Ministry and Ministry and Mission in Mission in Uncertain Times Uncertain Times
Jan 02, 2016
Ministry and Mission Ministry and Mission in Uncertain Timesin Uncertain Times
Ministry and Mission Ministry and Mission in Uncertain Timesin Uncertain Times
Challenging Tasks in Times of StressChallenging Tasks in Times of Stress
1. Remember the calling
2. Help people reflect personally
3. Weave a helpful narrative
1. 1. Remember the CallingRemember the Calling
Revisit congregational stories and statements that express:
Who are we?
What are we here for?
Who is our neighbor?
leadership message…leadership message… Our fundamental calling
hasn’t changed
We’ve adjusted how we do it
many times before
If we stay flexible, we can move ahead in
ministry— together
2. 2. Help People Reflect PersonallyHelp People Reflect Personally
Start with people’s lives, not with “church”
Create safe space to share
Invite faith reflection
dialogue questionsdialogue questions
A. Which economic headline jumps out
at you right now?
A. How is this news affecting you personally?
B. Where is God for you in this situation? Or how might faith help you respond?
sample dialogue formatsample dialogue format
Allow 60 minutes Keep groups small (3 or 4) Clear ground-rules
Twice around the group with no interruption Time keeper raises hand when one minute left Share only what you wish to What’s shared here stays here
Hand out questions on worksheet
formatformat
Quiet Time: Jot down own answers (5 minutes)
Round One: Each person answers questions A & B (up to 5 minutes total)
Round Two: Each person answers question 3 (up to 5 minutes)
General Discussion: As time allows
3. 3. Hear / Shape the StoryHear / Shape the Story Notice how the story is being told—
among ourselves, in the media
Consider how else this story might be told
Search for resonance in biblical story
Choose how you will “frame” this situation as leader
Keep weaving that narrative over time
3. 3. Hear / Shape the StoryHear / Shape the Story
Stirring a 'Gumbo' Theology, Reverend Otis Moss III speaks on Church Vitality and Discipleship in a Hip Hop World
http://www.ucc.org/vitality/ready-set-grow/video/otis-moss.html
Making Sound Making Sound Strategic Choices in Strategic Choices in Anxious TimesAnxious Times
Churches are stressed today:Churches are stressed today:
Sustainability
Economic Downturn
Sustainability LevelsSustainability Levels
1930: 30 AWA 2000: 130 AWA
Factors leading to growing sustainability factor: Health Insurance & other
benefits Higher cost of construction Utility costs Lack of volunteers BASICALLY
EVERYTHING
Maintain ThoughtfulnessMaintain Thoughtfulness
Anxiety provokes reactivity --thoughtlessness, defensiveness, automatic behavior.
Anxiety triggers the desire to “do something” -- a false sense of urgency.
Maintain ThoughtfulnessMaintain Thoughtfulness
Acting too quickly can result in bad strategy choices
Across the board budgetary cuts are rarely the best course of action.
Maintaining ThoughtfulnessMaintaining Thoughtfulness
Step 1: Be honest about your reality
Step 2: Keep mission focus at the center of decision-making
Maintaining ThoughtfulnessMaintaining Thoughtfulness Step 3: Set priorities on the basis of mission
contribution and resource requirements
Step 4: Develop strategies for doing more with less
Step 1: Be Honest about the RealityStep 1: Be Honest about the Reality
Reflect on facts, not fear
Compile and analyze the recent trends, not just what’s happening in this moment
Step 1: Be Honest about the RealityStep 1: Be Honest about the Reality
Consider a variety of what-if scenarios
Assess the potential impact of a short term and long term deficit period
Step 2: Keep Focused on MissionStep 2: Keep Focused on Mission
Ask yourself, “What has really changed?”
Evaluate the impact and quality of your programs and ministries (What do we do best? What is uniquely ours to do?)
This may be a rare opportunity to convince people to eliminate programs that are no longer fruitful
Step 3: Set PrioritiesStep 3: Set Priorities
Low contribution to our mission
High contribution to our mission
Low use of our resources
Ask ourselves: Is this really a good fit for us?
Keep or expand these ministries
High use of our resources
Reconfigure or eliminate these
ministries
This is our core- Can we do it differently with
fewer or different resources?
Source: Kate Barr, Executive Director of the Nonprofits Assistance Fund
Step 4: Develop AlternativesStep 4: Develop Alternatives
What are the essential functions?
What can we delay, postpone, minimize or eliminate?
Where can an increase in volunteerism help?
What new partnerships can we form?
Who might help drive our resource engine?
Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts Don’t unilaterally
ask your staff to do more with less.
Make good strategic choices that will position you well for your next chapter of
ministry.
Becoming Vital Congregations and Becoming Vital Congregations and Generous Disciples in tough timesGenerous Disciples in tough times
Plan for the future! Seize this as the opportune time to reposition your congregation for a healthy and robust future. This recession will pass.
What steps can you take now to become the vital generous church that God’s calls us to be in the future?
QuestionsQuestions
What are you doing to prepare for the future during these difficult times?
What will you take from this presentation back to your church?