The Process of Growth

Every person is on a personal spiritual journey. We were created by God with an inner need to be connected with the one who created us in a personal relationship. It doesn't matter rather we are religious or not, the need to be connected is a strong force in our lives. People often say things that reveal this very fact. Comments like, "I feel like something is missing in my life, but I don't know what it is." Or, "Why am I here? What is the meaning of life? Is there more to life than just eat, sleep, work, and die?" Here's a common one, "Is there life after death?" These comments and others like them reveal that even to the unchurched, non-religious person, we have an inner desire to connect with the one who made us and has purpose for our lives.

To the person who has made the connection, has had truth revealed that there is a personal relationship possible with the one who created us, there is this inner desire to learn more about the relationship they are experiencing. There is a desire to read, talk with, and hang out with others who have also discovered the joy of this experience. There is something special about hearing one another's stories of how they discovered the relationship, or how they are growing in the knowledge and friendship with this personal God. It is like a hunger for truth about God, and an intellectual appetite for more.

This growth of knowledge often results in a changed life. More happiness, more peace, or more clarity about right and wrong choices are just some of the benefits we hear about. Some people tell about being set free from addictions. Others tell about healing over physical problems or relationships & conflicts.

How does this progression of growth occur? What starts the process for individuals? Are there books that help a person discover these things? Are there experts that people can go to for counsel? What are the consequences for never learning the answers to these questions?

Shouldn't one of the purposes of the local church be to help individuals who are on their own personal journey discover their personal next step? If Jesus said, "they will know you are my disciples by the love you have for one another," isn't one expression of loving one another sharing the good news with them about how to discover truth in this journey? Wouldn't it make sense to invite them to walk the journey with you to see how you experience this growth in personal relationship? Wouldn't that be an expression of love?

It seems to me that many local churches in America are missing this opportunity for growth. People are spiritual beings. They each are on a personal journey of growth. Local churches who look for people on the journey, and develop strategies and programs to assist them in their journey will never have to close their doors because they become partners with a God who is doing the same thing - working in peoples lives, encouraging their growth in this personal relationship. Imagine your church partnering with God helping people make these connections of growth? What a buzz that would create!

Future Plans

Many of you know that I have had some recent health issues that have had me in the hospital three times in the last six months with two surgeries. It has been one of the most trying times in my life. For most of my adult life, I have practiced a lifestyle that could be characterized by this motto... "If you think you have too many irons in the fire, stoke up the fire!" I have burned too many candles at both ends without (until now) many consequences. Now, it's time to relearn two words that I have ignored up till now: balance & pace. I am relearning how to balance diet, exercise, family, ministry & rest. I have a ways to go here, but the value of balance is now something I can see. Pace is another word I've ignored, but now, pace is a necessity. These two words do not go well with my earlier slogan of "stoke up the fire." Stoking more fire will only cause one to burn out faster! Some of you learned that a long time ago, but for me, it seems new!

God has allowed this recent experience for a purpose. He has used it to reveal to me that I am to refocus my ministry energies in a specific way, much like a boss who gives a subordinate an assignment and expects it to be done the way he says. Several of you are asking what that looks like, so I'm devoting this blog moment to fill you in. My assignment focuses in three major areas.

• Training Institutes. We need more! More locations. More subjects. More instructors. More languages. More vehicles of delivery. I am convinced that the Lord is calling people into deeper levels of leadership within the local church. But the options for training seem limited. Training centers are badly needed and people seem hungry for this training. We need more locations than just Midland and Lansing where we are today with the East Michigan Training Institute. We need more subjects to be developed and implemented. Subjects that help lay leaders to become better equipped for leading ministry in the local church. Subjects that broaden the skills for those preparing for full time ministry. We need more instructors who have a passion for equipping others for Great Commission ministry. And we need to expand into other language groups! America is no longer a white only, English speaking only nation. Harvest is occurring among these other cultural groups and training of leadership is badly needed. Already we have invitations to initiate training centers with our Haitian friends on the east coast. And finally, we need to deliver training materials in ways to meet the changing demands of our culture. Online learning, I-Pods, DVD's, and satellite services present a variety of new vehicles of delivery. The days when classroom only forms of training do not meet the lifestyles for many today.
  

• Healthy Church Consulting. A large percentage of churches in America are plateaued or declining. Many close every week. Why, when so many people need Jesus, is the local church ineffective in reaching others with the Good News? Why, when surveys tell us unchurched people are open to spiritual revelation, is the local church unable to bridge the gap of relationships and meet this need? Why, when there is so much uncertainty about life and trouble brewing everywhere around us, is the local church perceived as irrelevant and powerless to meet these challenges? Churches often need outside intervention! Part of the assignment by The Father is to be available for local churches in diagnosing hindrances to their effectiveness. This includes providing recommendations, tools and training options that enhance Great Commission health and growth. Part of our assignment is to be a catalyst of turnaround in local churches. The Lord has blessed me through a consulting relationship with The Church Doctor Ministries, as well as our own Coaching 4 Growth Ministry.
  

• Missions. Since my first visit to the mission field in 1987, I have had a heart for missions. For me, missions means doing ministry cross-culturally. In recent years, we have seen opportunity to minister cross-culturally right here in America, as well as over seas. My assignment includes helping cross-cultural ministries get started (church planting), become equipped and trained (Institutes and training materials), and stay healthy (consulting). These activities are not restricted to one people group or location, but to wherever the open door presents itself. It could be in my own city (where over 40 languages are spoken among people as their first language), or it could be in a far place like Africa. Right now, the door of opportunity is open among our Haitian believers in New York, Boston, and Florida. It will be interesting to see how the Lord leads over the next few months.
  

Although the assignment seems clear at the moment, The Father has the option of adding to, or redirecting this ministry at any time. I submit to that with no regrets! There is no greater peace we can experience than to know we are in the center of his will. Thanks for reading. I would be honored if you would remember us in your prayers.

For Him,
Coach

Questions About Church Consultants

Often I am asked three basic questions about church consulting. People wonder if they really need outside consultant help or not, they wonder what a consultant will do for their church if they have one come, and they ask about the steps involved in a consultation. Here's a few thoughts about these questions.

Why consider using an outside Church Health Consultant?

In general, persons involved in church leadership are often so close to the church that it becomes difficult to see with clarity its opportunities and barriers for growth. An experienced, outside consultant can help church leadership discern and act on its growth opportunities and issues more clearly and more quickly than it could without outside assistance. Some of those reasons are...

• There is a specific issue (or issues) church leadership feels is symptomatic of deeper problems within the life and health of the church. Examples are... attendance is plateaued or declining, offerings are declining, persons visiting do not return or join the church, or conflict is present between pastor & lay leadership or between lay persons.
• The church lacks a long-term plan for healthy growth. There is no game-plan, or leaders wonder where we're going. The church seems to have programs, but there is a lack of unity about why we do it or what should be done next.
• The church is planning a major effort such as building expansion, capitol campaign, or starting a new ministry or church plant.
• The church wants to assess its health and address any issues quickly before they cause serious damage to the ministry.

What does a Consultant do?

Here are the types of activities you can expect a Church Consultant to engage in...

• Listen to people and the Holy Spirit
• Investigate issues
• Analyze symptoms
• Recommend options
• Encourage change
• Help implement change, when invited
• Follow-up

What are the steps involved in a Church Consultation?

While not every situation is the same, the process described below is generally followed...

• Consultation request
• Initial interview
• Proposal to church leadership
• Agreement about the work to be done
• Consultation work,
• Verbal interaction with church leadership
  
• Oral report to the church congregation
• Formal written report with recommendations
  
• Follow-up

If a church decides it would be helpful to have an outside consultant come in, the next question is who should be chosen? Costs should not be the only factor although it is important. Most consultants can give you an estimate after a brief conversation about what you'd like them to do. Church leadership should discuss the experience and qualities of the consultant, and consider their potential effectiveness with your church. Here are a few questions to ask that will guide you in the process of selecting someone...

• What types and levels of ministry experience does this consultant candidate offer?
• To what degree does the consultant have experience with churches our size and life stage?
• What has the consultant accomplished during their ministry? In other words, what fruit has their ministry born as part of a local church and as a consultant?
• Does this consultant show genuine interest and enthusiasm for working with my church?
• Does this consultant demonstrate the maturity and Christ-like attitude needed to effectively work with this church's leaders? The most effective church consultants are confident, but humble; straightforward but diplomatic.

In summary, there are obvious times when an outside influence could make the difference to a local church. Statisticians tell us that 8 out of 10 churches in America are either plateaued or declining. They are not effective in reaching people for Christ and seeing them assimilated into a healthy growing local church environment. So, there seems to be many churches who would benefit from someone helping them identify the reasons that hinder that growth. More churches should explore having an outside consultant bring insight into their situation. Hopefully, these thoughts will help church leadership consider this as an option.

Consider the services Coaching 4 Growth has to offer.

Question for the Coach

Question: “We are ready to hire our first additional staff person. How do you know what position to hire first, and how can you be sure you hire the right person?”

Answer: There are two basic approaches to hiring. One approach looks for the best person available and fits them to a position; the other determines the position first, and then looks for a person to fill it. Each has their advantages but I prefer a blending of the two. Here’s how to do that.

Since you are the lead (or only) pastor, all the ministry falls under the umbrella of your responsibility. So, look for a person who becomes like a partner with you to accomplish a share of the total ministry picture that you do not do so well. What you are trying to develop by staffing is the ability to do more ministries and do it better than you can do on your own. Don’t hire someone just like you, but look for someone who will partner with you to accomplish areas of ministry you are weak in. Each situation will be different because each church and each pastor are different. The best hiring equation is to add staff according to your ministry needs, rather than hiring the way others do.

So coach, how do you know when you are getting the right person? I credit the following idea to Bill Hybels, but he may have heard it from someone else. Use the three C’s for selecting people to hire, and prioritize them in this order…

Character – who are they when no-one is looking? Character flaws hurt ministry more than any other reason. Ultimately, character flaws are what knocks people out of ministry altogether. Great character, on the other hand, attracts and builds ministry. Develop a list of characteristics you would want a person to have before sharing ministry with. After all, they will be an extension of your ministry so they will represent you, even when you are not around. These should be your non-negotiable's.

Chemistry – do they fit in with the others on staff? At first, it may only be you. Do they complement you, your personality, your weaknesses, and your vision? Is this someone you would enjoy spending off-ministry time with? If they are married, does their spouse fit in too? Good chemistry creates harmony and unity, which are very important in ministry growth.

Competency – do they have the basic skills to strengthen the team? Do they bring a skill or talent to the team that improves the total ministry picture? Are they flexible in attitude? Can they be a star performer, yet be a team player? Make sure they have basic skills in working with people. Every ministry situation demands this.

Hire a person according to the order of the three C’s. Look for character first, then the chemistry fit between you, and finally according to their skills and competency.

To ask a question, write to the coach@coaching4growth.com. I invite you to visit our "Questions for the Coach" page at the website for more Q & A's.

WHAT DO YOU HEAR GOD SAYING TO THE CHURCH?

Recently, I was with a group of Apostolic leaders who met for a brief time of reflection about issues facing the church today. The question was raised, “What do you hear God saying to the church?” Below is a partial listing of some thoughts and comments.

• It is time to get serious about the effectiveness of the local church. We are loosing ground. Congregates are over involved and under committed. We must get back to the Biblical basics of the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

• Pastors and leaders spend too much time talking about their experiences and too little time teaching and applying the Word. There is also too little time spent in prayer. Overall, too much time is spent on non-spiritual activities.

• 9/11 should have been a wake up call, but instead we are complacent. The illnesses in the world are the same illnesses we see in the church.

• America is no longer a nation under one God. There are many religions that are a part of our society. The church does not sense any urgency to convert others to the God of our Fathers.

• There should be an effort to pray for our leaders. They are becoming more and more fearful of being politically correct instead of people of character and integrity.

• Preachers are preaching what people want to hear rather than the Word. They are influencing followers to stray from the truth simply by not preaching the truth.

• There is no longer any Biblical worldview in our churches. The worldview in the church has become the same worldview as we see in our society.

• We must quit being so selfish – it’s not about us. What is negotiable about fulfilling the Great Commission? We must get rid of any barrier that hinders accomplishment of the Great Commission including selfish attitudes that the local church should serve me. Why don’t pastor’s lead congregations in achieving the Great Commission? Because too many people in the pew believe the purpose of the local church is to meet their needs, not the needs of a person who doesn’t even attend.

• The local church must stop having an environment that rewards non-Biblical behavior. Too often people become leaders because of their tenure or influence rather than their Biblical effectiveness. Other times carnal behavior is not challenged because of the fear of offending someone who is critical to the churches existence.

These comments come through gifted spiritual people. They reflect what God desires to be heard among his people in the local church. Somehow, through tradition and time, the church has evolved into societies of people whose focus has turned inward rather than outward. Through these comments, we are being challenged to return to our basic roots of Biblical obedience, channeling our energies toward those not yet in the Kingdom of God.

Dr. Kent Hunter believes that the church has been attacked and infected by the “demon of religion.” This demon Dr. Hunter explains has blinded us to the Great Commission; instead it has moved us to focus on denominationalism, traditionalism, and institutionalism. The result is a very dead faith among congregants whose focus turns toward themselves and what they want. When what they want is tampered with or taken away, they become disgruntled, critical, leaders of church splits, or secret champions of slander and gossip. The only winner is the demon of religion.

God has more than this in mind for the local church! Pastors and church leaders in the future must be more than practitioners of diagnosis, prognosis, prescription and strategy of ministry. They must be spiritually tuned into the very heart of God, and willing to proclaim to the local church the sins within the camp. At the same time, they must be gentle teachers of the Word, helping people catch the vision of what God’s local church looks like in our modern society. Our future ministry is more than helping a church grow; it is helping the local church understand and practice the Biblical principles of being the bride of Christ while executing the assignment of being ambassadors for Christ. It is the practice of ‘being’ balanced with the activity of ‘doing.’

My burden is for healthy, growing, and reproducing local churches. But, there is a growing burden for courageous & discerning pastors who are called and commissioned by the Holy Spirit to be carriers of an apostolic movement! The time has come. Time is short, hell is hot!

For this and other articles of interest, visit the articles webpage at Coaching4Growth.com.