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TRANSFORMING CONGREGATIONS FOR MISSION

TRANSFORMING CONGREGATIONS FOR MISSION. Embracing God’s Vision of a Missional Church Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse Grand Canyon Synod Staff. mb. What is a Missional Church?. Common View : Congregations have a mission.

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TRANSFORMING CONGREGATIONS FOR MISSION

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  1. TRANSFORMING CONGREGATIONS FOR MISSION Embracing God’s Vision of a Missional Church Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse Grand Canyon Synod Staff

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  3. What is a Missional Church? • Common View: Congregations have a mission. • New Testament: God has a mission and congregations to help carry it out—sharing the Good News for the sake of the world! • A missional congregationis one that seeks to be a partner in God’s mission!

  4. MiseoDeo: What is God’s Mission? “TO REDEEM THE WORLD”Great Commission:“Go into all the world and make disciples!”Great Commandment:“Love God and love your neighbor.”

  5. Changing the questionS:What is god’s vision for our PROMISED future? Where is God LEADING US?HOW CAN WE PARTNER WITH GOD IN GOD’S MISSION IN THE WORLD?

  6. A MISSIONAL COMMUNITY A Missional Congregationunderstands that it is primarily a missional community of people being trained and equipped to live among the world as missionaries. It’s purpose is to carry out God’s gospel mission of the healing and redemption of the world.

  7. Which Do you aspire to be? • CHAPLAINCY AND MAINTENANCE Church-going Insider Focused inward • MISSIONAL Gospel-carrying Outsider Focused Outward

  8. A Chaplaincy or Mission Model? • In 2010, the ELCA lost about 100,000 members (the equivalent of a synod). • The average ELCA congregation worships 115 or less on a given Sunday. • Only 18 percent of ELCA congregations are experiencing growth (5% or more) • Number of unchurched has grown by 80%; and percentage who call themselves Christian has dropped by 11%.

  9. ELCA Congregations 2000-2008 82% 14% Maintain 18% 68% Grow Decline Based on worship attendance 2000 to 2008 elca.org

  10. ELCA Worship Attendance from 1987 to 2008 Source: Annual Congregational Reports, ELCA. Prepared by Research and Evaluation, February, 2009.

  11. Average Size of a Congregation in the ELCA Based on Worship Attendance for 1990, 2000, 2008, 2013 (estimate) Source: Annual Congregational Reports, ELCA. Prepared by Research and Evaluation, November, 2009.

  12. Number of Congregations in the ELCA by Size Based on Worship Attendance in 2000 and 2008 Source: Annual Congregational Reports, ELCA. Prepared by Research and Evaluation, November, 2009.

  13. ELCA is an Aging Church • Average Age is 53+ (US average 38) • 20% fewer confirmations in past 10 yrs • 65% Builders and 35% Baby Boomers attend a house of worship* • Yet only 18% Gen Xers and 4% Millennials attend* *Denominational Average (George Gallup)

  14. American Religious Id Survey • 1. NONE category now 15% (8% in 1990) • 2. Oregon 20% in 1990; Vermont now 34% • 3. 69% believe in personal God; 30% NO • 4. Mainline Protestant: 12.9% (5.8% loss) • 5. Non-denominational: 14.6% (.6% loss) • 6. Pentecostal: 3.5% (.3% gain) • 7. Mormon: 1.4% (0 loss/gain)

  15. The Apostolic Paradigm*: 33 AD-333 AD Characteristics: • 1. The world and culture are hostile. • 2. The door of the church opens up onto the mission field. • 3. Every member is a missionary of the gospel. *Loren Mead (Alban Institute)

  16. Christendom Paradigm333 AD-1960 AD Assumptions: • 1. The culture is friendly and supportive toward the church. • 2. The mission field is somewhere “out there”. • 3. Church professionals carry out the work of ministry. Lay members support mission with prayer and money. (Birth of chaplaincy model?)

  17. 1960 ON-- Post Christian Era: Return to the Apostolic Era? Roles Change in New Paradigm Church: • 1. Laity are front line ministers. • 2. Church professionals train and support the ministry of the baptized people of God. • 3. Ministry takes place in the world--not only in the church. (Ministry in daily life.)

  18. Post- Christendom Paradigm Shift • 1. Care of members is not end in itself, but “means to end”-- nurturing disciples. • 2. Staff train and empower missionaries. • 3. Outcome: Ministry in Daily Life Everyone a Minister Trainers: Staff & Leaders Purpose: Mission Outreach

  19. Designing Congregations for a New Century of Mission • Post-Christendom Model (Return to ACTS) which is a MISSION model • Focus is on DISCIPLESHIP (mission of the gospel--Matthew 28) not MEMBERSHIP (maintenance of the institution)

  20. Old Paradigm: Creating better members for the church-- to serve the needs of the institution. New Paradigm: Empowering members for ministry in daily life. Focused ministries based on strengths and gifts of the members. (Asset-based ministry.) Building Up Disciples

  21. Changing Paradigms • Theology of scarcity • Sense of entitlement • Limited capacity • Pastor Centered • Members help pastor • On life support • Lone ranger • A Care Center • Inward Focused • Theology of abundance • Sense of grace—sharing • Unlimited possiblities • Lay Empowered • Disciples in daily life • Vital and renewing • Partner with others • A Mission Outpost • Outward Focused A Church Paralyzed A Church Propelled

  22. 7 Characteristics of Healthy, Missional Leaders • 1. Focus on GOD’S mission. • 2. Focus OUTWARD not inward. • 3. Address adaptive challenges of today. • 4. Collegial and collaborative leadership. • 5. Seeks to be a transformative agent. • 6. Grows in daily discipleship. • 7. Embraces a theology of abundance.

  23. Change or Die? The lifespan of any given congregation is 20-25 years. If a congregation does not re-invent itself—and re-new its sense of mission and purpose—it will begin to die.

  24. Change and Transformation • “If any one is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” --2 Cor. 5:17-18 • “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” --Romans 12:2

  25. Different Responses to Change 2.5% Innovators & 13.5% Early Adapters Early Majority Late Majority 13.5% Laggards & 2.5% antagonists

  26. Creating a Climate of Innovation and change • 1. Open and transparent leadership: Be on the lookout for the next great idea! • 2. Recognize where God is already at work. • 3. Encourage innovation among members. • 4. Willingness to experiment. Test it out! • 5. Ability to move resources to new idea. • 6. Build in connectedness (technology).

  27. A Turn-around Congregation? • The congregation built a $4 million dollar campus, raising all but a little more than $1 million. Worship attendance averaged 500 a week with 200 children in Preschool/Daycare, and a Music Academy Church was involved in significant community outreach and church budget alone was over $700,000 (over $1 million with preschool and music academy budgets.)

  28. The Decline: 2003-2006 • Conflict developed between Senior Pastor and staff as well as some lay leaders and the Senior Pastor left. The resulting turmoil saw a loss in membership and financial support. Three interim pastors served over two and half years. Staff and program were cut (2004-05 there was no Sunday School, VBS, youth program.) Three worship services were eventually cut to one and attendance declined to less than 200.

  29. The Transformation Begins • Jan. 2006 brought a new Senior Pastor, other new staff and lay leadership bringing a renewed focus on mission and discipleship. Some ministries reinstated and a second, alternative worship service added in fall 2006. Average attendance climbed from 260 to 350; over 100 members added including 40 plus baptisms. Giving increased 25%; raised over $700,000 in a Mission Investment Campaign.

  30. Support for God’s Mission

  31. What are the keys to change? • 1. Focus on mission and discipleship. • 2. Develop a Vision for Mission. • 3. Climate change (healthy leadership). • 4. Build a supportive TEAM of staff and lay leaders. • 5. Deal with problems head-on (truth telling). • 6. Recognize others & celebrate successes.

  32. Focus on Mission & Discipleship Why does the church exist? What is our mission and purpose as a congregation? Are we focused on maintenance—trying to keep the organization alive and sustaining old programs? Are we focused on chaplaincy—taking care of our own, serving the needs of our members? Are we focused on the “Great Commission”—of introducing others to the saving grace of Jesus; of being and making disciples for ministry in daily life?

  33. Develop a Vision for Mission • Established a Visioning Task Force. • Conducted 20 Cottage Meetings to gather input from around 300 members. • Interviewed staff and church leaders about needs and priorities. • Shared material on principles of being a missional church focused on discipleship. • Developed a 5 year strategic plan which was reviewed at an Open Forum and adopted at congregational meeting in May. • Challenged Church Council and leaders of ministry teams to “adopt” and become interpreters of the mission.

  34. Assist with Climate Change • Adult Forum: “Healthy Relationships, Healthy Congregations” (Church as a Family System using materials developed by Peter Steinke). • Teaching moments at Church Council meetings culminating in one day retreat. • Establish quarterly “Leaders in Mission” planning meeting for all lay leaders and staff. • Monthly Newsletter Pastor’s Column (series): “The Six Marks of a Healthy Congregation” • Several sermon series during the year: a. “Celebrating God’s Grace” (catechetical) b. “Six Marks of Discipleship” c. “Our Four Fold Mission: Purpose, Passion, Healing, Hope”

  35. Build a Team of Supportive Staff and Lay Leaders • Establish a “support system” for staff: a. Semi-annual planning retreat b. Weekly staff meetings (mandatory) c. Weekly program staff meetings e. Monthly staff lunches, etc. • Annual Staff Review (Personnel) • Mutual Ministry Team • Monthly luncheon meeting with Church Council President (mission/agenda) • Monthly Church Council “Mission Focus” (Pastor leadership training)

  36. Deal with problems head-on! • Practice “truth-telling”. a. Sermon and/or temple talks b. Pastor’s column c. Newsletter and bulletin insert d. Open discussion at Church Council (invite solutions) • Engage key members of the congregation: e.g. formation of a Financial Health Task Force • Develop an Action Plan • Practice good communication: Keep Staff, Lay Leaders, Council, and Congregation “in the loop! • Encourage your leaders to be a non-anxious presence to help diminish any anxiety caused by change.

  37. Recognize Others and Celebrate the Successes • Continue to lift up the contributions of others including staff and lay leaders. Let them know how important they are to the success of achieving your missional objectives. Do this personally and publicly. • Keep the focus on MISSION. Continue to point to the Vision for Mission and Strategic Plan as the roadmap to being faithful and successful. • Celebrate achievements. Let the congregation know how things are going. Acknowledge goals and objectives that have been accomplished. Let them know that we are on track. • Be a visionary leader. Keep a positive attitude. You will help the congregation “live” into God’s plan for their future as a missional church. (Acts 5:39)

  38. Reclaiming a Congregation’s Future 1. Develop a vision for mission. 2. Build ownership for the vision. 3. Teach Biblical stewardship as one of the spiritual disciplines. 4. Move congregation from a theology of scarcity to a theology of abundance. 5. Help congregation release the bounty of their resources for ministry.

  39. Goal of Grand Canyon synod • Every congregation a mission outpost. • Every leader a missional leader. • Every pastor a missional pastor. • Every member a missionary.

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