Had a talk with Vivian and she pointed out that we had not yet formulated the objective for our report. I took a shot at it - please review and comment.

Thanks
Lillian


Back to Basics
LUMC- Circuit RIDERS
May 2009

Over the years research has been done, surveys taken, studies conducted, data gathered and information analyzed in an attempt to define the characteristics of growing healthy churches. Quality characteristic have been defined, paradigms shifted, programs developed, steps outlined and models formed. In their effort to find the “secret” to church growth, church leaders either try blended approaches or pick a strategy. Since no two churches are the same what worked in one church might not work in another. Leaders may find themselves in an endless loop trying one strategy after another looking for a model that works. Leaders may become so caught up in the “HOW” of the 21st century that they may lose site of the “WHAT” of the 1st century.

In their discussions of the problems facing the church today, the 2008 – 2009 Leadership UMS Circuit Riders turned to the one book, the BIBLE, that lays out the “WHAT” and “HOW” of the church. In Matthew 28 Jesus is very clear about the “WHAT” - to baptize, teach (equip) and make disciples. In Acts 2 the “HOW” is explained. After the ascension, the Spirit descended on the disciples and through the power of the spirit and the grace of God their numbers grew. The group does not mean to imply that information gathered and published over the years should be ignored. It is in fact valuable information. However, the group feels that church leaders have become too reliant on what men have written. The purpose of his paper is to encourage church leaders to look first to the bible to identify “HOW” that fulfill the Great Commission.

The paper will focus on the activities outlined in Acts 2:42-47 prayer, breaking of bread, teaching/learning, gathering together, sharing and caring. Other bible references will be studied as necessary. For each topic the scripture will be discussed as follows:
1. What does it say
2. What did it mean for the 1st century church
3. What does it mean today
4. What can be done at the local church level to get back to the basics outlined in ACTS 2 that are crucial for creating an environment for growth

2nd Meeting

Thank y'all for another great experience at UMC Leadership. I look forward to the research for this project. I pray that we have a productive week in all we do.

I attended a Rome-Carrolton District Training Event on Sunday. I attended a session on small groups. I got a list of the CHaracteristics of Healthy Churches.

Lillian



Healthy Churches, Characteristics ofLists of Characteristics of a Healthy Church, not in any special order of importance.Characteristics of a Healthy Church—Willow Creek
Active spiritual formation
Authentic community (not public)
Contagious evangelism
Mobilized spiritual gifts
Good stewardship
Strong leadership
Cultural reference
Effective generation focused ministry
Collaboration and partnership

The Nine Habits of Highly Effective Churches (to be released soon)—George Barna
They rely upon strategic leadership.
They are organized to facilitate highly effective ministry.
They emphasize developing significant relationships within the congregation.
They invest themselves in genuine worship.
They engage in strategic evangelism.
They get their people involved in systematic theological growth.
They utilize holistic stewardship practices.
They serve the needy people in their community.
They equip families to minister to themselves.

Ten Characteristics of a Healthy Church Vision—New England
God’s empowering presence
God-exalting worship
Personal disciplines
Learning & growing in community
Commitment to loving/caring relationships
Servant-leadership development
An outward focus
Wise administration & accountability
Networking with the regional church
Stewardship & generosity

Characteristics of a Healthy Church—Sonlife Ministries, Dann Spader
Strong Christology
Clearly defined mission/purpose
Biblical strategy of a balanced win, build, & equip
Regularly winning the lost
Strategically building the believers
Ongoing equipping of the worker
Corporate & segment multiplication of shepherds
A broadly owned vision
A teachable spirit

Eight Essential Qualities of Healthy Churches—Natural Church, Christian Schwartz
Empowering leadership
Gift-oriented ministry development
Passionate spirituality
Functional structures
Inspiring worship service
Holistic small groups
Need-oriented evangelism
Loving relationships

Twelve Keys to an Effective Church—Kennon L. Callahan
Specific, concrete missional objectives
Pastoral & lay visitation
Corporate, dynamic worship
Significant relational groups
Strong leadership resources
Streamlined structure & solid, participatory decision-making
Several competent programs & activities
Open accessibility
High visibility
Adequate parking, land, & landscaping
Adequate space & facilities
Solid financial resources

“Is This Body Healthy”? A Church for the 21st Century—Health Signs, Leith Anderson
Glorify God
Producing disciples
Exercise of spiritual gifts
Relating positively to one’s environment
Reproduction
Incorporation of newcomers
Openness to change
Trusting God & prayer

Marks of Church Health 21st Century Strategies—Bill Easum
Clear sense of mission
Authentic community
Indigenous worship
Lay mobilization
Organic structure
Kingdom orientation
Experientially focused on Jesus Christ

Vital Signs of Healthy Churches-The Healthy Church—C. Peter Wagner
A positive pastor
A well-mobilized laity
Meeting members’ needs
Proper balance of the dynamic relationship between celebration, congregation, and cell
A common homogenous denominator
Effective evangelistic methods
Biblical priorities

Windows into the 21st Century Church Leadership Network
Effective leadership
Lay mobilization
Cultural connectedness
Authentic community
Kingdom collaboration
Note: These different lists have not been arranged in any special order.

I found a website for a church called Walls Down. Their web site is http://wallsdownchurch.com/.


- They are connected to three different networks:

The Free Methodist Church
Association of Related Churches
Churchplanters.com

I reviewed the information on their home page and on some blogs and I am sending the Pastor a letter requesting more information for us to use in our project. Here is the letter is sent.

Pastor,

Hi! My name is Lillian Hertel and I need your help! I am member of a United Methodist Church in North Georgia. I am currently taking a Leadership class given by the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. A group of six class participants, including me, are doing a class project entitled “Back to Basics: Building a Church Without Walls”. Our project focuses reaching the underserved parts of the population which would include many nonreligious and nominally religious people. We are examining the figurative walls that keep people from joining a church and therefore keep them from becoming part of the Church (i.e. the body of Christ). We will then be formulating a plan to present to the North Georgia Conference on what can be done to build a church without wall.

We are looking at how Old Testament Church fulfilled the great commission; the application of those methods to the 21srt century environment, (“The Masters Plan for Making Disciples” by Arn & Arn); Wesley’s approach; and, the approach used by Adam Hamilton and explained in his book “Leading Beyond the Walls”.

I’ve found information on the internet on literally “no wall” churches which are based entirely on cell or small groups that meet at homes. Nice idea but they forget that it is imperative for believers to gather together every Sunday for mutual support, encouragement, and worship.

Then I came across the Walls Down Church website. I read all the information and I am impressed with the concept and your approach. Very briefly my understanding is that Walls Down offers
· Sunday worship as a “community of believers unified through faith in Christ who are committed to the teachings of Christ, to obeying all of His commands and it seeks to bring the gospel to the world.”
· LIFE Groups that get together regularly
· Focus Seminars offered regularly throughout the year based on a handful of Biblical priorities
· Similar programs and experiences for kids.

I have reviewed the information on the internet about your planning which includes, “making as many connections as possible, building relationships, making friends, being in the community, etc”. I would appreciate it if you would be so kind as to provide me information as to how you do all this.
What are your initial meetings about?
What kind of marketing do you do?
You refer to “putting the final touches on our church systems” what do you mean by church systems?
How do you recruit volunteer?
How do you get financial support?
What is the Core Group?
How do you determine what Community service project(s) you will pursue?

I really would appreciate any information you can provide me that would help with our project. We will recognize Walls Down Church as a contributor to the project. The final report will presented to North Georgia Conference at our final class in May.

I truly believe that there is a better way to reach the underserved parts of the population than what is being done in the mainline churches today. I don’t mean that the mainline churches have outlived their usefulness as part of the great commission. I mean that these churches must change the way they function. They need to get out of their comfort zones; stop assuming people will come; and, expecting the pastor to provide all the pastoral care. As members of the Church (Body of Christ) churches need to figure out how to be missionaries working right outside their front doors.

You and your organization are in our prayers. I thank you in advance for any help you can give us.

Lillian M. Hertel