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BIRTH

BIRTH. DEATH. Congregational Life Cycle. Every Living Thing and System has a Natural Life Cycle. Potential. Purpose and Vision (assumed or stated) — DNA. Constant Care/Protection. BIRTH. The Cycle Begins at Birth. Energy and Excitement. GROWTH. Unexpected. Progress. BIRTH.

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BIRTH

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  1. BIRTH DEATH Congregational Life Cycle

  2. Every Living Thingand System has a Natural Life Cycle.

  3. Potential • Purpose and Vision(assumed or stated) — DNA • Constant Care/Protection BIRTH The Cycle Begins at Birth

  4. Energy and Excitement GROWTH • Unexpected • Progress BIRTH Birth Is Followed by a Period of Growth

  5. STABILITY • Fulfillment • Accomplishment GROWTH • Predictability • Nostalgia BIRTH Growth Is Followed by Stability

  6. STABILITY • Vitality • Health GROWTH • Strength POSITIVE BIRTH Growth Half of Life Cycle Is a Time of:

  7. STABILITY GROWTH BIRTH . . . And They Lived Happily Ever After! Only in Fairy Tales!

  8. STABILITY GROWTH DECLINE REDEFINITION BIRTH One of Two Things Follows Stability • Redefinition of the Ministry • Leads to a new growth cycle • Decline

  9. Ministry Can Be Re-defined by Answering These Questions • What was the original vision of the ministry? • What has been accomplished? • What is new that was not anticipated? • Where do we want to see this ministry in three to five years?

  10. STABILITY DECLINE GROWTH BIRTH If . . . A Ministry is not Redefined . . . Or Stability Proceeds Uninterrupted . . . DECLINE WILL UNQUESTIONABLY FOLLOW.

  11. Once a ministry is in decline there is still the possibility of new life. — But the cost of newlife is greater.

  12. STABILITY GROWTH REDEFINITION REDEVELOPMENT BIRTH Reversing Decline Requires Redevelopment • Not just new information • But also new and different purpose and direction

  13. Redevelopment • New information alone will not reverse decline • A new, different purpose and direction can reverse decline • New purpose will be experienced by the congregation as significant change, and by some as loss

  14. Intervening indecline is difficult. — It requires skilled and differentiated leadership.

  15. Differentiated Leaders • Don’t require affirmation from the congregation • Do not change course in response to the discomfort provoked by change

  16. STABILITY GROWTH REDEFINITION REDEVELOPMENT DECLINE BIRTH Without Redefinition or Redevelopment, Unchecked Decline Will Only Lead to More Serious Decline

  17. STABILITY DECLINE GROWTH DECLINE REDEFINITION DECLINE REDEVELOPMENT REBIRTH BIRTH DEATH To Reverse Serious Decline Requires Rebirth

  18. To rebirth aseriously DECLININGministry requiresradicalchange.

  19. Rebirth will involve a different purpose or ministry. — It is not just doing the old thing differently, it is doing a new thing. And, perhaps in a different place or with different people.

  20. Without rebirth, decline will lead to death.

  21. Some facts about decline.

  22. As the depth of decline increases, more interruption and letting go is required.

  23. Anxiety Fear Denial Paranoia Conflict Characteristics of Decline

  24. It is the nature of congregational decline to deny the decline as long as possible, to underestimate the decline, and then to under respond. Declining congregations — • Ignore the congregational cold • Treat congregational pneumonia with aspirin • Embalm with penicillin

  25. There is no gain forunderestimating decline. — There is no penalty foroverestimating decline.

  26. Resurrection does not follow denial — Resurrection (new life) follows death (truth telling) The questions are: The questions are: • What needs to die? • What needs to be let go of?

  27. BIRTH DEATH Life Cycle Learnings

  28. Encourage the Growth • Maximize the Growth • Resource the Growth Life Cycle Learnings When Growing:

  29. Redefine/Revision the Ministry • Identify the “New Information” • Use Demographic Data — Both About the Congregation Itself and the Congregational Context Life Cycle Learnings When Stable:

  30. Intervene — • Early • Accurately Life Cycle Learnings When Declining:

  31. Bury • Remember • Entrust • Let Go Life Cycle Learnings When Dead:

  32. STABILITY DECLINE GROWTH DECLINE REDEFINITION DECLINE REDEVELOPMENT REBIRTH BIRTH DEATH The Congregational Life Cycle

  33. For more information contact us at the Office of Congregational Development The Episcopal Church Center 815 Second Avenue New York, NY 10017 Telephone: 800-334-7626 www.episcopalchurch.org For copies of this presentation look on our website or contact Episcopal Parish Services at 800-903-5544

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