The Barnabas Principle The Rev. Dr. C. K. Robertson 1
Portrait of an Encourager He is not one of the Twelve. He appears almost as an afterthought. He disappears after Acts 15. AND YET, he changes EVERYTHING!
First Appearance There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means son of encouragement ). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. Acts of the Apostles 4:36-37 3
Barnabas in Acts
Barnabas in Acts Giving at the feet of the apostles
Barnabas in Acts Giving at the feet of the apostles Vouching for Saul
Barnabas in Acts Giving at the feet of the apostles Vouching for Saul Recruiting an apprentice
Barnabas in Acts Giving at the feet of the apostles Vouching for Saul Recruiting an apprentice Seeking God s & the community s call
Barnabas in Acts Giving at the feet of the apostles Vouching for Saul Recruiting an apprentice Seeking God s & the community s call Taking the role of supportive assistant
Barnabas in Acts Giving at the feet of the apostles Vouching for Saul Recruiting an apprentice Seeking God s & the community s call Taking the role of supportive assistant Giving a second chance
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? 11
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? B egin with the big picture 12
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? B egin with the big picture A rrange structures strategically 13
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? B egin with the big picture A rrange structures strategically R etain & recruit newcomers 14
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? B egin with the big picture A rrange structures strategically R etain & recruit newcomers N urture fellow leaders & stewards 15
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? B egin with the big picture A rrange structures strategically R etain & recruit newcomers N urture fellow leaders & stewards A sk for direction and support 16
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? B egin with the big picture A rrange structures strategically R etain & recruit newcomers N urture fellow leaders & stewards A sk for direction and support B ecome a church for the community 17
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? B egin with the big picture A rrange structures strategically R etain & recruit newcomers N urture fellow leaders & stewards A sk for direction and support B ecome a church for the community A nalyze budget & giving patterns 18
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? B egin with the big picture A rrange structures strategically R etain & recruit newcomers N urture fellow leaders & stewards A sk for direction and support B ecome a church for the community A nalyze budget & giving patterns S pecify a strategic pledging plan 19
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? Begin with the big picture 20
The Need for the Bundle Our models for church are often far too limiting 21
The Need for the Bundle Our models for church are often far too limiting We are more like a clan or a tribe than either a business or a nuclear family 22
The Need for the Bundle Our models for church are often far too limiting We are more like a clan or a tribe than either a business or a nuclear family Mission Statements can be helpful, but only if we actually know and embrace them 23
The Sacred Bundle The Carrier of the Bundle reminds the tribe of their most essential identity markers 24
The Sacred Bundle The Carrier of the Bundle reminds the tribe of their most essential identity markers Together the tribe determines which markers still define them and which do not 25
The Sacred Bundle The Carrier of the Bundle reminds the tribe of their most essential identity markers Together the tribe determines which markers still define them and which do not The Bundle, in turn, determines their roles 26
Go Back to the Future What was the Sacred Bundle of the church when it was founded? 27
Go Back to the Future What was the Sacred Bundle of the church when it was founded? How has the church s understanding of its Sacred Bundle altered, evolved, or changed in the years since the founding? What can our timeline tell us? 28
Go Back to the Future What was the Sacred Bundle of the church when it was founded? How has the church s understanding of its Sacred Bundle altered, evolved, or changed in the years since the founding? What can your timeline tell us? How would we define the church s Sacred Bundle right now? 29
Create the 2-H Commissions 30
Create the 2-H Commissions Heritage Commission Focusing on the creation of a timeline for the congregation, addressing questions of leadership & change. 31
Create the 2-H Commissions Horizons Commission Focusing on communication with the surrounding community, addressing questions of demographics & need. 32
Create the 2-H Commissions Heritage Commission Horizons Commission Focusing on the creation of a timeline for the congregation, addressing questions of leadership & change. Focusing on communication with the surrounding community, addressing questions of demographics & need. 33
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? Begin with the big picture Arrange structures strategically R N A B A S 34
Arrange Structures Strategically What do your decisions about your FACILITIES, FINANCES, PROGRAMS, and STAFFING say about your church s SACRED BUNDLE? Programs Space Sacred Bundle Staff Finances 35
Rethinking Roles and Meetings 36
Rethinking Roles and Meetings The 90-minute meeting 37
Rethinking Roles and Meetings The 90-minute meeting Roles in governance 38
Rethinking Roles and Meetings The 90-minute meeting Roles in governance Desired outcomes of meetings 39
Rethinking Roles and Meetings The 90-minute meeting Roles in governance Desired outcomes of meetings Use of limitedduration committees 40
Rethinking Roles and Meetings The 90-minute meeting Roles in governance Desired outcomes of meetings Use of limitedduration committees Use of technology 41
Rethinking Space & Time 42
Rethinking Space & Time Beyond Sunday 43
Rethinking Space & Time Beyond Sunday Honoring the Past and the Future 44
Rethinking Space & Time Beyond Sunday Honoring the Past and the Future Endowment-building & capital campaigns 45
Rethinking Budgets 46
Rethinking Budgets See the budget as a faith statement 47
Rethinking Budgets See the budget as a faith statement Assume nothing 48
Rethinking Budgets See the budget as a faith statement Assume nothing Create a modified zero-based budget 49
Rethinking Budgets See the budget as a faith statement Assume nothing Create a modified zero-based budget Lead by example 50
From Vision to Action Plan Space Programs Our Vision Budget Staff Community Involvement Music Youth, Children, and Families
From Vision to Action Plan Space Programs Our Vision Budget Staff Community Involvement Music Youth, Children and Families
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? Begin with the big picture Arrange structures strategically Retain & recruit newcomers N A B A S 53
How Do We Retain and Recruit Newcomers? 54
Take a Field Trip of your own church Print advertising Website Phone message Signage Parking Facilities Service & social hour 55
Create an ongoing record of newcomers Such a record allows us to keep track of our newcomers in an intentional way. 56
Newcomer Integration Record From First-Time Visitor to Fully Adopted Member Full Name: Address: Phone: (home, work, cell circle one) Secondary Phone: (home, work, cell) E-mail: Names of Household members & birthdays: Anniversary or other special day: Clergy call in 48 hours: Formal letter in 72 hours: Lunch with Clergy: Invited to Info Event: Attended Info Event: Added to Vestry Prayers: Brownie Buddie : Filled out pledge card: Inquirers Class: Membership Liturgy: Added to directory: Confirmed/Received: 57
Pray for newcomers Send a Monday e-mail to all Vestry members with names of persons who visited services that weekend, to add to their daily prayers 58
Create a Membership Moment Make sure that your new members are formally recognized and blessed in a Sunday service! We Episcopalians do liturgy beautifully we can mark the transition of a newcomer into a fully adopted member. 59
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? Begin with the big picture Arrange structures strategically Retain & recruit newcomers Nurture fellow leaders & stewards A B A S 60
Recognize the gifts of others! Are our leadership lenses stuck at 20/80? 61
Nurture new leaders Instead, we can empower newcomers and help them become insiders 62
Pass it on! Think now of who you would like to mentor. 63
Pass it on! Think now of who you would like to mentor. Make annual Mutual Ministry Reviews a priority. 64
Pass it on! Think now of who you would like to mentor. Make annual Mutual Ministry Reviews a priority. Make exit interviews standard procedure for volunteers & staff. 65
Mutual Ministry Review What have we accomplished in this year that we can celebrate? What is working well? How did we work toward our established goals? What are the things that the vestry especially appreciates about the priest s work this past year and vice versa? What are some specific ways in which the vestry and the priest can show greater support and partnership to one another? What specific goals and objectives should we set for the coming year? What action steps do we need to take to help achieve these goals? What do we together believe the congregation needs to hear following this review? How can we encourage their participation in our common mission? What additional questions, concerns, thanksgivings would we like to share with one another? 66
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? Begin with the big picture Arrange structures strategically Retain & recruit newcomers Nurture fellow leaders & stewards Ask for direction and support B A S 67
Look Beyond the Usual Input Who are the Council of the Wise to whom we can go as needed for feedback, support, and wisdom? How can we make use of a congregational report card? 68
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? Begin with the big picture Arrange structures strategically Retain & recruit newcomers Nurture fellow leaders & stewards Ask for direction and support Become a church for the community A S 69
The Outreach Pyramid Outreach 101: For those in Need (The Matthew 25 List) 70
The Outreach Pyramid Outreach 201: For the less obvious (The Village Church) Outreach 101: For those in Need (The Matthew 25 List) 71
The Outreach Pyramid 301: Global Outreach 201: For the less obvious (The Village Church) Outreach 101: For those in Need (The Matthew 25 List) 72
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? Begin with the big picture Arrange structures strategically Retain & recruit newcomers Nurture fellow leaders & stewards Ask for direction and support Become a church for the community Analyze budget & giving patterns S 73
Know Your Membership and Giving Patterns KNOW our parochial reports! LOOK for trends over at least 5 years! UNDERSTAND any changes! 74
Know Your Membership and Giving Patterns Create clear, specific demographic data for your members financial giving, based on... Age / generation Length of time involved in church Geographic area Primary service they attend 75
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? Begin with the big picture Arrange structures strategically Retain & recruit newcomers Nurture fellow leaders & stewards Ask for direction and support Become a church for the community Analyze budget & giving patterns Specify a strategic pledging plan 76
Consider your timing Break predictable timing patterns (October in Church = April 15 th!) Move towards a year-round approach (There are reasons for the seasons!) Consider your church s timeline (Make the most of your heritage!) 77
Consider your timing Advent/ Christmas Reclaim the SEASONS of the Church year and use them creatively! All Saints Stewardship Awareness Epiphany Create at least one event or teaching about being stewards each SEASON! Pentecost Lent Easter Make All Saints the culmination of the work during all the SEASONS! 78
Create a Stewardship Statement Take the lead by creating a vestry stewardship statement, signed unanimously and enthusiastically. 79
Create a Stewardship Statement Frame and post your Vestry Stewardship Statement somewhere highly visible. Publish the statement in your newsletter and place it on your website. Send a copy of it out with the Stewardship Team s Annual Pledge Appeal. 80
Personalize Divide list of members into 4 categories and treat each one accordingly. A ctive C ontributing T ransitory S eeking 81
Personalize How do we approach each group? 82
Personalize Active These persons are truly on board. They do not need to be given the same appeal that others receive. Instead, we should 83
Personalize Active These persons are truly on board. They do not need to be given the same appeal that others receive. Instead, we should Thank them! Thank them! And thank them again! Ask for their input, their ideas. Their pledge will come! 84
Personalize Contributing These persons understand that you support an organization by paying your dues. So, send them a letter with three paragraphs 85
Personalize Contributing These persons understand that you support an organization by paying your dues. So, send them a letter with three paragraphs Acknowledge their support. Explain the system. Invite them to join the Vestry & step up. 86
Personalize Seeking These are newer members who are not yet insiders. So 87
Personalize Educate them & Empower them Seeking These are newer members who are not yet insiders. So by asking them to an invitation-only evening at which you explain how funds are used. 88
Personalize Transitory These persons have been around for at least 2 years, but have never pledged or been truly involved. So 89
Personalize Transitory These persons have been around for at least 2 years, but have never pledged or been truly involved. So The question with this group is WHY NOT not HOW! Send a letter, but consider the real issue to be a pastoral one. 90
What does it mean to be a Barnabas today? Begin with the big picture Arrange structures strategically Retain & recruit newcomers Nurture fellow leaders & stewards Ask for direction and support Become a church for the community Analyze budget & giving patterns Specify a strategic pledging plan 91
Check out Chuck s book on Barnabas: For more on this and his other works, go to www.ckrobertson.com 92