Report 2--Evangelistic Congregations

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

Bishop Scott Jones of Kansas East Conference spoke today on Evangelistically Effective Congregations. http://www.extremecenter.org/

The Problem--Most congregations are evangelistically ineffective because...

1. They have a 'club culture.' Churches that view membership and ministry as an earned priviledge will fail.
2. There is a failure to cross boundaries. This is especially true regarding our younger generation. Instead of speaking their language, many churches try to 'train' younger people to speak the older generation's language.
3. There is a failure to adapt to new situations. A desire to remain as it always has been will keep the church from rising above new challenges that enable growth.

Preliminary Thoughts...

1. Intentions Matter--Leaders need to decide that they are going to do it.
2. Relationships are complicated--Therefore, there are multiple ways of accomplishing the same task.
3. God deserves excellence. Give God your best.

How to become an evangelistically effective congregation...

1. Create & Sustain a Missional Culture. The church exists for people who are not there! This is the most difficult paradigm to work with, because most people will inevitably revert back to their self-serving ways. In order to keep a missional mind-set, a church (leaders/pastor) must... (a) Believe it. (b) Believe that evangelism is central to mission. (c) Teach and preach it week in week out. (d) Organize according to mission. (e) Nurture disciplines that provide incentive and accountability to keep on track.
2. Create & Sustain a Spiritual Culture. Ministry isn't about us; it is about God! Leaders must model an authentic dependence upon God and foster praying for the unchurched.
3. Create & Sustain a Culture of Hospitality. Jesus welcomes everybody; the church should too. Idea: 10 foot rule--if an unknown person comes within 10 feet of you, break off from your current conversation to greet and converse with that person.
4. Target Somebody. The church is not going to reach every demographic. Focus on a particular age and geography, then slowly move beyond it. Learn to love what the community loves.