| Transforming Congregations Congregational Transformation…
Into What?
By Rev. Kendall M. Taylor,
Executive Director Office of Congregational Transformation
 I
want to introduce the Office of Congregational Transformation, let’s
call it OCT, a definition of transformation, and myself.
If you know my heart we will be more effective
as we work together in transforming congregations. I have enjoyed and
learned from all the congregations I have belonged to (five) and
served as pastor (six). I feel both humbled and honored that Bishop
Whitaker chose me for this tremendously important work of helping
churches. There is no calling I would rather answer than leading the
OCT, no people with whom I would rather work than the pastors and
laity of the Florida Conference. I am passionately interested in
helping to lead the way forward for any pastor and congregation
serious about fulfilling the Great Commission. My brief biography can
be accessed on the conference Web site, http://www.flumc.org.
Click “Congregational Transformation.”
Here are some understandings I bring to the work
from my experience as pastor and district superintendent:
 Vision
and mission, and the realization of them, are the work of the
congregation itself. There is no program or system to import that can
be substituted for this work. Through a relationship with God, which
is prayer and obedience, the vision will be discerned, the
congregation empowered and the mission accomplished.
Significant change is almost always difficult.
By
definition pastors are leaders and have a leadership role, which no
one else can fill, in personal and congregational spiritual growth,
vision development and mission implementation.
Pastors
develop leadership in lay persons and help them find the ministry
place where God wants them to live out their calling.
Other understandings later.
When your system isn’t producing what you
want, transformation is the appropriate response.
Currently we use the term transformation to mean
fundamental and comprehensive change in the congregation’s
conception of and implementation of ministry. Transformation means to
reorient congregational life around mission to unchurched people,
which will be substantially different from congregational life
oriented around ministering to members. Member needs will still be
met, but in the context of mission to unchurched people. To a church
in mission no one is expendable. Transformation is an ongoing,
continuous process necessary for all congregations, not a program done
once by a few congregations.
See future issues of the Review and the
conference Web site for information on how to begin. Meantime, reflect
with each other on these beginning understandings. I will continue to
refine and interpret the purpose and work of OCT with your help.
I invite your responses to what I have shared
at: ktaylor@flumc.org or
P.O. Box 3767, Lakeland, FL 33802-3767. |
