1. Congregational Life Cycle
BIRTH
DEATH
Congregational Life Cycle
Here’s another reason vision is important (run through the following slides making the point that the alternative to vision is decline)

2. Every Living Thing and System has a Natural Life Cycle.

3. The Cycle Begins at Birth
Potential
BIRTH
Purpose and Vision (assumed or stated) — DNA
Constant Care/Protection

4. Birth Is Followed by a Period of Growth
Energy and Excitement
Unexpected
Progress

5. Growth Is Followed by Stability
BIRTH
GROWTH
STABILITY
Fulfillment
Accomplishment
Predictability
Nostalgia

6. Growth Half of Life Cycle Is a Time of:
BIRTH
GROWTH
POSITIVE
STABILITY
Vitality
Health
Strength

7. . . . And They Lived Happily Ever After!
BIRTH
GROWTH
STABILITY
Only in Fairy Tales!

8. One of Two Things Follows Stability
BIRTH
GROWTH
STABILITY
REDEFINITION
DECLINE
Redefinition of the church
Leads to a new growth cycle
Decline

9. Re-defined starts by Answering These Questions
Where do we want to be in three to five years?
What is new that was not anticipated?
What has been accomplished?
What was the original vision of the ministry?

10. If . . . A Church is not Redefined . . .
BIRTH
GROWTH
STABILITY
DECLINE
If . . .
A Church is not Redefined . . .
Or Stability Proceeds Uninterrupted . . .
DECLINE WILL UNQUESTIONABLY FOLLOW.

11. Once a church is in decline there is still the possibility of new life
Once a church is in decline there is still the possibility of new life. — But the cost of new life is greater.

12. Reversing Decline Requires Redevelopment
BIRTH
GROWTH
STABILITY
REDEFINITION
REDEVELOPMENT
Not just new information
But also new and different purpose and direction

13. Without Redefinition or Redevelopment, Unchecked Decline Will Only Lead to More Serious Decline
BIRTH
GROWTH
STABILITY
DECLINE
REDEFINITION
REDEVELOPMENT

14. To Reverse Serious Decline Requires Rebirth
STABILITY
REDEFINITION
REDEVELOPMENT
REBIRTH
DEATH
DECLINE
GROWTH

15. To rebirth a seriously DECLINING church requires radical change.

16. It is not just doing the old thing differently, it is doing a new thing. And, perhaps in a different place or with different people.

17. Without rebirth, decline will lead to death.

18. The Congregational Life Cycle
BIRTH
GROWTH
STABILITY
REDEFINITION
REDEVELOPMENT
REBIRTH
DEATH
DECLINE
It might be interesting for you to reflect on where you think you might be as a parish on this cycle.
Do you need to redefine your vision?