COLLABORATIVE MINISTRY Sharing God’s Gifts for the sake of God’s Mission

A “True Story”

What is our problem? Not establishing a sense of urgency. Not creating a powerful enough guiding coalition. Lacking a vision. Under-communicating the vision by a factor of 10. Not removing obstacles to the new vision. Not systematically planning for and creating short-term wins. Declaring victory too soon. Not anchoring changes in the church's culture. from John Kotter– Harvard Business School

A Closer Look at three Not establishing a great enough sense of urgency. Lacking a vision. Declaring victory too soon.

What does the future hold for the Church? Loren Mead’s “Five Challenges for the Once and Future Church” To Transfer the Ownership of the Church To Find New Structures to Carry Our Faith To Discover a Passionate Spirituality To Feed the World’s Need for Community To Become an Apostolic People

We share a common mission Ministry of word and sacraments-- the very heart of Christ’s body. Nurtured and strengthened by God’s grace. Differing contexts, same mission-- the Great Commission.

Our challenge What gifts has God given us? How can God best use our gifts? How can we share the gifts of God in ways that build up our common mission? How can we work together to advance God’s mission in the world?

A major paradigm shift A new way of thinking about “being church.” Thinking collaboratively requires a paradigm shift: We are all gifted. We are all connected. We accomplish much more by sharing our resources for the common good. When we work together, we are more creative, and we expand the possibilities.

A complex challenge Such a paradigm shift affects the entire system we are part of. This new way of “being and doing church,” affects all levels in the Church: Churchwide, synodical and institutional leaders, Seminaries, clergy, lay leaders, and whole congregations. What do we need in order to open up the church to adopt another way of being church?

Developing Collaborative Ministry Possibilities Consider your options Can we develop broader partnership between people within our own congregation? Can we create partnerships with nearby churches, Lutherans, full communion partners, others? Can we develop partnerships with other churches within our conference or synod?

Parish Collaborative Ministry An example of how one church did it . . . “Total Life Caring Ministry” Initial Stage Forming a team to develop the concept Setting goals for sharing the concept Organizing a way to involve the whole congregation Implementing a plan Recruiting interviewers Devising tools for interviewers to use Equipping interviewers Processing data received

“TLC” Develops Ministries Developing Ministry Teams Working with a Leadership Team Prioritizing areas for developing ministries Identifying potential members for the team Equipping teams for ministry Commissioning and implementing a team plan The Five Major Dysfunctions of a Team: Lack of Trust Avoidance of conflict Inadequate level of commitment Unwillingness to be accountable Inattention to results

Managing the “System” Some basics Encourage teams to meet when necessary. Review the work of the team and make adjustments as needed. Keep congregation informed of what’s being done. Update database as changes are needed or as new people become members. Develop additional ministry teams as gifts and needs become evident.

Partnering with other churches Form a “Possibility Team” to lead the process of exploring alternatives. What really is our current situation? What assets do we have for ministry? What church(es) might have an openness to explore a partnership in ministry? How would we go about starting a dialogue with others about the future?

Local Collaborative Efforts Factors to consider in finding partners: Existing or historic connections Shared view of ministry “Compatible” (but not “equal”) situations Critical mass available A shared sense of urgency A willingness to think outside the box An ability to listen and share The ability to “play nice”

Force Field Analysis What forces would contribute towards the development of a partnership between churches? What forces would hinder the development of a partnership between churches?

Getting Underway Develop a forum for dialogue. Identify some immediate forms of sharing resources. Set a few short-term partnership goals. Get people together for worship, study, fellowship, and service activities whenever feasible. Report continuously about what’s happening. Pray a lot– together-- with your partner.

Some Cautions Partnering takes time: “courting” and “engagement” takes time and energy. Keep your assumptions to a minimum. Explain what you are thinking and why it is important. Listen and ask questions about things that you don’t understand. Remember that the goal of partnering does not need to be a “merger” or the “closing” of a church.

And in addition to that . . . Remember to: Don’t forget: keep minutes write out any resolutions adopted give members accurate information respond to any misunderstandings that arise celebrate all successes, no matter how small. Don’t forget: resistance to change is normal, natural, and often quite healthy today’s antagonists may become tomorrow’s champions it always takes longer than we expect for changes to take root the Church is “God’s Project” from beginning to end.

We are here to help you: Contact the Center for Evangelical Outreach. Refer to our website: www.totalministry.net