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THIS EVENT…. HOW DOES IT FIT INTO THE BIGGER PICTURE?. THE BIGGER PICTURE…. TRANSFORMATION OF CONGREGATIONS REQUIRED PASTORS/LAY PERSONS TRAINED CONGREGATIONS SUPPORTED. TONIGHT…. PART OF THE “TRAINING” CATEGORIES: A SNAPSHOT OF CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRY FOCUS
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THIS EVENT… • HOW DOES IT FIT INTO THE BIGGER PICTURE?
THE BIGGER PICTURE… • TRANSFORMATION OF CONGREGATIONS REQUIRED • PASTORS/LAY PERSONS TRAINED • CONGREGATIONS SUPPORTED
TONIGHT… • PART OF THE “TRAINING” • CATEGORIES: A SNAPSHOT OF CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRY FOCUS • CREATING A COMMON CULTURE AND LANGUAGE
THE FOUNDATION • First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. (The Message) • We love because he first • loved us! (RSV) • 1 John 4:19
OUR RESPONSE • TRANSFORMING! • moving evermore completely… • to embrace with clarity & passion… • the mission Jesus gave the Church! • MAKING DISCIPLES!
The Difference Between Survival and Mission • For whoever wants to save his life will lose it. • But whoever loses his life for me • and for the Gospel will save it. • Mark 8:35 (NIV)
Categories of Congregations Reproducing Transforming Maintaining Dying Beginning
Categorías de Congregaciones QUE SE REPRODUCE EN TRANSFORMCIÓN QUE SE MANTIENE MORIBUNDA QUE COMIENZA
Tip de Kongregasyon AP MILTIPLIYE NAN TRANSFÒRMASYON RETE ANPLAS AP MOURI NAN KÒMANSMAN
TIME FOR REFLECTION • AND • DISCUSSION
WHICH CATEGORY BEST DESCRIBES OUR CONGREGATION? BEGINNINGTRANSFORMING REPRODUCING MAINTAINING DYING
SCORING “HELP WITH ASSESSING YOUR CONGREGATIONAL CATEGORY”
RELATIONSHIP… • BETWEEN CATEGORIESAND THE EIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS
EIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF HEALTHY (DISCIPLE MAKING)CONGREGATIONS(from Natural Church Development)
1 Empowering leadership 2 Gift-oriented ministry 3 Passionate spirituality 4 Functional structures 5 Inspiring Worship 6 Holistic small groups 7 Need-oriented evangelism 8 Loving relationships Healthy Congregations have…
Empowering Leadership (1)Ephesians 4:11-13 • Leaders understand long term effects of leadership decisions • Strategies to multiply church leadership • Seeks strengths/passions & gives opportunity
Empowering Leadership (2)Ephesians 4:11-13 • Leaders mentor & develop emerging leaders • Facilitate leaders working together • Evaluate program effectiveness & makes changes where indicated
Gift-oriented Ministry (1)1 Peter 4:10 • Use of spiritual gift(s) for the greater good • Principles of multiplication are built in • Gifted persons are redirected when a ministry ends
Gift-oriented Ministry (2)1 Peter 4:10 • People coach others with similar gifts • People with complementary gifts work together • System to identify & develop gifts in people and deploy them in appropriate ministry
Passionate Spirituality (1)Matthew 22:37 • Spiritual passion contagious in the congregation • Opportunities are given to share the passion publicly • Leaders discern & capitalize on fresh moves of the Spirit
Passionate Spirituality (2)Matthew 22:37 • Spiritually passionate persons encourage others to grow as well • Corporate & personal disciplines mutually re-enforce each other • Ministries result in people falling more in love with Jesus
Functional Structures (1)Ephesians 4:15-16 • New/changed ministries are evaluated for their impact on existing ones • Strategic planning prepares the way for multiplication of ministries • Leaders creatively manage change dynamics as the Vision grows
Functional Structures (2)Ephesians 4:15-16 • Ministries are designed to develop internal resources needed for next cycle of ministry • Ministries networked to accomplish the greater vision of the church • Structures open doors for ministry & do not create unnecessary red tape
Inspiring Worship(1)Psalms 122:1 • Leaders aware worship experiences impact other ministries • Differences in worship style result in multiple worship teams & services • Energy from corporate worship fuels passion for a Christ-like lifestyle
Inspiring Worship (2)Psalms 122:1 • Worship leaders apprentice emerging leaders for future worship leadership • Worship and small group life are mutually reinforcing • Evaluation assures intended worship outcomes are accomplished
Holistic Small Groups (1)Hebrews 10:24-25 • Leaders know how changes to other ministries affect small groups • Groups are designed to produce more groups • People whose needs are met in small groups are energized to reach out to others
Holistic Small Groups (2)Hebrews 10:24-25 • Leaders of small groups develop the next generation of leaders in the group • Small groups & special ministries cooperate to meet participant needs • Small group effectiveness is regularly evaluated for fruitfulness
Need-oriented Evangelism (1)1 Corinthians 9:19-22 • Each ministry understands its role in reaching unbelievers • Christians use their relational networks for further evangelization • Enthusiasm of new believers celebrated and channeled
Need-oriented Evangelism(2)1 Corinthians 9:19-22 • New Christians challenged to lead future evangelization ministries • Ministries raise up workers for evangelization and new Christians become leaders in evangelization ministries • Outreach efforts produce new believers
Loving Relationships (1)John 13:35 • Many ways provided for people to connect relationally • New people assimilated into fellowship & ministry networks • The sense of belonging results in more ministry involvement
Loving Relationships (2)John 13:35 • People with pastoral gifts of caring mobilized/trained to lead groups • Cooperation between people is joyfully experienced • Persons different or marginalized are welcomed & included
TIME FOR REFLECTION • AND • DISCUSSION
These Eight are … • … “HANDLES” for the process the congregation uses in living out theMISSION! • …“PORTHOLES” through which a congregation can observe and assess its Mission efforts!
THE PROCESS…(from NCD) • A SURVEY • STRATEGIC PLANNING AND INPLEMENTATION • EVALUATION
COST? • SUPPORT!
RELATIONSHIP… • BETWEEN CATEGORIESAND THE EIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS
Office of Congregational Transformation The Rev. Kendall TaylorDirector
Office Of Congregational Transformation • P.O. Box 3767Lakeland, FL 33802 • 1-800-282-8011, ext 109 • 863-680-1912 (fax) • ktaylor@flumc.org • http://www.flumc.org