Book: Scrappy Church

How many times have we heard these statements…
 “We can’t compete with the megachurch in our town!”
“A new church was started two blocks from us. We’ve got plenty of churches without them!”
“The church brought another one of their campuses near us. It’s totally unethical what they are doing.”
“We can’t reach young families. They all go to the big church that has all the children’s and student stuff.”
“We don’t have the money or the people the other churches have.”

Bestselling author Thom S. Rainer (I Am a Church Member, Autopsy of a Deceased Church) has heard comments like these hundreds, if not thousands, of times. They are statements of hopelessness. They are statements of despair. They are statements of defeat.

Church leaders don’t want to feel this way. They desire to break out of the mediocrity of the same, lame, and tame existence of their churches. They want their churches to make a difference.

There is hope. God’s hope. God’s possibilities.

What does a scrappy church look like? Let’s take a look together.

For more information including some free downloads visit https://thomrainer.com/scrappychurch/

Table of Contents

• Why you should have hope for your church
• Preparing to be a scrappy church
• The outward deluge of scrappy churches
• Scrappy churches are welcoming churches
• Scrappy churches close the back door
• The next scrappy church

Book: Kingdom Communities

Kingdom Communities
An inspirational and compelling exploration of a spreading phenomenon that is breaking out in the most unlikely of places.

As attendance in churches is in plateau or freefall, small and growing numbers of people are turning to creative and relationally connected communities that shine the light of Christ with great effect and generosity. Kingdom Communities: Shining the light of Christ through faith, hope and love examines the rise of this diverse and organic movement that is popping up in neighbourhoods, regional towns, urban slums, brothels, aged care villages, schools, churches … indeed anywhere!


Using multiple case studies from across the region, Kingdom Communities explores this growing movement historically, biblically and theologically and uncovers the power of distributed networks for holistic Christian mission. In our age of disruption and rapid discontinuous change that has shaken religious institutions to their core, this book is both a challenge and major injection of hope for those who are passionate about the kingdom of God, Christian leadership, the future of ministry and the relational communities that the world desperately needs.

Resource: Story Matters

The goal of Story Matters is to help congregations discover and articulate, in a deep and biblically based conversation, their unique identity and mission so that that each congregation might:
• Discern their congregational story within the biblical story
• Use their biblical story to discover and engage together their congregational
identity and mission

There are two main steps:
Discover and name our biblical story
Learn, live and share our biblical story

Download a copy of Story Matters at https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Congregations-and-Synods/Faith-Practices/Story-Matters

Book: The State of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

In The State of the ELCA, J. Russell Crabtree examines of the perspectives, experiences, and aspirations of a large cross section of members in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In his reflection on the responses of nearly 60,000 members to a variety of questions, he addresses a number of topics including:
• How does the experience of Lutherans compare with other mainline denominations? 
• Which groups feel most positive and which groups feel less positive about their experience in the Lutheran church? 
• What are some of the factors that make the difference between Lutheran churches that are experiencing vitality and those that are struggling? 
• How are Lutherans experiencing life in their congregations over their lifecycle ranging from the teenage years through child bearing, child rearing, empty nest, and retirement?
• As they think about the future, what are the aspirations of Lutherans for their churches and how do these vary from Boomlets up through Boomers and the GI Generation? 
• What are the motivating factors for giving among Lutherans and how do these differ from one congregation to another? 
Get ready for a few surprises as you read the answers to these questions, but also discover Lutheran perspectives on Scripture, spiritual practices, pastoral transitions, and Synods. 

The State of the ELCA ends on a positive note by summarizing interviews with the pastors of four transformational Lutheran churches, one large, one small, one more conservative, and one more progressive. 

What others think
Once again, Russell Crabtree has challenged us with a call to base our planning and practice on evidence rather than pre-conceptions or anecdotal biases. This book is a must-read for congregational leaders, synod staffs, and synod councils. For those who have ears to hear it will guide us into more effective and faithful leadership." BISHOP WAYNE N. MILLER, METROPOLITAN CHICAGO SYNOD

Book: Introverts in the church

Introverts are called and gifted by God. But many churches tend to be extroverted places where introverts are marginalized. Some Christians end up feeling like it's not as faithful to be an introvert. Adam McHugh shows how introverts can live and minister in ways consistent with their personalities. He explains how introverts and extroverts process information and approach relationships differently and how introverts can practice Christian spirituality in ways that fit who they are. With practical illustrations from church and parachurch contexts, McHugh offers ways for introverts to serve, lead, worship and even evangelize effectively. Introverts in the Church is essential reading for any introvert who has ever felt out of place, as well as for church leaders who want to make their churches more welcoming to introverts. Discover God's call and empowering to thrive as an introvert, for the sake of the church and kingdom.

Table of Contents
Introduction: Can Introverts Thrive In The Church?
1 The Extroverted Church
2 The Introverted Difference
3 Finding Healing
4 Introverted Spirituality
5 Introverted Community And Relationships
6 The Ability To Lead
7 Leading As Ourselves
8 Introverted Evangelism
9 Introverts In Church
Epilogue: Finding Our Place
Questions For Reflection And Discussion
Further Reading

Notes

Book: From Surviving to Thriving: A Practical Guide to Revitalize Your Church by John H Krahn

For years, Rev. Dr. John H. Krahn has been one of his denomination's most successful interim pastors whom God has used to save many dying churches. He shares his proven methods for helping churches which are barely surviving to once again thrive. Whether your church is on life support or is doing quite well, this book shares ways and insights which will strengthen your church and its ministry. Unlike other books on church growth, From Surviving to Thriving -- A Practical Guide to Revitalize Your Church, is a hands-on approach that will assist you and your church greatly. Dr. Krahn believes that no church should fail. He has written this book to help your church once again thrive.


Inside you will find a good measure of practical advice, pressed down, shaken together and running over with experience and good sense. There are not many suggestions that cannot immediately be put into practice by pastors and members of congregations alike. Pastor Krahn has done what he recommends and seen the results of intentional missional ministry in more than one context. The book is overflowing with good stories and examples of excellent ministry. He draws richly from the pastoral imagination of other settings. We all know that the current culture does not necessarily support our congregational revitalization, but rather than simply analyze the situation and describe the problem, the author proposes concrete and effective practices in worship, finances, and programs that he has seen work. There are no silver bullets to address our challenges but a comprehensive approach including, among others, getting the church's financial house in order, practicing good stewardship, developing a strategic plan and vision, marketing the church in new and old ways, and developing an evangelism program. 

Here is a book by a veteran pastor who knows how to revitalize a congregation that is long on hope and short on excuses.

Some chapters included: 

• Stop Making Excuses and Start Doing Something 
• Get Your Church's Financial House in Order 
• Reclaim Your Inactive Members 
• Reach the Unchurched in Your Community 
• Remove the Roadblocks That Impede Thriving 
• Expect God's Miracles 

Rev Dr. John H. Krahn has been in the pastoral ministry for forty-eight years. He was pastor of the largest Lutheran church in New York for twelve years with a staff of fifty people.  Dr. Krahn earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia Senior College (Fort Wayne, Indiana), and his Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, Missouri). He earned his Masters in Education and Theological Studies from Union Theological Seminary, his Masters in Curriculum and Teaching from Columbia University, and his Doctor of Ministry from New York Theological Seminary (all in New York, New York). He has been the Executive Director of the United Lutheran Appeal, the Director of Recruitment at Long Island Lutheran High School, an Army Chaplain, owned a Christian group travel business and traveled all over the world. Krahn is a professional fund raiser, has been a lecturer, taught high school, served as interim pastor at five floundering Lutheran churches, and continues to work as a paid church consultant. He is the go-to-guy in his synod to turn around dying churches, and sometimes refers to himself as the "pastor of lost causes". Dr. Krahn is also a much sought after speaker. In 2016, he will be conducting seminars throughout the church on the subject matter contained in this book. He has been married for forty-nine years, and has two daughters and three grandchildren.

Guidance and hope in times of congregational transition

Change is a normal part of life for individuals, families and congregations. This resource is offered
by Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ to provide assistance during this time. Change can
create anxiety but also tremendous opportunities for growth. Make certain to spend time in prayer for the ministry and mission of your church as you walk through the days of transition.

Gudiance and hope in times of congregational transition is available here

Table of contents
LCMC TRANSITIONS IN MINISTRY
UNDERSTANDING TRANSITIONS
DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS
VALUES
TRANSITIONS COME IN AT LEAST FOUR KINDS!! ! 
FINDING HELP IN TIMES OF TRANSITION!! 
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION RESOURCES
THREE KINDS OF RESOURCES
ASSESSMENT
CONFLICT
THIRD PARTY HELP
HOW DO WE START!! 
FOR THE CHURCH COUNCIL/LEADERSHIP TEAM
FOR THE TRANSITION TEAM
A FINAL WORD
 APPENDICES! ! 
APPENDIX ONE: PULPIT SUPPLY FOR LCMC
APPENDIX TWO: FINISHING WELL COACHING—DR. KENT HUNTER
APPENDIX THREE: MATERIALS FROM DR. DARRELL PULS/PEACEBRIDGE MINISTRIES
APPENDIX FOUR: MANAGING CHURCH TRANSITIONS—A SELECTED READING LIST
APPENDIX FIVE: OTHER TRAINING RESOURCES
APPENDIX SIX: AN ARTICLE BY PR. ROBERT GORDAN, INTERIM MINISTER

Article: So you think your church is failing

So what are the options of 80% of U.S. churches whose worship is less than 100, are facing a steady to rapid decline and can remember being 2 to 10 times larger than they currently are?
John Ficken at Pastoral Leadership institute 3 choices for such churches not only to survive but to thrive as God's people.
Check out his article at http://www.plileadership.org/1965-2/

Report: Faith and belief in Australia by McCrindle

The Faith and Belief in Australia Report has been released by McCrindle and it shows that religion is not dead

Two in three identify with a religion or spirituality 
More than two in three Australians (68%) follow a religion or have spiritual beliefs. Of those that do, almost half (47%) remain committed to the religion of their upbringing. The number of Australians who do not identify with a religion or spiritual belief, however, is on the rise with almost one in three (32%) not identifying with a religion. This study replicated the ABS Census question, but added in an option for ‘spiritual but not religious’. This had a response rate of 14% among Australians nationally, and the Christianity grouping was 45% (down from 61% in the 2011 Census).

More than half of Australians (52%) are open to changing their religious views given the right circumstances and evidence. Younger Australians are more open to changing their current religious views than older generations.

Religion and spirituality a popular topic of conversation 
When gathering with friends, more than half of Australians (55%) often or occasionally talk about religion or spirituality. Generation Z (65%) are the most comfortable talking the topic, while the Baby Boomers are the least with 51% never talking about it with their friends.

A genuine faith the greatest attraction to a religion or spirituality
Observing people with genuine faith is the greatest attraction to investigating spirituality. Second is experiencing personal trauma or a significant life change. On the inverse, the top repellent to Australians investigating is public figures or celebrities who are examples of that faith. This is followed by miraculous stories of healings or supernatural occurrences.

Perceptions of Christianity 
Australians most value Christian organisations for their work with those in need, specifically looking after people who are homeless, offering financial assistance/food relief programs and providing disaster relief (74%, 72% and 69% respectively).  8% of Australian adults (1.5 million) do not know any Christians, while for Generation Y this is almost one in ten. One in 29 Australians have never heard of Jesus.
To download the entire report visit http://mccrindle.com.au/the-mccrindle-blog/faith-and-belief-in-australia

Reformation celebration congregational kit

The congregation resource kit for the Reformation celebration contains downloadable materials to promote your congregation’s observation of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The kit includes bulletin announcements, bulletin blurbs, social media memes, posters, a newspaper article, an op-ed article, a church newsletter article, and a banner template. Many of these resources can be customized to include your congregation’s name and contact information. - 
See more at:http://lutheranreformation.org/media-videos-podcasts/reformation-500-congregation-resource-kit/

eBook: 60 devotions for church meetings

60 devotions for church meetings is a devotional book of sixty short devotions to be used for individual meditations, or as opening devotions for church meetings. Stories from the Bible, childhood memories in Scotland, personal experiences, and pastoral situations in the United States are used to challenge church groups and inspire the readers.

Book: Lutheran DNA testing the Augsburg Confession in the parish

Lutheran DNA takes the Reformation's Augsburg Confession of 1530 and asks whether parish issues today continue to find expression through the lens of this historic writing. The Augsburg Confession is named in Lutheran churches as a clear expression of Christian belief and practice. How is it so today? Stories, illustrations, and reflections flow out of this James Cobb's parish pastor's experiences, as he reflects on meanings from Augsburg to Baltimore.

Review
"This book exhibits the heartbeat of Lutheranism in The Augsburg Confession of 1530. Its twenty-eight "articles" disclose how Lutheran congregations around the world (with a steady membership of about sixty million) are to function in order to preserve their identity as healthy and effective disciples of Jesus Christ in the interim between his first and second coming. The author describes the theological pulsation in the form of personal stories and experiences, tested in various parish settings, and geared to make readers partners in catechetical and spiritual formation. The book lends itself well to parishioners concerned about their theological identity and rationale for mission."
--Eric W. Gritsch
Professor Church History, Emeritus
Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary

Book: Builder ministry for the 21st Century

Builder Ministry for the 21st Century is intended to promote productive discussion among ministers and church leaders who are concerned about the future of their congregations and church bodies. Author David Luecke says "the bottom-line message of this book is that Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Presbyterians need to become better at promoting and sharing personal spiritual experiences. Instead of assuming the spiritual goods of life in Christ, they need to be more effective at delivering the spiritual goods."  

Contents
Chapter 1 notes how the overlap between a congregation's loyal church community and the larger social community is disappearing.
Chapter 2 shows how churches that stayed with their roots in European state protected church bodies have a valuable heritage of stressing the objective truths about God, sin, Christ and salvation.
Chapter 3 focuses on the inherited shepherd model of ministry, with its strengths and weaknesses.
Chapter 4 describes the builder model of ministry that is oriented to building up the fellowship of Christ's body in a particular location.
Chapter 5 presents the fellowship builder's box of tools.
Chapter 6 discusses how to cultivate the soil for the Holy Spirit's work in a congregation.
Chapter 7 explores the place of personal spiritual experience and feelings in church life together.
Chapter 8 highlights how church bodies develop their own customs and cultures for living out their faith.
Chapter 9 distinguishes between a congregation's formal organization in service to its basic identity as an informal fellowship.
Chapter 10 develops the role of oversight in church leadership.
Chapter 11 focuses on a transition process

.

Ebook: Renew 52

50+ Ideas to Revitalize Your Congregation from Leaders under 50

Renew 52: 50+ Ideas to Revitalize Your Congregation from Leaders under 50is a free e-book, edited by David J. Lose, that features short essays from 54 Christian leaders in 15 different traditions. The authors are guided by the conviction that congregations are the primary place where the Spirit is at work for the renewal of the church. Pick one or read them all—and revitalize your congregation.

The Spirit is moving in exciting ways. We are on the cusp of exciting, if unpredictable, renewal. In spite of the well-documented story of mainline decline, there is a lot of growth, a lot of potential, and a lot of hope in our congregations as well.

Each of the authors in this e-book has had her or his share of challenges and setbacks, but each has also learned from those and continues to dream, work, plan, and lead. And this book pulls together more than fifty of their best ideas for congregational renewal.

It isn’t very often that a book can change the church. Yes, ideas can shape lives, even change practices. But when was the last time a book changed your congregation?

• Read more about the project.
• Read excerpts from 7 essays.
• Download the free e-book

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

The mission at Emotionally Healthy Spirituality is to equip pastors and leaders in a new leadership paradigm that integrates emotional health & contemplative spirituality.   The paradigm includes:

• Contemplative Spirituality
• Emotionally Healthy Skills
• Marriage/Singleness
• Unique Leadership Challenges
• Emotionally Healthy Discipleship

They have also written a book called the Emotionally Healthy Church

To discover more visit http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/

DVD course: Leading Change: Church Leadership amid turmoil

Dr. Peter Steinke applies Systems Theory to the task of leadership, especially leadership during or for change. Change is the new constant and change creates anxiety and resistance. The functioning of leaders during this time is critical to the ability of the organization to maintain its commitment to its mission. Unlike some theories, which neglect the human emotional processes of an organization, “Leading Change teaches leaders to expect anxiety and sabotage but to stay calm and committed to advancing the mission. Change can stall the development of an organization through fear of the unknown but courageous leaders can call people to embrace a new adventure in meeting the latest challenge. This course would be very helpful for congregational leaders who are experiencing transitions, conflict, demographic or economic challenges. The “Leading Change course equips leaders to respond to the expected anxiety in an organization facing change. Study guide included.

Session One: Systems Theory 28:00
Session Two: A Self-Differentiated Leader 18:35
Session Three: Functioning Position 11:26
Session Four: The Functioning of a Leader 18:19
Session Five: Change 10:14
Session Six: Conflict 18:07
Session Seven: Roles of Leaders in Conflict 17:34
Session Eight: Conclusion 16:04
Bonus Session: Narcissism 4:08

Dr. Peter Steinke is a student of Dr. Murray Bowen and Rabbi Edwin Friedman, and has adapted their systems theory to the ways in which congregations function. He help found the Bridge Builder Network, which provides training and resources for troubled congregations. He established the Healthy Congregations initiative, which provides resources and training for churches wishing to stay healthy. He is a consultant to congregations, judicatories and other church-related organizations.

$79.95 
 for more information and to order the course visit selectlearning

LCA Vic/Tas Council for Ministry Support Presentation

The 36th Convention of the Lutheran Church of Australia Victorian District including Tasmania took place between 19th to 21st October 2012 in Portland Victoria with the theme 'where love comes to life.'

Part of the Council for Ministry Support's presentation included a presentation that included 6 tools for ministry and  mission.

The six tools are:
Lutheran Church of Australia's 5 pillars
Australian Bureau of Statistics - Community Profile
National Church Life Survey
Being Multicultural - not just multi-racial
Having a discipleship emphasis
Being God's stewards - using what we have to know and share God with others

The full powerpoint presentation is available here  

Something to think about: the importance of team.....

In Australian Rules Football......Gary Ablett jnr.  is curently considered one of the superstars of the game...He regularly accumulates statistics quicker than the cookie monster eats cookies.....last week he scored a very high 53 disposals...that is huge....(see an article on how good he is http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-powerlessness-of-one-20120604-1zsbk.html )   but here is the problem....Australian Rules Football is a team sport.....Gary Ablett jnr is a team player....but the rest of his team (Gold Coast Suns) are not  performing anywhere near the performance of Gary Ablett....so the team is struggling....it has one game after 10 games this season it sits 17th (in an 18 team competition) with one win.   Why?   because it takes a team contributing to fulfill their mission of winning games.

Now translate this into congregational life....if one (or maybe 2 or 3) are putting in a lot of effort, no matter how good they are, the congregation and church will still struggle.....why because it takes everyone contributing.....not just one or two....

This concept is not just good organisational practice, it is a spiritual concept.....

Take a look at 1 Corinthians 12.......

Key verse 1 Corinthians 12:27......Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is part of it....

Think about yoru congregation
What will it take for you to have more people involved in your congregation's mission and vision?

8 principles for churches that want to grow

A recent article by Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church and the resurgence discusses 8 principles of churches that want to grow.....

1. Begin with the end in mind and know how large you are aiming to be.
2. The larger the church, the more different that church is from other churches of the same theology and tradition
3. Change is inevitable
4. Don't assign moral judgements to size and change
5. If you want to grow you need to prepare for common changes now.
6. Be humble as a leader to seek the counsel of pastors ahead of you and receive their counsel.
7. Discern between guilt and conviction in seasons of transition
8. Pray and plan for people to meet Jesus.

To read the article in full visit  http://theresurgence.com/2012/05/07/8-principles-for-churches-that-want-to-grow

"Exploring Effective ministry under God"

“Tim Sims is a successful businessman and corporate strategist. … Over the past two years or so, he has been turning his analytical skills to a different sort of ‘business’ — the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. Tim has been driving a research project seeking to understand the current state of Anglican churches in Sydney…”

In his presentation 'Exploring effective ministry under God' he challenges us to see the reality of ministry and how God's ministry can be more effective through us.