As determined by surveys, discussions, and observations.
1. The grace and goodness of God.
We can pray for it and obviously give thanks.
Regular pastoral prayer, groups to pray, “prayer partners.” Continue reading “Key Factors in Growth”
Ways to Evaluate Your Church
For staff or board, some guideline questions to assess and improve
People issues
- GETTING THEM IN
Small and Medium Groups Are Both Huge! (where “one another’s) happen in a church
ABFs and Home ABFs
Bible study1 in “community”2
with care3 and ministry4
Good teacher, true Bible exposition, clear application
Friendships, grace mood, time — 8 to 90
Special needs, illness, assigned responsibility — up to 4 or 5 families per person to care for Continue reading “Small and Medium Groups Are Both Huge! (where “one another’s) happen in a church”
Board Agenda
I. Bible and prayer – Pastor
II. Board Business
A. Foundations: Statement of Faith, Constitution, Restoration-Discipline
1.
2.
3.
B. Resources: Budget, Finances, Building expansion, Property
1. Finance Team Report Continue reading “Board Agenda”
Leadership Development
Why do we make it hard
- Because it is. We learned very little about it in school, and very few of us had strong leaders who deliberately built skills and desires into our lives. And we do not get much time to travel together like Paul did with Timothy or Titus.
- We use books too much. A lot of them make it complicated.
- Maybe we should just have two subjects to impart: character and church. CE National has discussion guides from Bible verses on these two subjects, by the way.
- We forget it is just TLC – time with men in a group of 4 to 6 others, Love shown and said, and Content of the scripture that hits the heart.
- We do not ask ourselves and all staff to lead a group of 4 to 6 others to develop in character strength and church leadership.
Church Responsibilities
A good way to delineate the decisions that belong
to the members, the main board, and the pastoral staff
Continue reading “Church Responsibilities”
Variety of Small Groups or Cells
|
Type |
Purpose |
Size |
Suggestions |
|
To study the Bible and apply it to life. |
Any size, but more effective when smaller |
üDecide if Bible content is really what is needed. üIf it’s a study that can catch the interest of the non-churched, plan it that way. üTrain an assistant teacher to be helping so when you start another one, that teacher can take the lead.
|
|
|
2. Strategic Discipleship |
To study life and the Bible and getting the two together with a goal toward either more involvement in church ministry or leadership. |
5-7 |
üPick the people carefully – with potential. üContent is not as important as building your heart into the hearts of others. üInclude some accountability and discussion about life and growth. üInclude studies and discussions about the church and needs and commands.
|
|
3. Support |
To provide spiritual and emotional strength and healing for people that have been through similar negative experiences. |
Depends on the subject – usually small, from 5-10. |
üHave a goal to help people out of the group some time and not meet perpetually. üWhen it’s a technical area, like sexual abuse, be sure there is a technical advisor or teacher, somebody accountable. A legal issue. ü“Find a need and meet it.” üBlended families, alcohol, eating disorders, divorce, recovery.
|
|
4. Accountability |
To provide spiritual and emotional support for each other and growth in a place of checking your life.
|
3-6 |
üAll male or female. üCandor will only happen in smaller groups. üContent is not the issue here – but true friendship. |
|
5. Evangelistic |
To interact with the non-believer and help them to understand the message of Christ. |
Open group and sometimes the more the better. |
üNeighborhood or workplace. üKeep it open to new participants. üKeep it nonthreatening (“gentleness and respect”). üStay focused on Bible message.
|
|
6. ABF Care Groups |
Each ABF organizes care groups to be sure each person is cared for/shows care.
|
Up to 15 |
üCare groups can be most effective if, when they meet, there is a healthy balance of learning, caring, and outward focus. |
|
7. Fellowship (“Super 8”) social groups |
To relax and know each other better. |
6-10 |
üConsider as great way to welcome newer people. üMay be best to shift to more personal purposes after meeting a few times. üMany groups have other labels, but really accomplish this purpose. |
Notes on The Soccer Field Model for the Board
Church Ministries
The four major divisions – with a point person for each.
Staff may work in all four areas! Surely most will have an assignment in program and probably one in outreach.
|
Programs |
Outreach |
Worship |
Administration |
Each ministry should have a “point person” on staff and a Ministry Manager, a volunteer, for each program under that. Continue reading “Church Ministries”
Reminders About Established Church
- It is not good to receive the call to an established church with an agenda to change the church drastically, unless that has been agreed upon.
- It is not good to try to change a church just because of your personal desire.
- Sometimes leaders become unaware of how people are reacting to their leadership decisions, because they are isolated/insulated, or because people are not honest with them.
- We must honor what others have done in the past, not act as if previous ministries do not matter.
- Just because it has been done or exists as an attitude does not mean it was or is good in God’s opinion.
- The same church that understood the missional reasons to do things a certain way in the past can understand the missional reasons not to do things a different way.