to do it by ourselves.
12. We love one another abundantly, listen to one another openly, and support one another even when we disagree.
13. Companions have a strong community life that includes celebration, play, small group activities, etc.
14. Companions are called to leadership roles for a specific, time-limited period. They are well-prepared to lead. They are free to rest when they become we
ary.
15. Our community supports and recognizes the gifts of companions’ talents.
16. We are a community of inclusion and “just peace” for all.
17. Ours is a safe place where all can trust that their needs may be shared with the community and that all new and old companions are encouraged to return to the community.
18. We have an atmosphere of welcome that is safe, accepting, inclusive, positive, and supportive of our Pastor and one another.
19. We stand in solidarity through advocacy and activism.
20. We are a “base community” where we touch base, have spiritual renewal and reflection, and celebrate the mundane. We have a place where we share stories, grief and persecution. We have a children’s program and a place for after-church gatherings.
21. Our large, celebrated care team is engaged in assisting the Pastor in many activities related to care. They are trained for quick response to a need for help with home or hospital visits, a supportive ear, or food for a needy family.
22. Companions recruit, welcome and assimilate new companions to share the community responsibilities.
23. Companions will do all things with love of God and love of community first.
24. We continue to share creative ideas about community, mission and ministry.
25. We experience respectful sharing (receiving as well as giving) and reach out to others.
