CHURCH LIFE CYCLES. Church Life Cycles Churches are a living organism They’re born, grow up, and...
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Transcript of CHURCH LIFE CYCLES. Church Life Cycles Churches are a living organism They’re born, grow up, and...
CHURCH LIFE CYCLES
Church Life Cycles
• Churches are a living organism • They’re born, grow up, and then they die
UNLESS
New life cycle
The Church starts aThe Church starts a new life cycle new life cycle
Birth 0
Growth 20
Maintenance
Maturity
Decline60
40
Death80
Church Life Cycles4 components
Vision (heart)
Relationships (arms)
Ministries (hands and feet)
Structures (skeleton)
Vision…the driving force
SmvrVrms
Signs of a Healthy Congregation
Vision focused on the future
Relationships that embrace new people
Ministries that focus on outreach
Structures that accomplish the mission and are anchored accountability
Signs of a Healthy Congregation
The Vision of the congregation is focused on the unique ways it can impact lives and change the community by making new disciples through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
VISION
A clear understanding of “WHAT” the congregation does to carry out The Mission.
VISION – MISSION - STRATEGY
Mission “WHY?”
Vision “WHAT?”
Strategy “How?”
WHAT IS GOD’S MISSION?
GENESIS 3— Sin and God’s responseGENESIS 12—Abraham called for the sake of the worldI KINGS 10—God brings the World to Solomon/HimselfISAIAH 49— Israel is God’s tool for reaching the world.MATTHEW 16—The Church playing offense.EPHESIANS 3 — The church is God’s tool for reaching the world. REVELATION 5— God’s goal - Millions/billions bow to Jesus
VISION – MISSION - STRATEGY
Mission “WHY?”
Vision “WHAT?”
Strategy “How?”
VISION
Future oriented.
A clear and compelling picture of where the congregation is headed.
Convictions that have an outward focus.
Vision is always in the driver’s seat as the church goes up the curve.
Signs of a Healthy Congregation
Vision focused on the future Relationships that embrace new people
Ministries that focus on outreach
Structures that accomplish the mission and are anchored accountability
RELATIONSHIPS
Relationships are in the passenger seat on the way up the curve.
Meaningful and sustained friendships are the norm.
Newcomers find people connections easily because relationships are open!
People are like Legos…
Most people in our congregations look like these Legos!
People are like Legos…
Most guests look like these Legos!
Place #1
Place #2
Place #3
RELATIONSHIPS (3RD PLACES)The larger the church, the more 3RD places need to be created
Interest groups, small group Bible Studies and triads
The goal is to move people from visitor to disciple
Churches grow as groups multiply
Debrief:
• How easy is it for new people coming into your church to make new friends?
• What are some ways that you personally can fill you lego with unchurched friends
•What are some potential interest groups you might start?
Signs of a Healthy Congregation
Vision focused on the future
Relationships that embrace new people Ministries that focus on outreach
Structures that accomplish the mission and are anchored accountability
Ministries are in the back seat on the way up the curve.
Ministries support the vision.
Ministries are the hands (the doing part of the Vision)
MINISTRIES
MINISTRIES
Start with consumer: “If I come to the congregation, what will it do for me?
Start where people are and take them where God wants them to be.
CONSUMER EXPECTATIONSWorship
Relationships
Care
Meet family needs
Education
Preaching
Well-kept facilities
Financial stability
Signs of a Healthy Congregation
Vision focused on the future
Relationships that embrace new people
Ministries that focus on outreach Structures that accomplish the mission and are anchored accountability
SOTR Lutheran
Birth
Growth
Maintenance
Maturity
Decline
Death
MsRv
Take the Car for a Spin!
New life cycle
VRMS