The Columbia Partnership

A New Model for Middle Expressions of the Church

By Dick Hamm at DHamm@TheColumbiaPartnership.org

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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-20^th 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.

Tough Times Call for New Staffing Models

By Eddie Hammett at EHammett@TheColumbiaPartnership.org

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The tough economic times we are experiencing is forcing the downsizing of staff at every level of church, denomination, and judicatory life. Budgets are tightening and multiple challenges are created as to how to do more with less. Religious organizations are faced with the same, if not more, challenges than those in the business world. Churches are dependent on gifts and volunteers to keep the organization afloat financially. With many faced with decreases in funding, salaries, and even time available on the job, new staffing models are emerging.

As one who experienced a layoff I now feel launched to help create and evaluate new staffing models that might allow churches and other organizations continue to provide needed programs and ministries with excellence in spite of downsized staffs. What options are emerging? Let me simply highlight a few things I’m experimenting with over the next year or so. I would value very much your feedback and other ideas as we all learn together how to swim in these uncharted waters.

Layoff and Launching Creates New Opportunity

By Eddie Hammett at EHammett@TheColumbiaPartnership.org

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On a recent Thursday I received notice that after 19 years of service with a denominational organization my position was being eliminated due to a budget shortage.  I really don’t feel like a victim of layoff as much as one being launched into new aspects of ministry to churches, leaders, conventions/conferences and judicatories of many denominations. I look forward to coaching opportunities to help others facing transition or to move beyond the tough times of economics to the innovation and opportunities these often bring.

In many ways this is a new opportunity for me. I look forward to what is just around the corner that I cannot yet fully understand. I am convinced that our God who goes before us has prepared some wonderful opportunities in ministry for me.

I am excited about the foundation I have built over the past four years with The Columbia Partnership. It is an important part of my launching. I will now be able to give full-time focus to the ministry of the Partnership, our clients, and various partnerships and affiliations we have or will create.

Becoming a Missional Congregation

By George Bullard at GBullard@TheColumbiaPartnership.org

What does it take to become a missional congregation? Not to co-opt the name and claim that is who you are, but to truly become a missional congregation. As a popular name or designation in many places, missional as a concept is being watered down.

First, let’s start with a definition. Another one won’t hurt, and it will also define the frame of these musings.

A missional congregation is one who, out of their worship of the triune God and their passion around fulfilling the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment, seeks to make the world more loving and just through actions focused on spiritually transforming the lives of their neighbors and modeling the gathering of these neighbors into healthy mission outposts called congregations for the scattering of these same neighbors through their own missional efforts. [Wow! That’s a mouthful. Let’s try a short version.]

A missional congregation seeks to make the world more loving and just through spiritually transforming the lives of neighbors.

Monday, August 10th Newsletter

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