The Columbia Partnership

The Columbia Partnership Welcomes New Partner

Bill Howard of Lexington SC will join The Columbia Partnership as the seventh Ministry Partner on July 1st. For the past 18 years he has served as senior pastor of Willow Ridge Church in Lexington, SC, and he will continue in that role.

The other six partners are George Bullard, Dick Hamm, Eddie Hammett, Norman Jameson, Ken Kessler, and Jim Royston.

“For the past three years I've been working as a Ministry Associate with The Columbia Partnership",” Bill shared, “and have been so grateful for their powerful influence on churches across our nation. The invitation to become a Ministry Partner has only heighten my excitement, enthusiasm, and belief of what God is going to do through this Christ-centered ministry organization in the future.  I count it a privilege to join arms with these leaders in their effort to transform the North American church to passionate and effective Christ centered ministry.”

Bill Howard may be contacted at BHoward@TheColumbiaPartnership.org or at 803.467.3843.

Vision Casting with Bill Howard

Special Note:  Download Bill's Webinar on The 5 Critical Steps for Communicating Vision [Full Version]

Special Note: Download Bill's Webinar on The 5 Critical Steps for Communicating Vision [Short Version w/no pictures]

Bill Howard, Ministry Associate

Special Note:  Download Bill's Webinar on The 5 Critical Steps for Communicating Vision [Full Version]

Special Note: Download Bill's Webinar on The 5 Critical Steps for Communicating Vision [Short Version w/no pictures]

Bill Howard, Ministry Associate

A Big Weekend for a Denominational Region

This was a big weekend for a denominational region and its spiritual strategic journey. The American Baptist Churches of Vermont and New Hampshire have been engaged in the Spiritual Strategic Journey process for about a year. This past Friday and Saturday was their annual regional meeting where they were presenting their future story and allowing people to affirm the story through a survey rather than voting. On a five point scale with 1 representing the highest affirmation, around 80 percent of respondents affirmed the story with a 1 or 2.

Here is their final presentation edition that was presented to their annual meeting: Download ABC of VTNH Future Story Final Presentation Edition, May 2009.

This was a big weekend for a denominational region and its spiritual strategic journey. The American Baptist Churches of Vermont and New Hampshire have been engaged in the Spiritual Strategic Journey process for about a year. This past Friday and Saturday was their annual regional meeting where they were presenting their future story and allowing people to affirm the story through a survey rather than voting. On a five point scale with 1 representing the highest affirmation, around 80 percent of respondents affirmed the story with a 1 or 2.

Here is their final presentation edition that was presented to their annual meeting: Download ABC of VTNH Future Story Final Presentation Edition, May 2009.

A Great Day for a Smaller Membership Congregation

Sunday, June 7th was the day three future scenario writing groups of Fall Creek Community Church presented the product of their work to the congregation as the morning worship service. Each hearer had the opportunity to choose which scenario presentation best fit their personal discernment of God's leadership for the future of the congregation. A clear focus emerged around a significant approach to change that would move the church to be more attractional and increase it size and capacity to engage in ministries they feel God is calling them to activate.

Now they will move forward to craft the future story of what their congregation may be like in the year 2020 as they live into God's future story for them. A writing team will begin work in about ten days.

Here is what pastor Ken Cavannagh shared with his congregation by e-mail Sunday evening:

Is Your Congregation Committed to Change?

In the newest book by Ken Blanchard and a team of colleagues—Who Killed Change—is the following quote concerning the commitment of a congregation to change. I love it! Perhaps you will too.

“The congregation—made up of leaders and mangers—comes every Sunday. They smile, nod, shake my hand and then go out and behave any way they want Monday through Saturday. Academically, they understand that people are much more likely to buy in to a Change when they are involved in the planning and have an opportunity to influence decisions. The leaders and managers are just not, may I say, committed to consistently applying the knowledge.” [18]

How is that like what goes on in your congregation?

Posted via web from The Columbia Partnership