EMPOWERING PPR/SPR COMMITTEES

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1 1 EMPOWERING PPR/SPR COMMITTEES There is no reason we cannot have a fantastic church --- and a wonderful experience serving on the PPR/SPR Committee--- we have an organizational system like none other --- just think: you are not here to sink or swim you are connected. Connectional system: a local church and a pastor also have a district superintendent who cares about you --- knows you, appreciates your community and location --- and then there is the conference. Your staff --- every one of you has a staff in the office of admin services; and the office of min. services; and the office of connectional ministries --- and more--- tremendous resources available. There is no reason not to have a sense of great energy and hopefulness for ourselves and our church and even our community. The right system is in place. But you know that it s the people in the system who make it work and make it come to life. We are those people. The fact that we are here together is wonderful --- it testifies to our devotion to Jesus Christ; our love for His Church; and our desire to be all that God wants us to be. So, let us focus our attention on the key ingredients that we have in common. A. Our Mission BOD, para. 120 = The mission of the UMC is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. BOD, para. 201 = The local church provides the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs. Based on your own experience, do you agree or disagree? Why?

2 2 B. God s Purpose Ephesians 1:9-10 = God has made known to us His hidden purpose, to be put into effect when the time was ripe, namely, that the universe, all in heaven and on earth, might be brought into a unity in Christ. C. God s Plan Ephesians 2:5 = To fulfill this purpose, God has made us alive together in Christ. Ephesians 2:11-22 = details of the church as God s Plan to fulfill God s purpose. D. Acts 6:1-7: A Case Study Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. 2 And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, 4 while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word. 5 What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. What was the issue? How did they handle it? Result?

3 3 E. Structure to facilitate ministry (or, Organizing To Beat The Devil) 1. God wants us Alive. Together in Christ 2. BUT, there is that in life which is opposed to God 3. We need an org. structure that keeps us Alive Together in Christ 4. Your local church organizational structure & where PPR/SPR fit in: People Property Money Pastor/Staff Nominations & Leader Dev. Trustees Finance PPR/SPR Committee F. PPR/SPR: Clarity and Alignment 1. Clarity: to help the local church and the pastor/staff have the most effective relationship possible; to consult with the district superintendent about clergy leadership for the church. What a role! If you are a member of PPR/SPR you are in a great role to serve Christ and the Church. 2. Alignment a. People serving on this committee must be engaged in and attentive to their Christian spiritual development so as to give proper leadership in the responsibilities with which the committee is entrusted. (258.2) b. teach the congregation about itineracy & steps into ordained ministry c. write job descriptions for staff; confer on continuing education and spiritual formation d. recommend staff positions; create personnel policies and sexual misconduct policies e. Quarterly calendar showing what to do (p. 15, Guidelines)

4 4 f. 4-D process and how to use it 1. Discovery: What is God blessing? Where are we alive? What strengths do we already have? 2. Dream: What is God calling us to be more of at this time? How do we build on our strengths? If we were living into that what would we be doing, seeing, saying? 3. Design: What are we already doing to live into this vision? What might we try? Who do we need to invite to join us? 4. Deliver: How will we know when we have gotten there? g. setting priorities with the pastor (using the 12-card exercise) h. setting monthly meetings around the 4-D exercise and the cards i. importance of minutes j. Lay Leader meets regularly with the pastor to discuss the state of the church and the needs for ministry; serves on: church council, finance, nominations, and PPR/SPR; along with the pastor, the lay leader serves as an interpreter of the actions and programs of the annual conference and the general Church (it is recommended that a lay leader also serve as a lay member of annual conference). k. confidentiality l. Involve the District Superintendent sooner rather than later m. Ask the District Superintendent about coaches

5 5 n. Use the Process for Assessment of Local Church Potential, para. 213 Since every congregation is located in a community in some type of transition, every local church is encouraged to study their congregation s potential. Upon request of the congregation the district superintendent shall appoint a study task force to assist in an extensive study of the past, present, and potential ministry of that local church. Alternatively, the district superintendent may appoint such a task force when the future viability of the congregation is in question or whenever he or she deems it necessary for other reasons. The task force shall be composed of an equal number of lay and clergy persons and shall include persons from that congregation. G. Commission on a Way Forward 1. You do not have to wait for the report or recommendations in order to be a leader and a uniter that decision can be made today. 2. Specifics re: Commission on a Way Forward a. how it came about: GC2016 and forward to GC2019 b. what it is charged to do & what are the next steps? c. follow it on the website: d. look at most recent report e. What does this tell us? What can we say at this point? f. and Jan , 2018 in SGA Conference 3. How can you help your church? a. your role in conflict: being a non-anxious presence /anxiety in the family system and its application to church b. understanding your own emotional condition: what brings you peace? c. constantly returning to the Mission, God s Purpose, God s Plan d. how to lead in a time of uncertainty/controversy/anxiety (1) understand that many people do not know how to handle controversial issues without becoming part of the controversy themselves

6 6 (2) set the example of not demonizing those who have a different position than yours, on any issue (3) do not interrupt others (4) limit their volume level and refuse to use words that are incendiary or belittling (5) set the example of being courteous in word and deed (6) apologize when wrong (7) form opinions carefully and stay open to better information (8) move into uncomfortable territory and seek to understand each other (9) those we lead are dying for us to call the best out of them (10) Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and SELF - CONTROL. There is no law against such things. You influence the environment and you can create an environment that is toxic or freeing to others. Do you speak to others? Do you listen? Do you learn? H. Increasing Average Worship Attendance Worship is a Vital Sign of those who are Alive Together in Christ. Why is this so? Because What You Worship Is What You Become. (you will eventually become what you pay attention to) Our Goal: 10% increase in average worship attendance. Why this goal? Because this goal will enable us to do what our church was established to do help more people gather to worship God and leave inspired to serve others.

7 7 Quotes from OVERFLOW At the heart of why any church exists is to glorify God and to share God as revealed in Jesus Christ; thus, worship is at the center of the congregation s life. The chances that God will speak to someone through your church are far greater if that person is in worship. Careful attention to the people you are seeking to reach, to planning, and to patterns of attendance can bear much fruit for God. The church, of course, is more than worship, but without vital worship attendance, it is unlikely that members are growing and new disciples are being brought to faith. Worship attendance is also the one factor where improvement tends to help every other aspect of the church s ministry. Growing churches connect people with God, and compelling and inspiring worship is a primary means of connection. We can certainly learn from every church that is reaching people for Christ, but no one way of worshiping is right for all churches. What is right for your church depends on a number of factors. If those who worship at your church are more representative of the community in a past era than today, perhaps your worship has not adapted to the needs of today. Current worshipers are indeed part of that context, but so are those whom you have not yet reached. Rather than resist what may seem to be cumbersome details and processes, perhaps we should learn from the myriad components farmers require for fruitfulness. Ask any farmer of any crop whether it is possible to produce an abundant harvest from overgrown land, with out-of-date seeds, with unmotivated workers, or with ineffective tools, and you will get a look of unbelief that anyone would ask such a question. Even though the exact shape of the final harvest is always out of the farmers power to control, they still know they must have systems, processes, and standards to be responsible farmers. One important concept from the world of agriculture is the distinction between capacity and yield. There are things the farmer can do to increase the yield on that land. But eventually there is a limit to growth by yield only. The farmer can focus, however, not just on yield but also on capacity. Buying or renting more land would be an example of a way of increasing capacity. To increase worship attendance, you will need to focus on some factors that have the potential of increasing capacity (reaching more people) and on things that have the potential to increase yield (greater level of participation from current members).

8 8 We must always be careful to remember that while we do the planting and watering, the growth always comes from God (1 Corinthians 3:6). There may be a few universal truths, but most lessons of farming need to be adapted to local circumstances. Our hope is that you will take what you read here and not ask, How do I replicate this in my church? but rather, What clue does this idea provide that fits my situation? Our life together is experienced when we offer praise and thanksgiving to God, when we confess our sins in common humility, and when our diverse voices blend into a harmonious offering to God. Sharing sacred space together and dedicating ourselves to serve Christ all work to bring us unity and identity. Worship is powerful. It changes lives. If you want to do something to increase the joy of God and bless others, then it will be important to figure out how to make worship more real, more communal, more personal, and more inclusive. When they gather in their wonder of God and the recognition that what God has to offer is fundamentally better than what they have, lives will transform. In ways small and large, worship is a key to the transformation of the world. Vital Signs Checkup PTWG --- Personal Time With God What time of day works well for you? What resources will you use? When have you been Alive in Worship? When has your church been Alive Together in Worship? What are the ten services of highest worship attendance? How are you planning for those services in the coming year? Include Christmas Eve What other big days occur in your church each year? How are you planning for those days?

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