“Coaching Congregations along a Spiritual Strategic

Journey”

Source: George Bullard

Beyond Charismatic Leadership and Into Congregational Coaching

“Built to Last” – 1993 Study of companies able to sustain

excellence over decades

“Charismatic, visionary leaders are a liability that organizations can overcome over the long haul by a concerted effort.”

Charismatic Leaders

Companies that faltered over the long haul over-depended on the magnetic personality of an individual leader

An enduring leadership culture was created in the organizations “built to last” that allowed the company a sustainable, excellent life beyond any particular leader

Where do leaders come from?

In nearly every case, the new CEO was not an imported outsider, but a home-grown product of the existing culture

“Built to Last” organizations did better succession planning

Prevailing Churches

Enduring world-class churches are created when coaches help congregations follow a worthy and unfolding spiritual journey from generation to generation

What’s your “Core Ideology”

Master story Overall purpose Sense of call Spiritual journey Purpose statement Why did this church come

into being and why does this church exist?

Three Parts of Core Ideologysee also JPC Power Point # 200h: “Organizing Principles of Midsize Congregations”

1. Eternal mission Theology

2. Everlasting purpose History

3. Enduring core values Culture

What makes it “core?”

If it changes much, often, or fast, it is not core

Short of d-d-d (Direct Divine Direction)

60-40-20 people as “keepers of the keys” as far as “how we do church here

60 years old, been Christian 40 years, 20 in this church

With 60-40-20

Coaches have to:

1. Understand this core ideology with these 60-40-20 people

2. Respect it

3. Be able to repeat it back to them so that they agree that you understand it

With 60-40-20

Coaches do not have to agree with the core ideology.

But until the coach communicates clear understanding of the core, no one will go on a journey they’re not sure is theirs

Then …Vision-Casting

Not “cast” as in “iron” The pastor is not the only one

who is able to receive vision

But “cast” as in fishing The pastor’s assignment is to

put the hook in the water

The coach casts the God-given vision until the congregation “catches” it

“Where there is no vision …”

The congregation not having vision cast before it has several options:

Nostalgia Disappointment Anger and blaming

“if everyone were as committed as we are”

Hebrews 13:8?

In vision-less churches, a confusion between Christ and the culture (of my particular church)

“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, forever”

“my church, in this form, the same yesterday, today, forever”

But vision is not enough!

In addition to casting vision, the head coach has to be sensitive to the congregation’s readiness for: Change (mission) Transition (morale)

Assessing Congregational Readiness

From: John Kotter, Leading Change, Harvard University Press

Four diagnostic areas

1. “What is the sense of urgency for change and transition in the congregation?”

This is “Leadership Community 1”

Leadership Community II

2. “What is the sense of spiritual readiness in the voluntary association group?”

Will I give assent to something (because I believe God is in it) that I know little about leading?

Need 51% of the Quad A’s to be on board for this to come off

Leadership Community III

3. Leadership readiness Is there a critical mass of

people who can build the broader coalitions necessary to move a congregation off center?

17% of the “quad A’s”

Leadership Community 4

4. Strategic readiness

Is there a group of people who understand what it’s going to take to pull off what’s necessary

6% of the Quad A’s who will act as openly active helpers in vision-casting

Who have “fall on their sword” passion about the future God is emerging

Will deal with tactics, financing, staffing etc.

In a church of 100 people …

Leadership community 1: you need at least 6 people who have all four characteristics (sense of urgency, spiritual readiness, leadership readiness, strategic readiness)

LC II: 17 people Need first 3 of 4 characteristics (urgency, spiritual and leadership readiness)

LC III: 51 people Need 1st two of 4 characteristic (urgency and spiritual readiness)

LC IV: 100 Quad A’s (urgency)

Building Leadership Communities

LC4

LC1

LC2

LC3

6

17

51

@100%

For a church to move:

The coach must develop change/transition-ready constituencies in all four areas before moving forward with visionary action steps

You’d best get the team ready before sending them on the field to play the game!

The “Good Coaching” Equation

Vision Casting

+ Assessing Readiness

____________________

Ability to Change and Transition toward Transformation

“Coaching Congregations along a

Spiritual Strategic Journey”

Dr. John P. Chandler www.rasnet.org