Insight 056: FaithSoaring Churches Have Consistent Doctrine and Practice
Many congregations are part of denominations and other networks of congregations who have strong doctrinal positions that focus on the missional nature of congregations. Such a focus may help FaithSoaring Churches develop and sustain continual relevance to their context. However, many congregations who need to transform dilute or ignore the prophetic edge of these doctrinal […]
Insight 055: FaithSoaring Churches Go Places Only God’s Holy Spirit Can Lead
Congregations in need of transformation are risk adverse. In their opposition to transition and change, they are afraid to leave the comfort of the known for the unknown. They want a clear handbook that guarantees that any risk they take will result in the reward they desire. The early Christian Church did not have a […]
Insight 054: FaithSoaring Churches Have Emotionally Mature People
The other side of spiritual maturity is emotional maturity. It takes both types of maturity in the leaders who claim they want to be part of God’s transformation of their congregation. Leaders’ emotions must allow them to stay focused on the centering God is providing for their congregation. Leaders must not be disturbed and disrupted […]
Insight 053: FaithSoaring Churches Nurture Spiritually Maturing People
It is tough for congregations to transform if their leadership and many of their members are not spiritually maturing. If they have become stale in their spiritual formation and see issues from a church culture perspective more than a Christ-centered perspective, it is difficult for them to be open to the new thing God is […]
Insight 052: FaithSoaring Churches Enhance Their Conflict Capacity
FaithSoaring Churches engage in transitions and changes. There is no way to avoid this. Congregations cannot move forward without them. Transitions and changes inevitably raise the intensity of conflict in congregations. It is a “ready or not, here I come” experience. If congregations do not have the capacity to handle conflict, then their conflict is […]
Insight 051: FaithSoaring Churches Streamline Governance
The longer a congregation is in existence the more baggage it develops around its governance processes. This is symbolized by the number of committees and the steps necessary to get a new idea approved, funded, and moving forward. More resources are spent on management than ministry, and on doing things right rather than doing the […]
Insight 050: FaithSoaring Churches Create Generous Stewards
Part of the transformation of congregations is the creation of a culture of generosity. Too many congregations are stuck in a pattern of raising a budget. People are asked to pledge a certain amount to raise the budget goal. The focus is on the budget, loyalty to the church, and obligations that must be met. […]
Insight 049: FaithSoaring Churches are More Than Just Faithful
Mediocre congregations believe it is sufficient to be faithful. Good enough is good enough for them. Visible progress is not the goal. Successful congregations realize they must not only be faithful, but they must also be effective. They must be able to show progress and continual improvement in fulfillment of God’s vision for their congregation. […]
Insight 048: FaithSoaring Churches by Knowing to Whom You Are Sent
FaithSoaring Churches know to whom they are sent. They are clear about the people with whom they have the best spiritual gifts, life skills, and personal preferences to engage in a spiritual conversation. They understand these people and their life needs and find it easy to identify with their life opportunities and challenges. This is […]
Insight 047: FaithSoaring Churches Yield to Outside Authority
Some congregations need a radical transformation. Anything less will be insufficient. Few congregations can engage in a radical transformation without giving authority over to an outside third-party with the wisdom to focus the congregation on effective actions for transformation, and the authority to compel the congregation to act. Congregations in need of radical transformation have […]