Report 5--Steps to Positive Church Culture

(Report from School of Congregational Development at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS)

Today I joined the group attending Woods Chapel UMC in Lee's Summit, Missouri. We went to their 11:15 am worship service--one of 5 Sunday services--followed by three hours of listening to the pastor and staff share their history, vision, methods, etc. Though much of this has already been said in other venues, it is good to see another church operating off similar principles, yet with a unique expression. One thing that struck me is the amount of mistakes all these churches make. Ministry is at times messy--like the 'elephant' of a previous blog (http://drinkrain.blogspot.com/2007/08/report-4-conversations-with-leader.html) --but somehow it does the trick. This is, of course, contrary to my personal preferences, for I like things very neat and orderly. It is uncomfortable for certain. Let me outline it, plan it, organize it, but don't make me move ahead in discomfort and challenge with the inevitable promise of messiness. Hmmm... I've got a lot to learn, but at least I am willing.

During our seminar time, Jeff the pastor shared steps to building a positive church culture, addressed mainly to pastors/leaders...

1. Be yourself, authentic. Don't be afraid to share strengths and weaknesses, hurts and joys. Be normal and relevant.
2. Keep your faith alive. Nurture a devotional life, not just for the sake of teaching/preaching. Find an accountability partner.
3. Share power. Foster a team spirit. Apologize when you are wrong. Mentor others, empowering them to be in ministry. Remember, this is all about effective ministry, not control.
4. Have high expectations. Membership is a privilege, not a right. Leaders need to be highly committed. Everyone is called to ministry; no one comes to sit. Quality people are drawn to excellence.
5. Model servanthood. Ask those who are mad at you, "How can I do a better job?" The bishop can give you an appointment, but only by winning people's trust do you become their pastor. Give credit to others for successes; take responsibility for failures (they failed b/c you didn't provide the necessary steps for them).
6. Believe in your future. Are our best days ahead or behind us? Are we here to save our church, the denomination, or the lost? Rejoice in small victories, for the culmination of them will bring the big victories.
7. Model joy. The 'church lady' (from Saturday Night Live) never won anybody for Christ. We have the greatest privilege to share God's love.
8. Keep an outward focus. Hospitality must invade and pervade. Those who are not here matter more than those who are. Look at facilities as an Ellis Island not a museum--the point of the church is transformation not immaculate property. Things will get messy, but if lives are changed, who cares?

Results of a Positive Culture...

1. Joy.
2. Lives are touched and transformed.
3. New people come to the church.
4. Giving--"when the heart strings are warm, the purse strings are loose."
5. We fulfill our purpose as a church--making disciples of Jesus Christ!!