http://www.pursuantgroup.com/leadnet/advance/sep07s1.htm Page 1 of 2 "The Big Idea" Practicum Offers Custom Strategy Learn how to creatively present one laser-focused theme in weekly worship services and then carry that theme into family discussions, children's groups, student groups and small groups at The Big Idea Practicum, October 15-16, 2007 at Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL. The following is an excerpt from Krista Petty's newly-released concept paper, Strategies for Investing in Your Community: How Externally Focused Churches are Leveraging Their Impact Externally focused churches pour much of what they have--funds, time and people--into the community. But these congregations don't give their resources carelessly. With solutions to community issues becoming more complex and resources becoming more limited, churches are constantly weighing the risks and rewards of community ministry. Those church leaders must invest prayerfully, strategically, and compassionately--all the while making wise plans that yield results. Externally Focused Churches Leadership Community Forming Leadership Network is launching its sixth Leadership Community for externally focused churches. Externally focused churches measure effectiveness not just by weekly attendance, but by the transformational effect the congregation is having... These churches have discovered the following strategies to guide them as they leverage resources to bring about community transformation: 1. Build and Maintain a Reserve to Meet Emergencies When vandals set fire to a local school playground in 2006, the people of Hope Church (Oakdale, MN) quickly sprang into action. The church took $3,000 from their externally focused budget to replace some of the charred and damaged playground equipment. When the decision to replace the equipment was announced during a Sunday morning worship service, the congregation spontaneously broke into applause. Within days, volunteers came forward and completed the installation of new parts. Because of their existing relationship with the school and the church's heart for the community, Hope maintains a reserve of finances and manpower they can deploy when a need arises. Church members are motivated to respond both with financial and volunteer resources because they have been serving the school through tutoring and special projects throughout the year. 2. Develop an Overall Investment Strategy. When the children's ministry at Bethel Church (Richland, WA) grew Books Shaping New Churches Externally Focused: The Mall God Built

http://www.pursuantgroup.com/leadnet/advance/sep07s1.htm Page 2 of 2 rapidly, church leaders considered a capital campaign to raise funds for expansion. Shift Happens--an 8 minute video not to be missed But as a growing externally focused church, some leaders wondered, "Are we spending more money on ourselves than we are spending on the needs of the community?" That question... Reasons Young Adults Drop Out of Church 70% of young adults ages 23-30 stopped attending church regularly for at least a year between ages 18-22, with life changes or life situations being the leading cause of their departure, according to a study by Lifeway Resources. Home Ownership Linked to Volunteering The Minneapolis metro area has the highest volunteering rate in the United States, along with the highest rate of home ownership--found to be a factor in volunteer rates, according to research conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Sales of Christian Products Exceed $4.6 Billion The $4.63 billion in 2006 sales of Christian products, through a range of religious and secular distribution channels, is up from $4.3 billion in 2004, $4.2 billion in 2002 and $4.0 billion in 2000, reports CBA, a Colorado Springs-based trade association. In major cities across America, alliances and partnerships are being formed between churches to achieve the goal of evangelism. These partnerships can be as simple as two pastors working together in one community or a group of churches working together to transform a city. This paper addresses the reasons churches are forming these strategic networks, how they do it and some of the advantages and challenges they have discovered. ActiveEnergy.net Journey into the mind and musings of author, consultant and Leadership Network founder Bob Buford at his personal website. As Bob describes the site: "If you are of a retiring frame of mind looking for leisure land alternatives for your golden years, you have wandered into the wrong room. Here you are more likely to find Don Quixote than About Schmidt. Visit Leadership Network Advance Archives for valuable information on a variety of ministry topics. Printer Friendly Version

http://www.pursuantgroup.com/leadnet/advance/sep07s1a.htm Page 1 of 2 The following is an excerpt from Krista Petty's newly-released concept paper, Strategies for Investing in Your Community: How Externally Focused Churches are Leveraging Their Impact Externally focused churches pour much of what they have--funds, time and people--into the community. But these congregations don't give their resources carelessly. With solutions to community issues becoming more complex and resources becoming more limited, churches are constantly weighing the risks and rewards of community ministry. Those church leaders must invest prayerfully, strategically, and compassionately--all the while making wise plans that yield results. These churches have discovered the following strategies to guide them as they leverage resources to bring about community transformation: 1. Build and Maintain a Reserve to Meet Emergencies. When vandals set fire to a local school playground in 2006, the people of Hope Church (Oakdale, MN) quickly sprang into action. The church took $3,000 from their externally focused budget to replace some of the charred and damaged playground equipment. When the decision to replace the equipment was announced during a Sunday morning worship service, the congregation spontaneously broke into applause. Within days, volunteers came forward and completed the installation of new parts. Because of their existing relationship with the school and the church's heart for the community, Hope maintains a reserve of finances and manpower they can deploy when a need arises. Church members are motivated to respond both with financial and volunteer resources because they have been serving the school through tutoring and special projects throughout the year. 2. Develop an Overall Investment Strategy. When the children's ministry at Bethel Church (Richland, WA) grew rapidly, church leaders considered a capital campaign to raise funds for expansion. But as a growing externally focused church, some leaders wondered, "Are we spending more money on ourselves than we are spending on the needs of the community?" That question caused a change in direction for the campaign. The building campaign expanded to a focus on the three major initiatives they called NOW: Next Generation, Our Community and Worldwide. The total amount to be raised--an estimated $6 million--will be shared among the

http://www.pursuantgroup.com/leadnet/advance/sep07s1a.htm Page 2 of 2 children's area, a recreation facility, community and world outreach programs. The church is well on its way to reaching the financial goals. But the success of the campaign is measured in more than dollars. "This campaign has really brought our ministry areas together," says outreach director Dave Dawson. "It has broken down silos and we are not competing for funds and attention." 3. Selecting a Minimum Initial Investment Determines the Goal a Church Will Achieve. When LifeBridge Christian Church (Longmont, CO) wanted to be more externally focused, they didn't simply start another ministry area that would create additional competing programs for its existing ministries. Church leaders instead asked each ministry team to weave community service into their programming options even down to the children's ministry level. In October 2006, LifeBridge staff member Stacey Applen coordinated a Saturday morning elementary school service project called Rock Your World. Thirty children in 3rd-6th grade raked, weeded and cleaned out painful stickers that flatten bicycle tires and stick to shoes. Allison Switzer, a 4th grader, participated in the day of service and has dreams of becoming a missionary some day. "It was good to do this because it was hard and I know being a missionary will be hard, too," Allison says. 4. Expect the Unexpected. NorthWood Church (Keller, TX) has built a reputation for serving in the community and around the world. Because of that reputation, glocal ministry pastor Omar Reyes is often asked to begin new community programs. A local school district and hospital called him recently about remodeling a building that would be used for a health clinic in an under-served area. Omar shares, "The church is not in the business of remodeling either and we certainly did not have the $60,000 needed for the project." While "No" seemed to be the obvious answer, Omar didn't shut the door but prayed about the opportunity. Later that same day, Omar went to lunch with NorthWood's small groups pastor and a local builder who wanted to know more about a Habitat for Humanity project. Omar shared the details of his earlier phone conversation regarding the school and hospital. When all was said and done, the building was refurbished through the partnerships of two churches, the builder and others. Omar says that situation taught him a valuable lesson: "Lead with big vision. Don't get caught up in leading with provision. When the Lord is with us, partnership is not 1+1=2, but 1+1=10." To read more about the initiatives and strategies of innovative externally focused churches, check these resources: Going Glocal: Externally Focused Churches Engage in both Global and Local Missions Externally Focused Small Groups: How Churches are Re-engineering Their Small Groups for Community Service How Externally Focused Churches Minister to Children: The Power of Serving Kids in Your Community

http://www.pursuantgroup.com/leadnet/advance/sep07s1b.htm Page 1 of 1 "The Big Idea" Practicum Offers Custom Strategy Learn how to creatively present one laser-focused theme in weekly worship services and then carry that theme into family discussions, children's groups, student groups and small groups at The Big Idea Practicum, October 15-16, 2007 at Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL. Participants will leave this hands-on experience with a customized strategy to implement The Big Idea concepts in their own context. Externally Focused Churches Leadership Community Forming Leadership Network is launching its sixth Leadership Community for externally focused churches. Externally focused churches measure effectiveness not just by weekly attendance, but by the transformational effect the congregation is having on its surrounding community. This leadership community is limited to leaders from 12 churches who want to accelerate their externally focused ministry. If you think your church may qualify and would like more information, email Gary Dungan. The first gathering is scheduled to convene in Dallas on February 27-29, 2008. The leadership community process connects peers (senior pastors and ministry leaders) to work interactively through a series of four, three-day gatherings over a two-year period. Leadership Network provides a variety of resources and tools during the gatherings that address both the unique challenges of individual churches as well as the common "mega challenges" of the community as a whole.

http://www.pursuantgroup.com/leadnet/advance/sep07s1c.htm Page 1 of 2 Reasons Young Adults Drop Out of Church 70% of young adults ages 23-30 stopped attending church regularly for at least a year between ages 18-22, with life changes or life situations being the leading cause of their departure, according to a study by Lifeway Resources. Six of the top 10 reasons church dropouts leave relate to life changes. The most frequent reason for leaving church is, in fact, a self-imposed change: "I simply wanted a break from church" (27%). The paths toward college and the workforce are also strong reasons for young people to leave church: "I moved to college and stopped attending church" (25%) and "work responsibilities prevented me from attending" (23%). Other reasons stated in the study include: "Moved too far away from the church to continue attending." (22%) "Became too busy, though still wanted to attend." (22%) "Chose to spend more time with friends outside the church." (17%) Home Ownership Linked to Volunteering The Minneapolis metro area has the highest volunteering rate in the United States, along with the highest rate of home ownership--found to be a factor in volunteer rates, according to research conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Other findings from a report entitled Volunteering in America: State Trends and Rankings in Civic Life: While volunteer rates vary considerably, many of the top-ranked metro areas are in the central part of the country. Metro areas with high levels of community attachment, as demonstrated by higher homeownership rates, tend to have higher volunteer rates. The Austin, TX, metropolitan area has the largest number of small nonprofits and also has the third-highest volunteering rate of all the profiled metro areas. Sales of Christian Products Exceed $4.6 Billion The $4.63 billion in 2006 sales of Christian products, through a range of religious and secular distribution channels, is up from $4.3 billion in 2004, $4.2 billion in 2002 and $4.0 billion in 2000, reports CBA, a Colorado Springs-based trade association. A new CBA study shows that 52% of Christian products are sold by Christian retailers, while general market retailers including stores such as Wal-Mart and Borders sold 33%. The remaining 15% of sales included direct-to-consumer and non-profit ministry sales.