CHURCH LIFE CYCLES

Church Life Cycles

• Churches are a living organism • They’re born, grow up, and then they die

UNLESS

New life cycle

The Church starts aThe Church starts a new life cycle new life cycle

Birth 0

Growth 20

Maintenance

Maturity

Decline60

40

Death80

Church Life Cycles4 components

Vision (heart)

Relationships (arms)

Ministries (hands and feet)

Structures (skeleton)

Vision…the driving force

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Signs of a Healthy Congregation

Vision focused on the future

Relationships that embrace new people

Ministries that focus on outreach

Structures that accomplish the mission and are anchored accountability

Signs of a Healthy Congregation

The Vision of the congregation is focused on the unique ways it can impact lives and change the community by making new disciples through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

VISION

A clear understanding of “WHAT” the congregation does to carry out The Mission.

VISION – MISSION - STRATEGY

Mission “WHY?”

Vision “WHAT?”

Strategy “How?”

WHAT IS GOD’S MISSION?

GENESIS 3— Sin and God’s responseGENESIS 12—Abraham called for the sake of the worldI KINGS 10—God brings the World to Solomon/HimselfISAIAH 49— Israel is God’s tool for reaching the world.MATTHEW 16—The Church playing offense.EPHESIANS 3 — The church is God’s tool for reaching the world. REVELATION 5— God’s goal - Millions/billions bow to Jesus

VISION – MISSION - STRATEGY

Mission “WHY?”

Vision “WHAT?”

Strategy “How?”

VISION

Future oriented.

A clear and compelling picture of where the congregation is headed.

Convictions that have an outward focus.

Vision is always in the driver’s seat as the church goes up the curve.

Signs of a Healthy Congregation

Vision focused on the future Relationships that embrace new people

Ministries that focus on outreach

Structures that accomplish the mission and are anchored accountability

RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships are in the passenger seat on the way up the curve.

Meaningful and sustained friendships are the norm.

Newcomers find people connections easily because relationships are open!

People are like Legos…

Most people in our congregations look like these Legos!

People are like Legos…

Most guests look like these Legos!

Place #1

Place #2

Place #3

RELATIONSHIPS (3RD PLACES)The larger the church, the more 3RD places need to be created

Interest groups, small group Bible Studies and triads

The goal is to move people from visitor to disciple

Churches grow as groups multiply

Debrief:

• How easy is it for new people coming into your church to make new friends?

• What are some ways that you personally can fill you lego with unchurched friends

•What are some potential interest groups you might start?

Signs of a Healthy Congregation

Vision focused on the future

Relationships that embrace new people Ministries that focus on outreach

Structures that accomplish the mission and are anchored accountability

Ministries are in the back seat on the way up the curve.

Ministries support the vision.

Ministries are the hands (the doing part of the Vision)

MINISTRIES

MINISTRIES

Start with consumer: “If I come to the congregation, what will it do for me?

Start where people are and take them where God wants them to be.

CONSUMER EXPECTATIONSWorship

Relationships

Care

Meet family needs

Education

Preaching

Well-kept facilities

Financial stability

Signs of a Healthy Congregation

Vision focused on the future

Relationships that embrace new people

Ministries that focus on outreach Structures that accomplish the mission and are anchored accountability

SOTR Lutheran

Birth

Growth

Maintenance

Maturity

Decline

Death

MsRv

Take the Car for a Spin!

New life cycle

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