By Dick Hamm at DHamm@TheColumbiaPartnership.org
Download A New Model For Middle Expressions of the Church
The middle expression of denominations (variously called region, conference, diocese, district, association, fellowship, convention, synod, presbytery, classis, etc.) connects local churches with their national bodies. These middle expressions often began as mission organizations within a state or territory with the purpose of starting new congregations. However, once every town had its congregations of various denominations, these middle expressions began turning their attention to the support of existing congregations and clergy, and the raising of resources from congregations for overseas mission.
In the mid-20th century, middle expressions were offering clinics to congregational leaders on how to use denominational Sunday School curriculum, how to be good church treasurers, how to lead effective meetings, etc. But as the 1950’s and 60’s unfolded, the glue that had held congregations of the same denomination together (fifth Sunday night meetings, shared revivals and other common activities, distinctive denominational history and practice, etc.) began to give way to high rates of individual relocation to other parts of the country, religious intermarriage, isolating individual activities such as television, and the personal busyness we all know today. Thus, as congregations related less and less to each other, the middle expressions of the church were charged with relating to their congregations in a way that would keep them connected with their denomination.
This means middle expressions became more of a spoke and hub system, with the executive and staff at the center (the hub) and the congregations connecting directly to the middle expression’s office rather than to each other. One or two members of one congregation may know one or two members in another congregation because they met them at some annual meeting or board meeting of the middle expression, but the vast majority of local members have never attended such an event and do not know anyone of their denomination beyond those in their own congregation. Most could not even tell you the name of the middle expression’s executive (bishop).
As denominational loyalty has further waned, the dollars available for denominational structures have shrunk and, with them, the numbers of staff. In many denominations, these national and middle staffs have shrunk by two-thirds in the past 30 years! As a result, there are fewer people in the hub to relate through the spokes to the individual congregations and thus fewer face-to-face contacts with middle staff. When trouble in the congregation arises, local leadership thinks less and less of the middle expression as a source of help. When controversy brews in the denomination as a whole, the congregations feel less and less of the loyalty that used to help them stay and work through the differences of opinion, often choosing instead to become independent and thus cutting themselves off from the resources that are available through the denomination.
These trends have continued to the point that many middle expressions have become dysfunctional and many of their remaining staff has become dispirited and depressed. Attempts are made to fix some of the problems with the old spoke and hub system, which may help for a year or two. But the system is so broken that nothing short of a new approach will suffice.
So what new approach is possible?
Middle expressions can move from spoke and hub models to network models. This means that congregations are helped to reconnect with one another through the sharing of resources; through the creation of lay and clergy affinity groups based on common interests; through the development of different resource groups of persons trained to do conflict management, or congregational transformation, etc.; through the development of volunteer pastoral care folks who visit regularly with four or five congregations on the occasion of special anniversaries, installations, mortgage burnings, and the like (expenses are reimbursed by the middle expression). These pastoral care folks (one middle expression calls them regional elders, another conference visitors, another synod deans) represent the whole middle expression. They also provide an early warning system regarding conflict or other needs.
In this network model, the middle expression staff becomes equippers and points of accountability on behalf of the whole. They are constantly building the network; talent scouting and helping affinity groups form and dismantle. Meanwhile the congregations and the whole body are built up as people learn new skills and information, develop new relationships, and strengthen one another.
Important Things to Know
Dick Hamm is a Ministry Partner with The Columbia Partnership. He is also executive administrator for Christian Churches Together in the USA. His most recent book is Recreating the Church: Leadership for the Post-Modern Era. He is available for speaking and coaching with leaders, congregations, denominations, and parachurch organizations.
The Columbia Partnership is a non-profit Christian ministry organization focused on transforming the capacity of the North American Church to pursue and sustain Christ-centered ministry. Travel Free Learning is a leadership development emphasis of The Columbia Partnership. For more information about products and services check out the web site at www.TheColumbiaPartnership.org, send an e-mail to Client.Care@TheColumbiaPartnership.org, or call 803.622.0923.
