Insight 008: FaithSoaring Churches Start with People Rather Than Programs
Guess what? The program-driven congregation in North America started dying in the 1970s. It was replaced with the process-driven congregation. The program-driven congregation was about producing successful programs using–even abusing–people as the currency of success. The process-driven congregation is about empowering people along their disciplemaking journey. The measurement of success is the significance of their […]
Insight 007: FaithSoaring Churches Have a Deep Commitment to Missional Engagement
Congregations who transform understand the highest priority is the mission of God and not the mission of their congregational survival. They understand the greatest value is being received by those to whom we are sent, rather than an over focus on themselves. They realize they must see beyond themselves to those who need the unconditional […]
Insight 006: FaithSoaring Churches Have a Deep Commitment to Disciplemaking
Congregations cannot transform with shallow Christians or overly churched culture Christians who are stuck in place with their spiritual formation. Congregations cannot transform with church members who believe they have arrived in their spiritual journey and do not need to continue their spiritual formation as disciples. Congregations can only transform with church members who believe […]
Theological Education vs. Ministry Preparation?
Should seminaries engage in theological education or ministry preparation? Of course the initial answer should be “both.” But, Let’s go deeper. Should seminaries primarily focus on theological education with minimal practical, real-time ministry preparation? Or, should seminaries primarily focus on ministry preparation with just enough theological reflection to be sure they are not producing heretics? […]
Insight 005: FaithSoaring Churches Increase the Expectations of People Connected with Their Congregation
Many congregations who need to transform are afraid of losing members, and thus lower expectations of members so they will not feel any pressure to leave. Others push the commitment button and say if members are faithful they will attend more and give more money. Both approaches are wrong. What works is the belief that […]
Insight 004: FaithSoaring Churches Have Leaders Who Know Their Own Mission in Life
Congregations who are on a successful and significant transformation journey need leader who are clear about their own journey. If congregational leaders are not passionate about their own sense of mission, purpose, core values, and vision, they will have a difficult task to help a congregation realize and experience these. Here are key questions to […]
Insight 003: FaithSoaring Churches Have Leaders Who Love Continual Innovation
Transforming congregations increasingly takes a commitment to continual innovation and excellence. Good enough is never good enough in congregations desiring to transform. Continual innovation is not about changing the core commitments to the Christian faith or the core values of a congregation. It is about discovering new methodologies that effectively communicate with people connecting with […]
Insight 002: FaithSoaring Churches Have Leaders Who Never Stop Learning
God’s world is a dynamic world. Transitions and changes are continual. New discoveries happen hourly. Knowledge increases at exponential speed. Paradigms shift before we become accustomed to familiar realities. A bias in favor of learning is essential for leaders. Congregational leaders who proclaim they know enough soon discover the leading edge of ministry is moving […]
The Dinner Church Handbook (A Review)
I just finished reading The Dinner Church Handbook: A Step-by-Step Recipe for Reaching Neighborhoods. As an organic, missional approach to creating a neighborhood experience where gospel conversations can take place, the concept of the book rates a 5 star. As a book that fulfills what is promised in its title it rates a 3 star. […]