what will it take for our church to fulfill our mission? mobilizing healthy, reproducing churches...
TRANSCRIPT
What will it take for our church to fulfill our mission?
Mobilizing Healthy, Reproducing Churches
Leadership Team Introduction
… “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus has commanded the church…
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
---AND---
We want to see every church healthy and having significant kingdom impact!
We know you do too.We know you do too.
The real question is…how?The real question is…how?
We call it Mobilization!
A mobilized church is one which has a shared vision and effective strategies for impacting its
community and the world by reproducing disciples,
leaders and congregations.
We want to see every churchWe want to see every churcha Mobilized church!a Mobilized church!
The Retool Kit mobilization pathway can help a church refocus and revitalize its outreach and ministry…
Why is this necessary?Why is this necessary?
Because churches, Because churches, like every living like every living thing, have a life thing, have a life cycle!cycle!
Maturity
Growth
Birth
Maintenance
Decline
Death
Life Cycle
Maturity
Growth
Birth
Maintenance
Decline
Death
Life Cycle
Outwardly Focused marked by:
• Vision• Risk• Harmony• Unity
Outwardly Focused Marked By:
• Solution/growth-oriented• Creative planning• High morale• Faith• Think as a team
CHALLENGE:Structure!
Maturity
Growth
Birth
Maintenance
Decline
Death
Life Cycle
Outwardly Focused marked by:• Structure – serves ministry• Flexible and changeable• Simple• Leads to the future
MaintenanceOutwardly Focused marked by:• Evangelism • Discipleship• Leadership development• Cooperation• Achievement• Risk/sacrifice• Faith/innovation• Growth
CHALLENGE:Leadership!
CHALLENGE:Structure!
Maturity
Growth
Birth
Maintenance
Decline
Death
Life Cycle
Inwardly Focused marked by:
• Serves bureaucracy• Rigid and changeless• Complex• Looks to the past
CRISIS:Control!
CHALLENGE:Structure!
CHALLENGE:Leadership!
Inwardly Focused marked by:• Obligation• Accomplishments• Relaxes faith• Tradition• Evangelism optional• Safety
Maturity
Growth
Birth
Maintenance
Decline
Death
Life Cycle
CRISIS:Control!
Inwardly Focused marked by:
• Differences • Division• Low tolerance• Intense conflict
CRISIS:Blame!
CHALLENGE:Leadership!
CHALLENGE:Structure!
Inwardly Focused marked by:• Problem-oriented• Survival-oriented• Paralysis• Low morale• Allocation planning• Doubt• We’ve never done it that way
before!• Think as individual
Maturity
Growth
Birth
Maintenance
Decline
Death
Life Cycle
Where are you on the life cycle?
What will it take to keep moving the church in a forward, missional way?
Two critical questions:
CHALLENGE:Structure!
CHALLENGE:Leadership!
CRISIS:Control!
CRISIS:Blame!
Typical Life Cycle Responses
Maturity
Growth
Birth
Maintenance
Decline
Death
Life Cycle
CRISIS:Control!
CRISIS:Blame!•Create new POLICIES
•Develop new PROGRAMS•Change PERSONNEL
In reality, we need to discover a fresh
PURPOSE
CHALLENGE:Leadership!
CHALLENGE:Structure!
Maturity
Growth
Birth
Maintenance
Decline
Death
Life Cycle
This becomes a “window of opportunity” to help the church rediscover God’s plan for itself.
Further downFurther downMore difficultMore difficult
Maturity
Growth
Birth
Maintenance
Decline
Death
Life CycleThe key is for the church to periodically revisit and refine its mission and vision.
Maturity
Growth
Birth
Maintenance
Decline
Death
Life CycleThe key is for the church to periodically revisit and refine its mission and vision.
That’s where the Retool Kit can help!
The Retool Kit gives you a six-retreat pathway…
…complete with all the assessments and planning helps necessary to craft an effective vision and strategies.
Renewing:
•Leaders•Community•Biblical urgency
Vision:
•Discerning•Communicating•Implementing
Church and CommunityAssessments
IMPA
CT!
Each retreat can be held at the church*
Friday evening• 6:00 Light supper• 6:30 First session• 9:15 Finished for day
Saturday morning• 8:00 Light breakfast• 8:30 Second session•12:00 Finished for day
*Or another suitable meeting place
The Retool Kit is based around two biblical questions:
…complete with all the assessments and planning helps necessary to craft an effective vision and strategies.
Renewing:
•Leaders•Community•Urgency
Vision:
•Discerning•Communicating•Implementing
Church and CommunityAssessments
IMPA
CT!
The Retool Kit is based around two biblical questions:
Can we become a “Jerusalem church” and model the qualities found in Acts 2?
Renewing:
•Leaders•Community•Urgency
Focused and devotedLeadership directedExperiencing the power of GodHaving authentic communityExperiencing God-given growth
The Retool Kit is based around two biblical questions:
Vision:
•Discerning•Communicating•Implementing
Can we become an “Antioch church” (Acts 13) and effectively change our world?
Discerning a vision from GodDiscovering “new territories” for ministryDeveloping new leaders to serve the kingdom
And then translates those answers into action:
We take what we have learned and develop three-year written plans designed to maximize our strengths at the points of greatest community opportunities!
IMPA
CT!
And then …
We translate the plans into action!
IMPA
CT!
All this work is done with a Vision Community
20 to 25 leaders in the church
What is a Vision Community?
“The vision community is a diverse group of key members who become a committed and trusting community in order to discern and implement God’s vision for the congregation.”
from Leading Congregational Change
Why use a Vision Community?
• Brings a blend of perspectives to the refocusing process
• Allows vision to be shaped in a climate of spiritual and relational vitality
• Can provide the leadership core needed for implementing the vision
• Empowers the pastor to work with a trained team of people ready and willing to implement the new vision
Your handout will give you guidance on selecting a vision community
The Goal?
WORSHIPPING
SEEKER
DISCIPLEMAKER
GROWINGDISCIPLE
NEWBELIEVERWINNING
EN
FO
LDIN
G
EQUIPPING
DE
PLO
YIN
G
To be a church that operates in a healthy way missionally, relationally and organizationally.
The Goal?
Or put another way, to be a church that takes seriously Jesus command to “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men!”
Next Steps!
Prayerfully consider if this pathway is right for you.
Review the “Mobilization Covenant” and make your commitment.
Begin recruiting your Vision Community and schedule a “Vision Community Overview” with them.
Connect with your coach and plan your first retreat dates.
Thanks for your time and your leadership in helping make this church more effective!
