200 likes | 328 Views
Missional Implications Diocese of Northern California Bishop’s Conference. Canon Neal Michell. Pre- Constantinian Apostolic Age. The Welcoming Church. The Biblical Model: People of God in Exile
E N D
Missional ImplicationsDiocese of Northern CaliforniaBishop’s Conference Canon Neal Michell
The Biblical Model: People of God in Exile Jeremiah 29:7Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Implications for the Church: • A. Our Missional Worldview Must Change • Three Worldviews of Mission for Anglicanism • Chaplains to the Culture • Chaplains to the Past • Ancient/Future Missioners
Implications for the Church • B. Our focus on Ministry within the church must change. • From an internal focus to an external focus • How do we measure the impact of the church on our community? • What is the reputation of your church in your community? Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” −Jeremiah 29:7
Implications for the Church B. Our focus on Ministry within the church must change. From Developing Programs to Developing People We need to change the word “church” from a noun to a verb. Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” −Jeremiah 29:7
Implications for the Church • C. Our Target Population Must Change • You cannot build your congregation on the “new Episcopalians that have moved into the area.” You have to build your congregation on their own vision and values and not on the denominational identification
Implications for the Church • C. Our Target Population Must Change • The Good News is that the Post-denominational values will make it easier for people to consider the Episcopal Church. The Not-so-Good News is that it also makes it easier for people to find church homes elsewhere.
Implications for the Church • C. Our Target Population Must Change • It used to be that you could manage an Episcopal church really poorly and it would still grow; now, you can run an Episcopal church really well and watch it decline.
Implications for the Church • D. Our Approach to Evangelism Must Change • From doctrine as the primary message to story-telling. • People aren’t impressed that you are an Anglican. They will be more impressed by how you live your life. (Word to Self: Your LIFE is the primary story.) • They will be more drawn by your personal faith story than what church you go to.
Implications for the Church • D. Our Approach to Evangelism Must Change • People are looking more and more for a church that makes a difference in the world around them, iow, fosters missions and outreach involvement.
Implications for the Church • D. Our Approach to Evangelism Must Change • Web Site—must communicate to both parishioners and seekers. Four targets: • Our own church members. • Disaffected church members from other churches. • Christians moving into the area looking for a church • Non-Christians in the community
Implications for the Church • D. Our Approach to Evangelism Must Change • Web Site—must communicate to both parishioners and seekers. • People under 40 are looking for a virtual experience of your church. • What does your church “feel” like for the newcomer? • A word about music . . . • NB, An out of date website is worse than no website at all.
Implications for the Church • D. Our Approach to Evangelism Must Change • A word about preaching . . . • Story of the Hot Air Balloon • Three types of Learners • Auditory • Visual • Kinesthetic • NB, if you preach only one kind of sermon, you’re missing a large portion of your congregation!
Implications for the Church E. Our Locus for Evangelism Must Change • Under Christendom, the church was a positive place to gather. Not so anymore. People no longer trust churches or Christians. So . . . • Not ATTRACTION (to the church building) but INCARNATION (where they are).
Implications for the Church E. Our Locus for Evangelism Must Change • Question: What are the natural gathering places in this day and age? • Starbucks? • Malls? • Neighborhoods? • Offices? • Mission trips • Social Ministry Outreaches
Implications for the Church • Congregational evangelism – Christendom or New Apostolic? • Bible studies at work • Conversations with the rector at Starbucks. • Alpha • Via Media • “Theology on Tap” at a local pub. • Home Eucharists: invite lapsed Catholics • House and Business Blessings • Honor the School Teachers at Church Sunday • Passing out Tracts • Blessing of the Animals • @ Church? • @ PetSmart • Invite a friend to church • Adopt an Elementary School
Exercise • Gather with people from your church and make a list of the activities that your church is involved in. • Assess how many are internally focused and how many are externally focused. • Determine the number of people involved in each ministry and then compute the percentage of your members involved in internally focused ministries and externally focused ministries.