© 2008 Department of Church Growth and Evangelism
The answers are not in the data,
the answers are in the
conversations you have
about the data as
the Holy Spirit leads and guides.
Psalm 127:1
Unless the LORD builds the house, its
builders labor in vain.
Entropy
Churches tend to lose vitality rather than
gain it as time passes. They also tend
to give greater attention to what they
“were” rather than what they are
“becoming”. It is easier to look back
into the past and smile on yesterday’s
accomplishments than it is to look
ahead into the future and think about
tomorrow’s possibilities.
Chuck Swindoll
Wineskins
• Revitalization takes a church’s old
wineskin filled with weak wine, and
reinvigorates the wine, while rehydrating
and refurbishing the wineskin.
Jesus said…
• You shall know the truth and the truth
will set you free. John 8:32
© 2008 Department of Church Growth and Evangelism
Journey
Vitality is not a program. It is a journey.
This journey is both adventurous and
treacherous.
What happens when the
church begins to grow?
Behavioral Covenants
Behavioral Covenants
—Holy Manners for a Faith Community
A behavioral covenant is a written document
developed by leaders, agreed to and owned by
its creators and practiced on a daily basis as a
spiritual discipline. The Covenant answers the
question, “How will we behave (how will we live
together?) when we don’t understand each other
and when we don’t agree?”
Gil Rendle
Behavioral Covenants in Congregations
Behavioral Covenants in
Scripture
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and
dearly loved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience. Bear with each
other and forgive whatever grievances you
may have against one another. Forgive as
the Lord forgave you. And over all these
virtues put on love, which binds them all
together in perfect unity. Col 3:12-14
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
Guidelines for Loving Relationships
and Values to Guide Our Interaction
Colossians 3:12-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-26
At the Evangelical Covenant Church…
• We seek to build each other up and not tear down.
• We respect and honor the office of pastor and other lay leaders.
• We seek to communicate clearly, completely, and directly.
• We offer our opinions with charity and humility.
• We make positive investments in each others lives.
• We believe the best in each other and give each other the
benefit of the doubt.
• We seek to discover what is best for our church as a whole, not
what may be best for us or for some small group in the church.
• We accept disagreement, conflict and evaluation as normal and
natural.
• We are committed to being inconvenienced for the sake of the
gospel.
Our prayer is that every
congregation become a
healthy, missional church.
The Healthy Missional Church
• By Healthy, we mean pursuing Christ.
• By Missional, we mean pursuing
Christ’s priorities in the world.
Marks of a Healthy Missional Church
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Centrality of the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16)
Life-transforming walk with Jesus (John 3:3, 30; Phil. 1:6)
Intentional evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20)
Transforming communities through active
compassion, mercy and justice ministries (Micah 6:8)
Global perspective and engagement (Acts 1:8)
Compelling Christian community (Acts 2:42-47)
Heartfelt worship (Psalm 138:1a; John 4:23)
Sacrificial and generous living and giving (Romans 12:1-8)
Culture of godly leadership (Hebrews 13:7)
Fruitful organizational structures (Exodus 18:13-26; Acts 6:1-7)
Living It Out
People…
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
coming to Christ
integrating scripture into life and ministry
engaging God in worship
growing in Christ
serving with their gifts
loving and caring for each other
rallying around a compelling vision
praying together
working collaboratively with other ministries
Living It Out
People…
•
•
•
•
•
trusting one another and working in harmony
giving generously and sacrificially
helping hurting people
living with a sense of hunger for God
believing in the leaders and the leaders
believing in the people
• working through conflict constructively
• embracing evaluation as normal and natural
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!
Not every Covenant church is
a healthy missional church.
Four types of established
Covenant churches
The Healthy Missional Church
Vital Signs – strong
Frequency – consistently (80-100%)
The Healthy Missional Church
• What do we see?
People consistently…
– coming to Christ
– integrating scripture into life and ministry
– engaging God in worship
– growing in Christ
– serving with their gifts
– loving and caring for each other
– rallying around a compelling vision
– praying together
– working collaboratively with other ministries
The Healthy Missional Church
• What do we see?
People consistently…
– trusting one another and working in harmony
– giving generously and sacrificially
– helping hurting people
– living with a sense of hunger for God
– believing in the leaders and the leaders
believing in the people
– working through conflict constructively
– embracing evaluation as normal and natural
The Healthy Missional Church
• What do we feel?
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Anticipation
Gratitude
Accomplishment
Enthusiasm and energy
Engaged
Unity and love
Chaotic at times
The Healthy Missional Church
• What do we hear?
– We sense the presence of God here.
– We are glad to be a part of something
special.
– We are making a difference in this
community and beyond.
– We will do whatever it takes.
– How can we keep moving forward with
God?
The Stable Church
Vital Signs – steady
Frequency – occasionally (50-79%)
The Stable Church
• What do we see?
People occasionally…
– coming to Christ
– integrating scripture into life and ministry
– engaging God in worship
– growing in Christ
– serving with their gifts
– loving and caring for each other
– rallying around a compelling vision
– praying together
– working collaboratively with other ministries
The Stable Church
• What do we see?
People occasionally…
– trusting one another and working in harmony
– giving generously and sacrificially
– helping hurting people
– living with a sense of hunger for God.
– believing in the leaders and the leaders
occasionally believing in the people
– working through conflict constructively
– embracing evaluation as normal and natural
The Stable Church
• What do we feel?
–
–
–
–
Safe and comfortable for most
Low level of frustration for others
Self sufficient
All in order organizationally
The Stable Church
• What do we hear?
–
–
–
–
–
We’re doing fine.
Who wouldn’t like our church?
We’re a “warm-and-friendly” church.
Don’t mess up the building!
Let’s talk about it at the next meeting.
The Critical Moment Church
Vital Signs – weakening
Frequency – inconsistently (15-49%)
The Critical Moment Church
• What do we see?
People inconsistently…
– coming to Christ
– integrating scripture into life and ministry
– engaging God in worship
– growing in Christ
– serving with their gifts
– loving and caring for each other
– rallying around a compelling vision
– praying together
– working collaboratively with other ministries
The Critical Moment Church
• What do we see?
People inconsistently…
– trusting one another and working in harmony
– giving generously and sacrificially
– helping hurting people
– living with a sense of hunger for God
– believing in the leaders and the leaders
inconsistently believing in the people
– working through conflict constructively
– embracing evaluation as normal and natural
The Critical Moment Church
• What do we feel?
–
–
–
–
–
Anxious
Inadequate
Fearful
Confused
Desperate
The Critical Moment Church
• What do we hear?
– We are on a trajectory that we do not feel
good about.
– Why are people leaving?
– Something is wrong.
– When we look in the mirror we are not
what we used to be.
– This is our moment of truth.
The At-Risk Church
Vital Signs – faint or non-existent
Frequency – rarely or never (0-14%)
The At-Risk Church
• What do we see?
People rarely or never…
– coming to Christ
– integrating scripture into life and ministry
– engaging God in worship
– growing in Christ
– serving with their gifts
– loving and caring for each other
– rallying around a compelling vision
– praying together
– working collaboratively with other ministries
The At-Risk Church
• What do we see?
People rarely or never…
– trusting one another and working in harmony
– giving generously and sacrificially
– meeting compassion, mercy and justice needs
in their community and beyond
– living with a sense of hunger for God
– believing in the leaders and the leaders virtually
never believing in the people
– working through conflict constructively
– embracing evaluation as normal and natural
The At-Risk Church
• What do we feel?
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Anger
Blame
Sullen
Inferior
Grief and loss
Denial
Betrayed
Defeated
Poor congregational self esteem
The At-Risk Church
• What do we hear?
– Why even bother?
– No one is going to take my church away from me.
– If we only had __________(fill in whatever) we
would grow again.
– All we have to do is hang on and God will help us.
– God would never let our beloved church die.
– We are a family here, and we’ll do whatever it takes
to keep our family together.
– It’s all _______________’s fault.
– Remember the good old days?
Spiritual Discernment
• Which category most closely describes
your congregation?
– The Healthy Missional Church
– The Stable Church
– The Critical Moment Church
– The At-Risk Church
X
marks
the spot
The Seven Established
Churches of Revelation
Established
Churches
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
The Seven Established
Churches of Revelation
Established
Churches
Philadelphia
The Faithful
Church
Healthy
Missional
Smyrna
The
Persecuted
Church
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
The Seven Established
Churches of Revelation
Laodicea
The
Lukewarm
Church
Ephesus
The
Loveless
Church
Stable
Established
Churches
Philadelphia
The Faithful
Church
Healthy
Missional
Smyrna
The
Persecuted
Church
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
The Seven Established
Churches of Revelation
Laodicea
The
Lukewarm
Church
Ephesus
The
Loveless
Church
Pergamum
The
Compromising
Church
Critical
Moment
Stable
Established
Churches
Philadelphia
The Faithful
Church
Healthy
Missional
Smyrna
The
Persecuted
Church
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
Thyatira
The
Corrupt
Church
The Seven Established
Churches of Revelation
Laodicea
The
Lukewarm
Church
Ephesus
The
Loveless
Church
Pergamum
The
Compromising
Church
Critical
Moment
Stable
Thyatira
The
Corrupt
Church
Established
Churches
Philadelphia
The Faithful
Church
Healthy
Missional
At-Risk
Smyrna
The
Persecuted
Church
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
Sardis
The Dead
Church
Congregational Lifecycle
Stability
Maturity
Formation
Birth
Decline
“There is a time to be born and a time to die.” Eccl. 3:2
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
Death
Congregational Lifecycle
and the Four Churches
Stable Church
Renew
He
alt
hy
M
iss
ion
al
Ch
ur
ch
Re-energize
Rehab
Rebirth
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
Critical
Moment
Church
At Risk
Church
V I M
Vim is a derivative from the Latin term “vis”
meaning direction, strength, force, vigor, power,
energy, or virtue; and sometimes meaning
sense, import, nature, or essence. Spiritual
formation in Christ likeness is all of this to
human existence. It is the path by which we can
truly, as Paul told the Ephesians, “be
empowered in the Lord and in the energy of his
might” (Ephesians 6:10) and “become mighty
with his energy through his Spirit entering into
the inward person” (3:16).
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
V I M
If we are to be spiritually formed in Christ,
we must have and must implement the
appropriate vision, intention, and means.
Not just any path we take will do. If this
VIM pattern is not put in place properly
and held there, Christ simply will not be
formed in us.
Dallas Willard
Renovation of the Heart
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
VIM
Vision
Intention
Means
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
VIM: Vision
• The picture of a preferable future
– God’s future
• Vision gets people in the game
• Vision gives people a target
• Vision helps dreams become bigger
than memories
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
Progressive Field
Cleveland Indians
Fenway Park
Boston Red Sox
VIM: Intention
•
•
•
•
The resolve to move forward.
The will to live.
“With God’s help we will do this.”
The willingness to count the cost and
pay the price.
• The willingness to ask the significant
questions and take the significant
steps.
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
VIM: Means
• The available resources to accomplish
the vision and follow through on our
intentions.
Asset – based thinking
vs.
Deficit – based thinking
Mark 8:1-9
© 2008 Evangelical Covenant Church
VIM: Leadership
Catalyzer
Stabilizer
Gather and Advance
Strengthen and Deepen
Chaos
Stagnation
VIM: Leadership
Catalyzer
Stabilizer
lion
spark plug
rudder
charger
captain
fast and furious
prophet
pusher
bulldozer
doing the right things
moving it forward
rock the boat
revolutionary
entrepreneur
creates conflict
enjoys change
mission
lamb
shock absorber
keel
comforter
chaplain
slow and steady
priest
puller
RV
doing things right
keeping it together
float the boat
evolutionary
manager
avoids conflict
enjoys consistency
friends
Leadership Voice
Critical
Catalyzer
Stabilizer
Stable
Moment
Stabilizer
Catalyzer
Established
Churches
Healthy
Equal
Missional
Voice
Stabilizer
At-Risk
Catalyzer
VIM Questions for the Congregation
Do we have the vision to become a healthy
missional church?
– Do we understand the message and mission
of Jesus?
– Do we understand if or what our unique
approach is to that question?
– Do we understand how to communicate the
vision with a sense of clarity and urgency?
– Do we understand how to help people buy
into the vision?
VIM Questions for the Congregation
Do we have the intention to become a healthy
missional church?
– Are we willing to come before God with a sense of
brokenness and desperation?
– Are we willing to count the cost?
– Are we willing to take an honest look at ourselves?
– Are we willing to take responsibility for our own vitality?
– Are we willing to follow the Spirit wherever the Spirit leads?
– Are we willing to experience the fulfillment, joy and
exhilaration of becoming a healthy missional church?
– Are we willing to persevere through the growing pains of
becoming a healthy missional church?
VIM Questions for the Congregation
Do we have the means to become a healthy
missional church?
• What is our asset base in terms of…
—
—
—
—
—
—
people resources
spiritual resources
financial resources
community resources
conference resources
denominational resources
• In combination do we believe these provide a sufficient
platform for moving forward?
VIM Decision Point for the Congregation
Therefore, with God’s help and grace we
will…
• Remain the same and continue on our
present trajectory.
• Resolve to move forward into missional
health.
• Recognize that through this process it might
be best to think about God-honoring ways to
celebrate and conclude our ministry.
VIM Questions for the Pastor
Do I have the vision to lead this congregation to
become a healthy missional church?
– Do I have an abiding sense of God’s call for this
place at this time?
– Do I have some sense of direction of where the
church needs to go?
VIM Questions for the Pastor
Do I have the intention to lead this congregation
to become a healthy missional church?
– Am I prepared to work hard, invest in the people and
be patient?
– Am I willing to be in it for the long haul?
– Am I at peace that this is still a conducive
environment for my family?
– Am I willing to come before God with a sense of
brokenness and desperation?
– Am I willing to count the cost?
– Am I willing to take an honest look at myself?
VIM Questions for the Pastor
Do I have the means to lead this congregation to
become a healthy missional church?
– Do I have the right gift mix to help advance the
ministry?
– Do I have a sense that this is still a good fit?
– Do I have credibility so the congregation will follow?
– Do I have love for these people?
VIM Decision Point for the Pastor
Therefore, with God’s help and grace I will…
• Lead the change and be willing and able to
change myself.
OR
• Prepare the way for another to lead the
church and seek a new place for ministry.
© 2008 Department of Church Growth and Evangelism
A VERITAS FOLLOW-UP WORKSHOP
Two Fantasies
• We can grow without change
• We can change without pain
Two Sets of Fears
1. The fear that we will change too much
2. The fear that we will change too little
1. The fear that we will change too fast
2. The fear that we will change too slow
In other words:
1. Too much, too soon
2. Too little, too late
What kind of change are we
talking about?
Healthy
Missional
Change
Healthy Missional Change
Healthy =
pursuing Christ
Missional =
pursuing Christ’s priorities in the world
Change =
following the Spirit wherever the Spirit leads
Healthy Missional Change
Critical
Moment
Stable
Established
Churches
Healthy
Missional
At-Risk
Constructs
• Make the invisible visible
• Provide a window into the reality of change
• Help us pinpoint our location on the journey of
change
• Tell us how to lead change step by step
• Help us understand and anticipate resistance
• Make us more responsive to God’s prompting
Some constructs are more timely than others.
Adaptive Leadership
Anxiety
Stabilization
New Orientation
De-stabilization
Challenge
© Peter L. Steinke
Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times
Challenge Questions to break
out of the Doom Loop
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Is the need for change valid?
Do we trust those urging it?
Does it contribute to our vision?
If we do this, will we better serve Christ and
others?
If we don’t do this, will we regret it?
Would Jesus do it?
Does the Evil One oppose it?
Will we survive this change?
Will we thrive if we don’t change?
Adaptive Leadership
“A note of warning for those leading in established
churches: what Western Christianity desperately
needs at the moment is adaptive leadership people who can help us transition to a different,
more agile, mode of church. Such leaders don't
necessarily have to be highly creative
innovators themselves, but rather people who
can move the church into adaptive modes people who can disturb the stifling equilibrium
and create the conditions for change and
innovation.
Adaptive Leadership
By and large, many leaders in church
organizations, particularly those with
strong caring and teaching gifts, can
exhibit a tendency to avoid conflict and
too easily soothe tensions. Left
unchecked, this can be lethal because it
caters to equilibrium and therefore
ultimately to death.
Adaptive Leadership
The essential work of adaptive leadership is to resist
these appeals. Instead, they must: 1) hold the
collective feet to the fire, 2) regulate distress such
that the system is drawn out of its comfort zone (yet
contain stress so it does not become dysfunctional),
and 3) manage avoidance mechanisms that
inevitably surface (such as scapegoating, looking to
authority for the answer, and so forth).”
Alan Hirsch
Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church
Adaptive Leadership
Keeping an organization in a productive zone
of disequilibrium is a delicate task; in the
practice of leadership, you must keep your
hand on the thermostat. If the heat is
consistently too low, people won’t feel the
need to ask uncomfortable questions or make
difficult decisions. If it’s consistently too high,
the organization risks a meltdown: People are
likely to panic and hunker down.
Ronald Heifetz
The Practice of Adaptive Leadership
(as quoted in the Harvard Business Review)
Vitality Resources
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Re:vive blog
Veritas
EPIC
CO-OP
PULSE
Navigate
Vitality Facilitator Network
Living Legacy Coaching
Congregational Vitality Pathway
The map is not the territory:
Even though a map is an artifact, something
made, it is not arbitrarily imposed on the land.
It comes out of careful observation and
accurate recording of what is actually there. It
is required that maps be honest. Maps are
humble – they don’t pretend to substitute for
the country itself. Studying the map does not
provide experience of the country itself.
Congregational Vitality
Pathway
The purpose of the map is to show us the way
into the country and prevent us from getting
lost in our travels. Left to ourselves we often
get lost in blind alleys, get tangled up in
thickets and don’t have a clue to where we
are. The map locates us. It provides the
vocabulary and identifies the experience by
which we can explore.
Eugene Peterson,
Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places