Jump-Starting the
Established
Congregation
Author of Module
Curriculum Design
Dr. Lyle Pointer
Robyn Ratcliff
Permission is granted to copy this material for
local church training. No part of this material
may be copied, photocopied, or reproduced in
any form for the purposes of sale.
© 2011 USA/Canada Evangelism Ministries
Church of the Nazarene, International
All Rights Reserved
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
The purpose of this module is to empower
congregational leaders to provide vision,
motivation and inspiration for the established
congregation.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
The objectives of this module are:
 Discover ways to bring local
congregational leaders together.
 Focus on mission and spiritual vitality.
 Engage in holistic and integrated
ministry.
 Breath new life into tired structures and
weary workers.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
The schedule for this module:
Introduction
5 mins.
Lecture
20 mins.
Self-Assessment
10 mins.
Action Planning
15 mins.
Wrap-up
5 mins.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Assess the spiritual vitality of the congregation.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Assess the spiritual vitality of the congregation.
 The spiritual life of a local church is of utmost
importance.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Assess the spiritual vitality of the congregation.
 The spiritual life of a local church is of utmost
importance.
 If assessment reveals that a congregation is
wandering off mission, renewal is absolutely
essential.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Assess the spiritual vitality of the congregation.
 The spiritual life of a local church is of utmost
importance.
 If assessment reveals that a congregation is
wandering off mission, renewal is absolutely
essential.
 Spirituality cannot be measured by feelings
only.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Assess the spiritual vitality of the congregation.
 The spiritual life of a local church is of utmost
importance.
 If assessment reveals that a congregation is
wandering off mission, renewal is absolutely
essential.
 Spirituality cannot be measured by feelings
only.
 Our relationship with God cannot be assessed
by levels of activity either.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
 A couple of warnings are warranted:
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
 A couple of warnings are warranted:
--The devil is real, but must not be blamed.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
 A couple of warnings are warranted:
--The devil is real, but must not be blamed.
--We dare not become problem-focused.
We choose to be solution-focused.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
 How does God wish to revive us?
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Appraise morale and ask “How do we raise the
joy level?”
42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone
was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed
by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had
everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions
to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued
to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in
their homes and ate together with glad and sincere
hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were
being saved. Acts 2:42-27, NIV
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Determine available leadership skills by
conducting a leadership study to see who is
presently serving.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Willing and able
When people are willing and able, delegate the
important tasks and encourage them.
Unwilling and able
When people are unwilling and able, inspire, inspire
and inspire them.
Willing and unable
When people are willing and unable, train and
educate them.
Unwilling and unable
When people are unwilling and unable, explain, train
and inspire.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Evaluate your reputation in the community.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Evaluate your reputation in the community.
 How well known is the church?
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Evaluate your reputation in the community.
 How well known is the church?
 Ask random people such as clerks, waiters,
managers, teachers, “Have you heard of our
church? What do you know about it?”
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Evaluate your reputation in the community.
 How well known is the church?
 Ask random people such as clerks, waiters,
managers, teachers, “Have you heard of our
church? What do you know about it?”
 Ask yourself, “What are we known for?”
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Evaluate your reputation in the community.
 How well known is the church?
 Ask random people such as clerks, waiters,
managers, teachers, “Have you heard of our
church? What do you know about it?”
 Ask yourself, “What are we known for?”
 List the ways in which the church serves
the community.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Ask: “What most needs to be done?”
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Ask: “What most needs to be done?”
 Prioritize ministry.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Ask: “What most needs to be done?”
 Prioritize ministry.
 Bring people together around a
mission/ministry.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Possible applications:
• “Let’s Get Ready for Company” is a possible
theme or emphasis.
• Plan for spiritual renewal.
• Re-energize leaders.
• Ask: What can we change in favor of those not
yet here? (e.g. signage, welcome, service times,
free babysitting, etc.)
• Improve physical plant.
• Start new groups.
• Enhance the worship experience.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Self-Assessment Activity
This is a time to reflect on your own
experiences and leadership roles in the church.
Work individually.
Focus on one or two questions, or if time
allows, answer all four.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Self-Assessment Activity
1. On a scale of one to ten, where ten means “the greatest possible spiritual
vitality” and one means “no spiritual vitality,” rate your local congregation.
#_______ Then, explain your rating.
2. What elements of your church’s mission and programs make the greatest
spiritual impact in your community? What makes these elements spiritually
productive?
3. In your leadership role, what is your current contribution to the spiritual
life of the church?
4. What ministries or experiences in the church have had the greatest
impact on your own spiritual development? Why did these particular
experiences have such impact?
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Action Planning Activity
This is a time to collaborate with others.
Share your work from the previous activity.
Develop consensus around a plan to move your
congregation forward.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Action Planning Activity
Objective
Action Steps
Timeline
Spiritual renewal
Assess the spiritual
vitality of the
congregation.
Today during the Present
self assessment leadership
activity
Increased morale
Inspired leadership
Conduct a leadership
study.
Community awareness
Ask others about the
church’s reputation.
Who
Leader
Facilitator
of the
lesson
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Wrap-up
Two things I will do differently this week because of
what I learned today:
1.
2.
Two ways I will continue to inspire and support my
fellow congregational leaders:
1.
2.
Vibrant Church Renewal:
Jump-Starting the Established Congregation
Thank you for participating in this program from
USA/Canada Evangelism Ministries.
For more information, find us online at
www.missionevangelism.org or email
evangelism@nazarene.org.