As facilitator of the summit George had provided some background reading, but during the summit he sought to pull from the attendees their perspective on congregation transformation rather than impose his. Now that the summit is over George is releasing his perspective on what is and is not congregational transformation, and a definition for congregational transformation.
Readers are invited to download a list of 10 things George considers to be elements of congregational transformation, 10 things he feels are not congregational transformation, and a definition for congregational transformation.
Download: What Is and Is Not Congregational Transformation
Also, take survey on these 20 elements.
What is congregational transformation?
1.
It is an ongoing spiritual and strategic journey.
2.
It is about reaching the full kingdom potential of a
congregation in response to God's call.
3.
It is about building an enduring visionary leadership
community as carriers of the vision of the congregation.
4.
It is about allowing God's call to pull the congregation
forward into the future.
5.
It is a deep long-term solution.
6.
It is an affirmation of past, present, and future
generations of people.
7.
It is a process of continual transformation that
acknowledges the dynamic nature of congregational life.
8.
It is about the transition of people in relationship to God
and one another before changing programs, ministries, and activities.
9.
It is about re-imaging a congregation in the image of God.
10. It is about soaring with the God-inspired strengths present within the gifts, skills, and preference of the congregational participants.
What is
not congregational transformation?
1.
It is not a one-time destination that allows a congregation
to say they are finished with transformation.
2.
It is not about extending current trends into the future.
3.
It is not about focusing around the vision that is only held
by the pastor, or expecting the pastor to provide vision.
4.
It is not about seeking to push the congregation forward
into the future through established objectives, goals, and action plans.
5.
It is not a surface short-term fix.
6.
It is not an affirmation of only past generations of people.
7.
It is not transformation that assumes once a congregation is
transformed that they will never have to transform again.
8.
It is not about changing programs, ministries, and
activities that challenge people to transition in response.
9.
It is not about re-imaging a congregation in the image of
the program, project, or process used to bring about change.
10. It is not about focusing on fixing the problems or weaknesses in a congregation in the hope that it will magically soar when these are gone.
So, what is congregational transformation?
Congregational
transformation is an ongoing spiritual and strategic journey that empowers
congregations to travel in the direction of their unique full kingdom potential
in response to God's call that is expressed through a captivating vision for
future ministry championed by an enduring visionary leadership community.
