1. Leading Ministry in a Changing Environment
Heartland & Crossroads Districts
Oklahoma Conference UMC
February 10, 2018

2. Story of Choluteca Bridge in Honduras,
Hurricane Mitch 1998,
Choluteca River moved
Highways wiped out on either side.
The very purpose for which it was built had shifted
Being the church is not easy today
not because people are not seeking meaning and purpose
—in fact some report even more so
But more are seeking outside the church, outside of organized religion

4. A Culture That Once Pushed People Toward the Church

5. Generational shifts The GI Generation The Consumer Generations
Group identification
Sameness
Deferred pleasure
Stewardship of saving
A spirituality of place
Individual identification
Difference
Instant gratification
Stewardship of investing
A spirituality of journey
The basic model is membership.
How will everyone fit into and support the group / community?
The basic model is discipleship.
How will my engagement with Christ and the church change my and others’ lives?

6. A Culture That Now Pushes People Away From the Church

7. deep change… or slow death.
When an organization or institution has lost its connection with its own environment there is only one choice:
deep change… or
slow death.
Deep Change, Robert Quinn

8. A Simple Systems Model (Edwards Deming)
Inputs Throughputs Outputs
Resources Activities Product
Nouns Verbs Results
Non-profit dilemma:
Non-profits routinely do not know what they produce
Systems that can’t measure their outcomes commonly measure their input
In non-profit systems inputs are commonly mistaken for outcomes

9. Non-Profits routinely
Non-Profit Dilemma
Non-Profits routinely
do not know
what they produce

10. The Shifting Mainline Paradigm
The Inherited Paradigm
The Biblical Paradigm
Outcome: more members, contented clergy &
congregations
Outcome: Disciples (changed lives who will change the world)
Input: members, clergy, churches

11. Table Conversation
Are we spending more time and energy on asking ourselves whether people are happy in the church or what it is that God is asking of us?

12. A Simple Systems Model (adapted for Social Sector/Church)
Outcomes:
The difference we are called to make
Inputs Throughputs Outputs Resources Activities Results Gifts Ministries Fruit
Non-profit dilemma:
Non-profits routinely do not know what they produce
Systems that can’t measure their outcomes commonly measure their input
In non-profit systems inputs are commonly mistaken for outcomes

13. Start with WHY

14. Outcome: working definition
For the church, an outcome is
(1) the difference that
(2) you believe God has called you to make
(3) in this next chapter of your life.

15. Aspirations Priorities Outcomes

16. Outcomes
Proximate Steps
Require Discernment

17. Discernment Questions
Who are we now?
Who is our neighbor now?
What is the difference God is calling us to make?

18. Outcomes Proximate Steps Require Discernment Limit the Number
Outcomes First
Measurable

19. The difference we are called to make
Counting & Measuring
Outcomes:
The difference we are called to make
Inputs Throughputs Outputs Resources Activities Results Gifts Ministries Fruit
[ Countables ]
[--Measurables--]

20. Data Information Knowledge/Wisdom Action
The Role of Data
Data Information Knowledge/Wisdom Action

21. Data as a Tool Proxy Variables Points to the Present
Part of a Larger Process

22. Traps that Snare Leaders
Resistance to Change
Anxiety in the System

23. Behaviors of an Anxious System
people become reactive
herd together for security
blame other people
seek quick fixes
sabotage their leaders

24. Traps that Snare Leaders
Resistance to Change
Anxiety in the System
Problems v Conditions
Activities v Outcomes
Planning v Discernment
Scarcity Mindset
Nostalgia
Unchecked Empathy

25. Wrap Up What are your take-away’s from today?
What conversation do you want to have when you return home?
What’s your next step?