Transcript MISSION LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Embracing God’s Vision
of a Missional Church
Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse
Grand Canyon Synod Staff
 Common
View: Congregations have a
mission.
 New
Testament: God has a mission and
congregations to help carry it out—sharing
the Good News for the sake of the world!
A
missional congregation is one that
seeks to be a partner in God’s mission!
A
Missional Congregation
understands that it is primarily a
missional community of people
being trained and equipped to
live among the world as
missionaries. It’s purpose is to
carry out God’s gospel mission of
the healing and redemption of
the world.
 CHAPLAINCY
AND
MAINTENANCE
 MISSIONAL
Church-going Insider
Gospel-carrying
Outsider
Focused inward
Focused Outward
 In
2010, the ELCA lost about 100,000 members
(the equivalent of a synod).
 The average ELCA congregation worships 115 or
less on a given Sunday.
 Only 18 percent of ELCA congregations are
experiencing growth (5% or more)
 Number of unchurched has grown by 80%; and
percentage who call themselves Christian has
dropped by 11%.
ELCA Congregations
2000-2008
82%
14%
Maintain
Based on worship attendance 2000 to 2008
elca.org
1,800,000
1,653,967
1,600,000
1,400,000
1,362,120
1,200,000
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
Source: Annual Congregational Reports, ELCA. Prepared by Research and Evaluation, February, 2009.
20
08
20
07
20
06
20
05
20
04
20
03
20
02
20
01
20
00
19
99
19
98
19
97
19
96
19
95
19
94
19
93
19
92
19
91
19
90
19
89
19
88
19
87
0
160
148
144
140
128
120
114
100
80
60
40
20
0
1990
2000
2008
Source: Annual Congregational Reports, ELCA. Prepared by Research and Evaluation, November, 2009.
2013
3,500
3,079
3,000
3,094
2000
2008
3,083
2,888
Number of Congregations
2,610
2,500
2,272
2,000
1,903
1,464
1,500
1,000
500
246
162
81
80
0
1 to 50
51 to 100
101 to 200
201 to 500
Worship Attendance
Source: Annual Congregational Reports, ELCA. Prepared by Research and Evaluation, November, 2009.
501 to 800
800 or more
Average
20%
Age is 53+ (US average 38)
fewer confirmations in past 10 yrs
65%
Builders and 35% Baby Boomers
attend a house of worship*
Yet
only 18% Gen Xers and 4%
Millennials attend*
*Denominational Average (George Gallup)
 1.
 2.
 3.
 4.
 5.
 6.
 7.
NONE category now 15% (8% in 1990)
Oregon 20% in 1990; Vermont now 34%
69% believe in personal God; 30% NO
Mainline Protestant: 12.9% (5.8% loss)
Non-denominational: 14.6% (.6% loss)
Pentecostal: 3.5% (.3% gain)
Mormon: 1.4% (0 loss/gain)
Characteristics:
 1. The world and culture are hostile.
 2. The door of the church opens up onto the
mission field.
 3. Every member is a missionary of the
gospel.
*Loren Mead (Alban Institute)
Assumptions:
 1. The culture is friendly and supportive toward
the church.
 2. The mission field is somewhere “out there”.
 3. Church professionals carry out the work of
ministry. Lay members support mission with
prayer and money. (Birth of chaplaincy model?)
7/21/201
5
Roles Change in New Paradigm Church:
 1.
Laity are front line ministers.
 2. Church professionals train and support
the ministry of the baptized people of
God.
 3. Ministry takes place in the world--not
only in the church. (Ministry in daily life.)
7/21/201
5
 1.
Care of members
Everyone a Minister
is not end in itself,
but “means to end”-nurturing disciples.
Trainers: Staff & Leaders  2. Staff train and
empower
missionaries.
 3. Outcome:
Purpose: Mission Outreach
Ministry in Daily Life
 Post-Christendom
Model (Return to
ACTS) which is a MISSION model
 Focus is on DISCIPLESHIP (mission of
the gospel--Matthew 28) not
MEMBERSHIP
(maintenance of the institution)
 Old
Paradigm:
Creating better
members for
the church-to serve the
needs of the
institution.
 New
Paradigm:
Empowering
members for
ministry in daily
life. Focused
ministries based on
strengths and gifts
of the members.
(Asset-based
ministry.)
A Church Paralyzed
Theology of scarcity
 Sense of entitlement
 Limited capacity
 Pastor Centered
 Members help pastor
 On life support
 Lone ranger
 A Care Center
 Inward Focused

A Church Propelled
Theology of abundance
 Sense of grace—sharing
 Unlimited possiblities
 Lay Empowered
 Disciples in daily life
 Vital and renewing
 Partner with others
 A Mission Outpost
 Outward Focused

 1.
 2.
 3.
 4.
 5.
 6.
 7.
Focus on GOD’S mission.
Focus OUTWARD not inward.
Address adaptive challenges of today.
Collegial and collaborative leadership.
Seeks to be a transformative agent.
Grows in daily discipleship.
Embraces a theology of abundance.
The lifespan of any given congregation is 2025 years. If a congregation does not
re-invent itself—and re-new its sense of
mission and purpose—it will begin to die.
 “If
any one is in Christ, they are a new
creation; the old has passed away, behold,
the new has come. All this is from God,
who through Christ reconciled us to
himself and gave us the ministry of
reconciliation.” --2 Cor. 5:17-18
 “Do not be conformed to this world but be
transformed by the renewal of your
mind.” --Romans 12:2
16% 34% 34% 16%
2.5% Innovators &
13.5% Early Adapters
Early Majority
Late Majority
13.5% Laggards &
2.5% antagonists
 1.
Open and transparent leadership: Be on the
lookout for the next great idea!
 2. Recognize where God is already at work.
 3. Encourage innovation among members.
 4. Willingness to experiment. Test it out!
 5. Ability to move resources to new idea.
 6. Build in connectedness (technology).
 The
congregation built a $4 million
dollar campus, raising all but a little
more than $1 million. Worship
attendance averaged 500 a week with
200 children in Preschool/Daycare, and
a Music Academy Church was involved
in significant community outreach and
church budget alone was over $700,000
(over $1 million with preschool and
music academy budgets.)
 Conflict
developed between Senior
Pastor and staff as well as some lay
leaders and the Senior Pastor left.
The resulting turmoil saw a loss in
membership and financial support.
Three interim pastors served over two
and half years. Staff and program
were cut (2004-05 there was no
Sunday School, VBS, youth program.)
Three worship services were
eventually cut to one and attendance
declined to less than 200.
 Jan.
2006 brought a new Senior Pastor,
other new staff and lay leadership
bringing a renewed focus on mission
and discipleship. Some ministries
reinstated and a second, alternative
worship service added in fall 2006.
Average attendance climbed from 260
to 350; over 100 members added
including 40 plus baptisms. Giving
increased 25%; raised over $700,000 in
a Mission Investment Campaign.
 1.
Focus on mission and discipleship.
 2. Develop a Vision for Mission.
 3. Climate change (healthy leadership).
 4. Build a supportive TEAM of staff and
lay leaders.
 5. Deal with problems head-on (truth
telling).
 6. Recognize others & celebrate
successes.
Why does the church exist? What is our mission
and purpose as a congregation?
Are we focused on maintenance—trying to keep
the organization alive and sustaining old
programs?
Are we focused on chaplaincy—taking care of our
own, serving the needs of our members?
Are we focused on the “Great Commission”—of
introducing others to the saving grace of Jesus; of
being and making disciples for ministry in daily
life?
1. Established a Visioning Task Force.
2. Conducted 20 Cottage Meetings to gather
input from around 300 members.
3. Interviewed staff and church leaders
about needs and priorities.
4. Shared material on principles of being a
missional church focused on discipleship.
5. Developed a 5 year strategic plan which
was reviewed at an Open Forum and
adopted at congregational meeting in
May.
6. Challenged Church Council and leaders of
ministry teams to “adopt” and become
interpreters of the mission.
1. Adult Forum: “Healthy Relationships, Healthy
Congregations” (Church as a Family System
using materials developed by Peter Steinke).
2. Teaching moments at Church Council meetings
culminating in one day retreat.
3. Establish quarterly “Leaders in Mission” planning
meeting for all lay leaders and staff.
4. Monthly Newsletter Pastor’s Column (series):
“The Six Marks of a Healthy Congregation”
5. Several sermon series during the year:
a. “Celebrating God’s Grace” (catechetical)
b. “Six Marks of Discipleship”
c. “Our Four Fold Mission: Purpose, Passion,
Healing, Hope”
1. Establish a “support system” for staff:
a. Semi-annual planning retreat
b. Weekly staff meetings (mandatory)
c. Weekly program staff meetings
e. Monthly staff lunches, etc.
2. Annual Staff Review (Personnel)
3. Mutual Ministry Team
4. Monthly luncheon meeting with Church
Council President (mission/agenda)
5. Monthly Church Council “Mission
Focus” (Pastor leadership training)
1. Practice “truth-telling”.
a. Sermon and/or temple talks
b. Pastor’s column
c. Newsletter and bulletin insert
d. Open discussion at Church Council (invite
solutions)
2. Engage key members of the congregation:
e.g. formation of a Financial Health Task Force
3. Develop an Action Plan
4. Practice good communication: Keep Staff, Lay
Leaders, Council, and Congregation “in the loop!
5. Encourage your leaders to be a non-anxious
presence to help diminish any anxiety caused by
change.
1. Continue to lift up the contributions of others
including staff and lay leaders. Let them know how
important they are to the success of achieving your
missional objectives. Do this personally and
publicly.
2. Keep the focus on MISSION. Continue to point to the
Vision for Mission and Strategic Plan as the roadmap
to being faithful and successful.
3. Celebrate achievements. Let the congregation
know how things are going. Acknowledge goals and
objectives that have been accomplished. Let them
know that we are on track.
4. Be a visionary leader. Keep a positive attitude. You
will help the congregation “live” into God’s plan for
their future as a missional church. (Acts 5:39)
 1.
Develop a vision for mission.
 2. Build ownership for the vision.
 3. Teach Biblical stewardship as
one of the spiritual disciplines.
 4.
Move congregation from a
theology of scarcity to a theology of
abundance.
 5. Help congregation release the
bounty of their resources for ministry.
 Every
congregation a mission outpost.
 Every leader a missional leader.
 Every pastor a missional pastor.
 Every member a missionary.