Living into the Future

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

• Since Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma
• Churches 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

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Living 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 rebuilding
• Churches seeking and calling new pastors in
  leadership
• Association leadership looking to grow in
  vitality and strength

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Living 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

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Pattern of Decline
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Pattern of Decline
Years 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
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Church Lifecycle patterns
Church Lifecycle
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A 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.

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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 challenges
• Assessment of pastor candidates
• Training Pastors and Leaders
• Coaching Pastors
• Strategic planning

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Assessment of Congregations and Redeveloping
Candidates

• Assessment of congregations strengths and
  challenges
• Self Study, Prayer and Discernment
• Meet with consultant
• Assessment of community
• Walk around neighborhood
• Study Demographics
• MissionInsite

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MissionInsite Demographics
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Assessment of Congregation

• Consultant after meeting with congregation will
  write up a report that analyzes congregations
  potential for future
• Congregation receives report and makes decision
• Make plan for renewal and growth
• Make plan for congregations end
• Make no decision

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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. 

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Candidate 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_at_progressiverenewal.org

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Training for Pastors and Congregations

• Leadership Training for Renewal

Center for Progressive Renewal www.progressiverene
wal.org
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Training for Pastors and Congregations

• Leadership Training for Renewal
• Based on the congregations involved
• Develop a 1 2 year vitality training study
• Dealing with adaptive change
• Clarifying purpose and mission
• Vitality in stewardship, worship, outreach,
  spirituality
• Conversation with other congregations

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Coaching 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_at_progressiverenewal.org

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Outcome 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

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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.

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Comments 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?

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Next 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

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Thank You!

• Thank you for your Vital Leadership
• Thank you for Your Support of Our Churches
  Wider Mission
• Changing Lives Thats Our Churches Wider
  Mission