George Bullard is a Ministry Partner and the Strategic Coordinator with The Columbia Partnership at www.TheColumbiaPartnership.org. He works with Christian leaders, congregations, and denominations in various areas of ministry vitality and excellence.
He is also the General Secretary [executive director] for the North American Baptist Fellowship of the Baptist World Alliance.
George's theme for 2010 is Ministry to the Seventh Power. Look for regular posts on this theme.
Connect with George at www.BullardJournal.org, on Facebook at http://profile.to/georgebullard/, and follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BullardJournal.>
A ministry colleague of mine is conducting research on interruptive crises in congregations. If you are currently a pastor or staff minister in a local Christian congregation, I invite you to complete this survey:
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2pvx8elg5eekh5n/start
As we enter the second decade of the 21st century, it is appropriate to look at the state of denominations. How are they doing? What are the characteristics of denominations who are thriving? What are the characteristics of denominations who are dying; perhaps a little bit at a time?
Denominations who are thriving are engaging in the following activities. First, they are planting a number of new congregations each year equal to at least three percent of the number of congregations they had at the beginning of the year. Second, they have figured out how to come alongside their faithful, effective, and innovative congregations and help them soar to the next dimension of ministry. Third, they do triage with congregation who say they want to transform and pick the ones who have the best readiness and help them to transform. They are doing this with at least three percent of their congregations each year. Fourth, they have figured out how to support their dying, subsistence, and long-term declining denominations without allowing them to consume an inordinate amount of their denominational staff time, passion, and finances.
Denominations who are experiencing a steady decline and slowly dying are engaging in the following activities. First, they are focusing on the legislative processes of their denomination to micro-manage their policies and positions on various issues. The big one right now is the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy. Second, they are regularly restructuring their denomination in response to economic crises and the lack of support for a three-tired, competing denominational system. Third, they are entangled with what to do with their auxiliary and affiliated organization such as colleges, seminars, retirement homes, children’s homes, etc. Fourth, they focus too deeply on ecumenical activities and organizations assuming that unity of Christian organizations leads to more vital ministry.
Further, they are not planting many churches, not helping their faithful, effective, and innovative churches to move forward, trying to transform congregations who are not willing to do what is necessary to be transformed, and spending more than have of their staff field time trying to find the answer for ministry among small, dying, and subsistence level congregations. Finally, they have alienated a larger percentage of the generations born after July 20, 1969 when humankind first walked on the moon, so these people are going to churches of other denominations, or nondenominational churches.
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George Bullard was recently interviewed by Peter Reid of the Convention of Atlanta Baptist Provinces in Canada on the ministry of The Columbia Partnership and George's perspective on denominations:
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Mars Football player plays like eightysomething Betty White until he chomps on a Snickers in this year's Ad Meter winner.
- By Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY
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In an interview at Duke Divinity School, Brian McLaren shares his thoughts about the future of denominations. His title is Denominations Do Invaluable Things.
http://www.faithandleadership.duke.edu/multimedia/brian-d-mclaren-denominations-do-invaluable-things
This is one of a series of interviews posted as part of the Faith and Leadership emphasis at Duke.
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In an interview at Duke Divinity School, Wes Granberg-Michaelson of the Reformed Church in America shares his thoughts about the future of denominations:
This is one of a series on interviews posted as part of the Faith and Leadership emphasis at Duke.
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The quote of the day is from Julia Wallace of Virginia: "I was trained to change the world, but I was not trained as to what to do if the world changes."
The world has indeed changed, and the methodologies many of us learned for ministry no longer fit. However, we are still trying to change the world the old way.
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CBM Announces Departure of Gary Nelson
Canadian Baptist Ministries announces that General Secretary Rev. Dr. Gary Nelson has elected not to renew his contract and will depart from his current role with the organization in June 2010. Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto has announced that Gary will assume the role of their President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2010Gary has served with CBM for 10 years, during which CBM experienced an unprecedented period of growth and focus in its national and global ministries. “Gary has helped lead the organization through a period of change and equipped CBM’s Leadership Team to handle future challenges and exciting new possibilities,” says Associate General Secretary Blair ClarkOf the transition from CBM to Tyndale, Gary says that, “I’ve always been passionate about education and leadership development, particularly among young people and the grassroots. This new role will allow me the opportunity to focus on these areas. The difficult part is that it means I will no longer be directly working with my colleagues at CBM and among Canadian Baptist churches, but I feel I have to respond to what God is calling me to at this time in my life.”Says Terry Smith, CBM’s Director of Partnerships and Initiatives, “During the past five years, CBM has worked closely with Tyndale on developing cross-cultural training programs as part of our focus on global discipleship for young people, so Gary’s appointment seems a logical step for both our organizations. As several Canadian Baptist leaders are already closely linked with Tyndale, we look forward to further developing our relationship as we both seek to train Christian leaders for the church of the future.”
Dr. Gary Nelson appointed President of Tyndale
TORONTO (February 2, 2010) — The Board of Governors of Tyndale University College & Seminary has announced the appointment of Dr. Gary Nelson as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2010. In his announcement today, Board Chair, Steven Holmes said, "We conducted an international search and are delighted that Dr. Nelson has accepted our invitation. We look forward to his leadership as we strive to educate and equip young people for the world. Dr. Nelson understands Tyndale and is committed to lead our faculty, staff, students, alumni and donors toward a shared vision to be one of Canada's premier universities and seminaries." Dr. Nelson said, "I can think of no greater time to be involved at Tyndale University College & Seminary. It stands at a unique place in developing its ‘voice' and ‘mind' by educating and equipping students through its programs. I am excited about working closely with the faculty, staff and student body to further shape our vision and realize the unique opportunities before us." Dr. Nelson went on to say, "Tyndale's legacy is its reputation and history as one of the leading institutions of Christian higher education in Canada. It has been undergoing a transformation over the last few years and both the university college and the seminary have a great future. Tyndale is already one of the most multi-cultural student bodies in Canada, its seminary is leading the way in contextual, theological education and its university college provides students with a multi-disciplinary education from a faith-based perspective. The new 56-acre campus on Bayview Avenue and its development will only enhance our possibilities. I am looking forward to joining Tyndale and together shaping its next chapter." During his 10-year tenure as General Secretary of the Canadian Baptist Ministries and CEO of the national and global work of Canadian Baptists, Dr. Nelson and his leadership team experienced a striking capacity growth. They expanded the impact of ministry in the area of leadership development and theological education; facilitated sustainable community development as well as missional discipleship programs; and developed and nurtured key educational resources for 1100 congregations across Canada. "We believe that Dr. Nelson's proven experience, collaborative style of leadership and commitment to education through innovation and shared vision will position Tyndale as a leader," said Holmes. Dr. Nelson graduated with doctoral and master's degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary and with a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of British Columbia. A leading academic in the area of 21st Century missional church, he has authored and presented numerous papers and lectured nationally and internationally. He has written extensively on theological and ecclesiastical matters. His publications include Future Faith Churches: The Power of a Reconnected Gospel for the 21st Century (Woodlake Press, 1997); Borderland Churches: A Congregations' Introduction to Missional Living (Chalice Press, 2008); and Going Global: Missional Living ‘over there' (pending publication in December 2010). Tyndale is a trans-denominational evangelical university college and seminary founded in 1894 and situated in North Toronto. Its student body is engaged in comprehensive and broad educational opportunities from a faith perspective. The University College is focused on providing accredited degree programs that challenge students to think critically and prepare them for professional vocations and post graduate studies. Tyndale Seminary, described by their accrediting body, the Association of Theological Schools, is the most multi-cultural seminary in North America. It provides theological education at the masters and doctoral level for Christian leaders, laity and pastors. At present it has a student body of over 1,200 and an alumni of over 9,000.Comments [0]
During uncertain economic times how do congregations provide staff leadership that is essential for forward progress? How do congregations add a staff person? How do congregations replace a staff person? How do congregations lower staff costs in response to what they hope is a temporary reduction in tithes and offerings? One of the best ways to fulfill staffing needs is to use 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers.
The 22 hours per week includes their involvement in Sunday activities, and other regular services and program times in which they participate. The 44 weeks per year is a key concept for this type of part-time lay minister. It allows them the opportunity to take breaks during the year for holidays, family vacation, and other times and reasons for being away. Depending upon the salary, benefits, and administrative support structure in a congregation, three to four 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers can be employed for the same cost as one full-time, permanent staff minister.
Who are 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers? Usually these people come from within the membership of the congregation. They are people who already believe in the congregation, and its spiritual strategic direction. Typical candidates for these positions include spouses who have children at home so they are not working full-time. They would like to work in a congregational ministry position, and can work the schedule around school hours.
Retired persons are often candidates. Persons who have retired early for various reasons, but would still like to work and are committed to ministry within their congregation make excellent 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers. Bivocational ministry also fits the 22-44 Ministry Mobilizer concept. Many people have secular jobs that are confined to certain hours. They can work a second, part-time job and would like to do this in ministry in their congregation. Persons who teach school often can service as 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers. The reality is that they probably work less than 22 hours per week during the school year, but may be full-time during most of the summer.
Special Issues Concerning 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers: 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers should be thought of as people who do essential work of ministry, and not as people who hold a job in the congregation. As such, several principles should guide the 22-44 Ministry Mobilizer system in any congregation.
First, all 22-44 Ministry Mobilizer positions are fluid, dynamic, and temporary. 22-44 Ministry Mobilizer positions are established to meet a real need for a specified time. No 22-44 Ministry Mobilizer position should be permanent.
Second, 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers and their staff leader should develop a written covenant for the fulfillment of a clearly defined ministry assignment for a defined number of months or years.
Third, 22-44 Ministry Mobilizer positions should be for six months to three years in length. Even within this time span should be checkpoints where the ministry team leader and the lay minister can evaluate the viability of continuing the ministry position, and the desire of both for this person to continue in this ministry position.
Fourth, at the end of the covenant period several things can happen. The covenant relationship may conclude and the lay minister moves on. The staff leader may renew the covenant. Or, the ministry team leader may significantly change the covenant with the lay minister and ask them to take on a new ministry challenge.
Fifth, 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers must seek to identify and coach three to five people who could fulfill their current ministry assignment. Many 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers will actually work themselves out of a job and perhaps be ready to take on a new staff challenge for the congregation.
What Are Ministry Mobilization Teams?
The idea of 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers may work best when they are part of a Ministry Mobilization Team coached by a full-time ministerial staff person, or ministry team leader. A Ministry Mobilization Team may include a full-time minister as coach, two to six 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers and a team administrative assistant.
Applications of the 22-44 Ministry Mobilizer and Ministry Mobilization Teams Concept
Smaller Membership Congregation [less than 80-85 in average attendance]: 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers would include any music or program staff. Often even congregations of this size have a person who directs music and a person who leads their youth/teenager program.
MidSize Membership Congregation [85 to 350 in average attendance]: This size congregation often needs staff assistance to help create and sustain quality programming in two to three areas of focus, but cannot afford a full-time staff person, much less a full-time staff person for each of the very diverse areas. Also, the areas of program focus may be very different and even if they could afford a full-time staff minister it would be unlikely the person would do quality work in each of the very diverse areas.
One congregation of around 300 in attendance has put together a staff that includes an associate pastor, a preschool and children director, a youth director, a music director, and an adult programs director who are all 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers.
Larger Membership Congregation [350 to 750 in average attendance]: In these congregations the concept of the Ministry Mobilization Teams made up of a full-time staff minister, or ministry team leader, and two to six 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers begins to become a reality.
An example would be a full-time minister for Christian education who has a 22-44 Ministry Mobilizer on a team of lay ministers who do preschool programming, children programming, youth programming, singles programming, senior adults programming, and one who does lay mobilization.
This whole team of 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers can be put together for less than the cost of two full-time staff ministers, and have much more flexibility.
Mega Membership Congregation [750 or more in attendance]: This size congregation may begin to have Ministry Mobilization Teams that focus on age group specialties. One example would be a full-time minister to young adult families who has 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers serving as a preschool coordinator, a children coordinator, and a weekday early education coordinator.
Another example would be a full-time minister of adult discipleship development who has a team of 22-44 Ministry Mobilizers who cover the areas of evangelism and new members recruitment, care ministry, discipleship development, and lay mobilization and involvement.
Copyright 2009, Rev. George Bullard, D.Min.
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