A Three Fold Model of Dynamic Congregations

I often find myself smiling as I experience the Holy Spirit bringing people and ideas together. As one of the co-pastors of Scarborough Congregation, I’ve been trying to help give some focus or direction to our membership. To that end, I’ve spent a great deal of this church school year talking about how we can grow in comfort with the ministry of invitation. Invitation is often overlooked, but I have come to appreciate of late, just how vitally important it is, along with two other concepts.


About once every month or so, I participate in a meeting of all the pastors of the GTA. And I’ve noticed that Alfredo Zelaya, pastor of GTA West, keeps talking about communities. Church communities. Building sacred communities.

I’ve also noticed that Matthew Swain, co-pastor of Barrie, keeps talking about relationships. The importance of, and basic need to form real, meaningful relationships with people.


Now, as I heard both of them talk about these things, which occurred on different occasions, and not at the same time, I heard them, as is so often the case, in isolation.

However, one day, I was thinking about the thing I’ve been talking about in Scarborough: the ministry and blessing of invitation. And then the Holy Spirit brought it all together. I suddenly recalled what Alfredo and Matt had mentioned, often just in passing, so many times at our meetings. And I realized that the three things that we have each been talking about separately form a three fold model. They go together.


Invitation will of course result in relationships being formed. Relationships, as they develop and multiply, will ensure that community building takes place. And as the community grows, the more potential there will be to have things to invite people to.


Which means of course, that there will be opportunities for new relationships to be formed; new connections between people being forged, in common desire to understand God; which then results in the community growing even larger (or new communities forming), as we grow in our shared desire to be united together on our spiritual journeys. Which means more opportunities for invitation… which means….which means… which means.

It is my belief that if we keep this three fold model in mind, and give it some focus in our congregations, we can truly become dynamic in what we offer our members, friends, seekers, and visitors. This I hope will also enable our congregations to be more sustainable.


Posted by guest blogger David Donoghue, co-pastor, Scarborough, Ontario

Steam

What do you think of when you hear the word “Steam”? Perhaps the image of a boiling kettle comes to mind, or a steam generator. Each of you will have your own answer to that question, but I am guessing not many of you thought of Steam as a worship service.

Once each month, Barrie Community of Christ holds an event it calls Steam. In this case, Steam refers to a Christian Coffeehouse held at the TLC Café and Bistro, 49 Maple Avenue in downtown Barrie. During this event, people come together to enjoy live music, share what gives them joy or sorrow, pray, and strengthen their relationship with God and each other. Kind of sounds like worship, doesn’t it? In fact, last Sunday night, Pastor Matthew Swain even shared a homily on a passage from Leviticus in the Hebrew Scriptures he has been studying in Seminary!

Steam is hosted by Larry Christopher, the owner of the TLC café. Larry is a chef and a musician who probably loves all music but is especially devoted to the music of Neil Young. During Steam, Larry is present, preparing and serving food or refreshments for the group, and even sharing his music when invited to do so. Talk to him about his café, his music, or his relationship with Pastor Matthew, and one quickly senses the love Larry seeks to share with the world. Listen to his stories and his generous attitude of graciously doing what he can to make others happy, and it is clear that Larry also receives a lot of love in return. He is a living example of living generously.

What sets Steam apart from church in most congregations is the setting, and not just that it occurs in a downtown cafe. The difference is that Steam happens when the café is open! In other words, the congregation meets in a public place with people coming and going, all of whom are welcome to stay and participate. It rather reminds me of the Apostles in the Book of Acts, going daily to the Temple to worship and teach others about Jesus. Like those ancient Apostles, for the leaders of Steam it is not about inviting people to come where you are, but going where the people are and inviting them to share in the joy.

Will Barrie Community of Christ always do Steam? I confess I do not know. What I can say is that, for now at least, Barrie has found a way to go to the Community and invite others to Christ. They do so in a way that fits the times and the community in which they live. Praise God!

Posted by Carman

Contrast

This morning I am thinking about two very small congregations and what a study in contrast they are. I recently met with both groups on the same day and am struck by their similarities and their differences. In an attempt to preserve some level of objectivity for you, the reader, I will refer to them as Congregation A and Congregation B, or simply as A and B.

First, lets look at some similarities. On the day in question, A had 6 people present, and B had 5 in attendance, not counting Joan and me. Two women and four men were present at A, while three women and two men participated in B. I estimate the average age at A to be 51, while B was about 31. The difference is significant but probably not hugely so. Both gatherings included a blend of new converts and 2nd or 3rd generation members. In both cases, some of the people who attended travelled from another community more than 40 kms. distant to be there. In both cases, it is the converts who travelled. Both congregations have very little income at this point.

Now for a look at some differences. Congregation A has a building, while Congregation B does not. For A, the building has become very much a part of their identity. Members of A regard the building as an important asset they can regretfully no longer afford. The selling of the building and the end of the congregation’s life appear to be both synonymous and inevitable. In contrast, B has no such identification with a physical location, and the lack of one is not an issue. They have never had a building and never wanted one. A building is not seen as either an asset or a liability. They never talk about it and probably never even think about it.

For A, the lack of congregational income is pivotal. It means the building must be sold, and without that asset there appears to be nothing to hold the group together. The leaders of B know they do not have much money, but it is not crucial. It just means there is a need to increase generosity as soon as they can.

During A’s congregational meeting, no ideas were put forward about things the congregation could still do or ways those present could work together to reach out to the larger community. The time for such ideas has passed, and the tone of the meeting was somber. Congregation B, on the other hand, is all about ideas. “Lets go to the mall on Mother’s Day and hand out helium filled balloons with a big smile and our logo on them! We can invite people to meet at the food court for fellowship after. Why not go to the park and do a bar-b-que and give away hot-dogs? Lets do a video survey of people on the street and ask what Spirituality means to them!” There is no shortage of ideas, and the enthusiasm for those ideas is creating wonderful, empowering community. The tone of this meeting was hopeful and enthusiastic.

Two small congregations with much in common, including valuing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Two small congregations, but what an interesting study in contrast!

Posted by Carman

Multisite

Not that many years ago most people who attended church went to a single building with somewhere between 50 and 250 people. One pastor and probably a part-time church secretary made up the entire staff, with one or more volunteer musicians, volunteer Children’s ministry leaders, and perhaps dreams of one day hiring a youth minister.

Then the world began to change. I am not sure when it was that we began to hear about something called a megachurch, but I am thinking it was probalby longer ago that it seems, perhaps in the 1970s. Megachurches were usually defined as congregations with 2,000 people or more in attendance. Churches of this size were able to do many things because of their economy of scale. For instance, they could hire not only a youth pastor, but pastors or leaders for all kinds of ministries, not to mention a full-time worship leader.

It is only within the past few years that I began to hear about another new thing; churches with more than one campus. Generally the new locations are under the direction of the same leadership team and board of directors, but with a site specific pastor and staff. The first book I read on this subject was the 2002 title, Fling Open the Doors by a United Methodist Pastor, Paul Nixon. At that time, Nixon was himself a pastor of a second site congregation in Florida. (Paul Nixon is also the author of I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church, and Finding Jesus on the Metro.) At the time, I found it a somewhat surprising concept, but this development, now known as a multisite (or a multisite church), has become a significant trend. In fact, according to a new report by the Leadership Network, there are now about 3,000 multisite churches in North America, which is more than the number of megachurches.

You might expect that multisite churches are churches that have grown so big that they cannot accommodate any more people or parking at their current facilities. Sometimes that is the case, however not all multisites are huge. Multisite churches vary in size from 100 to more than 10,000 people.

Churches may have a variety of reasons for starting a second or third location. For example, some services may be conducted in another language, and it may be advantageous to have those services in a certain neighbourhood. This would especially be true if the main church is not serviced by convenient public transit. Most second campuses are close to the first, however, with 85% being within 30 minutes travel and 40% within 15 minutes. The most popular venues for second or third sites are schools, but others include storefronts and movie theatres.

The point of this blog is not to evaluate or judge this trend in any way; it is simply to report on it. It is an interesting development.

If you would like to read the full, 26 page report from the Leadership Network, entitled Multisite is Multiplying, you can download it here. You will be asked to complete a very simple registration with your name and email address before you can download the full report. Enjoy!

Posted by Carman

Outward

Understand that the road to transformation travels both inward and outward. The road to transformation is the path of the disciple.
- Doctrine and Covenants 161:3d

Scripture, like other forms of literature, can often be read in many ways. Read it on one level and it works. Read it on a deeper plane, and it works again, often revealing new meanings. In such cases, we may think of the text as demonstrating a spiritual principle that works on multiple levels. On the other hand, our familiarity with a scripture can sometimes mean we forget to dig deeper, or no longer see what is right there in front of us.

Doctrine and Covenants 161:3d seems to me to be that kind of text. The principle is very simple, really; inward and outward. Read on one level, the text speaks to our spiritual formation, and it works. In this context, it is about personal transformation. On another level, the text can also refer to the transformation of the larger society. Again, it works. Probably we could think of many settings in which this scripture could be applied. (Perhaps you might want to click on the comments button and suggest some others.)

But this text also seems to suffer from the myopia of familiarity. Ten years ago, when Section 161 was new, this sentence seemed fresh and poetic. It was one of those statements that you just knew you had to dig deeper into when there was time. I think it still merits that kind of intention.

Inward and outward; is it possible that we have focused on the inward journey and neglected the outward? Could we have done that at a personal, spiritual level as well as in our interpersonal associations? How about in our congregational to community relationships? Over the past decade, is it possible that we have forgotten or neglected to take up the outward journey?

Perhaps it is a natural tendency toward shyness that causes us to want to go inward. Perhaps we have a national inclination towards introversion that makes the outward journey seem more fearful. Whatever the reason, I think it is time we gave this verse another look and remembered that the road to transformation travels both ways. No matter how you read this text, the call is to go inward and outward, not just go inside and stay there.

So what do you say; are you ready to go out to play?

Posted by Carman

Fear

I stand at the top of the ski hill and peer over the edge. It seems dreadfully steep! For a moment, fear grips me. Then I think, "I can do this. What’s the worst that can happen? So what if I fall; I’m not going to die!” At last I take a deep breath and ease myself over the edge. It is the stuff of powerful memories, and a rich experience I will not soon forget.

As a non-skier, how I came to be at the top of that hill is a long and amusing story; too long to share here, but I thought of this experience again this morning as I read the following words in the August, 2010 Herald.

Fear holds us captive, hindering our first steps toward living by Christ’s example.
Fear is our greatest foe. Fear of failure to open ourselves to God’s directions. Fear of being too tired from every day life. Fear of being able to keep meeting the needs of the congregation. And fear of the unknown.
- Alisha Bauman, Teamwork Overcomes Fear, Herald Vol.157 No.8, p 31

In this article, the author describes the process by which her Indianapolis congregation overcame fear and began to interact with the neighbourhood surrounding the church. She shares what a blessing that new relationship has been.

Reading of their experience prompted yet another memory. I was the newly assigned President of Southwest International (USA/Mexico) Mission Centre, and visiting one of the five San Diego congregations for the first time. I was early, so I drove around the neighbourhood, observing that this was a residential area, and that the church property was right beside a park where many children and their families came to play ball. And yet there were no welcome signs out to the community. The only church sign was very small and high on the wall of the building, and the access to the parking lot was gated to prevent the families of ball players from filling up all the spaces.

Inside the church building, a meeting was in progress to plan a fellowship event and fund-raiser; a spaghetti supper. A date for this event was suggested and rejected because one of the other congregations was having something that same evening. It was clear that the intent was to invite church members from the other congregations, while right outside the door were thousands of people who would not be invited, or even thought of! Pointing this out was met with a thoughtful silence; the silence of fear. It wasn’t that the neighbours were scary; it was a fear of the unknown, of trying something new, of failing or of being rejected. It was a fear of all the time it would take to invite all those neighbours, and then what if nobody came? Or what if they all came? Fear does, indeed, hold us captive!

What are the fears that keep you from trying something new? And in your congregation, what fears need to be faced and overcome in order to reach out to the community?

We stand at the top of the hill and peer over the edge. It seems dreadfully steep...

Posted by Carman

Picnics

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to attend two family picnics. This was made possible by the fact that both were being held in the same park on the same day. In either case, I had not attended the picnic for many years. Each picnic represented a different part of my extended family, and in both cases, these were groups that I had almost lost touch with.

Attending the first picnic was facilitated by an older cousin who went to the trouble to track down my phone number through mutual acquaintances. She then attempted to contact me, leaving a voice mail as when and where the picnic was happening. Had she not done that, I would certainly not have attended, but since she went to that much trouble, I decided Joan and I could take a Saturday off and go. I’m very glad we did.

As to the second picnic, that was a matter of pure serendipity. This time it was me who took the initiative. It took several attempts to get a phone number for a member of this family group, but when I called, I discovered that she was already en route to the same town and the same park where I was going! They were also having a picnic, and we were immediately and enthusiastically invited. Despite our surprise, we promised to find them there.

Having not seen either family for many years, there were many changes, most of which I was unaware of. Most obvious and most predictable, all of us were older than when last we had seen each other. I also learned that a few older members of both groups had died, and a few others were dealing with declining health. There were a number of new marriages or partnerships, and also some new babies. Perhaps most surprising, a young lady whose wedding I had performed some years ago, and whom I still remembered as a young adult, now proved to be a grandmother! Surprise!

Both picnics contributed to a most enjoyable day. It was lovely to connect with these two communities again, and a blessing to meet new and even more distant relatives. I also had opportunity to share a little about my work and ministry. At the end of it all, I realize that it wouldn’t have happened without that one cousin successfully pursuing my phone number, which prompted me to do some pursuing of my own. I am grateful for her effort.

Perhaps you, like me, have phone calls you have been meaning to make, or letters you have been meaning to write. Perhaps there are names or faces that appear in your heart and mind that you think you really ought to contact. If this rings true for you, why not give it a try? Who knows what blessings may await in friendships renewed and ministry given? While we cannot know what might happen if we follow this prompting, the results may well be wonderful! Why not give it a try?

Posted by Carman

Kindness

Recently I finished reading a book called Conspiracy of Kindness. The author is Steve Sjogren; a pastor from Cincinnati, Ohio. Sjogren has developed a rather novel approach to evangelism that he believes is modeled after the life and actions of Jesus. He, and members of his congregation, go out into the city to do acts of kindness to the people who live there, and they do it all for free!

On most Saturday mornings, a variety of volunteers from the congregation assemble at the church storeroom and equip themselves with whatever equipment they will need for 1 ½ hours of work, then head off to “show people God’s love in a practical way.” Some pick up rakes and go out to rake leaves for seniors. Others take cleaning supplies and go to the mall to clean windows or toilets for the store owners. Still others might load cases of soft drinks or popsicles to be given away at a local park. Still others pick up squeegees and head for the mall parking lot to wash people’s windshields. The key is that it is always a free act of kindness. When people ask, “How much?” their answer is always the same; “Its free. We are doing this just to show you God’s love in a practical way.” No proselytizing, no preaching, no pressure.

You can probably guess that Sjogren has many stories that have resulted from this approach. You’ll have to read the book if you want to know more, but I will repeat one brief, amusing story here. It seems a father and his eight-year-old son were in the back yard playing catch when the son asked his dad a question he didn’t know how to answer. “Dad, is there a God?”

The father was stumped. He had only been to church a couple of times, and really didn’t know how to answer. “I don’t know, son” he finally replied. The son ran into the house and came back with a helium balloon from the circus to which he attached a note that said, God, if you are real and you are there, send some people who know you to Dad and me. Not wanting to dampen his son’s enthusiasm, the father kept silent but added his own prayer, God, I hope you’re watching.

Two days later, volunteers from the congregation were conducting a free car wash, and the father and son stopped by.

Dad: “How much?”
Sjogren: “It’s free.”
Dad: “Really! Why are you doing this?”
Sjogren: “We just want to show you God’s love in a practical way.”
Dad: (incredulously) “Wait a minute! Are you guys Christians?”
Sjogren: “Yeah, we’re Christians.”
Dad: “Are you the kind of Christians who believe in God?”
Sjogren (with a smile): “Yes, we’re that kind of Christians.”
Dad: (after telling the story of the helium balloon) I guess you’re the answer to one of the strangest prayers God ever received!”

Sjogren has written several books, but the one where he initially describes his method is Conspiracy of Kindness. First published in 1993, the book is old now, but it is still well worth the read.

Posted by Carman

Location

You know the term: this is your reporter "on location" at the beach as the hurricane blows in, or at the protest in front of the conference centre where the world leaders are meeting.

Well, this week I'm "on location" at the hospital bed where my mum is busy healing some crumbled bones. (I hope you're drinking your milk, her doctor said to me!)

For all the ways we have to work from remote sites, or view live feeds via satellite or computer, or conference call or meetings on-line--sometime you just have to be there.

Yesterday morning there was a news report of a church that burned in Whitby. The folks will find other places to gather for their Christmas services, but I was touched that ninety food hampers that were ready for delivery to needy families were destroyed.

Needy families won't be much affected by where we Christians do or don't gather for worship or carol singing or preaching. What they will miss is the "on location" support they need from the Christians willing to be out there in the mix of life and living, offering real food, actual mittens or boots or snowsuits, or a real smile at the door of a neighbour.

Foodbanks are calling for our contributions. Shelters will need extra volunteers over this season that tends to bring greater stress to many. Those of us who are able can consider where we can best help out, and it's quite likely to be somewhere other than in the pew or at the office. Think about it. Where can you serve "on location"?

Sacaba

Sacaba is the name of a village in Bolivia where a most remarkable venture is happening. In this town, a group of young Bolivian women from the local congregation of Community of Christ run the Light of Day Bakery. This little group of women gets up every morning and gathers at 4:00 a.m. They have prayer together, and then begin to bake bread. They do it day after day, providing wholesome and safe bread for the people of the village where they live, at reasonable and affordable prices. The amazing thing about this, however, is not how early they get up, or how hard they work, but the fact that they do this without pay! Their compensation is a few pieces of bread with which to feed their own families.

Why would they work so hard without pay? How can this little group be so dedicated? What motivates them to this service? The answer lies in their desire to serve their neighbours and share the light they have found. That is amazing dedication! Would I do the same? It seems unlikely, and I am truly humbled!

But the dreams of this little group do not stop there. They have their eyes fixed on other projects of service for their community. Noting that their region can grow a lot of vegetables, even though many people are not used to eating vegetables, they dream of starting a project related to nutrition, so people will be healthy and have better lives. Talk about sending/serving ministry! This is wonderful, extraordinary generosity! May Heaven bless these women, and return to them the love they give.



You can learn more about this project by watching the following video. Simply click on the link below, and then on the link for the appropriate bandwidth.

http://www.cofchrist.org/broadcast/default.asp#news

Context

Now there is an interesting word. Context refers to the circumstances in which an event occurs. It is the setting in which something is said or done, and it really does matter.

“Context is everything!” That is a phrase one may hear from time to time. It suggests that one cannot overestimate the importance of our circumstance. I heard this phrase the other day in the midst of a discussion by our CPI pastors. The conversation was on the subject of the mission of a congregation.

Then there is the matter of internal context versus external context. In a congregation, for instance, the internal context might be all about the relationship between church participants, whether supportive or antagonistic, harmonious or tense. External context is about what is happening in the community where the church is located. I find this external context very intriguing, partly because we often ignore it so completely!

What is happening in your external context; the community where your congregation is located? What is occurring in the lives and circumstances of the families who live there? Is the recession impacting them in a serious way? What circumstances are changing in the neighbourhood? Are there needs that the church can and should respond to?

Context matters. External context matters because that is where our mission is.

Moving

Moving always means change.

If a person or family moves from one house or community to another, their world will change. The distance they move will, in large part, determine how big the change it will be. For instance, moving across the street or across town to a bigger or smaller house will mean only minor tweaking to the family’s routine, but moving from Canada to Thailand will involve major adjustments.

Whether moving is positive or negative depends on the attitude of those who are moving.

For some, moving is disruptive because it takes that which is familiar, satisfying, and comfortable, and turns it upside down. Moving is troublesome.

For others, moving is exciting because it gives them a chance to take those routines which have become stale, boring, and no longer productive and modify them for the better. For such people, moving is energizing!

Moving from where we are to where we want to be involves doing the work required to get there. Moving involves cleaning, preparing, folding, packing, loading, unloading, arranging, and then rearranging.

In the process, moving may also mean sorting and pitching things we no longer need or use; things which once served a purpose but which now no longer work. Sometimes it means letting go of things we have stored but not used for a long, long time. Sometimes it may even mean getting new stuff to replace the old and worn.

In Canada East we are Moving from Maintenance to Mission.

Are you ready?

Fish

This just in from Del & Diane reporting the latest news from Grand Valley:

Last night we hosted our first annual fish fry - what a great success! It was awesome, delicious and again a great outreach into the community- young people also attended. We served 200. Doing this type of thing involves a lot of members, non members and friends in the set up and during the supper. We sold tickets also at the Grand Valley fair for the supper - which was also a great outreach in chatting with many people.

Also included in the report is the June strawberry supper, serving 250+ as well as active participation in the Ministerial Association, community fair and ecumenical service. Three summer baptisms took place with confirmations planned for upcoming fall services.

Thanks to this CPI couple for reporting on some of their recent outreach ministries.