© 2010 Church Extension. All Rights Reserved. “Brilliant!”

© 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 _______

_________.


Principle #1:

Insanity is doing the same thing over and

over again and expecting different

results.


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.


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.


You can count on ____________to change.

In most cases, resistance to change is really a fear of

_________ _________.

Principle #3:


You can count on resistance to change.

In most cases, resistance to change is really a fear of

losing something.

Principle #3:

The Principles of New Beginnings

Surface-level tinkering may provide immediate relief. . .

But a New Beginning requires patience to notice the changing conditions

and make a bold decision.

Principle #4:

Solving Problems

Status Quo

Problem

Solution

PossibleOptions

An Example of Solving Problems

WarmSanctuary

BrokenFurnace

NewFurnace

Repair orReplace?

Adapting to Conditions

Today

AWhole New

Place

Seeing interconnectedness

Solving Problems

• Sees issues as problems to be fixed

• Focuses on potential solutions, decision & action

• Returns to status quo

• Requires technical skill & past answers


• Begins with seeing things as they are

• Focuses on systemic relationships

• Creates new reality

• Requires patience, willingness to adapt & learn


• “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?


1 - A clear, focused mission

2 - Relevance to their community/context

3 - Energy & passion

4 - Ability to mobilize resources

Four common characteristics


• 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”)

1. A clear, focused mission


• The church knows its neighbors• Mission & ministries are

compatible with neighborhood or town

• The church continuously provides opportunities to engage with community

2. Relevance to their community & context

• 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

3. Exceeding passion & energy



• 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

4. Varied resources that are ready for mission

Mission-Driven Churches Know…

Resources“Best At” in our context

Passion

Where is God calling us to be?What is our deep center?

This is your“deep center”

The first lens:Our Congregation’s Passion


Passion

Passion, DeWitt JonesNational Geographic Photographer

Where’s Our Passion?

What is it that the people of your congregation are deeply

passionate about?

• “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”

Passion

Looking at Your Assessment

• Appreciative Inquiry Notes give a hint about what your people are passionate about (Appendix A)

• Two other things shed light on your congregation’s energy level:– Generations– Tenure

Passion

Appreciate Inquiry Notes(Appendix A)

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?

Passion

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:

• 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.

Passion

Review these sections of your assessment…remember, you are not solving problems!

The second lens:What our Congregation can be

“best at” in our context


Passion

“Herding Cats”2007

We can do a lot of things. . . What can we be best at?

What do we need to be BEST AT given our particular

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?

“Best At”in our context

God calls you to the place “where your deep gladness meets the world’s deep hunger.” -- Frederick Buechner

A combination of TWO things:

• 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…

• 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.


A BIG decision must be made!


• Appreciative Inquiry Notes (Appendix A)

• Demographic Gaps– 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:

• 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.


Review these sections of your assessment

The third lens:The resources we have for

mission


Passion

Many visioning processes break down because they do

not consider resources

• Resources are not just money– Facilities / Space– Location can be a resource– Leadership capacity– Human talent, time, generosity– High trust– Money

Resources

How easily mobilized are your 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?

Resources

Human Resources

Resources

• The number of people in your church is a resource.

• 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)?


• Facilities Examination• Appreciative Inquiry Notes

(particularly “How does leadership training happen?”)

• Financial ResourcesResources

Facilities Examination(Section 4)

Space Availability:

Facilities Examination(Section 4)

Parking Lot Availability:

Parking Spaces AWA Avail.On-site parking available 45 78.75Off-site parking available 0 0Street parking available 10 5

Parking Capacity for Worship 55 83.75Difference 28.75

Financial Resources(Section 7)

• How dependent is the church on sources of income OTHER THAN tithes/offerings?

Income Sources:Operating 2010 2009 2008

Offerings $83,437 $74,799 $90,161 Perm. Fund. Income $3,567 $3,340 Building Use Fees $26,798 $27,115 $6,530Savings $28,621 $23,654 $21,276 other $1,947 TOTAL INCOME $142,423 $125,568 $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 % of exp % Recommended Salary Support $77,375 50.28% 50.0% Building/Admin $46,522 39.14% 25.0% Program $7,036 5.08% 15.0% Mission $7,627 5.50% 10.0% TOTAL EXPENSE $138,560

For Discussion:

• 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.

Resources

Review these sections of your assessment…remember, you are not solving problems!

Now let’s look at our strengths in these areas


Passion

Where is God calling us to be?

New BeginningsStrategies for the Future

Bold Decisions Being Made . . .

Restarting as a church

Moving to a new home

Redefining the mission

Reaching a new people group

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:


Passion

Given our scores in various areas, what are the realistic strategies for us to consider?

Moving Your Congregation Through Change

Churches attract different people at different stages

AttractsCreative

AttractsRelational

AttractsManagers

AttractsInitiators

Churches attract different people at different stages

AttractsCreative

AttractsRelational

AttractsManagers

AttractsInitiators

CreativeLeave

RelationalLeave

InitiatorsLeave

Managersare left

The longer a church waits, the more difficult it is to change

Loss of Creativity

Loss of Flexibility

• 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!

Change and OppositionA Rule of Thumb about Congregations

Thumb WrestlingWin $50 Per Pin!

• 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

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

• 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

When you encounter resistance in the church

• Shock• Anger• Resistance• Acceptance• Hope

The S.A.R.A.H. Curve

Time

Fee

lin

gs

S

R

HA

A

Everyone will be at a different point on the curve

House Meetings

• 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

House Meeting Manual

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)

Things to Decide Today:

• 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

Establish Common Values for Your Conversation

• 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

Practical Matters:

• 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

Next Steps in New Beginnings

Questions?

What are you taking with you as a result of participating in this event?

Thank You for Attending!

Documents

© 2010 Church Extension. All Rights Reserved. “Brilliant!”