Church Meetings That Matter

Is this true for your church???

I recently led  a workshop on " Church Meetings That Matter" at the PRC. Participants shared what they enjoyed about  serving on a church board: know what is going on, sense of excitement as we move forward, sense of accomplishment, becoming better acquainted with the ministry and workings of the church. Frustrations were: lack of discipline on the part of some board members, long meetings, slow or lack of decision making, too much reporting, lack of enough prayer, being caught off guard or blind sided, lack of funds, and the disconnect of what the Board is doing and the congregation- communication.
While we did spend time on the nuts an bolts of an effective meeting
( agenda, reports  sent out ahead of time)  a major focus was on the  importance  of leadership development. Time  needs to be spent on building relationships,learning, and the spiritual growth  of leaders. Several recent studies on effective congregations point out that leaders who are growing spiritually and boards that are focused on prayer and discernment  are keys to effective ministry.

Below is a summary check list for key items for effective boards and meetings: How would you rate your church?

Trust among members

Unity

In Essentials -Unity ; In non Essentials-Freedom

In all things- Love

Willingness to deal and accept conflict

Common Vision &  Direction

Board Membership is about leadership

People serve out of their spiritual gifts

Building Relationships

Spiritual Growth

Training

Fun ,Drama, Excitement

Clear Agenda and Purpose

Accountability and follow up

Honest Participation and Sharing

Discernment

Major issues not voted on first time

Decisions Made

Permission Giving

Inclusion ages, long time members, newer members, gender, race

Consistency  -not major turnover

Length and number of meetings

Setting conducive fo rmeetings

Board Size   12-14     Committees  5-7

Appropriate organization for size of congregation  WHAT IDEAS DO YOU HAVE FOR EFFECTIVE BOARDS AND MEETINGS??

State of the Union/Church

Tonight President Obama will address a joint session of Congress and the nation during the annual State of the Union address. A new twist has been added this year- a symbolic gesture by Republicans and Democrats -members will not be seated by party. Early reports state the President will focus on the economy and jobs. Congress and the nation await to hear what plans he has to offer to meet these pressing issues .

What is the state of the union for your congregation?  What would you highlight -or did you highlight in an annual church meeting? Every President while raising issues also reminds the nation about what is good in Amercia. What would you celebrate in  your church?  What ministry has  especially changed lives this past year? What positive trends can you report?

What are the issues facing your church and community?  Are financial  and stewardship issues a major concern?  What is being proposed to deal with this issue? Is your congregation aging? Are 20-30 year s olds missing from your church? How will your ministry need to change?  Have you had to cut staff? How will these cuts effect your ministry? Are your adult members and leaders growing spiritually?

After the speech, comes the hard work.  Will party lines be drawn again and bitter debate begin? It is easy to analyze problems , criticize others, and  it is quite another thing to develop a plan and follow through and work for the common good.  Is there division is your congregation? Is there common ground? Do you have a plan and commitment to follow through no matter the cost?

Recently most Presidents have ended their speech with the call - "May God bless America". God has already  blessed the church with the power and gifts  of the Holy Spirit; we need to  be open to Spirit's leading and power.  

ML King's Vision & Bedrock Beliefs

At the recent Martin Luther King Breakfast sponsored by Crispus Attucks in Lancaster, Joyce Davis, President of the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg and noted author,   spoke about King’s vision for not only justice and peace at home but globally. Injustices aboard ultimately effect justice in America and injustices in any part of American society effects us all.

She stated that King’s vision was sustained by his bed rock beliefs. His Christian faith and his faith in the American ideals grounded his hope that the vision would one day be fulfilled. King faced many situations that would have deterred and discouraged him that the dream would not be realized. His bed rock beliefs not only sustained him, but guided him in how he would work toward fulfilling the dream (i.e. non violence.)

Do you have a vision for your church? What are the bedrock beliefs that undergird that vision? What are the core values that guide and direct what you do?  A vision without a plan is only a dream, but a plan with no bedrock beliefs can be weak and ineffective. Vision and Mission statements can be broad and general; core values help to focus and give direction—they narrow the road traveled. 

What are  the values and beliefs that give grounding for  your congregation? Is your vision growing dim because you are frustrated; ready to quit or move on? How do your values and beliefs sustain you and your vision?

Will they come back after Christmas?

Mary and Joseph had to stay in the stable because there was no room in the inn. Too many census travelers and not enough rooms!! Christmas is a time when you can expect visitors and even unexpected guests at your services. So make sure you are prepared and accommodations for guests at your church this Christmas are visitor friendly.

Have your best greeters on duty to make people feel welcomed. People who can give directions to restrooms, nursery, or answer questions about the church. Encourage your regular attendees this Sunday to be especially guest friendly on Christmas Eve. Do not mind if someone is sitting in their pew Christmas Eve ( no glaring down the pew) or if there are restless children in the sanctuary (turning around and staring.) Imagine Mary having to deal with shepherds—smells and sheep!!

In the midst of all the commercialism of the season, Christmas Eve is a time when people are open and can hear the ‘good news’. Their returning after Christmas may depend on if you made room for them on Christmas.

Paul Young Author of The Shack

Paul Young,author of The Shack, spoke November 9th at a fund raiser for the Parish Resource Center . This best selling novel has touched the lives of thousands of persons. At the end of his almost two hour presentation, you could have heard pin drop in the audience of 800. While Paul's personal story is amazing, I was particularly touched by the story of his mother and how an event in her life as a student nurse in 1946 would come full circle to reconcile her to her author son whom she thought had written something heretical.

If you attended our event or if you have heard Paul Young speak, what part of his story touched you?

Also, who is an inspirational speaker or author you would like to see the PRC bring to Lancaster in the future?

Eight Word Mission Statements

A recent Harvard Business Blog suggested a mission statement be only eight words --Verb,Target, Outcome "Save endangered species from extinction". Peter Drucker said a good mission statement should fit on the back of a T-shirt.

A good mission statement should be clear and concise and inspire people.I am planning to work on the PRC's mission statement -shorten it, make it clear and concise so people know our purpose. (The mission of the PRC is to strengthen congregations of all religious faiths by helping them train, coach, and equip their members- lay and clergy – for service and leadership) Suggestions?

Is your mission statement eight words, could it fit on the back of a T-shirt? Is it clear, concise and does it inspire?

Is your church relevant?

I recently came across several Internet articles/resources about ‘relevance’ in the church. One was a video about worship and the conflict that can occur between being relevant and worship being reverent. (I must confess that I lost the link to this video and 'google' did not help. It featured Ed Stetzer of Lifeway Research-- Note to self : always 'bookmark' !!)

A book review of "Hipster Christianity" by Brett McCracken quoted the author's criticism of churches trying to be ‘hip’ and not ‘real’. http://bit.ly/aHhscS

A CNN Belief blog quoted Michael Spencer of the Christian Science Monitor, ‘that one of the reasons that churches are on the decline is the church’s rabid pursuit of “relevance” and “pragmatism” that has produced in many churches a shallow vacuity.’ http://bit.ly/9gTVA1

How do we best communicate the message of faith in a changing culture and at times a world indifferent to the church? A message that is not relevant will have difficulty connecting with people. Paul knew his gospel had to be communicated in a relevant way with the Greek world of his day. But he also knew that what he preached would be foolishness to some. At the same time we need to be relevant, we need to be faithful to what is the core, DNA, of the kingdom message.

Is there anything that is keeping your church from being relevant and faithful?