I was blessed to attend the New Church Leadership Institute (“NCLI”) a few months ago. The setting was Mt. Sequoyah in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It is a beautiful retreat center and conducive to study, discernment and learning. It was also cold and snowing like crazy, so we were not tempted to goof off very much outside. The purpose of the institute is to help pastors discern if they are really well suited to plant a church, and if so, how to go about it. To that end, the folks in attendance went through a Personal Discernment Inventory (“DISC Profile”) to assess if we have the personality and leadership traits which are proven successful for church planting pastors. After years of research, the data has revealed some fairly obvious conclusions:
• Not every pastor has the talents and gifts for church planting. It is critical to identify and encourage those that do.
• Properly and intensively educating, training, coaching and equipping the church planting pastors greatly increases their likelihood of success. NCLI is a big part the process, followed by a “boot camp” for pastors who have demonstrated the talents that will be required.
• The best church planting model is that of a mother-daughter church, not the old fashioned “parachute drop”. Having a parent church and its resources and support is critical for the daughter church. Simply dropping a pastor into an area with instructions to start a church does not work very well. The success rate for a parachute drop, on a national average, is about 20%, whereas the success rate climbs dramatically to 80% using the mother-daughter model.
By now, you might be wondering what I was doing at NCLI. A lay minister is not going to be assigned to start a church. The General Board of Discipleship website for CLM does, however, include “Deploying qualified CLMs for missional leadership in new church starts or redevelopments” as a proper assignment. Otherwise stated, a CLM might be assigned to assist a church planting pastor. First United Methodist Church of Seguin reckons that it is 169 years old this year. We have never planted a new church and we decided a few years ago that it was high time to do so. We bought some property in the Clear Springs area because it is in the center of a dynamically growing region. A team was selected and it has diligently been planning for at least two years. We submitted our grant application to the Conference. Finally, Senior Pastor Steve Purdy and I packed up our winter clothes and headed to Fayetteville. We wanted to know what a church planting pastor would go through and how the parent church could best support him or her.
The major question I had going in was how a CLM might best assist a new church planter. I learned that the leadership skills for a successful new church planter are well complimented by someone who scored high in pastoral, administrative, analytical and organizational skills. That profile probably fits most CLMs quite well. It did in my case. We recently learned that the Conference grant we applied for last fall had been favorably acted on and that we would be assigned a church planting pastor in June, 2010. What was something of an academic exercise back in February has quickly become a reality. We will have our new pastor and all of the work and planning we have done is beginning to bear fruit. I suspect that future “Reflections” will include updates as this exciting new ministry progresses.
I do ask for your prayers for the new pastor and her family, for our church, for the launch team and most of all, prayers for the new church God will plant over in Clear Springs.
Joy!
Bill
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Greatest Generation
The Greatest Generation
They are the greatest generation. In their youth they fought wars, rescued the economy from a deep depression, built churches, taught Sunday school classes and brought a country to greatness. They danced the jitterbug, listened to big band music, watched Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn navigate the African Queen and they loved mightily in their time. They mourned the loss of husbands, wives, uncles, aunts, children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren to war and the ravages of time. They have taught us the great lessons of life. They are the saints of our churches and we honor their witness.
I love their old photographs. The jaunty hats, practical clothes, coifed hair, old cars, kids and sometimes a farm animal or pet. All carefully posing and seldom caught off guard because photos were a special event back in their day. Many times they have stern, confident expressions. On other occasions, they have a devil-may-care smile, like they were up to something. From the tales told by my parents, they often were. I have heard their stories of sacrifice, hope, joy, sorrow and neighbor helping neighbor and stranger helping stranger. I have heard their stories of faith.
As lay ministers, the greatest generation is many times in our care. We owe them the best we can give. I began nursing home ministry a few years ago. I didn’t mean to. I was driving to Austin one day and was listening to a Christian station. They were talking about nursing home ministry and at first; I said (to myself) “no way” could I do that. After a few miles down the road, I became more and more convinced that God had that ministry in mind for me. Two days later, I was asked to preach at a local home. God can be direct when he wants to.
I would like to tell you that I studied and planned and read about this type of ministry, but instead, I just went. I had my Bible and I had some Scripture I wanted to read and some prayers I wanted to share. Fortunately, I had a great musician with me to bring music. I discovered pretty quickly that I had better bring a sermon and a good one. They have plenty of experience to tell the difference. I learned that they have trouble holding the hymnals and finding the pages, but that is alright because most have the words to the old Hymns memorized. I have learned that many of them are fearful now, a little lonely, and tired of constant aches and pains. They miss their spouses, friends and children. They are aggravated that their bodies have given out. Their memories have sometimes faded. But with all of this, they love to visit. They love the old Hymns and hold the Scripture sacred. They need to tell their stories. They need to be comforted and reassured how much Jesus loves them. Prayer is important to them. They look out for each other.
Today was my day to preach at the nursing home and we brought a good (I hope) message and sang all of the old songs of Eastertide. I now consider the residents friends. That is hard because I lose them fairly often. But I remain amazed at their hope and their faith. They take the promise and assurance of salvation very seriously. We read from the 14th chapter of John quite often because they love to hear the words of Jesus and how he has prepared a place for them. Many of my friends are packed and ready for the trip.
After I just jumped in, I have found that there are some good resources for this ministry, such as Lay Pastoral Care Giving by Timothy Farabaugh, Discipleship Resources, 2009. The elder care sections of the certified lay ministry courses certainly are excellent. It is good to talk with your mentoring pastor about the ministry and to spend a little time with the social director at the facilities you visit. They will have some helpful ideas. Be mindful of HIPAA rules and regulations. Mainly, it is important to be there in mind and spirit, pray hard about what God wants you to do there, treat each resident with dignity and listen to them. Frankly, it takes some time to win their trust. Consistency is really important and when you serve on a regular basis, they will begin looking forward to your visits. After a while, you will be hard pressed to discern who has been more blessed by this ministry; you or the folks you visit with.
Bill
They are the greatest generation. In their youth they fought wars, rescued the economy from a deep depression, built churches, taught Sunday school classes and brought a country to greatness. They danced the jitterbug, listened to big band music, watched Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn navigate the African Queen and they loved mightily in their time. They mourned the loss of husbands, wives, uncles, aunts, children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren to war and the ravages of time. They have taught us the great lessons of life. They are the saints of our churches and we honor their witness.
I love their old photographs. The jaunty hats, practical clothes, coifed hair, old cars, kids and sometimes a farm animal or pet. All carefully posing and seldom caught off guard because photos were a special event back in their day. Many times they have stern, confident expressions. On other occasions, they have a devil-may-care smile, like they were up to something. From the tales told by my parents, they often were. I have heard their stories of sacrifice, hope, joy, sorrow and neighbor helping neighbor and stranger helping stranger. I have heard their stories of faith.
As lay ministers, the greatest generation is many times in our care. We owe them the best we can give. I began nursing home ministry a few years ago. I didn’t mean to. I was driving to Austin one day and was listening to a Christian station. They were talking about nursing home ministry and at first; I said (to myself) “no way” could I do that. After a few miles down the road, I became more and more convinced that God had that ministry in mind for me. Two days later, I was asked to preach at a local home. God can be direct when he wants to.
I would like to tell you that I studied and planned and read about this type of ministry, but instead, I just went. I had my Bible and I had some Scripture I wanted to read and some prayers I wanted to share. Fortunately, I had a great musician with me to bring music. I discovered pretty quickly that I had better bring a sermon and a good one. They have plenty of experience to tell the difference. I learned that they have trouble holding the hymnals and finding the pages, but that is alright because most have the words to the old Hymns memorized. I have learned that many of them are fearful now, a little lonely, and tired of constant aches and pains. They miss their spouses, friends and children. They are aggravated that their bodies have given out. Their memories have sometimes faded. But with all of this, they love to visit. They love the old Hymns and hold the Scripture sacred. They need to tell their stories. They need to be comforted and reassured how much Jesus loves them. Prayer is important to them. They look out for each other.
Today was my day to preach at the nursing home and we brought a good (I hope) message and sang all of the old songs of Eastertide. I now consider the residents friends. That is hard because I lose them fairly often. But I remain amazed at their hope and their faith. They take the promise and assurance of salvation very seriously. We read from the 14th chapter of John quite often because they love to hear the words of Jesus and how he has prepared a place for them. Many of my friends are packed and ready for the trip.
After I just jumped in, I have found that there are some good resources for this ministry, such as Lay Pastoral Care Giving by Timothy Farabaugh, Discipleship Resources, 2009. The elder care sections of the certified lay ministry courses certainly are excellent. It is good to talk with your mentoring pastor about the ministry and to spend a little time with the social director at the facilities you visit. They will have some helpful ideas. Be mindful of HIPAA rules and regulations. Mainly, it is important to be there in mind and spirit, pray hard about what God wants you to do there, treat each resident with dignity and listen to them. Frankly, it takes some time to win their trust. Consistency is really important and when you serve on a regular basis, they will begin looking forward to your visits. After a while, you will be hard pressed to discern who has been more blessed by this ministry; you or the folks you visit with.
Bill
Saturday, March 13, 2010
1208 Crosses
In our Holy Conversations series, Gil Rendle stated, quite bluntly, that non profit entities seldom know exactly what it is that they produce. It is not like they fill a loading dock with goods that are sold and shipped. It is hard to point to an inventory, accounts receivables or other typical measures of output. The result is that the non profits tend to focus on activities and gathering resources, and equate both with success. If we have more and do more, surely we are doing God’s work. That is the theory. The trouble with that approach is obvious. If that is the way we measure success, then we have to do more and gather more resources. Obviously, that is not a wholesome or efficient model. Fortunately, there is a better way.
One of Gil’s best quotes is “If you don’t know where you are going, any path will get you there.” Obviously, any church has to clarify its mission so that it knows what resources are required to fulfill that mission. Stated another way, a church best measures its output by describing the effects of its work. The clear truth of this analysis is why we just spent two years learning how to strategically plan. The starting point was to describe what we do. It is more than just a mission statement. We have one of those: “Share the Joy of Knowing Christ- Reach, Teach and Serve!” Instead, it is a description of how reaching, teaching and serving changes lives. What do we produce with all of the time, energy and money we spend? Our answer? Changed lives! And with the Holy Spirit working through us, we produce Disciples of Jesus Christ.
Here is just one example. Our youth participated in the 30 Hour Famine, complete with a fast, lock-in and several service projects to raise money to help combat world hunger. One project was to make 1208 crosses and put them on the church lawn for Sunday morning. That is how many children starve to death each hour. As they put the crosses in the ground, they knelt and prayed for those little souls, and the ones to come. They prayed for a better time for the people who have so very little food, and questioned how they might be a part of the process to provide. Through the awesome grace and might of our God, the faith of our youth, the dedication of our adult volunteers and a generous congregation, lives were changed.
If we began to measure what we do by the lives that are changed and the Disciples that journey in faith, then our churches can see the results of their work and plan accordingly. And if a program no longer has that effect, then it is time to shift resources. Over a longer term, we will ask this question: What will be different in this person’s life in 5 years if they participate in the life of this church?
By the way, this inquiry, this search for purpose and mission, is lay driven. It is the work of the priesthood of all believers. It is our sacred work.
Joy!
Bill
One of Gil’s best quotes is “If you don’t know where you are going, any path will get you there.” Obviously, any church has to clarify its mission so that it knows what resources are required to fulfill that mission. Stated another way, a church best measures its output by describing the effects of its work. The clear truth of this analysis is why we just spent two years learning how to strategically plan. The starting point was to describe what we do. It is more than just a mission statement. We have one of those: “Share the Joy of Knowing Christ- Reach, Teach and Serve!” Instead, it is a description of how reaching, teaching and serving changes lives. What do we produce with all of the time, energy and money we spend? Our answer? Changed lives! And with the Holy Spirit working through us, we produce Disciples of Jesus Christ.
Here is just one example. Our youth participated in the 30 Hour Famine, complete with a fast, lock-in and several service projects to raise money to help combat world hunger. One project was to make 1208 crosses and put them on the church lawn for Sunday morning. That is how many children starve to death each hour. As they put the crosses in the ground, they knelt and prayed for those little souls, and the ones to come. They prayed for a better time for the people who have so very little food, and questioned how they might be a part of the process to provide. Through the awesome grace and might of our God, the faith of our youth, the dedication of our adult volunteers and a generous congregation, lives were changed.
If we began to measure what we do by the lives that are changed and the Disciples that journey in faith, then our churches can see the results of their work and plan accordingly. And if a program no longer has that effect, then it is time to shift resources. Over a longer term, we will ask this question: What will be different in this person’s life in 5 years if they participate in the life of this church?
By the way, this inquiry, this search for purpose and mission, is lay driven. It is the work of the priesthood of all believers. It is our sacred work.
Joy!
Bill
Monday, March 8, 2010
Holy Conversations
The Community of Learning for Holy Conversations and Holy Actions. Sounds a little like a monastery. One might expect austere rooms and monks moving about in silence. I guess I could claim a little personal hardship, but the truth is that we stay at a very nice corporate retreat center in Houston. Holy Conversations is a Texas Methodist Foundation strategic planning series. There are four long weekends spread over a two year time period as five church teams study and learn about planning the future of our churches and their work in the Kingdom. Gil Rendle is the primary speaker, and he and Alice Mann wrote the book that we used. Gil was a senior consultant for the Alban Institute and his insight into leadership, planning and Scriptural relevance is just awesome. John Thornburg helps out with worship and the music, and if Gil is the head, then John is the soul of the weekend. He likes to use pirate songs, African music, poetry and other things he has picked up from his world travels to make worship delightful.
The neat thing about Holy Conversations is that it does not work without the laity. In fact, the premise is that the laity and clergy plan together and implement together. One of the first tasks was to really get to know our own church and community through demographic, historical and measured research. We found our church in the Biblical story as Antioch, sending forth Paul and Barnabas to start new churches. We learned who our neighbors really are, especially out in the area where we are planning a new church start. We were invited to step up into the balcony of the church and observe, as opposed to being down in the congregation doing our usual work. Then came the interesting part, which was relearning our role as leaders. Not to strictly be problem solvers, but to ask and consider the hard questions. Solving problems just maintains the status quo, and that may not be a broad solution for underlying issues in the church. Gil talked quite a bit about discomfort. Discomfort can lead to conversation which may bring about needed change. We learned about facilitating conversation and sustaining that type conversation and avoiding real blow ups in the congregation. We learned a few Swahili songs.
One of the best parts about Holy Conversations is the people we met from the other churches. We got a glimpse of their vision on ministry, their successes, their hurts and their passion. We learned from each other and we worshiped together. We celebrated lay ministry together. As laity in ministry, it is good to walk together a while on our faith journeys. To carry someone's backpack for a bit as they catch their breath. To sing and listen to songs of the road and to hear tales of other journeys. To have Holy Conversations.
Joy!
Bill
The neat thing about Holy Conversations is that it does not work without the laity. In fact, the premise is that the laity and clergy plan together and implement together. One of the first tasks was to really get to know our own church and community through demographic, historical and measured research. We found our church in the Biblical story as Antioch, sending forth Paul and Barnabas to start new churches. We learned who our neighbors really are, especially out in the area where we are planning a new church start. We were invited to step up into the balcony of the church and observe, as opposed to being down in the congregation doing our usual work. Then came the interesting part, which was relearning our role as leaders. Not to strictly be problem solvers, but to ask and consider the hard questions. Solving problems just maintains the status quo, and that may not be a broad solution for underlying issues in the church. Gil talked quite a bit about discomfort. Discomfort can lead to conversation which may bring about needed change. We learned about facilitating conversation and sustaining that type conversation and avoiding real blow ups in the congregation. We learned a few Swahili songs.
One of the best parts about Holy Conversations is the people we met from the other churches. We got a glimpse of their vision on ministry, their successes, their hurts and their passion. We learned from each other and we worshiped together. We celebrated lay ministry together. As laity in ministry, it is good to walk together a while on our faith journeys. To carry someone's backpack for a bit as they catch their breath. To sing and listen to songs of the road and to hear tales of other journeys. To have Holy Conversations.
Joy!
Bill
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