Transcript Document

© 2010 Church Extension.
All Rights Reserved
“Brilliant!”
Reviewing the Principles of New
Beginnings
Principle #1:
Insanity is doing the
_____ _____ over and
over again and
expecting _______
_________.
Reviewing the Principles of New
Beginnings
Principle #1:
Insanity is doing the
same thing over and
over again and
expecting different
results.
Reviewing the Principles of New
Beginnings
Principle #2:
We can no longer assume that
faithful participation in church
activities leads to _________.
We need to be more
intentional about what we do
as a church.
Reviewing the Principles of New
Beginnings
Principle #2:
We can no longer assume that
faithful participation in church
activities leads to discipleship.
We need to be more
intentional about what we do
as a church.
Reviewing the Principles of New
Beginnings
Principle #3:
You can count on
____________to change.
In most cases, resistance
to change is really a fear of
_________ _________.
Reviewing the Principles of New
Beginnings
Principle #3:
You can count on
resistance to change.
In most cases, resistance
to change is really a fear of
losing something.
The Principles of New Beginnings
Principle #4:
Surface-level tinkering may
provide immediate relief. . .
But a New Beginning
requires patience to notice
the changing conditions
and make a bold decision.
Solving Problems
Problem
Possible
Options
Status Quo
Solution
An Example of Solving Problems
Broken
Furnace
Repair or
Replace?
Warm
Sanctuary
New
Furnace
Adapting to Conditions
A
Whole New
Place
Today
Seeing interconnectedness
Solving
Problems
Adapting to
Conditions
• Sees issues as problems
to be fixed
• Begins with seeing
things as they are
• Focuses on potential
solutions, decision & action
• Focuses on systemic
relationships
• Returns to status quo
• Creates new reality
• Requires technical skill &
past answers
• Requires patience,
willingness to adapt &
learn
Adapting to Conditions
• “Getting up to the balcony” for perspective
• Allows permission to not ‘fix’ right away
• Learning new insights and skills
• Cause and effect is not linear (A B C)
• Episodic, frequent conversation
• Resists temptation to the easy path
• Questioning our assumptions
• “Walking naked into the land of uncertainty”
Robert Quinn, Deep Change
Remember!
We are not solving the
problems of
yesterday’s church.
We are adapting to a
new way of doing God’s
mission in the world!
What do mission-driven
congregations look like?
What do mission-driven
congregations look like?
Four common characteristics
1 - A clear, focused mission
2 - Relevance to their community/context
3 - Energy & passion
4 - Ability to mobilize resources
What do mission-driven
congregations look like?
1. A clear, focused mission
• A reason for being -- right now
• Rooted in scripture & identity as
followers of Jesus Christ
• Provides common direction
• Mission answers the “why”
behind all church programs
• States what the church is best at
(or “born to do”)
What do mission-driven
congregations look like?
2. Relevance to their community & context
• The church knows its neighbors
• Mission & ministries are
compatible with neighborhood or
town
• The church continuously
provides opportunities to engage
with community
What do mission-driven
congregations look like?
3. Exceeding passion & energy
• Enthusiasm, creativity abound
• People do not need to be
motivated or “arm twisted”
• Worship and programs are lively
• Faith is contagious
• High passion leads to fruitful
conflict over ideas
What do mission-driven
congregations look like?
4. Varied resources that are ready for mission
• Facilities are available for creative
uses
• Available financial & capital
resources can be mobilized
• Empowering clergy leadership
• Well-trained laity
• High trust & spiritual maturity
• Outside perspective is often
required to see your resources
Mission-Driven Churches Know…
Where is God calling us to be?
What is our deep center?
This is your
“deep center”
Passion
“Best At” in
our context
Resources
The first lens:
Our Congregation’s Passion
Passion
“Best At” in
our context
Resources
Where’s Our Passion?
Passion, DeWitt Jones
National Geographic Photographer
What is it that the people of
your congregation are deeply
passionate about?
Passion
• “We love to do this ministry”
• “Time flies when we do this”
• “We anticipate doing this with
excitement”
• “We believe in this ministry
and are willing to make
sacrifices for it”
Looking at Your Assessment
• Appreciative Inquiry Notes
give a hint about what your
people are passionate about
(Appendix A)
Passion
• Two other things shed light on
your congregation’s energy
level:
– Generations
– Tenure
Appreciate Inquiry Notes
(Appendix A)
Passion
Imagine you are archeologists
in the year 2100. You’ve
just discovered these few
pages of notes and it is all
you know of the church.
What do these pages tell you
the church is passionate
about?
Generational Data (Section 6)
• Older and Younger ages tend to have different
levels of passion and energy
• If 55%+ of the congregation is “Boomer +”, the
church may not have the energy for major
change
Congregational Tenure
(Section 6)
• A 50-50 balance
between new and
long-tenured folks
assures new ideas
and new energy
• The longer people
have been in the
church, the less likely
they are question the
status quo
For Discussion:
Review these sections of your
assessment…remember, you are not
solving problems!
Passion
• What factors indicate our
passion and currently
contribute to our
congregation’s energy level?
• Choose either low, medium
or high to identify your
congregation’s energy level.
The second lens:
What our Congregation can be
“best at” in our context
Passion
“Best At” in
our context
Resources
We can do a lot of things. . .
What can we be best at?
“Herding Cats”
2007
What do we need to be BEST
AT given our particular
context?
“Best At”
in our context
• What does our congregation
do really well?
• Even more, what can we be
the very best at in our
community?
• How are we uniquely gifted for
what our community needs?
God calls you to the place “where your deep gladness
meets the world’s deep hunger.” -- Frederick Buechner
A combination of TWO things:
“Best At”
in our context
• What are those specific types
of ministry that we can do
really well?
AND
• Are we matched to our
community/context? Do
these types of ministry match
the needs of those around
us?
If there is little or no match…
A BIG decision must be made!
“Best At”
in our context
• Either we adapt our ministry
to reach out to those around
us
OR
• We have to move into a
community where our vision
for ministry matches the
community’s needs.
Looking at Your Assessment
• Appreciative Inquiry Notes
(Appendix A)
• Demographic Gaps
“Best At”
in our context
– Age, Race, Geography
• Community Census Data
(Appendix B)
• Previous discussion on Passion
Finding your gaps
(section 6)
Finding your gaps
(section 6)
Pin Map:
Community Census Data
(Appendix C)
• Based on U.S. Census data
• Questions?
MissionInsite.com
• Twelve sections or “Insites”
Insite #2
Insite #6
Insite #7
Insite #10
Lifestyles near the church
(section 6)
For Discussion:
Review these sections of your assessment
“Best At”
in our context
• Based on the demographic data, what
ministry needs do the people in our
community face?
• What do the people around our church
need us to be best at?
• Rate your congregation’s level of
preparedness to address those ministry
needs: low, medium or high.
The third lens:
The resources we have for
mission
Passion
“Best At” in
our context
Resources
Many visioning processes
break down because they do
not consider resources
• Resources are not just money
Resources
–
–
–
–
–
–
Facilities / Space
Location can be a resource
Leadership capacity
Human talent, time, generosity
High trust
Money
How easily mobilized are your
resources?
Resources
• Are facilities cleared of clutter
and versatile for many uses?
• Are funds restricted or
available for mission?
• Are leaders trained and ready
for their roles?
Human Resources
• The number of people in your
church is a resource.
Resources
• How are people equipped to
share their faith and live the
gospel?
• Do job descriptions/positions
keep pace with changing needs
(webmaster, worship technician,
small group coordinator)?
Looking at Your Assessment
Resources
• Facilities Examination
• Appreciative Inquiry Notes
(particularly “How does
leadership training happen?”)
• Financial Resources
Facilities Examination
(Section 4)
Space Availability:
Facilities Examination
(Section 4)
Parking Lot Availability:
Parking
On-site parking available
Off-site parking available
Street parking available
Parking Capacity for Worship
Spaces
AWA Avail.
45
78.75
0
0
10
5
55
83.75
Difference
28.75
Financial Resources
(Section 7)
• How dependent is the church
on sources of income OTHER
THAN tithes/offerings?
Offering Support
Current
Lst Yr
2 yrs ago
58.58%
59.57%
73.15%
Income Sources:
Operating
Offerings
Perm. Fund. Income
Building Use Fees
Savings
other
TOTAL INCOME
2010
$83,437
$3,567
$26,798
$28,621
2009
$74,799
$142,423
$125,568
$27,115
$23,654
2008
$90,161
$3,340
$6,530
$21,276
$1,947
$123,254
Financial Resources
(Section 7)
• Compared with other congregations
• Not an indicator that you pay the pastor
too much! (“Salary” is ALL staff people)
Current Operating Budget
Salary Support
Building/Admin
Program
Mission
TOTAL EXPENSE
% of exp
$77,375
$46,522
$7,036
$7,627
$138,560
50.28%
39.14%
5.08%
5.50%
% Recommended
50.0%
25.0%
15.0%
10.0%
For Discussion:
Review these sections of your
assessment…remember, you are not
solving problems!
Resources
• What does the assessment
say about how adequate our
resources are for mission?
• Rate the adequacy and
availability of resources using
low, medium or high.
Now let’s look at our strengths in
these areas
Passion
“Best At” in
our context
Resources
Where is God calling us to be?
New Beginnings
Strategies for the Future
Bold Decisions Being Made . . .
Reaching a new people group
Moving to a new home
Restarting as a church
Redefining the mission
Leaving a legacy
What options should our
congregation consider?
Redefinition? Redevelopment? Rebirth?
Redefining the Mission
• Only appropriate for a few congregations
• Church in need of a new mission and
purpose to reach out to their neighbors
• Current leadership is capable of new
innovations and learning -- willing for the
church to become something new
• Can happen along with a New Beginnings
Redevelopment strategy
• Involves a lengthy process of re-creating the
congregation’s mission and image
Redevelopment
• For congregations who have lost
relevance to their community contexts
• A more radical means of reaching out in
Christian witness
• Different Types of Redevelopment:
–
–
–
–
Relocating (to permanent or leased space)
Restarting as a Church
Parallel Starting a New Church
Adoption (by another congregation nearby)
• “Hybrid” is a combination of the above
Rebirth
• Closing a congregation’s visible ministry is the
ultimate act of faith…it trusts that something new
and better can be born.
• The congregation intentionally closes, preventing
the slow decline of assets until nothing is left for
mission
• Decision about the distribution of assets/property is
made in consultation with the wider church…often
assisting with the birth of new churches
• Can be a source of relief for members who no
longer have the energy or desire to maintain facility
What options should our
congregation consider?
Redefinition? Redevelopment? Rebirth?
Discussion:
Given our scores in
various areas, what are
the realistic strategies for
us to consider?
Passion
“Best At” in
our context
Resources
Moving Your Congregation
Through Change
Churches attract different
people at different stages
Attracts
Managers
Attracts
Initiators
Attracts
Relational
Attracts
Creative
Churches attract different
people at different stages
Attracts
Managers
Attracts
Initiators
Attracts
Relational
Attracts
Creative
Creative
Leave
Relational
Leave
Initiators
Leave
Managers
are left
The longer a church waits, the
more difficult it is to change
Loss of Creativity
Loss of Flexibility
Change and Opposition
A Rule of Thumb about Congregations
•
•
•
•
About 2% will always vote NO
About 2% will always vote YES
About 10% will lean in favor of
About 10% will lean against
The remaining 76% are genuinely glad
you had the conversation!
Thumb Wrestling
Win $50 Per Pin!
We can’t help it! -- We think
there always have to be
winners and losers
“Grant that I may not so much seek to
be understood, as to understand.” -- St. Francis
• It’s not about choosing sides
• It’s about listening for God’s direction
• “Robert’s Rules” strives for efficiency,
not holy insight and prayerful
conversation
When you encounter
resistance in the church
• Remember they aren’t bad
people, they are just afraid of
losing something
• Give them a chance to be heard
• When you help people say what
they’re afraid of losing, you
open the door to a new
beginning
The S.A.R.A.H. Curve
Everyone will be at a different point on the curve
H
Feelings
S
A
A
Time
R
•
•
•
•
•
Shock
Anger
Resistance
Acceptance
Hope
House Meetings
House Meeting Manual
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Introduction
Session 1: Vitality and Discipleship
Session 2: Interpreting the Report
Session 3: Examining our Community
Session 4: Our Church in God’s Mission
Session 5: Discovering Our Options
Session 6: Navigating Change
Leaders’ Report & Evaluation
Things to Decide Today:
1. Six-week model or Retreat model?
2. Where will the groups meet (homes, off
site, at church ?)
3. Who will lead which group (1-2 leaders
per group)?
4. When will the meetings start? (allow 3
weeks)
Establish Common Values for
Your Conversation
• Transparent Communication
• Foster trust and honesty
• Avoid “parking lot” talk
• Collaboration/Collegiality
• Genuinely learn together
• “Both - And” Thinking
• Don’t get distracted with “either - or”
• Abundant Worldview
• Focus on what you do have, not what you
wish you had
• God will supply what you need
Practical Matters:
• Have a comfortable setting with
refreshments
• Establish group rules if you need them
• Pair trained leaders with non-trained
• Each group should have a note-taker to
record outcomes
• Remember the difference between
naming conditions and solving problems
Next Steps in New Beginnings
• House Leaders plan schedule
• 50% (or more) of congregation participates
in House Meetings
• Reports are handed out at 1st House Mtg
• Lead conversations like we had today
• Strategies are discussed in House Mtgs
• Decision brought to board/congregation
• Wider Church partnership is available
Questions?
Thank You for Attending!
What are you taking with you as a result of
participating in this event?