1. Springs of Living Water! Shenandoah District Church of the Brethren P.O. Box 67 1453 Westview School Road Weyers Cave VA 24486 540-234-8555 or 888-308-8555 www.shencob.orgwww.shencob.org “The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up into eternal life.” John 4:14

2. Welcome to... Springs of Living Water! A Church Renewal Initiative for congregations and fellowships in the Shenandoah District of the Church of the Brethren. Partners in the journey... Shenandoah District Leadership Team David & Joan Young, Church Renewal Servants Shenandoah District Springs! Leadership Team “The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up into eternal life.” John 4:14

3. Springs of Living Water! is not... a quick fix a diagnostic model where you find out what is wrong and fix it is... a spiritual journey an affirmative model where congregations discover their God- given strengths and build upon them

4. Springs of Living Water! is not... a consultative model where a small group goes off and returns with a vision and goals for the church to adopt a management model using business principles to guide the process is... a process in which the total congregation is involved working together to discern a Biblical vision that can guide the congregation in its mission within the local community and beyond

5. Springs of Living Water! Is this the right time for our congregation?

6. Phase Five: Late Aging V:Vision/Leadership/Mission/Purpose/Core Values R:Relationships/Experiences/Discipleship P:Programs/Events/Ministries/Services/Activities M:Management/Accountability/Systems/Resources Death (m) Old Age (vrpM) Phase Four: Early Aging Phase One: Early Growth Growth Birth (Vrpm) Infancy (VRpm) Childhood (VrPm) Phase Two: Late Growth Adolescence (VRPm) Adulthood (VRPM) Prime Maturity (vRPM) Redevelopment Empty Nest (vRpM) Aging Retirement (vrPM) Phase Three: Prime/Plateau The Life Cycle of a Congregation

7. Springs of Living Water! The Renewal Process

8. Making a covenant... The Covenant Kit includes: Outline of Renewal Process Ethics for Springs! Congregations Calling a Renewal Team The Congregational Covenant Sample Spiritual Disciplines Folders Springs of Living Water brochure Next Steps Checklist

9. Forming a Renewal Team... The team will include 4 or more persons plus the pastor(s) Select persons who can listen well to others as well as provide good leadership Be sensitive to gender and age characteristics when selecting your team

10. Training for renewal... Renewal Teams will come together for district-wide training events twice each year in January and June. In the late Fall and Spring, cluster groups of renewal teams will meet for sharing and support. The district’s Leadership Team is always available to provide coaching and resources.

11. Learn from one another... A significant feature of Springs! is the formation of clusters of congregations. Your congregation’s Renewal Team will meet periodically for training and support with teams from 3 to 6 sister congregations. Sharing challenges and ideas can provide energy and enthusiasm during the journey.

12. Springs! Phase 1 Your congregation will spend a year in study and reflection using Spiritual Disciplines Folders provided by the district’s Springs Leadership Team. Periodic congregational events for self-study will help your church learn about itself and its community and discern a Biblical narrative that will guide you through the renewal process. This phase usually takes 12 – 18 months.

13. Springs! Phase 2 Your congregation will begin to take what it has learned and turn vision into reality. Set goals for ministry that are informed by the congregation’s Biblical narrative and the mission discerned during the period of self study. Call and train leaders to implement the congregation’s goals, start new ministries or revitalize existing ones.

14. Springs! Phase 3 Take time to re-evaluate and celebrate the renewal that has taken place. Encourage recommitment to the spiritual disciplines. Begin a new period of self study, reaffirm or discover a new Biblical narrative and create a new plan of renewal.

15. Springs of Living Water! Our Leadership Team is ready and willing to assist you and your congregation at any point in your discernment process. Please do not hesitate to contact us! Jan Orndorff, chairGlenn Bollinger Eric CroftCharles Simmons Diann Whetzel Ron Wyrick, district staff David and Joan Young, consultants