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Congregational Transformation |
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Congregational Transformation |
Eight Characteristics of a Transforming Congregation
Comes with the recommendation and
approval of the Conference Table
Based on material from Church Smart Resources: NATURAL CHURCH DEVELOPMENT
Italics are insertions from the Conference Committee on Congregational
Transformation
The congregation understands it belongs to the Church universal, one expression of which is the Florida Annual Conference of the UMC. The congregation also understands itself as a missionary outpost of the Conference and an expression of the Body of Christ at a particular geographic location.
Effective leadership begins with an intimate relationship with God, resulting in Christ like character and a clear sense of God’s call. As spiritual maturity increases, effective pastors and leaders multiply, guide, empower and equip disciples to realize their full potential and work together to accomplish God’s vision.
The pastor exerts firm clear leadership, defining reality and offering hope. He/she is clearly trusted by the congregation and has developed close cooperative relationships with the leaders, elected and informal.
The Holy Spirit gives to every Christian spiritual gift(s) for the building of God’s kingdom. Church leaders have the responsibility to help believers discover, develop and exercise their gifts in appropriate ministries so that the body of Christ "grows and builds itself up in love."
Lay persons are trusted to conceive and implement ministry within the bounds of the vision and mission statements with minimal control from pastor and governing bodies.
Effective ministry flows out of a passionate, contagious spirituality. Spiritual intimacy leads to a strong conviction that God will act in powerful ways. The nature of this characteristic becomes evident by examining the prayer life, personal use of the Bible and other factors affecting personal spirituality.
that give substance to the liturgical promises of offering our "prayers, presence, gifts and service."There are clearly defined membership responsibilities
The Church is the living Body of Christ. Like all healthy organisms, it requires numerous systems, which work together to fulfill its intended purpose. In order to develop functional structures, look at organizational structures and systems, leadership oversight, vision, goals, and planning, and creativity and managing change.
There is a clearly defined plan (core process) for enrolling, teaching, training, developing, deploying, and nurturing disciples with the strong expectation that all members will be involved in it at levels appropriate to their place in life.
Inspiring worship is a personal and corporate encounter with the living God. Both personal and corporate worship must be infused with the presence of God resulting in times of joyous exultation and times of quiet reverence. Inspiring worship is not driven by a particular style, but rather, the shared experience of God’s awesome presence.
Holistic small groups are disciple-making communities which endeavor to reach the unchurched, meet individual needs, develop each person according to their God-given gifts and raise leaders to sustain the growth of the church. Like healthy body cells, holistic small groups are designed to grow and multiply.
Need-oriented evangelism intentionally cultivates relationships with pre-Christian people so they can become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ who are actively participating within the life of the church and community. Using appropriate ministries and authentic relationships, believers can guide others into the family of God.
There is at least one program or ministry designed to help with the needs of the community for which the church is positively legendary on the community grapevine.
Loving relationships are the heart of a healthy, growing church. Practical demonstration of love builds authentic Christian community and brings others into God’s kingdom. Unfeigned, practical love has a divinely generated magnetic power. People do not want to hear us talk about love, they want to experience how Christian love works.