SMALL IS SENSATIONAL Leading and Loving an Entrepreneurial Church

ISAIAH 43:18 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

TODAY’S GOAL To create a sense of excitement, possibility and renewed love for your small church and its potential for growth and vitality.

TODAY’S POINT Small churches are not simply little versions of big churches!

TODAY’S OUTLINE  Why change?  What is an “entrepreneurial” church?  What are the five building blocks of change?  What are some pitfalls and challenges?  What does success feel like?  Questions and dialogue

Rev. Cindy Bagley HELLO!

Why Change?  Expectation of Involvement and Empowerment  Dynamic Process and Outcome Focus  Global Standards  Busy Parishioners  Low Institutional Loyalty  Static is Not an Option

What is a “Traditional” Church?  Stable and Self-Contained  Focus on Efficiency and Activity  Vertically Structured  Role Oriented There is nothing wrong with a traditional church!

What is an Entrepreneurial Church?

What is An Entrepreneurial Church?  Apostolic!  Vision Driven  Open and Dynamic System  Outwardly Focused  Responsive not Deliberative  Radically Decentralized  Empowering in its Leadership Style  Short Term vs. Long Term Focused

SMALL IS SENSATIONAL WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SMALL?

SMALL IS SENSATIONAL  Small is not a Stop on the Highway to Big  Small Church Ministry and Membership Can and Should be a Choice

THE FIVE BUILDING BLOCKS OF CHANGE Vision Culture Structure Resources Leadership

1. VISION  Know Thy Environment  Know Thyself  Identify Your Opportunity  Dream Huge  Make “Small” a Destination not a Default Position Vision

Dunbarton Church Vision “Our vision is simple: to offer the best small church experience anyone can find anywhere.”

2. CULTURE  See Crisis as Opportunity  Embed Your Vision  Appreciate Innovation and Change  Implement a “No Negativity” Policy  Follow Your People’s Energy  Embrace a Passion for Action  Celebrate Failure  Accept Inefficiency and Imperfection Vision Culture

3. STRUCTURE  Radically Decentralize  Be Radically Transparent  Create “Points of Entry”  Eliminate Structural Barriers to Participation  Create Interdependency  Make Planning a Process not an Event  Create Fluid Roles and Boundaries Structure Culture Vision

4. RESOURCES  Manage Energy not Dollars  Take Away the Money  Employ Asset-Based Thinking  Prune Courageously  Pay as You Go  Think Outside Your Building  Love Technology!  Connect Resource Needs with Specific Outcomes Resources Culture Structure Vision

“STEWARDSHIP AT THE EDGES” This...or this...

5. LEADERSHIP  Be Idea, not Role Driven  Manage Energy  Practice Creative and Flexible Thinking  Develop a Capacity for Chaos  Manage Mutual Affirmation  Manage Reflection  Manage Fear, Uncertainty and Ambiguity  Insist on Upside Potential  Trinitarian Role: Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer Resources Leadership Culture Vision Structure

Pitfalls and Challenges Leadership Culture Structure Resources Vision

WHAT SENSATIONAL LOOKS LIKE Alternative Measures of Success For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

WHAT SENSATIONAL FEELS LIKE “Love in Action”

FINAL QUESTIONS? Greetings from the Dunbarton Congregational Church!

OTHER RESOURCES “Small is Sensational” Link

THANK YOU GO FORTH AND BE SENSATIONAL!