2. Q: Where did New Beginnings come from?
A: New Beginnings was developed to help congregations that have been struggling with sustainability, make a bold decision about their future.
Testing notes

3. Fast Facts:
Designed to lead “stuck” congregations to make a DECISION about their future
Entire process takes about 6-8 months
Cost is $2800 for churches in a cluster setting ($1,000 more if solo)
This may be your only chance in this Presbytery this decade

4. The On-Site Assessment
Phase One:
The On-Site Assessment
Phase Two:
“Cluster Event”
Leadership Retreat
Phase Three:
Small Group Meetings
Phase Four:
Making a Decision about your
New Beginning

5. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8

6. In groups, select one underlined phrase. Answer:
1. What do you think Jesus is saying here?
2. What does this mean for our congregation?
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8

7. The Spirit gives the Church power for mission in the world
Power to change lives
Power to restore relationships
Power change towns and cities
Power to dismantle systems
Power to heal the world

8. These efforts can and do happen through vibrant, local congregations
Passionate people with a God-sized vision
People who learn to love each other
Congregations that are outward-focused
Congregations who know their identity as followers of Christ

9. We meet all kinds of congregations
Churches that have debt
Churches with serious maintenance issues
Those considering turning over their property to another group
Churches with large facilities, and only a few worshippers.

10. At times, congregations become “stuck”…
They still read their bibles & listen for God
They still love & pray for each other
They have a good pastor
Many have nice, well- kept facilities
They try to reach out
So why are these churches declining?

11. Church development follows a fairly predictable pattern
Growth
Decline
Birth

12. A church develops different elements at certain points
Administration
Programs
Relationship
Vision/Energy

13. And a church loses different elements at certain points
Administration
Energy/Vision Loss
Relationship Loss
Programs
Program Loss
Intimacy
? ? ? ? ?
Energy

14. Dividing the lifecycle into Quadrants
Growth
Decline

15. Dividing the lifecycle into Quadrants
Sustainable 2 3 1 4
Not Sustainable

16. You are not alone
15%
45% 2 3 1 4 5%
35%

17. Common Characteristics of Congregations in the “4th Quadrant”
Declining either slowly or quickly
Often struggling financially
Sense of hopelessness
Nervous about changes
Tentative toward outward mission
Vulnerable

18. When congregations realize they are struggling, they sometimes make bad choices…
A declining church may rent facilities to various groups who take over the facility. Church’s mission becomes that of “landlord.”
Power conflicts, personal agendas and members behaving badly
Pastors don’t stay long.
Churches get short-sighted. They may sell off pieces of property (or cash in investments) to pay operating expenses, salaries, etc.

19. Without an intervention, the average congregation lives 60 yrs
Closure

20. When a church begins to decline, anxiety goes up!

21. We used to think “trying harder” would move us ahead

22. That would get us some incremental change…but not enough

23. But a completely new thing is required
Stand back and look

24. The birth of something new requires innovation, prayer & courage
New Beginnings helps
you see a new thing
that could emerge

26. The New Beginnings Assessment Service helps churches make good decisions about their future

27. The New Beginnings is helpful because:
It begins with an analytical assessment of your congregation’s situation. It demonstrates “Where we are right now.”
It helps leaders make a compelling case for change.
It does not impose change, but it helps create an atmosphere for change to be discussed and adopted by the church.

28. New Beginnings helps churches choose their future.
Instead of letting it get chosen for them.

29. The New Beginnings Service Provides:
A wealth of data about your congregation and community
A model for analyzing the data and drawing conclusions about your ministry
Leadership training for your congregation
A small group discussion process for reaching a decision about your church’s future
Support and guidance along the way

30. New Beginnings Measures: Cong. Demographics Building condition
Community Demographics
Gaps between Cong./Comm.
Participant tenure
Historical trends in attendance
Historical trends in giving
Financial data & comparisons
Building condition
Visitor attractiveness
Energy level
Community needs
Strengths of Cong.
Online Presence

31. The Process

32. The On-Site Assessment
Phase One:
The On-Site Assessment

33. Gaps Between Congregation & Community
Analysis of Campus: “The Sacred Walk”

34. Up-to-Date Census Data about your neighborhood
Overall Growth
Generational info
- Racial/Ethnic info
Faith preferences
Household income
Major needs

35. Cluster Event / Leader Retreat- 7%
Phase Two:
Cluster Event / Leader Retreat- 7%
Weekend Retreat with other congregations in Presbytery
For 8-10 of your leaders
Leadership training
Review of Assessment
Small group training
Network with other church leaders

36. Phase Three: Small Group Meetings
Involves 50% of your congregation in the analysis and decision- making
Led by Cluster Event attendees
6 week process
Leads your church to a decision

37. Making a Decision about your New Beginning
Phase Four:
Making a Decision about your New Beginning
What is God
calling us to be and do?

38. Throughout All Phases: Ongoing Support and Coaching
Your partners from the Presbytery will be alongside your church as it makes a decision.

39. New Beginnings is an Assessment Service
Does not “come in and tell you what to do.”
Best followed in churches where there is not a high degree of conflict.
Gives leaders confidence in charting a new course
Teaches skills for navigating change
Helps avoid chasing the wrong strategy
Builds congregation-wide excitement for something new

40. New Beginnings is an Assessment Service
Can give your church confidence in charting a new course
Can help your church avoid chasing the wrong strategy
Engages a large proportion of your congregation in life-giving discussion
Can build congregational excitement for change

42. Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley
Details
Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley
Minimum of two congregations must apply
Fee for service: $2800 per church* ($3800 if solo)
Includes:
Three days of consultants’ travel
Ten copies of the Assessment Report
Cluster Event training for 8-10 leaders
Ten copies of Home Meeting Leader Guide
PDF versions of final Report, Leader Guide

43. September 26 -- Deadline for applications
Proposed Timeline for this Presbytery
September Deadline for applications
October 29, 30, 31 or November 1, Assessments Performed
January 18-19, Cluster Event
Local choice 2013 – Small Group Meetings

44. Congregational Consultant for New Beginnings
Ann Philbrick
Philip Lotspeich
Congregational Consultant for New Beginnings
ext.5244