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Robert McClure United Church. post-Christendom" church searching for mission and identityHow do we do church" in a way that is life-giving, transformative, and doesn't feel so much like work? . Robert McClure United Church. Power Surge: six marks of discipleship for a changing church by Micha
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1. Robert McClure United Church “post-Christendom” church searching for mission and identity…
2. Robert McClure United Church “post-Christendom” church searching for mission and identity…
How do we “do church” in a way that is life-giving, transformative, and doesn’t feel so much like work?
3. Robert McClure United Church Power Surge: six marks of discipleship for a changing church by Michael Foss. 2000: Fortress Press.
4. Robert McClure United Church Power Surge: six marks of discipleship for a changing church by Michael Foss. 2000: Fortress Press.
“Membership model”
the church exists to serve the spiritual needs of its members
Mission means going out and getting more members
5. Robert McClure United Church Power Surge: six marks of discipleship for a changing church by Michael Foss. 2000: Fortress Press.
“discipleship model”
Church is seen as a community of disciples – people who are learning to follow Jesus
Mission is both the transformation of lives through spiritual practice, and the work we do in the world in response to Christ’s call
6. Robert McClure United Church Power Surge: six marks of discipleship for a changing church by Michael Foss. 2000: Fortress Press.
“discipleship model”
Church life oriented around core beliefs, values, practices
(as opposed to structures and programs)
Rick Warren: “Don’t focus on growing a church with programs, focus on growing people with a process.”
7. Robert McClure United Church Church board reads Power Surge, and spends a few meetings reflecting on what has been read.
8. Robert McClure United Church Church board reads Power Surge, and spends a few meetings reflecting on what has been read.
Discussion at board and key leadership groups in church: what are our core values, beliefs, and discipleship practices?
9. Robert McClure United Church Church board reads Power Surge, and spends a few meetings reflecting on what has been read.
Discussion at board and key leadership groups in church: what are our core values, beliefs, and discipleship practices?
Presentation to annual meeting in 2006, and agreement at that meeting to “try it out for a year.”
10. Robert McClure United Church Core Beliefs:
Grace
Transformation through discipleship
Scripture
Personal responsibility
Church
11. Robert McClure United Church Core Values
Honesty
Reverence
Hospitality
Compassion
Justice
Gratitude? Joy?
12. Robert McClure United Church Discipleship practices
Pray daily
Worship weekly
Study the Bible
Practice hospitality
Practice generosity
Practice ministry
Practice gratitude? Practice Sabbath?
13. Robert McClure United Church Trial year
Worship themes
Small groups
Visual images in worship space
Books and resources
Congregational activities (guess who’s coming to dinner, movie nights, etc.)
14. Robert McClure United Church What’s ahead?
Review of practices, values, beliefs
“just beginning” – looking for depth
A year for each practice?
Training not trying: the image of athletic training and practice