Session Five
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Shared Learning Experience
Session Five Focusing for Transformation
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 1
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES “A mind that is stretched to a new idea never returns to its original dimensions.” Oliver Wendell Holmes
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 2
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Core Purpose and Objectives Our core purpose today is to:
Understand how we can use the concepts in the book, Simple Church in order to focus our churches more on transformation and less on programs.
To achieve this core purpose, you will learn to: •
Understand the power of simplicity.
•
Explore the process that helps grow a person in their faith--a discipleship pathway.
•
Understand how to apply the 4 basic concepts from the book.
Key Ground Rules: •
Be on time
•
Be engaged
•
Be curious
•
Be respectful
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 3
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
“Out of complexity, find simplicity.” Albert Einstein
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 4
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Spiritual Centering Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (Common English translation) 24 Don’t you know that all the runners in the stadium run, but only one gets the prize? So run to win. 25 Everyone who competes practices self-discipline in everything. The runners do this to get a crown of leaves that shrivel up and die, but we do it to receive a crown that never dies. 26 So now this is how I run—not without a clear goal in sight. I fight like a boxer in the ring, not like someone who is shadowboxing. 27 Rather, I’m landing punches on my own body and subduing it like a slave. I do this to be sure that I myself won’t be disqualified after preaching to others. -- Apostle Paul
Reflection Questions: 1. How does this scripture speak to you? 2. What is the prize that we disciples are striving to reach? 3. How clear is your church about its mission? Are you “running aimlessly” or focused? 4. How might your church more intentionally “run in such a way as to get the prize”?
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 5
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
“Our people are our single greatest strength and most enduring longterm competitive advantage.” Gary Kelly, CEO Southwest Airlines
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 6
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Action Plan Review Now it’s time for you to review with your team the action plans you made last session. Keep in mind that for Action Plans to be successful, they must include: Accountability, Application Learning and Peer Mentoring.
Please share with your group: 1. Accountability: Were you able to accomplish what you said you were going to do? If not, what got in the way? 2. Application Learning: What happened when you applied what you learned in the books or Saturday sessions to your specific situation? 3. Peer Mentoring: Look for opportunities to help each other with any challenges. (Chances are we all have similar struggles or have dealt with the same types of struggles in our careers.)
How did your homework assignments go? 1. Did you make a plan for sharing your findings from the Community Interviews with members of your congregation? 2. In what ways have you been sharing your learnings with other members of your congregation?
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 7
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 8
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Secular Case Study: Southwest Airlines “The mission [why they exist] of Southwest Airlines is dedication to the highest quality of Customer Service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and Company Spirit.” “Our vision [where they are going] is to expand our locations both domestic and overseas by being the largest and most profitable airline company to achieve both short and long-haul carriers efficiently and with low cost. Also to be an airline carrier that has the most productive workforce to guarantee the best flight possible for each and every passenger. “ Their values [how they will behave] are the following: 1. Warrior Spirit--Work Hard, Desire to be the best, Be courageous, Display urgency, Persevere, Innovate 2. A Servant’s Heart--Follow The Golden Rule, Adhere to the Principles, Treat others with respect, Put others first, Be egalitarian, Demonstrate proactive, Customer Service, Embrace the SWA Family 3. Fun Luving Attitude—Have FUN, Don't take yourself too seriously, Maintain perspective, Celebrate successes, Enjoy your work, Be a passionate Teamplayer This has caused them to simplify their model, for example: • • • •
They They They They
fly one model of airplane (lower maintenance, training costs). go point to point (rather than using a hub and spoke model). practice fuel hedging (locking in low prices). do not serve meals on any flights.
And to focus on their greatest asset--their employees: • "Our people are our single greatest strength and most enduring long-term competitive advantage.” -- Gary Kelly, CEO Southwest Airlines •
“At Southwest Airlines you have the freedom to be creative, dress casually, and have fun on the job.”
•
“Not just a career, a cause.”
•
Had nearly 200,000 resumes for fewer than 5,000 positions (2011).
Reflection Questions: 1. What strikes you about what you’ve heard? Would you like to work for a business like Southwest Airlines? Why? 2. What are your church’s mission, vision, and values? Are they clearly defined? How do they help your church focus and limit what you do? 3. What is your church’s greatest asset (strength)? How can you build on it?
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 9
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
“Upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Jesus Matthew 16:18
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 10
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Simple Church – Key Concepts A simple church definition: “A congregation designed around a straight-forward and strategic process that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth.” This is based on a congregation’s mission. The United Methodist Church’s mission is: “To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Example of a simple disciple-making, world transforming process: Cross Church’s Mission: “Love God. Love others. Serve the world.” Cross Church’s Discipleship Pathway: Love God = Every member is expected to be a regular participant in worship where they will be drawn closer to God. Love others = Every member is expected to be in a small group or Sunday school class where they will be connected to others. Serve the world = Every member is expected to serve outside the church. Four elements that are critical to designing a simple ministry process: 1) The leadership and the church are clear about the process (___________________________) and are committed to executing it. 2) The process flows logically (_________________________) 3) and is implemented in each area of the church (___________________________) 4) The church abandons everything that is not in the process. (__________________________) Simplify. Streamline. Eliminate the clutter.
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 11
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” Hans Hofmann
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 12
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Simple Church – Key Concepts, continued Four Basic Concepts
1. Clarity – The ability of the process to be ___________________________ and understood by the people. o Clarity and simplicity go hand in hand. o A process that has clarity is clearly defined. o The _____________________ and the people must know exactly how the church is structured to move people toward spiritual growth. o Use ________________________ to reflect the process, show progression, help simplify. o Are we _____________________________________ or ___________________________________________? 2. Movement – the ____________________________________ in the process that cause people to move to greater areas of commitment. o Movement is about flow. It is about assimilation. Movement is what causes a person to go to the next step. o We must have a clear ___________________ into the process. o Leaders must focus as much on what happens __________________ the programs as they do the programs.
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 13
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
“Eliminate physical clutter. More importantly, eliminate spiritual clutter.” D.H. Mondfleur
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 14
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Simple Church – Key Concepts, continued
3. Alignment – the _____________________________ of all ministries and staff around the same simple process. o Alignment ensures the entire church body is moving in the same direction, and in the same manner. o All churches naturally ______________________ from alignment. o Without alignment, energy draining complexity is assured. We are a confusing organism to ourselves…much less to those around us!
4. Focus – the _____________________________ to abandon everything that falls outside of the simple ministry process. o Movement is the most difficult simple church element to understand, focus is the most difficult element to implement. o Focus is the element that gives ____________________ and _________________ to clarity, movement, and alignment. o Without focus, the church becomes _____________despite its process. o Don’t forget the power of asking the words: “_______ __________” to make sure what you’re doing is focused on your mission and vision.
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 15
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” Albert Einstein
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 16
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Simple Church – Key Concepts, continued
How can “simple” help us? Ø Pastors and lay leaders need to be ______________________ instead of __________________________________. Ø Simple is never the same as ________________. Ø Change is difficult without _____________. Is there one coming in your church? Ø Mission must be clear to all. Easy to remember and communicated in the form of an ________________. Ø Measure movement ________________________________ not __________________________________. Reflection Questions: 1. Describe your church’s discipleship pathway. Is it easy to understand? 2. Does your church provide a travel agent or a tour guide for those on the pathway? 3. How might your process more effectively move people toward greater levels of commitment? 4. If your church is to focus on its mission and discipleship pathway, what are examples of ministries it may need to stop doing? 5. How might you and your FCJ Team help your church become simpler?
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 17
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo DaVinci
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 18
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Action Plan List some specific steps you could take and/or resources you could consult to develop your skills in the areas that we covered today: ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ What is one action that you will take between now and our next session together? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ What will success look like concerning that action? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 19
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Action Plan Assignments for the Next Session:
1. Develop a plan to help your church decide which of the next-step options it will take. 2. Find out if your church has official mission, vision and values statements. If your church hasn’t established these, then you’re encouraged to wait until Step 3 of FCJ before working on them.
Best Practices □ Adopt the accountable leadership strategy through the resource of Winning on Purpose by John Kaiser. Be sure all staff and leaders have job descriptions and are being held accountable for accomplishing their goals. □ Get your lay leaders to read the book Simple Church and simplify your structure as much as possible.
Additional Resources The Practicing Congregation-Imagining a New Old Church, by Dianna Butler Bass The Little Church that Could-Raising Small Church Esteem, by Steven E. Burt and Hazel Ann Roper Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times-Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What, by Peter L. Steinke
Continue the Conversation! You can continue to share and learn from each other between sessions by going to the Indiana Conference Church Development Facebook page and blog site. Facebook page = http://www.facebook.com/makingdisciplestransformingcommunities Blog Site = http://churchdevinumc.wordpress.com/
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 20
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Step 2: Consultation/Intervention Process What is it? The Consultation/Intervention Process is the second of three steps in the Indiana Conference’s Fruitful Congregation Journey. It is designed to help a local church conduct a congregational assessment in order to identify what next steps it needs to take in order to more effectively carry out the church’s mission. What churches are eligible? Any Indiana Conference United Methodist Church is eligible to participate if it has completed the Shared Learning Experience (Step 1). Eligible churches can annually apply to participate. A limited number will be selected any given year. What’s involved? The Consultation/Intervention Process includes the following… 1. A period of preparation for a multi-day onsite assessment (churches over 100 in worship do theirs on a Friday-Sunday, smaller churches two weekdays). a. The church will compile a congregational report for an assessment team, which will lead the on-site assessment. b. A consultant will lead a one-day workshop for the church’s leaders on concepts/principles of healthy, effective churches. c. A mystery guest worshipers report will be compiled from the experiences of several outsiders who will visit the church’s worship service/s. 2. Onsite Assessment: a. The assessment team conducts one-to-one interviews with staff and laity. It holds a focus group with laity in the church (and meets with the Church Council in larger churches). It conducts a workshop with church leaders/congregation, and it writes an assessment report that is read to the church’s leadership at the conclusion of the on-site assessment. b. The assessment report will identify the congregation’s greatest strengths and concerns, and will provide next-steps, called prescriptions, to address
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 21
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
each of the concerns. The prescriptions are to help the church become healthier and more effective at carrying out its mission. 3. A period of decision: a. The church will have about six weeks to consider adopting all of the prescriptions. If the church agrees, it will move to the final Fruitful Congregation Journey step. This time of discernment will include opportunities for congregational discussion and prayer. b. The church’s District Superintendent will convene a Church Conference at the end of this period, where the church will officially vote whether or not to adopt all of the prescriptions. (In order to go to Step 3, all of them must be agreed to.) Cost? No charge. The cost of Consultation/Intervention Process (step 2) is paid by the Conference using tithe monies from Conference churches.
Step 3: Implementation of Prescriptions What is it? The Implementation of Prescriptions is the third step in the Fruitful Congregation Journey. With the help of a coach, the church will implement the prescriptions that were identified through the assessment weekend in Step 2. What churches are eligible? Any church that has completed the Consultation/Intervention Process and voted to adopt and implement the prescriptions. What’s involved? The Implementation of Prescriptions includes the following… 1. COACHING. The church will have a coach assigned—usually who was a part of the assessment team in Step 2—who will meet onsite with the church’s leadership to help guide them in the implementation of prescriptions. 2. PEER MENTOR GROUP. The church’s pastor will be a part of an ongoing peer-mentoring group consisting of pastors from other churches in step 3. The group will have a trained leader convene them each month. Cost? The church will pay their coach $250 per month plus roundtrip mileage (IRS rate) during the implementation period, which is typically 12-18 months. The cost for the peer mentor leaders will be paid by Conference Church Development’s budget. Questions? Contact your Church Development staff person at 877 781-7606.
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 22
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Churches finishing Step 1 have the following options: 1. Apply to enter Step 2, Consultation/Intervention Process. 2. Have their FCJ Team teach Step 1 to other leaders in their church using the Step 1 manual and PowerPoint presentations. 3. Have a new group of leaders go through the first year of Step 1, attending the laity sessions, at a reduced price of $200. 4. Any combination of the above. 5. Finish and not continue any of the above.
Toolbox: • Asking the “so that…” question • Using a team/church covenant • MissionInsite demographic tool • Prayer Team • Leadership Development Team • Lifecycle model • Vision and values statements
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 23
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 24
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Session Evaluation Facilitator: _____________________________
Date: ________________
Name: ______________________________ (optional) Course
Poor (1)
Fair (2)
Good (3)
Strong (4)
Excellent (5)
Poor (1)
Fair (2)
Good (3)
Strong (4)
Excellent (5)
Poor (1)
Fair (2)
Good (3)
Strong (4)
Excellent (5)
Poor (1)
Fair (2)
Good (3)
Strong (4)
Excellent (5)
1. Objectives were clearly stated and met 2. Materials were useful/relevant 3. Topics covered were what was expected
Facilitator 4. Presented the subject effectively 5. Demonstrated knowledge of content 6. Pace of session was appropriate
Environment 7. Conducive to learning 8. Temperature, distractions, etc…
Overall 9. How would you rate the session overall? 10. Recommend to friend/colleague
What, if anything, would you suggest to improve this session in the future? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ What is your biggest take-away from this session? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Other comments: ________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
Thank You! Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 25
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Participants Manual
Page 26
Participants Manual
Shared Learning Experience
Session Five Focusing for Transformation
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 1
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES “A mind that is stretched to a new idea never returns to its original dimensions.” Oliver Wendell Holmes
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 2
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Core Purpose and Objectives Our core purpose today is to:
Understand how we can use the concepts in the book, Simple Church in order to focus our churches more on transformation and less on programs.
To achieve this core purpose, you will learn to: •
Understand the power of simplicity.
•
Explore the process that helps grow a person in their faith--a discipleship pathway.
•
Understand how to apply the 4 basic concepts from the book.
Key Ground Rules: •
Be on time
•
Be engaged
•
Be curious
•
Be respectful
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 3
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
“Out of complexity, find simplicity.” Albert Einstein
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 4
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Spiritual Centering Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (Common English translation) 24 Don’t you know that all the runners in the stadium run, but only one gets the prize? So run to win. 25 Everyone who competes practices self-discipline in everything. The runners do this to get a crown of leaves that shrivel up and die, but we do it to receive a crown that never dies. 26 So now this is how I run—not without a clear goal in sight. I fight like a boxer in the ring, not like someone who is shadowboxing. 27 Rather, I’m landing punches on my own body and subduing it like a slave. I do this to be sure that I myself won’t be disqualified after preaching to others. -- Apostle Paul
Reflection Questions: 1. How does this scripture speak to you? 2. What is the prize that we disciples are striving to reach? 3. How clear is your church about its mission? Are you “running aimlessly” or focused? 4. How might your church more intentionally “run in such a way as to get the prize”?
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 5
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
“Our people are our single greatest strength and most enduring longterm competitive advantage.” Gary Kelly, CEO Southwest Airlines
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 6
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Action Plan Review Now it’s time for you to review with your team the action plans you made last session. Keep in mind that for Action Plans to be successful, they must include: Accountability, Application Learning and Peer Mentoring.
Please share with your group: 1. Accountability: Were you able to accomplish what you said you were going to do? If not, what got in the way? 2. Application Learning: What happened when you applied what you learned in the books or Saturday sessions to your specific situation? 3. Peer Mentoring: Look for opportunities to help each other with any challenges. (Chances are we all have similar struggles or have dealt with the same types of struggles in our careers.)
How did your homework assignments go? 1. Did you make a plan for sharing your findings from the Community Interviews with members of your congregation? 2. In what ways have you been sharing your learnings with other members of your congregation?
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 7
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 8
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Secular Case Study: Southwest Airlines “The mission [why they exist] of Southwest Airlines is dedication to the highest quality of Customer Service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and Company Spirit.” “Our vision [where they are going] is to expand our locations both domestic and overseas by being the largest and most profitable airline company to achieve both short and long-haul carriers efficiently and with low cost. Also to be an airline carrier that has the most productive workforce to guarantee the best flight possible for each and every passenger. “ Their values [how they will behave] are the following: 1. Warrior Spirit--Work Hard, Desire to be the best, Be courageous, Display urgency, Persevere, Innovate 2. A Servant’s Heart--Follow The Golden Rule, Adhere to the Principles, Treat others with respect, Put others first, Be egalitarian, Demonstrate proactive, Customer Service, Embrace the SWA Family 3. Fun Luving Attitude—Have FUN, Don't take yourself too seriously, Maintain perspective, Celebrate successes, Enjoy your work, Be a passionate Teamplayer This has caused them to simplify their model, for example: • • • •
They They They They
fly one model of airplane (lower maintenance, training costs). go point to point (rather than using a hub and spoke model). practice fuel hedging (locking in low prices). do not serve meals on any flights.
And to focus on their greatest asset--their employees: • "Our people are our single greatest strength and most enduring long-term competitive advantage.” -- Gary Kelly, CEO Southwest Airlines •
“At Southwest Airlines you have the freedom to be creative, dress casually, and have fun on the job.”
•
“Not just a career, a cause.”
•
Had nearly 200,000 resumes for fewer than 5,000 positions (2011).
Reflection Questions: 1. What strikes you about what you’ve heard? Would you like to work for a business like Southwest Airlines? Why? 2. What are your church’s mission, vision, and values? Are they clearly defined? How do they help your church focus and limit what you do? 3. What is your church’s greatest asset (strength)? How can you build on it?
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 9
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
“Upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Jesus Matthew 16:18
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 10
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Simple Church – Key Concepts A simple church definition: “A congregation designed around a straight-forward and strategic process that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth.” This is based on a congregation’s mission. The United Methodist Church’s mission is: “To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Example of a simple disciple-making, world transforming process: Cross Church’s Mission: “Love God. Love others. Serve the world.” Cross Church’s Discipleship Pathway: Love God = Every member is expected to be a regular participant in worship where they will be drawn closer to God. Love others = Every member is expected to be in a small group or Sunday school class where they will be connected to others. Serve the world = Every member is expected to serve outside the church. Four elements that are critical to designing a simple ministry process: 1) The leadership and the church are clear about the process (___________________________) and are committed to executing it. 2) The process flows logically (_________________________) 3) and is implemented in each area of the church (___________________________) 4) The church abandons everything that is not in the process. (__________________________) Simplify. Streamline. Eliminate the clutter.
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 11
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” Hans Hofmann
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 12
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Simple Church – Key Concepts, continued Four Basic Concepts
1. Clarity – The ability of the process to be ___________________________ and understood by the people. o Clarity and simplicity go hand in hand. o A process that has clarity is clearly defined. o The _____________________ and the people must know exactly how the church is structured to move people toward spiritual growth. o Use ________________________ to reflect the process, show progression, help simplify. o Are we _____________________________________ or ___________________________________________? 2. Movement – the ____________________________________ in the process that cause people to move to greater areas of commitment. o Movement is about flow. It is about assimilation. Movement is what causes a person to go to the next step. o We must have a clear ___________________ into the process. o Leaders must focus as much on what happens __________________ the programs as they do the programs.
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 13
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
“Eliminate physical clutter. More importantly, eliminate spiritual clutter.” D.H. Mondfleur
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 14
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Simple Church – Key Concepts, continued
3. Alignment – the _____________________________ of all ministries and staff around the same simple process. o Alignment ensures the entire church body is moving in the same direction, and in the same manner. o All churches naturally ______________________ from alignment. o Without alignment, energy draining complexity is assured. We are a confusing organism to ourselves…much less to those around us!
4. Focus – the _____________________________ to abandon everything that falls outside of the simple ministry process. o Movement is the most difficult simple church element to understand, focus is the most difficult element to implement. o Focus is the element that gives ____________________ and _________________ to clarity, movement, and alignment. o Without focus, the church becomes _____________despite its process. o Don’t forget the power of asking the words: “_______ __________” to make sure what you’re doing is focused on your mission and vision.
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 15
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” Albert Einstein
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 16
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Simple Church – Key Concepts, continued
How can “simple” help us? Ø Pastors and lay leaders need to be ______________________ instead of __________________________________. Ø Simple is never the same as ________________. Ø Change is difficult without _____________. Is there one coming in your church? Ø Mission must be clear to all. Easy to remember and communicated in the form of an ________________. Ø Measure movement ________________________________ not __________________________________. Reflection Questions: 1. Describe your church’s discipleship pathway. Is it easy to understand? 2. Does your church provide a travel agent or a tour guide for those on the pathway? 3. How might your process more effectively move people toward greater levels of commitment? 4. If your church is to focus on its mission and discipleship pathway, what are examples of ministries it may need to stop doing? 5. How might you and your FCJ Team help your church become simpler?
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 17
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo DaVinci
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 18
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Action Plan List some specific steps you could take and/or resources you could consult to develop your skills in the areas that we covered today: ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ What is one action that you will take between now and our next session together? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ What will success look like concerning that action? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 19
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Action Plan Assignments for the Next Session:
1. Develop a plan to help your church decide which of the next-step options it will take. 2. Find out if your church has official mission, vision and values statements. If your church hasn’t established these, then you’re encouraged to wait until Step 3 of FCJ before working on them.
Best Practices □ Adopt the accountable leadership strategy through the resource of Winning on Purpose by John Kaiser. Be sure all staff and leaders have job descriptions and are being held accountable for accomplishing their goals. □ Get your lay leaders to read the book Simple Church and simplify your structure as much as possible.
Additional Resources The Practicing Congregation-Imagining a New Old Church, by Dianna Butler Bass The Little Church that Could-Raising Small Church Esteem, by Steven E. Burt and Hazel Ann Roper Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times-Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What, by Peter L. Steinke
Continue the Conversation! You can continue to share and learn from each other between sessions by going to the Indiana Conference Church Development Facebook page and blog site. Facebook page = http://www.facebook.com/makingdisciplestransformingcommunities Blog Site = http://churchdevinumc.wordpress.com/
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 20
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Step 2: Consultation/Intervention Process What is it? The Consultation/Intervention Process is the second of three steps in the Indiana Conference’s Fruitful Congregation Journey. It is designed to help a local church conduct a congregational assessment in order to identify what next steps it needs to take in order to more effectively carry out the church’s mission. What churches are eligible? Any Indiana Conference United Methodist Church is eligible to participate if it has completed the Shared Learning Experience (Step 1). Eligible churches can annually apply to participate. A limited number will be selected any given year. What’s involved? The Consultation/Intervention Process includes the following… 1. A period of preparation for a multi-day onsite assessment (churches over 100 in worship do theirs on a Friday-Sunday, smaller churches two weekdays). a. The church will compile a congregational report for an assessment team, which will lead the on-site assessment. b. A consultant will lead a one-day workshop for the church’s leaders on concepts/principles of healthy, effective churches. c. A mystery guest worshipers report will be compiled from the experiences of several outsiders who will visit the church’s worship service/s. 2. Onsite Assessment: a. The assessment team conducts one-to-one interviews with staff and laity. It holds a focus group with laity in the church (and meets with the Church Council in larger churches). It conducts a workshop with church leaders/congregation, and it writes an assessment report that is read to the church’s leadership at the conclusion of the on-site assessment. b. The assessment report will identify the congregation’s greatest strengths and concerns, and will provide next-steps, called prescriptions, to address
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 21
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
each of the concerns. The prescriptions are to help the church become healthier and more effective at carrying out its mission. 3. A period of decision: a. The church will have about six weeks to consider adopting all of the prescriptions. If the church agrees, it will move to the final Fruitful Congregation Journey step. This time of discernment will include opportunities for congregational discussion and prayer. b. The church’s District Superintendent will convene a Church Conference at the end of this period, where the church will officially vote whether or not to adopt all of the prescriptions. (In order to go to Step 3, all of them must be agreed to.) Cost? No charge. The cost of Consultation/Intervention Process (step 2) is paid by the Conference using tithe monies from Conference churches.
Step 3: Implementation of Prescriptions What is it? The Implementation of Prescriptions is the third step in the Fruitful Congregation Journey. With the help of a coach, the church will implement the prescriptions that were identified through the assessment weekend in Step 2. What churches are eligible? Any church that has completed the Consultation/Intervention Process and voted to adopt and implement the prescriptions. What’s involved? The Implementation of Prescriptions includes the following… 1. COACHING. The church will have a coach assigned—usually who was a part of the assessment team in Step 2—who will meet onsite with the church’s leadership to help guide them in the implementation of prescriptions. 2. PEER MENTOR GROUP. The church’s pastor will be a part of an ongoing peer-mentoring group consisting of pastors from other churches in step 3. The group will have a trained leader convene them each month. Cost? The church will pay their coach $250 per month plus roundtrip mileage (IRS rate) during the implementation period, which is typically 12-18 months. The cost for the peer mentor leaders will be paid by Conference Church Development’s budget. Questions? Contact your Church Development staff person at 877 781-7606.
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 22
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Churches finishing Step 1 have the following options: 1. Apply to enter Step 2, Consultation/Intervention Process. 2. Have their FCJ Team teach Step 1 to other leaders in their church using the Step 1 manual and PowerPoint presentations. 3. Have a new group of leaders go through the first year of Step 1, attending the laity sessions, at a reduced price of $200. 4. Any combination of the above. 5. Finish and not continue any of the above.
Toolbox: • Asking the “so that…” question • Using a team/church covenant • MissionInsite demographic tool • Prayer Team • Leadership Development Team • Lifecycle model • Vision and values statements
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 23
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
NOTES
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 24
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Participants Manual
Session Evaluation Facilitator: _____________________________
Date: ________________
Name: ______________________________ (optional) Course
Poor (1)
Fair (2)
Good (3)
Strong (4)
Excellent (5)
Poor (1)
Fair (2)
Good (3)
Strong (4)
Excellent (5)
Poor (1)
Fair (2)
Good (3)
Strong (4)
Excellent (5)
Poor (1)
Fair (2)
Good (3)
Strong (4)
Excellent (5)
1. Objectives were clearly stated and met 2. Materials were useful/relevant 3. Topics covered were what was expected
Facilitator 4. Presented the subject effectively 5. Demonstrated knowledge of content 6. Pace of session was appropriate
Environment 7. Conducive to learning 8. Temperature, distractions, etc…
Overall 9. How would you rate the session overall? 10. Recommend to friend/colleague
What, if anything, would you suggest to improve this session in the future? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ What is your biggest take-away from this session? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Other comments: ________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
Thank You! Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Page 25
Session Five: Focusing for Transformation
Copyright Indiana Conference UMC 2013
Participants Manual
Page 26
