Episcopal Community Service Network

Slide 1:Episcopal Community Service Network

Introduction to The Externally Focused Church Episcopal Diocese of Dallas November 2008 BB2 DBS: DBS:

Slide 2:Workshop Goals

Introduce the concepts of an externally focused church. Inspire new ways of thinking about the relationship between the church and the community.

Slide 3:Why is being an �Externally Focused Church� Important?

We are called by Christ to live out our faith by serving others. �For we are God�s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. � (Ephesians 2:10)

Slide 4:We Have A Commitment!

There is a hunger among Episcopal churches in the Diocese to get involved- to serve the poor and the needy���and� Our Eucharistic commitment to�go out into the world and serve� dates back to at least 1549�

Slide 5:1549 Post Communion Prayer

�.Oh heavenly father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy felowship, and doe all suche good woorkes, as thou has prepared for us to walke in: through Jesus Christe our Lorde, to whome with thee and the holy gost, bee all honour and glory, world without ende.

Slide 6:Question to Consider ?

If your church were to leave the community, would anyone notice�would anyone care?

Slide 7:The Externally Focused Church Characteristics:

Inwardly strong but outwardly focused. Integrate good news and good deeds in the life of the church. Ministering and serving are normal expressions of Christian living. This is what defines them. How many of these characteristics does your church have?This is what defines them. How many of these characteristics does your church have?

Slide 8:Externally Focused Churches:

Value impact in the community more than attendance. Evangelistically effective. They seek to be salt, light and leaven in the community, and�.. This is what defines them.This is what defines them.

Slide 9: �They would be greatly missed by the community if they left!

Slide 10:A Shift in Thinking

In order for churches to become salt, light and leaven in the community, There maybe a need for a shift in thinking? Perhaps it is no longer just about size, attendance, budgets, or number of small groups��but�

Slide 11:maybe it�s about:

Making a significant and sustainable difference in the lives of people in the community.

Slide 12:Paradigm Shift

A paradigm shift is a change from one way of thinking to another� that �aha� moment when one sees things in a new light ..often to the extent that one can never go back to the old way of thinking again.

Slide 13: Paradigm Shift #1 From building walls to building bridges

How do we see ourselves in relationship to the community? Remain outside of the community inviting people in�.or Go out to the community seeking to be transforming agents. �You are the salt of the earth�You are the light of the world �(Matthew 5:13,14)

Slide 14:Building bridges to the community is a mental shift regarding how the church lives in its community. Once this mental shift is made�. There are no limits to the creativity and ideas for how it can serve��.

Slide 15: Paradigm Shift #2 From encouraging the saints to attend the service to equipping the saints for works of service.

Typically only 20% of church members are active. Lay people are asked to serve by teaching Sunday school, cook and serve food, lead bible study, be an usher�����. �It is (God) who gave some to pastors and teachers to prepare God�s people for works of service� (Ephesians 4:11-13)

Slide 16:Could it be�..

That service opportunities are not broad enough? �and/or We have a competing list of activities to choose from, rather than, Focus on serving others in the community�as part of our church core identity.

Slide 17:�For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but serve and to give his life a ransom for many� (Mark 10:45)

Slide 18: It Wasn�t About the Donkey

Slide 19:7 Strategies for Success

Start with Scripture (preparing hearts) Understand your community and identify needs. Seek to develop programs and ministries to address needs in the community. 114 scripture verses listed in Eric�s book114 scripture verses listed in Eric�s book

Slide 20:Strategies for Success

Form community partners (i.e. social service agencies, schools, etc.) having similar goals and aspirations. (with no strings attached) Focus on �relational� opportunities to serve (not just $) Ask community partners what their needs are and how you can help them�. Ask community partners what their needs are and how you can help them�.

Slide 21:Strategies for Success

Start with �first step� opportunities for members of your Parish to get involved. Share stories about your success. �The goal of an externally focused church is to serve, but the ultimate goal is to build the kingdom�

Slide 22:Question to Consider ?

If your church were to leave the community, would anyone notice�would anyone care?

Slide 23:Exercise: Discussion Questions:

Would your church be called a serving church? What specific steps can you take to identify the needs and dreams of your community? What agencies/organizations in your community might be good partners?

Slide 24:�Let us consider�

�how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together�but let us encourage one another� (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Slide 25:Sources:

Rick Rusaw, Eric Swanson, The Externally Focused Church, 2004. Eric Swanson, Ten Paradigm Shifts Toward Community Transformation, 2003. Use of materials with permission from Eric Swanson of Leadership Network, Dallas,Texas