Across the western world we see the institutional church facing significant decline together with loss of moral and ethical influence in their host countries. The vast majority of local churches struggle to maintain their current membership let alone reach those outside who cope with the challenges of life, purpose and meaning. What would it take for your congregation to missionally engage with people in your local community?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this blog I\u2019ll be presenting three critical elements for shaping and developing a local church culture that is a sign, foretaste and instrument of the Kingdom of God. A church that helps \u2018outsiders\u2019 experience the love of God and discover personal, life-transforming faith in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Visional, Pastoral Leadership<\/strong> Through personal modelling, leading worship and preaching, teaching, coaching and pastoral conversations you equip, encourage and hold yourself and your people accountable to move towards realising that vision. And that\u2019s not easy! Inevitably there\u2019ll be opposition and challenges to face – it takes deep spiritual commitment to stay for the long haul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Effective Systems<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Systems are like the banks of a river that channel and enable life giving water to flow where it\u2019s needed. One of the key images of the church in the New Testament is the \u2018Body of Christ\u2019. Drawing on Paul\u2019s favourite metaphor I\u2019ve identified 6 systems (in reality, 6 suites of systems) that empower local churches for ministry and mission:<\/p>\n\n\n\n How many such systems can be identifed in your church and how effective are they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Symbols<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating a missional culture doesn\u2019t just happen through effective systems and inspirational leadership. Most of us grow and learn through experience together with visual symbols and rituals that reinforce words and actions. The critical issue here is that such symbols must be aligned with the vision, values, behaviours and beliefs that our church professes. For example, if a congregation portrays itself as a welcoming, inclusive community but has no way of identifying newcomers to worship or even worse simply ignores them altogether, new people won\u2019t believe the church\u2019s words \u2013 they\u2019ll believe their experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I affirmed at the beginning, shaping a missional culture is not easy and it takes time, usually 7-10 years of focused pastoral leadership inspired by a Godly vision \u2013 one that is owned and supported by the pastor, the church board, staff and other key leaders. If you would like to explore further what this might mean for your church you\u2019re welcome to contact me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the spiritual leader of your congregation you are central in helping to shape a missional culture for your people. You are called by God to help your Faith community connect passionately with the heart of God\u2019s mission and discern how that image is shaped and expressed in your local context. Together with your leadership team (for small churches this might include the whole congregation) you discern your church\u2019s missional DNA \u2013 a foundational theological understanding of the nature of mission; clarity re your church\u2019s basic beliefs, both theological and cultural; the core values that arise from your beliefs and bind you together as a community in Christ; and then weave that all into a vision \u2013 an inspirational image of the future your believe Jesus is calling your church to embrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n