Living into the Future – 2010 Vital Possibilities for Churches in New Orleans Association

Living into the Future Since Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma Churches have worked just to survive Churches have worked to help communities survive These past years have been difficult and demanding times for churches and individuals just to survive Churches are in a survival mode Since Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma Churches have worked just to survive Churches have worked to help communities survive These past years have been difficult and demanding times for churches and individuals just to survive Churches are in a survival mode

Living into the Future Is there the possibility that churches can start to look ahead to living with vitality into the future? from surviving into thriving First tasks of surviving are being done Communities are rebuilding Churches seeking and calling new pastors in leadership Association leadership looking to grow in vitality and strength

Living into the Future Moving from Surviving to Thriving will not happen without intentional work and plan Congregational Decline is a long-term pattern, which only was intensified by Hurricanes

Pattern of Decline

Years# ofChurchesMembershipWorshipAttendChurch School

Church Lifecycle patterns New Church Development Quadrant 1 New Church Development Quadrant 1 New Beginnings Quadrant 4 New Beginnings Quadrant 4 Congregation Vitality Quadrant 3 Congregation Vitality Quadrant 3 Church Multiplication Quadrant 2 Church Multiplication Quadrant 2

A Time for Urgency The urgency of our response should not be based on our decline, but on the new generations and populations around us that are ready to embrace the message that we share.

Reversing Decline Living into a New Future What might it take to turn around the decline? A vitality program for renewing the New Orleans Association and congregations might include: Assessment of congregations Strengths and challenges Assessment of pastor candidates Training Pastors and Leaders Coaching Pastors Strategic planning

Assessment of Congregations and Redeveloping Candidates Assessment of congregations strengths and challenges Self Study, Prayer and Discernment Meet with consultant Assessment of community Walk around neighborhood Study Demographics MissionInsite

MissionInsite Demographics

Assessment of Congregation Consultant after meeting with congregation will write up a report that analyzes congregations potential for future Congregation receives report and makes decision Make plan for renewal and growth Make plan for congregations end Make no decision Consultant after meeting with congregation will write up a report that analyzes congregations potential for future Congregation receives report and makes decision Make plan for renewal and growth Make plan for congregations end Make no decision

For Congregations in Search Candidate Assessment Redeveloper Assessment Tool What is the Assessment Tool? It is an on-line questionnaire that seeks to identify the strengths of people who express an interest in renewing and revitalizing congregations. How was the tool developed? The Gallup Organization conducted qualitative research to identify patterns of excellence that describe the talents needed for success in redeveloping congregation. The research was in cooperation with Ecumenical Partners from other mainline denominations. Redeveloper Assessment Tool What is the Assessment Tool? It is an on-line questionnaire that seeks to identify the strengths of people who express an interest in renewing and revitalizing congregations. How was the tool developed? The Gallup Organization conducted qualitative research to identify patterns of excellence that describe the talents needed for success in redeveloping congregation. The research was in cooperation with Ecumenical Partners from other mainline denominations.

Candidate Assessment What does the tool assess? This is a talent based assessment that examines five talent dimensions that have been identified in successful church renewers and revitalizers: Motivation, Influence, Work Style, Thought Process and Relationships. Each applicant will be given a score that is statistically determined, weighted and valued. The applicant will then receive one of the following: The applicant is Recommended. The applicant is Conditionally Recommended. The applicant is Not Recommended. Contact is What does the tool assess? This is a talent based assessment that examines five talent dimensions that have been identified in successful church renewers and revitalizers: Motivation, Influence, Work Style, Thought Process and Relationships. Each applicant will be given a score that is statistically determined, weighted and valued. The applicant will then receive one of the following: The applicant is Recommended. The applicant is Conditionally Recommended. The applicant is Not Recommended. Contact is

Training for Pastors and Congregations Leadership Training for Renewal Center for Progressive Renewal

Training for Pastors and Congregations Leadership Training for Renewal Based on the congregations involved Develop a 1 – 2 year vitality training study Dealing with adaptive change Clarifying purpose and mission Vitality in stewardship, worship, outreach, spirituality Conversation with other congregations Leadership Training for Renewal Based on the congregations involved Develop a 1 – 2 year vitality training study Dealing with adaptive change Clarifying purpose and mission Vitality in stewardship, worship, outreach, spirituality Conversation with other congregations

Coaching for Pastors Years of church development have taught us that pairing a redeveloping pastor with a trained coach significantly increases the viability of a renewing church We have in place a support system - a community of advocates, to help the redeveloper navigate the often challenging journey of church renewal. For more information about our UCC Coaching program contact Years of church development have taught us that pairing a redeveloping pastor with a trained coach significantly increases the viability of a renewing church We have in place a support system - a community of advocates, to help the redeveloper navigate the often challenging journey of church renewal. For more information about our UCC Coaching program contact

Outcome and Incentive The outcome of this vitality program of assessment, training, and coaching would be the creation of strategic plan for growth adopted by participating congregations. An incentive for congregations that commit to the 1 – 2 year program for renewal would be a grant to help fund their strategic plan for growth The outcome of this vitality program of assessment, training, and coaching would be the creation of strategic plan for growth adopted by participating congregations. An incentive for congregations that commit to the 1 – 2 year program for renewal would be a grant to help fund their strategic plan for growth

Commitments Congregations that choose to participate would make a commitment of time, persons and finances New Orleans Association would participate through endorsement and encouragement South Central would participate through endorsement and support for training Local Church Ministries would participate with consultant, coordination of program and incentive funding. Congregations that choose to participate would make a commitment of time, persons and finances New Orleans Association would participate through endorsement and encouragement South Central would participate through endorsement and support for training Local Church Ministries would participate with consultant, coordination of program and incentive funding.

Comments and Questions The possibilities of assessing, training, coaching, strategic planning, commitment and incentive are all part of what could be a program of renewal and vitality for congregations here in New Orleans Association. What are your questions and comments How do you respond? How would your congregation respond? The possibilities of assessing, training, coaching, strategic planning, commitment and incentive are all part of what could be a program of renewal and vitality for congregations here in New Orleans Association. What are your questions and comments How do you respond? How would your congregation respond?

Next Steps Hear response from Congregations that will consider committing to program Hear response from Association Council Move forward to create program and working group of congregations, council, conference and national ministries of those who wish to participate Hear response from Congregations that will consider committing to program Hear response from Association Council Move forward to create program and working group of congregations, council, conference and national ministries of those who wish to participate

Thank You! Thank you for your Vital Leadership Thank you for Your Support of Our Churches Wider Mission Changing Lives: Thats Our Churches Wider Mission Thank you for your Vital Leadership Thank you for Your Support of Our Churches Wider Mission Changing Lives: Thats Our Churches Wider Mission