KNOWING

KNOWINGKNOWINGResidency Event

July 19, 2011

KNOWINGKNOWINGWhat the leader knows in company with the Church and its basic doctrines: the ability to think theologically and integrate theology into the practice of ministry.

KNOWINGKNOWING

Basic doctrinesThink theologicallyIntegrate theology into the practice of ministry

Basic DoctrinesBasic Doctrines

What are the basic doctrines of the Church?

Integrating TheologyIntegrating Theology

What is your definition of theology?


What is your understanding of Wesleyan theology?

Practice of MinistryPractice of Ministry

What is the current context for the practice of ministry?


•Shifting•Uncertainty•Chaos


How do the basic doctrines and your definition of theology provide:

◦Connection◦Context◦Framework◦Possibility


Journey in the Wilderness: NewLife for Mainline Churches,

Gil Rendle

Reframing identity and purpose


Adaptive QuestionsIdentity – the question of who we arePurpose – the question of why we are


Three shaping questions:•Who are we? •What has God called us to do?•Who is our neighbor?


The Great Emergence: How The Church is Changing and Why

Phyllis Tickle

500 year giant rummage sales in which the Church evaluates its identity and narrative


Gathering centerHolistic Connecting narrative Mystical


Does Your Church Have a Prayer? In Mission toward the Promised LandMarc Brown, Kathy Merry, John Briggs

Faithful RememberingFaithful EquippingFaithful Encouraging


Faithful RememberingRemembering the story of God’s faithfulness in the past and God’s promise of faithfulness for the future.

Leading the congregation to understand how they are part of the larger story of God’s faithfulness.


Faithful EquippingConnecting the story of individual life

to the larger story of faith in Jesus.

Guiding the congregation in aligning behavior (congregational culture) with vision and mission.


Faithful EncouragingShaping a future that is different from the

past through intentional personal decisions.

Aligning congregational change through

decisions that result in a future that is different from the past.


Faithful Encouraging

Using language that envisions the future rather than protects the present or past

• Asking questions that create community

• Influencing the community to face its challenges

• Realizing that the only person you have the power to change is yourself


Chaos•Shifting identity and purpose •Permanent whitewater


Responses to Chaos:

AvoidControlDestroyEmbrace

When your church encounters chaotic When your church encounters chaotic situations, has its history been to. . .situations, has its history been to. . .



What were the responses to the reality of being stuck?

What would be required to transform the reality of being stuck?


Transformational Leaders

◦Assess current reality◦Influence present and future opinion◦Ask right questions◦Teach new language◦Align behavior and actions ◦Encourage


TransformationA movement of hope into a future that is different from the past


Christian Transformation

Alignment with the future God has redeemed through Jesus

Respond to present condition

Leaders


Leaders

Shape present & future condition in alignment with a desired outcome



Leaders

Shape present and future condition in alignment with a desired outcome

Shape present and future condition in alignment with God’s redeemed future


Christian Transformational Leaders


Plateau

Thriving

Progressing

Wandering

Dying

Stages of Congregational Life


Thriving


Priority of outward mission aligning the focus of congregational life


Progressing


Responding to the priority of outward mission and beginning to align the focus of congregational life


Plateau


Maintaining the present routine of congregational life at the expense of outward mission


Wandering


Choosing to ignore the priority of outward mission by focusing on past congregational experiences

Practice of MinistryPractice of MinistryDying


Disregarding the priority of outward mission by protecting the past


Congregational Expectation of LeadershipThriving – shape future identity (guide

through uncharted water)Progressing – shape present identity (stay on

charted course)Plateau – maintain comfort (keep from

rocking)Wandering – protect present identity by

focusing on past (keep afloat)Dying – protect past identity (go down with

the ship - rearrange the deck chairs)

forming aligning

wandering forgetting

FocusBEYOND

FocusWITHIN

Non-OrderedCHAOS

OrderedCHAOS

C H A O S



Are there particular doctrines that should be emphasized in specific times of a congregation’s life?


How are the basic doctrines defining and shaping the practice of your ministry?


How are you integrating theology into the practice of ministry?

Documents

KNOWING