I came across this today.... Rowland. Church Check List: If your church can say, "yes" to any of the following, we can help! * Our church is growing but we don't have a shared vision that most members support. * Our church is an older church and we are not keeping up to the changes in our community. * We are a friendly church but we mostly look after each other since we have all been members for a long time. * We are uncomfortable with the idea of evangelism but we would like to be more in ministry. * We spend too much time in meetings but seem to produce nothing much from them. * Our worship is not what most would consider inspiring, but we go through the motions anyway. * We have considerable conflict in our church with different groups disagreeing on what we should be doing. * We are considering a building program but we are not sure what ministries will be served by our building. * I am a pastor and I feel burned out trying to meet all the expectations of people. * I am a pastor and my seminary training didn't really prepare me to lead effectively. * I am a pastor and I love preaching and counseling, but my people expect strong leadership from me and that isn't my calling. * We have a need for spiritual development but are not sure what to do to grow the congregation spiritually. "LOOKING FOR A POWERFUL WAY TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES AND GET YOUR CHURCH MOVING IN ITS MINISTRY?" HEALTHY CHURCH DNAT The new, powerful 7-step process to renew & grow your congregation, use your gifts, and do God's work! THE CONCEPT: Healthy Church DNAT In the same manner that an individual has genetic potential, every congregation has a collective potential - a gift from God. Healthy Church DNAT has identified Fifteen Church Genes that Grow Healthy Churches: * Uplifting Worship * Effective Pastoral Leadership * Empowered Lay Leadership * Open and Caring Community * Life Cycle Spiritual Development * Responsive Evangelism * Clear and Open Communication * Healthy Transitions * Whole Person Stewardship * Community Servant Ministries * Stimulating Shared Vision and Mission * Effective and Transparent Organization * Comprehensive Programs and Ministries * Accessible and Functional Facilities * Collaborative Team Leadership No church is expected to be outstanding on all fifteen genes in order to be considered a healthy congregation. Instead, the best profile of strengths and assets (genes) for each congregation will differ according to its unique context and mission. Healthy Church DNAT helps a congregation identify its innate gifts and talents (genes) and develop them in order to fulfill that congregation's special calling. THE 7-STEP PROCESS: DISCERN PlusT THE DIFFERENCE: Healthy Church DNAT Strength-based Instead of an emphasis on analyzing problems and weaknesses, the process focuses on identifying and maximizing the congregation's strengths and assets (genes). Competency-based Assesses and develops the specific competencies (of church leaders, members and consultants,) that are necessary to facilitate the Healthy Church DNAT process and support the congregation in the journey to its preferred future. Situational The congregational history, geographic and demographic context, stage in the church life cycle, and other factors are different for every congregation. The mission to which any particular congregation is called is unique and requires a unique profile of strengths and assets (genes). Comprehensive, Flexible Trained consultants facilitate a custom-designed process of assessment, congregational events, and post-intervention support and training. The process is flexibly designed to meet the goals of healthy congregations as well as those churches that are at any level of conflict or demise. Congregation-based Usually, the entire congregation is included in a Healthy Church DNAT process. In a limited conflict or in a performance development situation, the people who are involved are invited into the process. Change occurs more smoothly because of broad and representative participation. The process is "bottom-up" instead of "top down." Inspirational Hope-filled and highly participatory, the Healthy Church DNAT process increases collaboration, creates closer relationships and fosters positive change among the participants. FOR HEALTHY CHURCHES Many congregations have successfully navigated the whirlpool of change that has surrounded churches in recent years. The challenge for these churches is to continually renew themselves in order to meet the ever-changing needs and opportunities of the future. * identify their congregation's Healthy Church DNAT strengths and competencies (genes). * identify the Healthy Church DNAT strengths and competencies (genes) for their pastor(s), staff and lay leadership. * review the current status of their congregation. * reassess the local context of their ministries. * strengthen the congregation's commitment to a collaboratively developed vision of the ministries to which God is calling them. * align the congregation's strengths and assets (genes) with its mission and vision. * maximize the strengths of the pastor(s), staff and lay leadership and develop competencies that are essential to the mission and vision of the congregation. * enhance the congregation's sense of community, build resilience and mobilize the gifts of pastor(s), staff and members. FOR STRUGGLING CHURCHES Over the last several decades, churches have been challenged by: * socio-economic and political forces. * shifting priorities and changing attitudes of passing generations. * demographic shifts. Across all denominations, all congregational sizes and all ministry settings, there are churches that are in demise or immobilized by conflict. The Healthy Church DNAT process is designed to help struggling congregations: * overcome interpersonal differences and conflict. * develop an accurate and current understanding of their congregation. * recognize changes in the community they serve and related opportunities for ministry. * focus on the future and possibilities. * unify the congregation around viable goals and an action plan that will help them fulfill God's calling. * celebrate and use their strengths and assets (genes) in ministry. utilize appropriate coaching and/or training to develop essential strengths and competencies of pastor(s), staff, lay leaders and members. Surveys used in the Healthy Church DNA Process: . Healthy Church źDNA Survey . Pastoral Strengths for Healthy Church DNAź Leadership . Staff Team Strengths for Healthy Church DNAź Leadership Healthy Church DNAT Facilitator Training is Available For: * Judicatories * Internal Consultants * Conflict Intervention/Church Growth Teams Congregational Process Facilitation or Consultation is Available For: * Congregational Planning * Conflict Resolution * Church Growth * Pastoral, staff or ministry team development
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