FORMING DISCIPLES NOT RUNNING COMMITTEES

Canon Neal MichellDiocese of Northern California

Bishop’s Conference

Forming Disciples not Running Committees

• We are in the people business, not the program business.

• Community of Disciples – Acts 6

1Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. 2And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables.3Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, 4while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.’

5What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Forming Disciples not Running Committees

• Real Transformation Starts with the Vestry

• Vestry as a Learning Community• As leaders we need to model having a

teachable spirit. Also, we need to choose leaders who have teachable spirits.

Spiritual Pinch Points

Spiritual Pinch Points

1. Foundational Commitments – •Attendance – “Leaders show up”•Stewardship•Preparation

2. Spiritual Disciplines – •Maintaining Spiritual Health•We are in the Business of Ministry

Spiritual Pinch Points

3. Ministry to Others – • Can people pray for each other?• Do people care for each other?• Is this person “safe”?

4. Missions and Evangelism – • Do members model what they want

parishioners to be and become?

Relational Pinch Points

The JohariWindow

Unknown to Others

Known to Others

Unknown to Self

PUBLIC BLIN D

PRIVATE UNKNOWN

Known to Self

Administrative Pinch Points1. Is this person over-committed?• Number of people reporting2. Does this person understand what is expected?3. Does this person have all the resources needed?4. Does this person have the training needed?5. Does this person have the authority needed?

Commitment Pinch Points 1. Is this person overcommitted?2. Is there something going on in his or her personal life?3. How are the relationships among the group?4. Is this person on-board with the vision of the organization?

Developing Your Vestry’s Leadership Ability

1. Spiritual Leadership2. Servant Leadership 3. Influence•Which way does Influence Flow?

4. Model Commitment• Daily Time Alone with God• Regular in Attendance• Faithful in Stewardship• Connected through Healthy Relationships

A New Vestry Agenda