HELPING YOUR CONGREGATION “GO DEEP” Surface To Soul Discussion Guide Dear Friends in Christ, Thank you for your interest in my book and for your desire to be a CHANGE agent in your congregation. This resource is designed to engage leaders in meaningful conversations about how to create a culture of spiritual vitality and facilitate changes that lead to congregational renewal. My hope is that you use this discussion guide and the discussion questions found at the end of each chapter of Surface to Soul to gain insights about your congregational setting, leading to concrete action steps that support spiritual vitality and a healthy congregational climate. When we talk about the process of creating deep and sustainable change among congregations and their members, Vibrant Faith Ministries frequently describes the current faith formation process as a tattoo, where the actual change is skin deep and rubs off after a time, particularly after confirmation. It’s our intent to help pastors and lay leaders “go deep,”creating home and congregational ecosystems that support lifelong faith formation and congregational vitality. Going deep is about helping individuals and congregations make vibrant faith part of their DNA—both at home and in your congregation. This discussion guide outlines our six-step coaching process to facilitate deep change. It describes the leadership practices congregational leaders must internalize in order to foster a culture of vibrant faith. In this guide, you’ll learn about faith formation principles and practices that lead to vibrant faith. You will understand and appreciate the importance of thinking of the church as being set in many locations, one’s home, one’s congregation, at a camp or campus, etc. Church isn’t just a place you go to, it’s the place where you live and how you interact with your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers and colleagues as part of your life of faith. As leaders, you will also learn about the basic mechanics of developing significant relationships with each other, clarifying and getting buy-in on ministry outcomes, and how to keep the CHANGE process moving forward. The fact you are reading this discussion guide and are engaging in conversations related to Surface To Soul is a testament to your own faith and to your desire to pass it on. On behalf of all of us at Vibrant Faith Ministries, we celebrate with you the important role you’re playing in equipping congregations, households, and individuals to live a vibrant faith in Jesus Christ and share the Christian faith among all generations. Always Grateful, On God’s Belay, Jim LaDoux Paul Hill Director of Coaching & Training Executive Director 877.693.7196 651.789.3365 612.865.0628 (mobile) 612.462.2487 (mobile) “Consultants and coaches serve as congregational change agents.”
Transcript
HELPING YOUR CONGREGATION “GO DEEP”
Surface To Soul Discussion Guide
Dear Friends in Christ,
Thank you for your interest in my book and for your desire to be a CHANGE agent in your congregation. This resource is designed to engage leaders in meaningful conversations about how to create a culture of spiritual vitality and facilitate changes that lead to congregational renewal. My hope is that you use this discussion guide and the discussion questions found at the end of each chapter of Surface to Soul to gain insights about your congregational setting, leading to concrete action steps that support spiritual vitality and a healthy congregational climate.
When we talk about the process of creating deep and sustainable change among congregations and their members, Vibrant Faith Ministries frequently describes the current faith formation process as a tattoo, where the actual change is skin deep and rubs off after a time, particularly after confirmation. It’s our intent to help pastors and lay leaders “go deep,”creating home and congregational ecosystems that support lifelong faith formation and congregational vitality.
Going deep is about helping individuals and congregations make vibrant faith part of their DNA—both at home and in your congregation. This discussion guide outlines our six-step coaching process to facilitate deep change. It describes the leadership practices congregational leaders must internalize in order to foster a culture of vibrant faith.
In this guide, you’ll learn about faith formation principles and practices that lead to vibrant faith. You will understand and appreciate the importance of thinking of the church as being set in many locations, one’s home, one’s congregation, at a camp or campus, etc. Church isn’t just a place you go to, it’s the place where you live and how you interact with your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers and colleagues as part of your life of faith.
As leaders, you will also learn about the basic mechanics of developing significant relationships with each other, clarifying and getting buy-in on ministry outcomes, and how to keep the CHANGE process moving forward.
The fact you are reading this discussion guide and are engaging in conversations related to Surface To Soul is a testament to your own faith and to your desire to pass it on. On behalf of all of us at Vibrant Faith Ministries, we celebrate with you the important role you’re playing in equipping congregations, households, and individuals to live a vibrant faith in Jesus Christ and share the Christian faith among all generations.
Always Grateful, On God’s Belay, Jim LaDoux Paul Hill Director of Coaching & Training Executive Director 877.693.7196 651.789.3365 612.865.0628 (mobile) 612.462.2487 (mobile)
“Consultants and coaches serve as congregational change agents.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Surface To Soul Discussion Guide
Review or complete BEFORE engaging in conversations about Surface To Soul
............................................................................................................................................................... The Vibrant Faith Frame. 3
......................................................................................................................................... Questions to Engage Your Leaders 5
Questions and exercises related to CHANGE steps
................................................................................................................... CONNECT to create authentic community 6
................................................................................................................................. HIGHLIGHT the most pressing issues 7
................................................................................................................................ Exercise: “Check Your Ministry Pulse” 8
.......................................................................................................................... Exercise: “Readiness For Change Audit” 9
................................................................................................................................... ALIGN people, programs and plans 10
.......................................................................................................................... Exercise: Integrating Your Core Values” 11
................................................................................................................................. NAVIGATE by setting SMART goals 12
........................................................................................................................... Exercise: Setting SMART Team Goals” 13
............................................................................................................. GUIDE people through and around obstacles 14
............................................................................................................ EVALUATE people, programs and procedures 15
.................................................................................................................. Summary of insights, ideas and action steps 16
_________________________________________________________________________________Jim’s Contact InformationJim LaDouxDirector of Coaching and TrainingVIBRANT FAITH MINISTRIES1601 West Old Shakopee RoadMinneapolis, MN 55431952.405.7302 (direct)877.693.7196 (toll-free)612.865.0628 (mobile)[email protected]/vibrantfaithministrieswww.facebook.com/jimladouxwww.twitter.com/vibrantfaithwww.twitter.com/jimladouxwww.youtube.com/vfministrywww.surfacetosoul.org (blog & free resources)tinyurl.com/Flickrpix (VFM pictures)tinyurl.com/STSvideos (Youtube channel)tinyurl.com/VFMresources (downloadable PDFs)
The Six Locations of MinistryThe Six Locations identified within the Vibrant Faith Frame illustrate that the work of the people of God is everywhere. It names the arenas where our incarnational God— the God disclosed in Jesus who enters the world as fully embodied and unconditionally part of creation—enters into our lives with grace, mercy, and peace. The places listed below describe where God’s presence is among us and where we may practice our faith every day, everywhere with everyone:1. Children and youth: they are recognized and equipped as disciples of Jesus Christ.2. Homes: every home is a place of worship and a mission outpost.3. Congregations: the congregation equips people to practice faith 24/7.4. Community where faith is expressed in service to neighbor.5. Culture: Christians experience God’s presence while being part of God’s. transformational work within culture.6. Creation: Christians live as stewards of God’s handiwork in creation.
The Five Principles of a Vibrant ChurchThese Five Principles describe how faith is formed and passed on from one generation to another. They describe the essence of the church and what it means to be part of the body of Christ.1. Faith is formed by the power of the Holy Spirit through personal, trusted relationships—often in our own
homes.2. The church is a living partnership between the ministry of the congregation and the ministry of the home.3. Where Christ is present in faith, the home is church, too.4. Faith is caught more than it is taught.5. If we want Christian children and youth, we need Christian adults.
The Four Keys for Practicing FaithThe Four Keys of caring conversation, devotions, service, and rituals and traditions are ways to practice the means of grace, extending God’s love and saving work to the world on a daily basis. These keys not only strengthen the faith lives of individuals and communities within households but they also serve as the means to strengthen congregational vitality through healthy, nurturing, faithful homes. Each faith practice is described below: Caring conversations express an interest in others—their hurts, their joys, their concerns and dreams, their values and faith. Caring conversations require time to be available to listen and to speak. Congregations are encouraged to help families identify the holy ground of their lives where precious, caring conversations take place and where lives are strengthened and nurtured by the love and mercy of God through the support and guidance of others and genuine interest in others. Devotions are a way to practice the presence of God through the word of God. Many families and individuals need help with the language of prayer and faith in daily life. Developing a devotional life involves developing a consciousness and a way of life more than following a formula to accomplish a certain task. Family devotions connect the generations with the faith, hope, and love found in the gospel of Jesus Christ and set against the backdrop of a world that often speaks and operates very differently. Service to one’s neighbor is the calling we are given through the life and message of Jesus Christ. For a Christian, the love that we have first received from God motivates service. Service communicates that love to others and is a concrete expression of one’s own faith and values. Family service projects are a vital way to pass on faith from generation to generation. Children and youth are greatly influenced by the lives of others, especially the practices and priorities of parents and other family members. Rituals and traditions are patterns of behavior that occur on a routine basis and communicate meaning in life. The way people greet one another each day, a table grace, bedtime prayers, the blessing of a Christmas tree, a birthday or baptismal anniversary celebration are all examples of family rituals and traditions that can effectively communicate the good news of Jesus Christ.
AAA ChristiansA Christian lives doing God’s work on earth today, affirming that God is alive and well blessing, serving, and gifting lives. Hence, we describe Christians as AAA : authentic, available, and affirming.
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CONGREGATIONAL SNAPSHOT
Surface To Soul Discussion Guide
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To prepare for discussions related to Surface To Soul, VFM recommends that you or someone from your leadership team gather basic information about your congregational setting by responding to the questions below.
1. Congregation’s address, phone & website:2. Date the congregation was founded: 3. Years currently at existing location: 4. Date of the last building campaign/renovation: 5. Current # of members: 6. How has membership (#s & diversity) changed in the last five year? 7. Average worship attendance: 8. How has average worship attendance changed in the last five years? 9. Current annual budget: 10. How has the budget changed in the last 5 years? 11. Current # of members under 19 years old : 12. Percentage of adult members involved in regular (at least monthly) faith formation classes: 13. Classes currently available for adult faith formation: 14. Describe expectations communicated to members regarding life-long faith formation: 15. Weekly worship times: 16. Weekly educational times: 17. When staff meetings occur: 18. When Council/Session/Vestry meets each month: 19. When Annual meeting occurs: 20. Date of last leadership training event: 21. Date of last strategic planning process: 22. Date of last hospitality audit: 23. Date of last programmatic review/assessment: 24. Describe how (and how often) congregational feedback is gathered: 25. Describe how (and how often) staff portfolios & performance is reviewed: 26. Describe how (and how often) meetings and activities are evaluated: 27. List current congregational goals:28. Do staff have written goals for the current year? 29. Do committees/ministry teams set annual goals? 30. Please list your current mission and/or vision statement below:31. Please list your congregation’s core values:32. Please list your current faith formation activities:33. Please list ways you equip families to practice faith at home:34. Please list milestones that you currently celebrate:35. Please list your current outreach and evangelism efforts:36. Please list the congregation’s primary strengths (What are you known for in the community?)37. Please describe how your community is changing:38. Please describe the challenges facing your congregation (internally and externally):39. Please describe what you’d like to see occur as a result of the coaching process:40. Please list any questions you might have related to the coaching process:___________________________________________________________________________________________You may also wish to read and review the following items:1) The congregation’s most recent Annual Report 2) The congregation’s current strategic plan3) The two most recent newsletters4) A current leadership roster
QUESTIONS TO ENGAGE YOUR LEADERS
Surface To Soul Discussion Guide
“Askinggood questions is essential to
facilitating change.”
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Check-in Questions• How are you doing? How is it with your soul?• What's new since we last spoke? • What have you been practicing? learning? reading?• What's come up that we need to discuss during this session?• What faith practices have you been incorporating into your life recently?• When have you experienced sabbath moments this past month?
Review Questions• What progress have you made on your goals since last month?• What obstacles have you been facing, or are currently facing?• What have you been learning about yourself? Others?• What seems to be working? What's not working?• What do you need to do differently in the future?• What skills are lacking? Need further development?• What changes have you made to increase your effectiveness?• What changes have you made to increase your influence?• How willing are you to make these changes?• Are you modeling the change you desire for others?
Refocusing Questions• What are your goals/next steps for the next 30 days?• What would you like to be celebrating a month from now?• What are the possible ways to get there?• Which paths will you choose?• What will you do (who, what, where, when, how)?• How will you measure your progress?• Where do you anticipate you might get stuck or experience resistance?• What will you do in the next 48 hours?• What's next in our coaching relationship?
Resourcing Questions• What resources do you need to accomplish your goals?• What resources are missing?• Where will you find the resources you need?• What can others do to support you?
Wrap-up Questions• What did we accomplish today?• What did each of us commit to between now and our next meeting?• What was the most helpful portion of the meeting for you? What was least helpful?• How might we better utilize our time together in the future?• Are there any people or concerns that you’d like me to keep in my prayers?• When is our next meeting?
We encourage leaders to become proficient in asking questions that help frame conversations about the things that matter most. Questions may also be used to help identify the most
pressing issues, and challenge your congregations beliefs, assumptions and practices. Jesus was known for responding to a question with a question. Perhaps leaders should too!
STEP 1: CONNECT to create authentic community
Surface To Soul Discussion Guide
Caring conversations open the door to developing significant relationships where people are given permission to share their life and faith stories. Caring conversations build trust among people essential for moving forward in ministry. What strategies are in place to help members intentionally connect with each other? Do these connections take place during worship? at team meetings? at choir practice? in the newsletter? on the website? in your household settings? What might the congregation do in the next 30 days to build authentic community? What are YOU willing to do to deepen existing friendships and befriend people you only know by name? What holds people back from introducing themselves to others? revealing their authentic self? allowing others to open up?
Suggested questions to help leaders CONNECT with others
MY STRENGTHS• What comes naturally for you?• What do others say that you are good at?• What do you do better than most people?• In what ways are your strengths being used for ministry?
MY HISTORY• Where were you born?• What were some of your family traditions and faith traditions or practices?• Where did you go to school?• Briefly describe your faith journey. How did you end up here (church, city, workplace)?
MY ATTRACTIONS• What do you enjoy doing in your free time?• What activities give you the greatest sense of satisfaction?• What attracted you to your place of employment?• What aspects of your job are life-giving for you?• What do you do and where do you go to get your batteries recharged?
PEOPLE & PLACES•Who has had a significant influence on your life?
•To whom do you go to for advice?•Who are your “cheerleaders” in life? Who challenges you in your faith journey?•Do you have any spiritual role models? If so, who are they?•In what settings have you had the greatest impact on others?
EXPERIENCES•What do you consider to be key turning points in your life?•What life situations have caused the greatest growth for you?•If you could live your life over, what would you do differently?•What would do more of? What would you do less?
•How would you describe your current prayer life?•When are you most aware of God’s presence in your life?
MY DREAMS•What are some of your personal hopes and longings?
•How do you see yourself partnering with God to build God’s kingdom?•Do you have a personal and professional development plan?
• What are some of your dreams for this congregation?• How might the congregation best utilize your gifts, resources and energies?• Five years from now, what would you like others to say about your ministry?
More CARING CONVERSATION resources may be found at http://www.surfacetosoul.org/fourkeytools.
“Caring conversations create rapport
and build trust.”
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STEP 2: HIGHLIGHT the most pressing issues
Surface To Soul Discussion Guide
One of the most important roles of a leader who is coaching CHANGE in a congregation is to help members of the congregation focus on what matters most. Through the power of questions, leaders have an opportunity to uncover the most pressing issues of a congregation. Listed below are some questions leaders may wish to use to assess clarity of purpose, alignment, execution. What do you consider to be your congregation’s most pressing issues? How might your congregation move forward in addressing these items?
Questions about MISSION and VISION:• What is the primary function of this congregation?• What are some of the reasons people join this congregation?• What expectations are communicated to new members when they join the congregation?• What is it that you’d hope that every member would be able to recite to a neighbor about this congregation?• Would the majority of your leaders be able to state the congregation’s mission? Vision?• Is the mission and vision referred to and used when making important congregational decisions?• What is it about the congregation’s mission and vision that energizes you?• How often is God the subject of your conversations?• Do congregational leaders understand their role as stewards of the
mission and vision? Do they see themselves as spiritual elders?• Can leaders articulate the primary pathways used to fulfill its
mission and vision?
Questions about VALUES• What does the congregation deem most important?• What does the congregation spend the most time talking
about? What do leaders talk about?• What are the sacred cows of the organization?• Can leaders name the congregation’s core values?• Do the core values regularly inform decision-making?• What beliefs and assumptions are held by staff and leaders?
Questions about TRENDS & TRAJECTORIES• What changes are occurring within the congregation and
how are these changes influencing its capacity to execute its mission?
• Where in the life cycle is the organization and how does that frame its ministry perspective?
• What will the congregation be like in 20 years if the trends and trajectory of the congregation continues on the same path?
• What would need to change in the congregation to obtain a different result?
Questions about LEADERSHIP CAPACITIES• Does the congregation’s structure, staffing, resources, language and programmatic pathways directly support the
fulfillment of its mission and vision?• Do the congregation’s current leaders have the will and skills needed to initiate change?• What procedures and practices (periodic assessment of programs, personnel, and strategies) are currently in
place to assist leaders in your congregation in defining the current reality of the congregation?• What aspects of your congregation’s life and ministry are in most need of a current assessment?• How aware are current leaders of the congregation’s current reality?• Does the congregation have a bias for action? Are they forward thinking?• Do current leaders know how to exercise leadership? What influence are they seeking to exert?• Do leaders model the change they desire for others?• Do they inspire a shared vision?• Do they challenge the process (beliefs, assumptions, behaviors, practices, etc.)?• Do they enable others to act?• Do they encourage others to act? Take risks? Create a permission-giving culture?• Do leaders trust each other? Speak their truth in grace-filled ways? Honor their commitments?• Do leaders pay attention to desired results? Hold each other accountable? Own their words and actions?• Do leaders establish individual and collective goals?• Are your leaders active learners? Do they change based on what they learn about themselves and others?
“Clarity of purpose is the key to
productivity.”
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EXERCISE: CHECK YOUR MINISTRY PULSE
Surface To Soul Discussion Guide
Please take a moment to respond to the following questions about your congregation
Y N Adults regularly greet young people by name and ask about their interests.
Y N Input is sought from young people regarding congregational programs and priorities.
Y N Our congregation prays for concerns relevant to young people.
Y N Adults personally invite young people to participate in congregational events.
Y N Young people are given meaningful leadership roles in our congregation.
Y N Most households have been equipped to integrate the Four Keys faith practices (caring conversations, devotions, service, and rituals) at home.
Y N Caring conversations, devotions, service, and rituals are an integral part of congregational life.
Y N Our young people know what their parents, grandparents, and godparents believe and value.
Y N Our congregation trains grandparents and godparents to be effective faith shapers.
Y N Our congregation celebrates significant milestones in the lives of young people.
Y N Young people can name three or more adults from our congregation who care about them.
Y N People in the congregation are taught how to have caring conversations with people of all ages.
Y N Our worship styles and formats speak to multiple generations.
Y N Young people have numerous opportunities to go on retreats, on trips, and to Bible camp.
Y N Our congregation offers many opportunities for all generations to serve together.
Y N Our congregation celebrates how members express their faith beyond the congregation.
Y N Families are equipped to share how their faith affects their financial decisions.
Y N Our congregation assists people in discerning their gifts, passions, and Christian vocation.
Y N There is a sense that God is active and doing things in the life of this congregation.
Y N Most congregational ministries are evaluated at least once each year.
Reflection Questions
1. Which responses surprise you?
2. Which responses provide reasons to celebrate?
3. Which responses particularly concern you? Why?
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EXERCISE: READINESS FOR CHANGE AUDIT
Surface To Soul Discussion Guide
This exercise often helps leader identify areas where they feel stuck in ministry. Respond to the questions below. Then make two lists - one highlighting what your congregation is doing well, and one list describing areas that may need further attention.
Concerning GOVERNANCE, do we . . .Y N Focus on determining the congregation’s mission, vision and values?Y N Focus on who the congregation seeks to serve, and at what cost?Y N Focus on defining the limitations of a leader’s means in which to accomplish the ends?Y N Clarify the manner in which it delegates authority?Y N Clarify how it evaluates performance relative to its ends and limitations?Y N Clarify its philosophy, its accountability, and its responsibilities?Y N Formulate policies that support the best interests of the congregation?Y N Define and delegate rather than react and ratify?Y N Control staff means by limiting, rather than prescribing the organization’s conduct, activities, methods, and practices?Y N Forge linkages between staff and the Board that is empowering and safe?Y N Monitor performance against the ends (mission, vision & values) and means?Y N Speak as one voice or not at all?Y N Make decisions based on ends, executive limitations, board-staff linkages and governance process?Y N Maintain a current Policies Manual?Y N Delegate authority to committees and task forces to fulfill the ends?
Concerning STRATEGY, do we . . .Y N Have a clear, concise, and compelling mission statement that members can recite?Y N Have a clear, concise and compelling vision statement that members can recite?Y N Have a few, well-articulated core values that guide our decision-making?Y N Offer only programs and ministries that have clear purpose statements of which directly support our congregation’s mission, vision and values?Y N Have a clear process for welcoming people into the life of the congregation?Y N Have a clear process for meeting people where they’re at in their faith journey and helping them become mature in Christ?Y N Provide pathways for helping people discover their gifts and discern their vocation?Y N Have a plan that lists faith formation outcomes and strategies at every life stage?Y N Provide multiple pathways for helping people practice their faith everyday, everywhere?Y N Have a written plan that guides our efforts in fulfilling our mission and vision?Y N Communicate how our strategies and activities help fulfill our mission and vision?
Concerning LEADERSHIP, do we . . .Y N Actively look for people with leadership potential?Y N Place leaders in positions and roles that maximizes their gifts?Y N Orient leaders about the congregation’s mission, vision, and values?Y N Orient leaders about their roles and responsibilities?Y N Orient leaders about how they relate with the Board, teams, and task forces?Y N Orient leaders about the principles and practices that lead to vibrant faith?Y N Equip them to serve as spiritual elders who spend time discerning God’s will?Y N Teach them how to be forward thinking, open minded, nimble, and adaptive?Y N Teach them how to build high performing teams and task forces?Y N Teach them how to influence others, facilitate change, address conflict and exercise leadership?Y N Provide them with books, resources, and a manual to support them in their leadership role?Y N Regularly pray for every leader and leadership team?Y N Have a process for regularly evaluating their impact and effectiveness?
Concerning EXECUTION, do we . . .Y N Have a process for maintaining current information on our members?Y N Maintain accurate leadership lists for the Board, standing committees, and task forces?Y N Have a clear process for evaluating people, programs, partnerships, and ministries?Y N Maintain current job descriptions for everyone serving in a leadership role?Y N Provide clear expectations for leaders and members at large?Y N Ensure that meeting agendas generate action on the things that matter most?Y N Equip pastors and lay leaders with setting 30-day, 90-day, and annual goals?Y N Equip all members how to share their faith and extend hospitality?Y N Have a process for monitoring goals and keeping them on schedule?
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STEP 3: ALIGN people, programs and plans
Surface To Soul Discussion Guide
Alignment is that optimal state in which the experience of mission, vision, values, strategies, people, products, and processes all work in concert to fulfill the mission, providing a life-changing experience for everyone involved. Aligned congregations — from the lead pastor to the new member— understand not only the strategy and goals of the organization but also how his or her work contributes to them. Everyone can articulate what the congregation is about and has his or her own elevator speech about the congregation. It culminates in an experience that exemplifies the DNA of the congregation. For people to experience the essence, or DNA, of your congregation, the following areas must be aligned in a manner that supports the fulfillment of the congregation’s mission, vision, and values. Make a list of areas that your congregation could benefit from greater attention to alignment.
Questions pertaining to GOVERNANCE• Do we focus on the congregation’s mission and vision?• Do we focus on who the congregation seeks to serve, and at what cost?• Do we focus on defining the limitations of a leader’s means in which to accomplish the ends?• Do we clarify the manner in which the council delegates authority?• Do we clarify how it evaluates performance relative to its ends and limitations?• Do we formulate policies that support the best interests of the congregation?• Do we define and delegate rather than react and ratify?• Do we control staff means by limiting, rather than prescribing the organization’s conduct, activities, methods, and
practices?• Do we forge linkage between staff and the Board that is empowering and safe?• Do we monitor performance against the ends (mission & vision) and means?• Do we speak as one voice or not at all?• Do we maintain a current Policies Manual?• Do we delegate authority to committees and task forces to fulfill the ends?
Questions pertaining to VISION AND STRATEGY• Do we have a clear, concise, and compelling mission that members can recite?• Do we have a clear, concise and compelling vision that members can recite?• Do we have a few, well-articulated core values that guide our decision-making?• Do we offer only programs and ministries that have clear purpose statements which support our
congregation’s mission and vision?• Do we have a written plan that guides our efforts in fulfilling our mission and vision?
Questions pertaining to LEADERSHIP•Do we actively look for people with leadership potential?
•Do we place leaders in positions and roles that maximize their gifts?•Do we orient leaders about the congregation’s mission, vision, and values?
•Do we orient leaders about their roles and responsibilities?•Do we orient leaders about faith formation principles and practices?
•Do we orient leaders about how they relate with the Board, teams, and task forces?•Do we equip them to serve as spiritual elders who spend time discerning God’s will?•Do we teach them how to be forward thinking, open minded, nimble, and adaptive?•Do we teach them how to build high performing teams?•Do we have a process for regularly evaluating their impact and effectiveness?
Questions pertaining to EXECUTION•Do we have a process for keeping member information current?
•Do we maintain accurate leadership lists for the Board, standing committees, and task forces?
•Do we have a clear process for welcoming people into the life of the congregation? Becoming mature in Christ?
•Do we provide pathways for helping people discover, develop and deploy their God-given gifts and to live into their vocation?
•Do we provide multiple pathways for helping people practice their faith everyday,everywhere?
“Mixed messages are the result of
being out of alignment.”
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1. List the core value you’re seeking to more fully integrate: ______________________________2. List how it’s currently being EXPERIENCED in the settings and situations listed below.3. List ways to help people experience it in the settings and situations listed below.
EXERCISE: INTEGRATING YOUR CORE VALUES
Surface To Soul Discussion Guide
SETTING CURRENT ADD
Worship
Sunday School
Confirmation
Council/Board
Staff Meetings
Ministry Team Meetings
Small Groups
Annual Meeting
Servant Events
Milestones Celebrations
Home Visitations
Music Ministries
Retreats & Trips
Sports Leagues
Newsletters/Publications
Website
Social Media
Meal Times
Bed Time Rituals
Family Chores
Walks/Exercising
TV/Movie Time
Car/Travel Time
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STEP 4: NAVIGATE by setting SMART goals
Surface To Soul Discussion Guide
Goals that focus on the ABCs (attendance, buildings, and cash) are not God’s primary goals. Rather, they are the fruits of living faithfully, allowing God’s light to shine through us. The Great Commission challenges us as Christians to “go . . . and make disciples.” Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount reminds us of the importance of practicing and passing on our faith every day, everywhere. The reason for setting goals is to make a difference for the glory of God in the short period we’re on this earth. Take time to review the questions below related to goal setting. What are you doing well and how might you build upon these elements? Many congregations do not have a history of setting goals despite knowing the positive impact they usually have on an organization. If your congregation doesn’t typically set goals, what do you feel hinders their willingness and capacity to do so?
Questions related to GOAL SETTING• Does your congregation have a history of setting goals? Reviewing them regularly?• Does your congregation have a history of achieving them? • If your congregation sets goals, do most people in the congregation know what they are?• Do you have a good process for assigning and tracking goals to ensure they are accomplished?• Are goals and actions steps regularly discussed at staff meetings? Leadership meetings?
Questions related to SMART GOALS• Are your congregation’s goals specific and quantifiable?• Are your goals realistic and attainable?• Do your goals/dreams have a deadline?• How do you know if your goals are on track?• What happens when goals fall behind schedule?• How do you decide if goals need to change? Who decides?• Who is responsible when goals are not met?• How do unmet goals and expectations get communicated to the appropriate parties?
Questions related to setting CONGREGATIONAL GOALS• What is the process for staff members setting and communicating their annual goals?• What happens if staff goals are not submitted?• Does the governing council set annual goals?• Do staff and council agenda set aside time to review progress made on goals?• Who typically points out when goals are not being met?• How do other staff members respond when an individual’s goals are not met?• Do ministry teams and task forces set goals?• How are goals communicated to other stakeholders?• Do meeting agendas include time to review individual and team goals?• How does our congregation benefit from setting goals?• What does it cost us if our congregation fails to set goals?• What are some reasons why individuals and teams choose not to set goals?• How might leaders collaborate more intentionally with others to fulfill
individual and team goals?
Questions related to the GOAL SETTING PROCESS• When do staff and council set their annual goals?• Who receives these goals and what is their role?• How will we celebrate when goals are achieved?• How will progress and short-term wins be communicated to the
congregation?• What tools and resources are provided to assist leaders with setting goals?• When goals are not met, is there time to learn and reflect, and ask, “What
happened?”• Does your congregation know how to do “autopsies with blame” when it
TEAM MEMBERS_________________________________________________________________
After reviewing your congregation’s mission, vision, values, and the purpose of your ministry team, list 3 annual goals for your ministry team. After determining your 3 goals, spend time identifying five or more action steps that need to be taken to fulfill each goal.
Moving forward involves change. Change leads to resistance. Resistance leads to conflict.
VFM frequently refers to John Kotter (who teaches leadership course at Harvard Business School) who has made it his business to study both success and failure in change initiatives. Kotter notes that skipping any of the eight steps below creates only the illusion of speed and never produces satisfactory results" and "making critical mistakes in any of the phases can have a devastating impact, slowing momentum and negating hard-won gains". A summary of John Kotter eight phases are listed below along with some questions a consultant might ask about each one..1. ESTABLISH A SENSE OF URGENCY
•Do leaders model and articulate a sense of urgency?•Do leaders provide a healthy sense of discontent with the status quo?
•Are leaders willing to take risks that may lead to more excellent ways of doing ministry?
•Do leaders remove bottlenecks and streamline processes so that decisions can be made more quickly?
•Are the majority of your leaders honestly convinced that business as usual is no longer an acceptable plan?
2. FORM A POWERFUL GUIDING COALITION•Is there a sufficiently large enough guiding coalition?•Are key influencers part of this guiding coalition?
3. CREATE A CLEAR, COMPELLING VISION•Have leaders provided the congregation with a clear mental image of God’s preferred future?• Can leaders communicate this vision to others in less than five minutes and still get buy-in from others?
•Is the vision sufficiently compelling that people are willing to sacrifice their time, money and energy to achieve it?
4. OVER COMMUNICATE THE VISION•Do the majority of leaders take personal responsibility for communicating
the vision? Do leaders walk the talk?•Do leaders confirm that others are buying into the desired change?
5. EMPOWER OTHERS TO ACT ON THE VISION• Does the congregation inform others about how they can contribute?• Does the congregation set aside time and money to support the vision?• Have leaders created a list of actual or anticipated obstacles and made contingency plans for addressing them
when they occur?.6. CREATE SHORT-TERM WINS• Have leaders identified short-term wins and how they will publicly celebrate them?• Do leaders strategize how they’ll use short-term wins to generate increased momentum?.7. SUSTAIN THE MOMENTUM FOR CHANGE• Do leaders avoid declaring victory too soon?• Do leaders have a plan for re-engaging and re-energizing people after the vision is achieved?
8. INSTITUTIONALIZE THE NEW APPROACHES• Do leaders have a plan for anchoring the desired change efforts?• Are new members and new leaders oriented in the new ways of doing things?• Is anyone assigned to make sure that the organization doesn’t slip back to the old ways of doing things?In The Failure of Nerve, Edwin Friedman’s states that leaders need to maintain a “non-anxious presence” - a manner of being calm and collected and fully engaged in the midst of tension and turmoil. Would you agree with his assessment? How does one maintain this mindset yet still be fully engaged in the situation?
“Like rafting guides,
leaders anticipate the
obstacles ahead and
plan accordingly.”
14
STEP 6: EVALUATE people, programs and procedures
Surface To Soul Discussion Guide
Evaluating ministry is not a new concept. The Bible is filled with a number of passages encouraging self-examination and reflection. In 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Paul gives the qualifications for deacons and elders. In 1 Corinthians 11:28, Paul encourages the people of Corinth to examine themselves before taking the Lord’s Supper. Consultants play an important role in helping leaders examining themselves and the ministries they represent. The evaluation process is an essential component for growing in ministry excellence. Congregations and their leaders often have to be sold on the idea of ongoing evaluation. Listed below are some the benefits of evaluation to share with leaders.
1. Evaluation and the resulting action ensures missional alignment.
2. Evaluation practices help congregations and leaders identify the gap between where we are now and where we want to be regarding living into our mission, vision, and values.
3. The evaluation process helps us define our current reality and allows us to make course corrections that lead to God’s preferred future.
4. Evaluation indicates what’s important. Many of us have heard the phrase, “What gets measured gets done.” In a similar vein, I’d like to suggest that “What gets evaluated gets transformed.”
5. When we take time to evaluate, it communicates that we’re serious about making a difference.
Evaluation provides opportunities to celebrate what God is doing through people. Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Evaluations enable us to say to people with integrity, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Listed below are some questions about evaluation a consultant might wish to raise with the people they are coaching.
Questions to ask about EVALUATION 1. What prevents you from regularly evaluating your life and your ministry?2. In what ways do you think your ministries would be different if you constantly evaluated them?3. Whom would you trust asking for feedback on your ministry performance?4. What information do you need to gather from members, leaders, or your community to do your best work?5. What do you do with the feedback you receive about your performance? Your programs and ministries?6. How do we know if the programs and ministries we’re offering are helping build disciples?7. What criteria will we use to evaluate the success of this program and ministry?8. Who do we need to gather feedback from? What information do we need to gather?9. What are your areas of strengths and what are your areas needing improvement.? 10. Are there changes that you could make to improve your effectiveness? 11. What skills do you need to develop to improve your performance? 12. What can you, your supervisor, or the congregation do to improve your performance and increase your overall
job satisfaction? 13. How would you describe communication among team members? 14. How well informed are you of the information necessary to perform your duties efficiently? What additional
information do you need? 15. What goals would you be interested in working toward between now and the next performance evaluation? 16. How will you measure progress toward these goals? 17. How do you see yourself contributing to the mission of this organization?
“It’s hard to evaluate without having a culture
of trust.”
15
SUMMARY OF INSIGHTS, IDEAS AND ACTION STEPS
Surface To Soul Discussion Guide
Use this page to keep track of your insights, ideas and action steps based on readings and discussions about the book, Surface ToSoul. Set aside time at least once a month to review your notes and consider what might be relevant and actionable at that time. Use this page to guide your conversations with other leaders and to explore ways to go deeper with faith formation principles and practices.
If you haven’t already visited the surfacetosoul.org website, take a moment to do so. View the recommended blogs and websites. Download some of the free resources found on the Four Key Tools and Leadership Tools pages. Share this site and the downloadable resources with your colleagues. Sign up to receive email notices regarding new blog postings.
“Friend” Jim LaDoux on Facebook and asked to be included in the “Surface To Soul” group. You will receive notices and insights about the book a few times a week.
Keep the following webinar link handy and join us for upcoming webinars. You’ll be notified of webinars via the Facebook “Surface To Soul” page. http://vibrantfaith.adobeconnect.com/surfacetosoul
I look forward to you being part of the “surface to soul” conversation!
Jim LaDoux (877.693.7196)
INSIGHTS (New ways of thinking about ministry or practicing faith)__________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________
IDEAS (New ways of thinking about ministry or practicing faith)__________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________
ACTIONS (New ways of thinking about ministry or practicing faith)__________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________
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