Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Hamilton EV 705- Revitalizing Congregations Syllabus: Spring, 2018 Thursday, 2-5 p.m. Jim Singleton and Ron Bouthillette Contact Info 978-646-4093 Office (Jim) 719-244-3274 Cell (Jim) 603-769-1810 Cell (Ron B) Email jsingleton@gcts.edu rbouthillette@gcts.edu Office Hours Tuesday afternoon (see sign-up sheet outside my office) Thursday for Ron before or after class Byington: Ben Crelin (bcrelin@gcts.edu) I. Course Description And the Church must be forever building And always decaying, And always being restored. (T.S. Eliot, The Rock ) Congregations go through predictable stages in their history. There is a dynamic birth stage as a new congregation is planted. Then there are later seasons in which a congregation is at a point of vital growth and flourishing. Some aspects of ministry flow more easily in those seasons, as often attendance and giving are increasing. But eventually a congregation arrives at a plateau where growth slows and a congregation finds a rhythm and stability. After a plateau another season of growth can occur, but more often a period of decline appears. At those points of decline the congregation needs to be helped back toward vitality. This course examines both the reasons for decline and malaise in congregations, and what solutions are possible to get those congregations back to flourishing. In many ways this course is an intersection of ecclesiology, evangelism, gospel renewal, leadership, preaching, sociology, and pastoral ministry. To help a complex organization like a local congregation come back toward a place of flourishing comprises many different disciplines. There is a whole organic system to engage and seek to restore. The reasons for decline are complex and so are the reasons for growth. A growing field of literature is devoted to this place in the life of a congregation. Leadership skills are especially important in this aspect of revitalizing a congregation. 1
II. Course Relationship to the Curriculum The course might be most profitable near the conclusion of seminary, as a kind of bridge into the world of pastoral ministry. The course takes into consideration all the studies in exegesis, theology, evangelism, history, pastoral ministry and preaching and challenges students to consider how their studies actually are applied in practical ministry as they lead a congregation. III. Course Objectives 1) Review the doctrine of the church as it relates to practical ministry 2) Examine periods in Biblical history where renewal or revitalization occurs 3) Understanding congregations as a system and as a participant in a lifecycle. 4) Learn how to assess congregational history and its impact on the congregation 5) Planning ways for evangelism and discipleship to impact a congregational system 6) Reflect upon the role of preaching and teaching in the revitalization ministry. 7) Continue to discern personal calling and assess giftedness for revitalization. 8) Examine biblical and historical examples of how to develop leadership in congregations 9) Understand the difference in tactical and adaptive change and identify where each is needed. 10) Grasp the Christian character values needed for effective leadership. IV. Course Textbooks Bolsinger, Tod. Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory. (Downers Grove, Ill: IVP, 2015) (ISBN: 978-0-8308-4126-4) (247 pages) Dudley, Carl and Nancy T. Ammerman. Congregations in Transition: A Guide for Analyzing, Assessing, and Adapting in Changing Communities. (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2002) (ISBN: 978-0-7879-5422-5) (181 pages) Harrell, Jim. Church Replanter. (Rowley, MA: Overseed Press, 2014) (ISBN: 978-1-940151-00-7) (177 pages) Herrington, Jim, Mike Bonem, and James H. Furr. Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey. (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000) (ISBN: 0-7879-4765-2) (186 pages) Kricher, Lee. For a New Generation: A Practical Guide for Revitalizing Your Church. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016) (ISBN: 97800310-525-226) (173 pages) MacDonald, Gordon. Who Stole My Church? (Nashville, TN.: Harper Collins, 2010) (ISBN: 978-0785230496) (271 pages) Mancini, Will. Church Unique: How Missional Leaders Cast Vision, Capture Culture, and Create Movement. (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2008) (ISBN: 978-0-7879-9633-3) (260 pages) 2
Woodward, J.R. Creating a Missional Culture: Equipping the Church for the Sake of the World. (Downers Grove, Ill: IVP, 2012) (ISBN: 978-0-8308-3653-6) (256 pages) V. Class Schedule Reading Prior to Class Gordon MacDonald. Who Stole My Church? Bring your 2 page reflection paper on the book (see assignments). Focus on the issues of change and the process of change. Part 1 Biblical/Theological Base February 1, 2018 Introductions to the Class Also: Jim Harrell, Church Replanter (no reflection paper yet) Biblical Reflection Revelation 1-3 Discussion of MacDonald s book The Condition of the Church in North America today What is Congregational Revitalization? What is the Nature of a Congregation? Acts 2:42-47 Healthy Congregations Read: Bolsinger, Canoeing the Mountains Pew RLS Press Release February 8, 2018 Lenses for Viewing a Congregation Biblical Reflection Corinth and Galatia Discussion of Bolsinger, Canoeing the Mountains Lifecycle of Congregations Birth, Growth, Maturity, Decline, Death Where Do Plateaus and Declines Come From? Church Health vs. Church Disease Ways of Understanding Congregational Change Theological, Sociological, Family Systems, Missiological Natural Triggers for Change Pastoral Vacancy, Building Issues, Neighborhood Change, Conflict Family Systems Applied to Congregations 3
Read: Dudley and Ammerman, Congregations in Transition (scan) February 15, 2018 Mapping a Congregation Biblical Reflection Ephesus in Acts, Ephesians and Revelation Class Visitor: TBA Generational Differences Discovering Congregational History Mapping a Congregation Place, People, Institution Timelines in Congregations Appreciative Inquiry Treasuring a Congregation s History February 22, 2018 (Reading Week) Read: Herrington, et al, Leading Congregational Change March 1, 2018 Key Ingredients for Thinking about Revitalization Part 2 Strategic Issues Biblical Reflection Josiah s Reform (II Kings 22-23) Discussion of Herrington, et al. What Parts are You Trying to Renew/Revitalize? The Congregational Transformation Model (Harrington) Models of Revitalization Reviving the Already Assembled Creating Parallel Universes Inviting a Merger from a Similar Body Inviting a Merger from a Healthy Body Parachuting to a Healthy Body Parachuting with Survivors to Form Something New Read: Woodward, Creating a Missional Culture March 8, 2017 Rebuilding Congregational Vitality and Health Biblical Reflection Revelation 3 Laodicea Discussion of Woodward, Creating a Missional Culture 4
Rebuilding Spiritual and Relational Vitality Role of Preaching Impact of Worship Vision of Discipleship and Small Group Missions and Missional Launching a Movement Leadership Types of Leaders Building and Rebuilding Leaders Read: Mancini, Church Unique March 15, 2017 - Site Visits Visit Facilities and Pastors and Neighborhood Congregations - TBD Read: Kricher, For a New Generation March 22, 2017 Building an Understanding of the Congregation Biblical Reflection (Paul Treasure in a Clay Pot II Corinthians 4) Reflections on the Site Visits Review How to Write the Paper Understanding Context New England Context Mainline Context/Historical Congregation Context Theological Spectrum Post-Denominational Context Obstacles to Revitalization Pastors and Our Limitations System Issues - Resistance External Contextual Issues and Facility Read/Review: Jim Harrell, Church Replanter March 29, 2018 (Reading Week) Write Reading Reports (Due March 28 first 2/3) 5
April 5, 2018 Processes of Church Revitalization Class Visitor Jim Harrell, Overseed Ministries The Overseed Model Discussion of Project Papers The Place of Establishing and Refining Core Values The Visioning Process Write - Finish: Group Projects April 12, 2017 Navigating Change and Conflict Obstacles to Revitalization (Con t) Willingness and Desire Issues Congregational Energy Issues Organizational Structure Issues Class Visitor Issues of Conflict What is the likelihood of success? Where might this fail? April 19, 2017 Further Components of Revitalization Preaching and Discipleship Missional Church Write: Final Course Summary Paper (Due April 26) April 26, 2017 Recips for Success 1 st Hour Tim Bushfield Collaboration and Coaching Don t Do This Alone Summary and Reflections VI. Course Requirements and Grading: 1. On Time Attendance and class participation is expected at all class periods. This is a class for leaders soon to enter pastoral ministry so it is time to develop the responsibilities of a leader. (10% of Grade) 6
2. Reading- Students will read the required texts which total almost 1,500 pages from all required texts reading. Substitutes may be chosen from the recommended list with approval from the professors. With the required reading, each student will complete a one page (double spaced and 12 point type) reading report for each book chosen to meet the 1,500 page requirement. These reading reports should provide the title of the text, and the number of pages read. First, summarize the thesis of the book. Then identify the three best, most challenging, or most insightful ideas in each book and why: What will be different because these ideas have come to you? What actions might you take? What attitudes might you change? How will your ministry be different? The first of these reports on the Macdonald book will be brought to the first class. (20% of grade) 3. Congregational Case Study: Prepare a case study as a group on 1 congregation. Follow the outline of the Dudley and Ammerman book to begin to assess a congregation and how it works. To get this report done you will want to read Annual Reports of the previous 10 years, interview the pastor, and several key leaders. Attend worship if possible once during the semester. Your report should consist of sections devoted to 1) Understand the history of the congregation especially its recent 20 years. 2) Map its growth and decline and begin to grasp why each occurred. 3) Analyze the context surrounding the congregation and what challenges the context brings. 4) What are the key ingredients for revitalizing this congregation? Where would you begin? What would be your 3 year plan? 5) If this church called you as its pastor, what gifts do each of you bring for this task and what areas of growth are needed in you to be up to this task? Answer these questions in the context of a report which can include helpful visuals and charts. This project may be done together as a small group (2-3). Total project should be around 10 pages. (50% of grade) Due: April 12. 4. Summary - A 5-8 page theological reflection paper that: a) Summarizes key insights of the course material; b) Presents your understanding of a biblical and theological foundation for revitalization ministry; c) Life-Time Learner Summary what else do you need to know in this area of your life? Offer a 12-month ministry development path to move your revitalization skills forward. Due: April 26 (20% of grade) (No Final Exam) VII. Written Work Please note: Expectations for unspecified written work: 1. Put your name, box number, and preferred email address in upper right hand corner 2. Use 12-point type. 3. Double-spaced 4. Footnotes may be done within paragraphs instead of below. 5. All written work must be handed in to Dr. Ron Bouthillette (hard copy of electronically) 6. Graduating Seniors- All written work must be submitted by April 27at 4 PM 7
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