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.

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 congregation is one that seeks to be a partner in God’s mission!

MISEO DEO: 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.”

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?

A MISSIONAL COMMUNITY A Missional Congregation understands 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.

WHICH DO YOU ASPIRE TO BE? CHAPLAINCY

AND MAINTENANCE

Church-going Insider

Focused inward

MISSIONAL

Gospel-carrying Outsider

Focused Outward

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%.

Grow

Maintain

Decline

18%

14%

68%

ELCA Congregations 2000-2008

82%

Based on worship attendance 2000 to 2008elca.org

Based on worship attendance 2000 to 2008elca.org

ELCA WORSHIP ATTENDANCE FROM 1987 TO 2008

Source: Annual Congregational Reports, ELCA. Prepared by Research and Evaluation, February, 2009.

1,653,967

1,362,120

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

1,600,000

1,800,000

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

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.

148144

128

114

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

1990 2000 2008 2013

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.

3,083

1,903

246

81

2,888

16280

3,079

2,272

1,464

2,610

3,094

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

1 to 50 51 to 100 101 to 200 201 to 500 501 to 800 800 or more

Worship Attendance

Nu

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er o

f C

on

gre

gat

ion

s

20002008

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)

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)

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)

04/22/2023

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?)

04/22/2023

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.)

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

Purpose: Mission Outreach

Trainers: Staff & Leaders

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)

BUILDING UP DISCIPLES

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.)

A Church Paralyzed A Church Propelled

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

CHANGING PARADIGMS

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.

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.

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

16%

34%

34%

16%

DIFFERENT RESPONSES TO CHANGE

2.5% Innovators & 13.5% Early Adapters

Early Majority

Late Majority

13.5% Laggards & 2.5% antagonists

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).

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.)

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.

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.

SUPPORT FOR GOD’S MISSION

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.

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?

DEVELOP A VISION FOR MISSION1. Established a Visioning Task Force.

2. Conducted 20 Cottage Meetings to gather input from around 300 members.

3. Interviewed staff and church leaders about needs and priorities.

4. Shared material on principles of being a missional church focused on discipleship.

5. Developed a 5 year strategic plan which was reviewed at an Open Forum and adopted at congregational meeting in May.

6. Challenged Church Council and leaders of ministry teams to “adopt” and become interpreters of the mission.

ASSIST WITH CLIMATE CHANGE

1. Adult Forum: “Healthy Relationships, Healthy Congregations” (Church as a Family System using materials developed by Peter Steinke).

2. Teaching moments at Church Council meetings culminating in one day retreat.

3. Establish quarterly “Leaders in Mission” planning meeting for all lay leaders and staff.

4. Monthly Newsletter Pastor’s Column (series): “The Six Marks of a Healthy Congregation”

5. 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”

BUILD A TEAM OF SUPPORTIVE STAFF AND LAY LEADERS

1. 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.

2. Annual Staff Review (Personnel)

3. Mutual Ministry Team

4. Monthly luncheon meeting with Church Council President (mission/agenda)

5. Monthly Church Council “Mission Focus” (Pastor leadership training)

DEAL WITH PROBLEMS HEAD-ON!

1. 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)

2. Engage key members of the congregation: e.g. formation of a Financial Health Task Force

3. Develop an Action Plan

4. Practice good communication: Keep Staff, Lay Leaders, Council, and Congregation “in the loop!

5. Encourage your leaders to be a non-anxious presence to help diminish any anxiety caused by change.

RECOGNIZE OTHERS AND CELEBRATE THE SUCCESSES

1. 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.

2. Keep the focus on MISSION. Continue to point to the Vision for Mission and Strategic Plan as the roadmap to being faithful and successful.

3. 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.

4. 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)

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.

GOAL OF GRAND CANYON SYNOD

Every congregation a mission outpost.

Every leader a missional leader. Every pastor a missional pastor. Every member a missionary.