A Model for Church Growth

"How can we make sure that we keep our parish exactly the way that we like it to be right now?"

Overview What is Growth? Parish Goals and Growth Manage Events to Meet People’s Needs Establishing a Team

The Lord's Prescription Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Assumptions: Growth involves both spiritual growth as well as bringing in new people and retaining them. Our message is to know God and become holy living in unity with Him and others in love and peace.

Establish Goals for Growth Parish Growth is complex - Increasingly becoming one with God is the “Journey” we and our children must grasp. Events & Activities should allow for people in process to share and grow in a holy life in Christ. Growth is not merely “Physical” or numerical but also “Spiritual” A healthy parish will see signs of increase in both aspects of parish life. Spiritual growth can cause physical growth. Grow people corporately meeting Physical and Spiritual needs to enhance maturing process. Grow people individually by allowing opportunities for individual development & service Establish Orthodox traditions that involve and promote active involvement of all ages and stages of the Journey

How might we look at our parish to see if we are able to meet the needs of different age groups and different stages of people in process?

Events for the Entire Parish Promote Worship, Peace, Unity Corporate Spiritual & Social Needs Love, Affection, Sense of Belonging and Security Events that touch the lives of all ages Events that touch the lives of all ages – Infants to the Memorialized Divine Liturgy – Orthros – Great Vespers – Special Services & Events - Coffee hour – Bookstore Events for specific age groups or needs Sunday School – Bible Study – Men and Woman’s groups – SOYO - Social Events for just plain fun People should encourage and help these groups to increase in number and quality. Measurement could be attendance, and polling or surveys

Events for Individuals parish Promote self expression, individual service, Esteem, Personal Value, Expression of Gifts, Helping & Developing others in their Journey Events that allow individual development or contribution: Choir – Alter service – Parish Council – Leadership – Speaking – Teachers – Special Committees Events that allow individuals model themselves to the benefit of others Involved Godparents – Greeters – Parents – Giving & Pledging People should recognize and value those who individually express themselves for the benefit of others Difficult to measure objectively or statistically. Use anecdotes, stories, pictures and videos

Parish Growth Team Committed Membership Establish Methods Plan and Staff Events Evaluate Events with Stories, Pictures, Videos, Anecdotes Celebrate achievements Communicate progress Recommend Change

Measuring our effectiveness? At some point in the development of a Mission or Parish, financing will be needed. What measures need to be presented to get a loan? These are examples of measurements a loan officer might like to see. Average Monthly Attendance Plate Offering Expenses Paid Staff What other Measures can be applied? Visitors Inquirer/Catechumen class attendance Organization attendance Home Visits

Graphs to show progress

Measurements for the Parish Pictures, Stories, Anecdotes, Videos to visualize Historical Growth