Living into the Future – 2010Vital Possibilities for Churches in New Orleans Association

Living into the Future – 2010Vital Possibilities for Churches in New Orleans Association

Living into the FutureLiving into the Future

Since Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and WilmaChurches have worked just to survive

Churches have worked to help communities survive

These past years have been difficult and demanding times for churches and individuals just to survive

Churches are in a survival mode

Since Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and WilmaChurches have worked just to survive

Churches have worked to help communities survive

These past years have been difficult and demanding times for churches and individuals just to survive

Churches are in a survival mode

Living into the FutureLiving into the Future

Is there the possibility that churches can start to look ahead to living with vitality into the future? from surviving into thriving

First tasks of surviving are being done

Communities are rebuildingChurches seeking and calling new

pastors in leadershipAssociation leadership looking to

grow in vitality and strength

Is there the possibility that churches can start to look ahead to living with vitality into the future? from surviving into thriving

First tasks of surviving are being done

Communities are rebuildingChurches seeking and calling new

pastors in leadershipAssociation leadership looking to

grow in vitality and strength

Living into the FutureLiving into the Future

Moving from Surviving to Thriving will not happen without intentional work and plan

Congregational Decline is a long-term pattern, which only was intensified by Hurricanes

Moving from Surviving to Thriving will not happen without intentional work and plan

Congregational Decline is a long-term pattern, which only was intensified by Hurricanes

Pattern of DeclinePattern of Decline

Pattern of DeclinePattern of DeclineYears # 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 patternsChurch Lifecycle patterns

New Church Development

Quadrant 1

New Beginnings

Quadrant 4

CongregationVitality

Quadrant 3

Church Multiplication

Quadrant 2

A Time for UrgencyA Time for Urgency

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.

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 DeclineLiving into a New Future

Reversing DeclineLiving into a New Future

What might it take to turn around the decline?

A vitality program for renewing the New Orleans Association and congregations might include:Assessment of congregations

Strengths and challengesAssessment of pastor candidates

Training Pastors and LeadersCoaching PastorsStrategic planning

What might it take to turn around the decline?

A vitality program for renewing the New Orleans Association and congregations might include:Assessment of congregations

Strengths and challengesAssessment of pastor candidates

Training Pastors and LeadersCoaching PastorsStrategic planning

Assessment of Congregations and

Redeveloping Candidates

Assessment of Congregations and

Redeveloping CandidatesAssessment of congregations strengths and challenges

Self Study, Prayer and Discernment

Meet with consultant

Assessment of communityWalk around neighborhoodStudy Demographics

MissionInsite

Assessment of congregations strengths and challenges

Self Study, Prayer and Discernment

Meet with consultant

Assessment of communityWalk around neighborhoodStudy Demographics

MissionInsite

MissionInsite DemographicsMissionInsite

Demographics

Assessment of CongregationAssessment of Congregation

Consultant after meeting with congregation will write up a report that analyzes congregation’s potential for future

Congregation receives report and makes decisionMake plan for renewal and growthMake plan for congregation’s endMake no decision

Consultant after meeting with congregation will write up a report that analyzes congregation’s potential for future

Congregation receives report and makes decisionMake plan for renewal and growthMake plan for congregation’s endMake no decision

For Congregations in Search Candidate Assessment

For Congregations in Search Candidate Assessment

Redeveloper Assessment Tool

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. 

Redeveloper Assessment Tool

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. 

Candidate AssessmentCandidate Assessment

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.

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.  

Contact Email is assessment@progressiverenewal.org

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.

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.  

Contact Email is assessment@progressiverenewal.org

Training for Pastors and Congregations

Training for Pastors and Congregations

Leadership Training for RenewalLeadership Training for Renewal

Center for Progressive Renewal

www.progressiverenewal.org

Training for Pastors and Congregations

Training for Pastors and Congregations

Leadership Training for RenewalBased on the congregations involved

Develop a 1 – 2 year vitality training study

Dealing with adaptive changeClarifying purpose and missionVitality in stewardship, worship,

outreach, spiritualityConversation with other

congregations

Leadership Training for RenewalBased on the congregations involved

Develop a 1 – 2 year vitality training study

Dealing with adaptive changeClarifying purpose and missionVitality in stewardship, worship,

outreach, spiritualityConversation with other

congregations

Coaching for PastorsCoaching for Pastors

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

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 IncentiveOutcome 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

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

Commitments Commitments

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.

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 QuestionsComments 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.

What are your questions and comments How do you respond? How would your congregation respond?

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.

What are your questions and comments How do you respond? How would your congregation respond?

Next StepsNext Steps

Hear response from Congregations that will consider committing to program

Hear response from Association Council

Move forward to create program and working group of congregations, council, conference and national ministries of those who wish to participate

Hear response from Congregations that will consider committing to program

Hear response from Association Council

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!

Thank you for your Vital Leadership

Thank you for Your Support of Our Churches’ Wider Mission

Changing Lives: That’s Our Churches’ Wider Mission

Thank you for your Vital Leadership

Thank you for Your Support of Our Churches’ Wider Mission

Changing Lives: That’s Our Churches’ Wider Mission