Living into the Future – 2010
Vital Possibilities for Churches in
New Orleans Association
Living into the Future
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Since Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma
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Churches have worked just to survive
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Churches have worked to help communities
survive
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These past years have been difficult and
demanding times for churches and individuals
just to survive
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Churches are in a survival mode
Living into the Future

Is there the possibility that churches can
start to look ahead to living with vitality
into the future?
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from surviving into thriving
First tasks of surviving are being done
Communities are rebuilding
Churches seeking and calling new
pastors in leadership
Association leadership looking to grow in
vitality and strength
Living into the Future

Moving from Surviving to Thriving will
not happen without intentional work and
plan
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Congregational Decline is a long-term
pattern, which only was intensified by
Hurricanes
Pattern of Decline
Pattern of Decline
Years
# ofChurches
Membership
WorshipAttend
Church School
1995
18
2681
547
128
1996
18
2518
695
313
1997
18
2547
586
294
1998
18
2350
627
310
1999
18
2144
684
305
2000
16
2112
655
295
2001
16
2099
671
298
2002
16
1898
602
202
2003
15
1863
333
197
2004
15
1887
328
179
2005
15
1877
131
186
2006
16
1689
384
110
2007
16
1685
386
105
2008
17
1672
370
97
2009
17
1448
382
85
Church Lifecycle patterns
Church
Multiplication
Congregation
Vitality
New
Beginnings
New Church
Development
Quadrant 2
Quadrant 1
Quadrant 3
Quadrant 4
A Time for Urgency
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The urgency of our response should
not be based on our decline, but on
the new generations and populations
around us that are ready to embrace
the message that we share.
Reversing Decline
Living into a New Future

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What might it take to turn around the
decline?
A vitality program for renewing the New
Orleans Association and congregations
might include:
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Assessment of congregations
 Strengths
and challenges
 Assessment of pastor candidates
Training Pastors and Leaders
 Coaching Pastors
 Strategic planning

Assessment of Congregations
and Redeveloping Candidates
Assessment
of congregations
strengths and challenges
 Self
Study, Prayer and Discernment
 Meet with consultant
Assessment
 Walk
of community
around neighborhood
 Study Demographics
 MissionInsite
MissionInsite Demographics
Assessment of Congregation
Consultant after meeting with
congregation will write up a report that
analyzes congregation’s potential for
future
 Congregation receives report and
makes decision

Make plan for renewal and growth
 Make plan for congregation’s end
 Make no decision

For Congregations in Search
Candidate Assessment

Redeveloper Assessment Tool
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What is the Assessment Tool?
It is an on-line questionnaire that seeks to identify
the strengths of people who express an interest in
renewing and revitalizing congregations.
How was the tool developed?
The Gallup Organization conducted qualitative
research to identify patterns of excellence that
describe the talents needed for success in
redeveloping congregation. The research was in
cooperation with Ecumenical Partners from other
mainline denominations.
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Candidate Assessment
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What does the tool assess?
This is a talent based assessment that examines five
talent dimensions that have been identified in
successful church renewers and
revitalizers: Motivation, Influence, Work Style,
Thought Process and Relationships.
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Each applicant will be given a score that is
statistically determined, weighted and valued. The
applicant will then receive one of the following:
The applicant is Recommended.
The applicant is Conditionally Recommended.
The applicant is Not Recommended.
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Contact Email is assessment@progressiverenewal.org
Training for Pastors and
Congregations
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Leadership Training for Renewal
Center for Progressive Renewal
www.progressiverenewal.org
Training for Pastors and
Congregations
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Leadership Training for Renewal
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Based on the congregations involved
 Develop
a 1 – 2 year vitality training study
 Dealing with adaptive change
 Clarifying purpose and mission
 Vitality in stewardship, worship, outreach,
spirituality
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Conversation with other congregations
Coaching for Pastors
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Years of church development have taught us
that pairing a redeveloping pastor with a
trained coach significantly increases the
viability of a renewing church
We have in place a support system - a
community of advocates, to help the
redeveloper navigate the often challenging
journey of church renewal.
For more information about our UCC
Coaching program contact
cameron@progressiverenewal.org
Outcome and Incentive
The outcome of this vitality program of
assessment, training, and coaching
would be the creation of strategic plan
for growth adopted by participating
congregations.
 An incentive for congregations that
commit to the 1 – 2 year program for
renewal would be a grant to help fund
their strategic plan for growth
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Commitments
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Congregations that choose to participate
would make a commitment of time, persons
and finances
New Orleans Association would participate
through endorsement and encouragement
South Central would participate through
endorsement and support for training
Local Church Ministries would participate
with consultant, coordination of program and
incentive funding.
Comments and Questions

The possibilities of assessing, training,
coaching, strategic planning, commitment
and incentive are all part of what could be a
program of renewal and vitality for
congregations here in New Orleans
Association.
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What are your questions and comments
How do you respond?
How would your congregation respond?
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Next Steps
Hear response from Congregations that
will consider committing to program
 Hear response from Association Council
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Move forward to create program and
working group of congregations,
council, conference and national
ministries of those who wish to
participate
Thank You!
Thank you for your Vital Leadership
 Thank you for Your Support of
Our Churches’ Wider Mission
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Changing Lives: That’s Our Churches’ Wider
Mission