Rural Communities in Transition Initiative        

(click here to view flyer)

Churches by Size Seminar

                      February 19-21, 2009                    

sponsored by the Rural Communities in Transition Initiative (RCITI)

Schedule (see below for detailed information about sessions):

                 February 19, Thursday Day (10 AM-4 PM) All Pastors

                 February 19, Thursday Evening (7-9 PM) All Pastors and the lay team from your church

                 February 20, Friday Day (10 AM-4 PM) Staffs of Large Churches, which includes pastors

                 February 20, Friday Evening (7-9 PM) All Pastors and the lay team from your church

                 February 21, Saturday Morning (9-11:30 AM) Small Church Lay Teams with their pastors

                 February 21, Saturday Afternoon  (12:30-3 PM) Mid-size Church Lay Teams with their pastors

Small Churches = Average Worship Attendance less than 100: Pastors on Thursday Day; Pastors & Lay Team Thursday & Friday Evening & Sat. Morning.

Medium Churches = Average Worship Attendance 150 to 250: Pastors on Thursday Day; Pastors & Lay Team Thursday & Friday Evening & Sat. Afternoon.

Large Churches = Average Worship Attendance over 250: Pastors on Thursday Day; Pastors & Lay Team Thursday & Friday Evening & Pastor + Staff on Friday Day

The Race to Reach Out

 This seminar will help pastors and lay teams understand the unique and important ministry of hospitality and assimilation of newcomers to help them experience a life-transforming encounter with Jesus Christ.  As Lyle Schaller shared, "Systems produce what they are designed to produce."  So learn how to design an assimilation system that produces disciples, and not inactive members.  The insights from this seminar help participants to develop an effective process of assimilation and discipling by focusing on helping newcomers to belong to the church and to Christ -- not primarily on membership as the goal.  Using the analogy of a relay race to describe this exciting ministry, the goal is assimilation -- and membership is the "victory lap"!  The seminar guides participants in developing a consistent and effective assimilation process of newcomers that starts with attracting newcomers; moves to hospitality when they arrive; identifying them as newcomers for follow up; responding to them quickly; making a listening visit to hear their needs, interests, talents, and gifts; inviting them to a place to participate and belong, based on the listening; and then inviting to membership after they are assimilated and discipled.  Participants will learn practical skills, strategies, and models to be equipped for this essential ministry of connecting people to the church and to Christ in the race to reach out!  Bring a team of several persons because this ministry takes a dedicated, motivated team to do it well.

Good To Great Churches 

"Good is the enemy of Great.  And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great....  If we have cracked the code on the question of good to great, we should have something of value to any type of organization.  Good schools might become great schools.  Good churches might become great churches.  And good companies might become great companies."
-- Jim Collins, Good to Great

 Jim Collins' bestselling book, Good to Great, is not only insightful and practical for business, but also for other organizations like churches (which is why 600,000 of the 1.1 million copies of the book were sold to the social sector).  This seminar translates these organizational principles for greatness and applies them to the ministry of churches striving to move from being an already good church to becoming a great church for God.  This happens by building momentum through continuous alignment of the principles over time toward a significant breakthrough -- or what Collins calls the "flywheel".

The seminar explores and applies to churches these disciplined principles in all three key areas of great organizations.  First, great churches have disciplined people -- Level 5 leaders that combine personal humility and professional drive and they put right people in the right places (first who, then what).  Second, great churches demonstrate disciplined thought -- confronting the brutal facts (confront tough reality head on with unwavering faith in the ultimate outcome) and discover what they can be the very best at in ministry (the "hedgehog concept").  Third, great churches display disciplined action -- creating a culture of discipline (not just hierarchy, bureaucracy, and control) and using technological accelerators (applying the right technology to accelerate advancements, not spearhead them).

Throughout the seminar, examples of how outstanding churches have used these "Good to Great" principles in their ministry will be shared for clarification and instruction.  Participants will be equipped to begin to develop their own analysis of the congregation, explore their "hedgehog concept", and strategize specifically how to move from being a good church to becoming a great church doing transforming ministry for the mission of Jesus Christ.  How to apply these principles in the congregation they serve will be a key focus of the seminar.  And coming with a team from the congregation will make the experience more rewarding and effective as the process is communicated and utilized back home.

Extending the Church Family: Ministry in a Small Church
(less than 100 average worship attendance)

Key issues in a small church are care, worship, and decision making.  How to do this well and appropriately in a small church will be the central focus of this seminar.  Participants will explore the style of caring and assimilation consistent with a family church: administration and decision making that strengthens and broadens the church family and how family systems theory can particularly and specifically be helpful for understanding and respecting the dynamics at work in a small church, especially with matriarchs and patriarchs.  The key issues that this seminar will focus on to help the church successfully make the necessary transition to grow are developing groups, team leadership, and effective care.  The seminar will also explore the dynamics of multi-point charges in a fresh and helpful fashion.  This seminar will be particularly helpful for pastors (especially with lay teams) in their first small church pastorate.  The process and impact of growth in a small church will be explored, with helpful skills and models provided. 

 Mastering the Middle: Ministry in a Mid-Sized Church
(100-250 average worship attendance)

The mid-sized church has some interesting and challenging dynamics.  It is small enough to act like a small church, to the detriment of continuing outreach and growth.  The issues to be addressed during this seminar include: caring systems, decision-making processes, assimilation of newcomers, discipling, pastoral role of care and leadership, small group life, ministry specialties and developing lay ministries.  The key issues that this seminar will focus on to help the church successfully make the necessary transition to grow are meeting nights and mentoring, monthly ministry and a care system.  Participants will also explore the relevant theory of mid-sized churches and find practical skills and models to effectively minister in this church size. 

Building a Terrific Team: Staff Ministry in a Large Church
(250+ average worship attendance or those with staff)

 This seminar for clergy and staff members of larger churches will provide a solid understanding of the nature and functioning of a large church as well as its staff.  Some key issues that will be explored include: staffing to grow, roles of various staff members, decision making, leadership development, staff meetings, rules and rituals, strategies for change, communication, staff principles, discipling and spiritual growth.  The importance of building a staff appreciation for the uniqueness of large churches, as well as the practical skills and model for helping large churches to be effective in ministry will be examined.  The key issues that this seminar will focus on to help the church successfully make the necessary transition to grow are results-based job descriptions and the principles of staff coherence and effective functioning.

Leading a Church Staff: Basic Tools for Effective Lead Pastors
(250+ average worship attendance or head of staff)

The role of the lead pastor is an exciting and challenging one as a spiritual leader.  Helping people be effective as lead pastors is the goal of this seminar.  Participants will focus attention and discussion on the issues and topics that are central to the ministry of the lead pastor: staff roles, developing mission and vision, staff covenant, coaching a staff, communication, developing leaders, staff systems and functioning, developing staff accountability and support, and growing spiritual community.  Participants will learn models, tips, theories and practical handles to help them function compassionately, competently and confidently as lead pastor.  The key issues that this seminar will focus on to help the church successfully make the necessary transition to grow are purposeful leadership, coaching staff and developing a leadership network.