Several
weeks ago a free webinar was held on the survey research on what is and
is not congregational transformation. Now the survey summary and the
PowerPoint presentation used during the webinar are posted here to be downloaded for free.
Download: What Is and Is Not Congregational Transformation, 3.16.09 Summary
Download: PowerPoint on What is and is not Congregational Transformation
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March 2009
The Priest and the Levite Were Negative Models
In his book, The Samaritan Way: Lifestyle Compassion Ministry, David Crocker puts this spin on the story of the Good Samaritan:
“The story of the Good Samaritan teaches and inspires compassion, but in a more general sense, it teaches priorities according to Jesus. The Samaritan is not the only model in the story. The Priest and Levite provide negative models."” [31]
“Did they wonder whether they did the right thing in passing by without so much as lifting a finger to help, or were they so programmed not to defile themselves that they hardly gave it a thought? Did their guts tighten the next time they prayed for the downtrodden?” “Were they reminded of their failure every time thereafter they traveled the Jerusalem-Jericho Turnpike?” “How did these two deal with their part in the story?” [33]
See and purchase this book at TCP Resources Store.
Seeking What is Best for the Church
In his book, Borderland Churches: A Congregation’s Introduction to Missional Living, Gary Nelson says the following about God’s purpose for the church:
“If most conflicts in the church were shaped around seeking what is best for God’s purpose for the church, it would be amazing how the conversations would differ. We are part of a large purpose. God’s desire is to announce his reign on earth through a people so passionately involved in this mission that they can do nothing less than become the people of God.” [22]
See and purchase this book at TCP Resources Store.
Questions for Congregations Who Want to Transform
In his book, Pursuing the Full Kingdom Potential of Your Congregation, George Bullard shares some questions congregations ought to ask as they initiate a transformation process:
- What are the current signs of health and strength in your congregation on which you can build an excellent, effective future?
- Does you congregation have Vision Plus Intentionality as part of its current spiritual strategic journey?
- What is the full Kingdom potential of your congregation?
- Is you current journey sufficiently spiritual and strategic to pull you forward to your full Kingdom potential?
- What are the contributions of the past and present of your congregation that give you both heritage and hope in God's future for your congregation? [4]
See and purchase this book at TCP Resources Store.
It's About Both the Great Commission and the Great Commandment
In their book, Evangelism Where Your Live: Engaging Your Community, Stephen Pate and Gene Wilkes share the following:
"We are confident that many of the issues churches struggle with would be alleviated if churches made the Great Commission and the Great Commandment the foci of their efforts. These Christ-commands are the heart of our mission as Christ-followers. They are the foundation of spiritual formation that should be the core processes upon which our churches function." [11]
See and purchase this book at TCP Resources Store.
