Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Leading Ideas: "Overcoming Apprehension about Change, Podcast: Dying to Restart, and 6 Ways to Create a Guest-Friendly Worship Service for Wednesday, 3 October 2018 from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., United States

Leading Ideas: "Overcoming Apprehension about Change, Podcast: Dying to Restart, and 6 Ways to Create a Guest-Friendly Worship Service for Wednesday, 3 October 2018 from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., United States
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Dan Turner led an older, established congregation through a restart. The remnant of members from the previous church brought many gifts to the new church, but also a healthy dose of grief and skepticism. They had to change and sacrifice. But ultimately, the power of seeing lives transformed overcame their grief and apprehension.
Read more now.

Overcoming Apprehension about Change b
A restart is different from all other forms of church revitalization in that the existing church chooses a definitive ending characterized by a radical yielding of power and control to new guiding leadership. Restarts combine all the approaches of church planting with the pastoral work of helping a congregation die with dignity. But a restart is different from either a church plant or the death of a congregation because a remnant of older members remains in the mix.Alma never stopped coming and never stopped giving, even as she grieved the loss of so much that was comfortable and familiar. She personally lived out the call of Jesus to “deny yourself” for the sake of the gospel.
The role of the remnant
When pastors ask how it was to do a restart, I usually say: “The encouraging thing is that you have a committed core of people and a facility. Of course, the challenge is that you have a committed core of people and a facility.” When National Memorial Church of God in Washington, DC, was reborn as Northwest Community Church, 65 percent of the members from the previous church remained part of the new church. But within just a few years, this remnant group became a minority as the congregation succeeded in reaching new people.
This remnant group can be a huge asset in the new launch, but they will also be carrying lots of baggage. The pastor needs to be both a leader and a shepherd. Throughout the relaunch, you can expect to keep lifting the vision. It will take work but if you can bring them along on the journey, you’ll see huge rewards. The remnant group will be taking a wait-and-see stance. If they stay, that’s an indication they have some level of trust in you or the process.
Alma’s story
We had one remnant member, Alma, who had been in the church for 65 years. She had repeatedly told me that she longed to see the pews filled with young families like they were years ago. She supported the restart out of that desire. But once the new church launched, Alma wasn’t so sure. She missed the organ. The furniture that suddenly went missing from the stage upset her. She missed the hymns. The music was too loud and too new. And she was increasingly frustrated that she hardly knew anyone in the church.
I knew she was upset. I did my best to help Alma grieve and to remind her why we were doing what we were doing. I reiterated the fact that we both wanted the same thing — to see the church grow. I didn’t realize until a few years later just how upset Alma was. I eventually learned she had gone to the funeral home where she had made arrangements and requested the location of her funeral be moved from our church to the chapel of the funeral home! She said all the changes had made her feel like the church was no longer her church.
I love seeing the church full and people coming to Christ
I’m so glad the story doesn’t end there. As she confessed this change of venue to me one afternoon, Alma said that a couple of years later she went back to the funeral home and moved the service location back to our church. I’ll never forget what she said: “I don’t like the music or the changes, but I love seeing the church full and people coming to Christ.”
Her funeral service at the church was filled with her old friends. But the church was also filled with her new friends that grew to love this white-haired lady who sat in the pew next to them. We sang the hymns she loved, but we did it with our full band and the young vocalists she grew to love. Alma never stopped coming and never stopped giving, even as she grieved the loss of so much that was comfortable and familiar. She personally lived out the call of Jesus to “deny yourself” for the sake of the gospel. I wish I could share Alma’s story with every church struggling to change.
The power of seeing lives transformed
So many churches have forgotten how energizing it is to see people come to Christ in their midst. They may dislike the delivery mechanism, but the power of seeing lives transformed will begin to dwarf their grief and apprehensions. The remnant members of restart churches are truly heroes; they are also hero makers. They sacrificed their comfort, their preferences, and their traditions so that new life could take place.
I sincerely desire to witness our remnant members riding a new wave of God’s work in the old pews they had known for years. I love hearing one of our remnant members expressing excitement over seeing how many people are in worship or being inspired by witnessing another baptism. Because they know how far we’ve come, they appreciate it in a way our new members may never experience it. Our remnant members know what a privilege it is to be used by God to accomplish something new in our city.
This article is adapted from Dying to Restart: Churches Choosing a Strategic Death for a Resurrected Life by Greg Wiens and Dan Turner. Used by permission. The book is available at Amazon.
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About Author
Dan Turner is pastor of Northwest Community Church in Washington, DC, and a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program in church leadership. He is co-author, with Greg Wiens, of Dying to Restart: Churches Choosing a Strategic Death for a Resurrected Life (2018), available at Amazon.
Episode 19
Leading Ideas Talks Podcast: "Dying to Restart: Choosing a Strategic Death for a Resurrected Life"
Why would a church discontinue its ministry to start a new one in the same place? In this episode Dan Turner speaks with Lewis Center Associate Director Ann A. Michel about how his Washington, DC, church chose to do just that to become a more fruitful congregation.
Listen now.
How can you position your church for increased attendance and growth? John Zehring, author of Get Your Church Ready to Grow, suggests six strategies that can make your worship more attractive to visitors, without requiring a major investment of time or resources.
Read more now.

6 Ways to Create a Guest-Friendly Worship Service by John Zehring
How can you position your church for increased attendance and growth? John Zehring, author of Get Your Church Ready to Grow,suggests six strategies that can make your worship more attractive to visitors, without requiring a major investment of time or resources.
1. Explain your time-honored traditions
Integrate into your worship a brief explanation of religious practices and traditions in simple, clear, language. Visitors may have no idea what the “passing of the peace” is, what they are supposed to do, or why they are doing it. Introduce that element of your worship each week with a simple, “Greet one another with a warm handshake or hug, and speak the ancient words of blessing: ‘Peace be with you’ or ‘God’s peace.’” Better to err by overinforming than to leave visitors to fumble along, trying to keep up with your time-honored traditions. Don’t assume, for example, that guests know the Lord’s Prayer, the lyrics for the doxology, choral responses and communion songs.
2. Consider shortening the length of your worship serviceRemember, many of the people whose spiritual needs you are attempting to meet do not have an extensive church background. Attention spans today are short.
Long services have the potential to be a turnoff to guests. If the tradition of the church is to exceed an hour for the worship service, state so in the bulletin. Perhaps at the top of the worship bulletin where the date of the service is listed, a time may also be offered such as 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., so that guests will know to expect a 90-minute service. Contain the announcements where possible. For services containing added features, consider limiting the length of music.
3. Increase the pace of the worship service
Use more short parts in the service rather than fewer long parts. Remember, many of the people whose spiritual needs you are attempting to meet do not have an extensive church background. Attention spans today are short. Consider how people get their news, weather, and sports in fast-paced, quick-moving, bite-sized chunks. To be sensitive to this reality, speed up the pace of your service with shorter Scriptures, shorter musical pieces, briefer sermons, and less complicated liturgy. Having more brief parts will make the service feel like it moves along faster and will hold the attention of worshippers. For those who were on the fence about whether they wanted to attend church that day, a faster-paced service that captures and holds their attention is a checkmark in the positive direction.
4. Use laity in the worship service
If you say in your bulletin that “all members are ministers” and tout the value of shared ministry, let that conviction shine in the pulpit as participants view their friends and fellow members as worship leaders. If the only people allowed to participate in worship are staff or ordained clergy, it suggests that this is a high church where laity can serve in some roles but are prohibited in others. In contrast, high lay involvement will demonstrate the importance of members in leading nearly every aspect of the church.
5. Feature miniseries of sermons
A miniseries of sermons entices worshippers to return so they do not miss a part of the series. Consider a short sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the four chapters of Philippians, the most beloved psalms, favorite parables from Jesus, or contemporary issues as they relate to our faith in God. A three- or four-part series holds the potential to increase attendance of those who desire to hear all the parts. Too long a series may lose its impact because of the practical realities that most members do not attend all services.
Have you noticed how popular articles use numbers, such as ten myths, five reasons, three secrets, eight techniques, four tips, and so on? A sermon series can do the same based on, for example, the four best-loved psalms, seven verses for when you feel anxious, three attitudes to propel your forward, or five important women in Jesus’ life. Many verses lend themselves easily to a miniseries. For example: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8) — a perfect three-week series.
6. Initiate a sermon talkback
Add a sermon talkback or other educational or informational programs immediately following the worship service a couple of times a month and especially invite guests to remain. Not everyone feels comfortable going to coffee hour in the fellowship hall, and some may find it awkward especially when they do not know many people and stand alone with no one to converse with. The ones who do not feel comfortable going to coffee hour may enjoy a more intellectually stimulating conversation in which they do not have to know people. Of course, it is possible to do both — to pick up some refreshments, say hello to friends, and then come to the program.
Excerpted from Get Your Church Ready to Grow: A Guide to Building Attendance and Participation by John Zehring, copyright © 2018 by Judson Press. Used by permission of Judson Press, www.judsonpress.com.
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About Author
John Zehring is a retired United Church of Christ pastor who has also served in higher education, primarily in development and institutional advancement. He has written many books, including Beyond Stewardship: A Church Guide to Generous Giving Campaigns(Judson Press, 2016), with Kate Jagger, and Get Your Church Ready to Grow (Judson Press, 2018).
The Right Question
Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.
Charles Denison used three questions as he started a new Presbyterian church:
  1. How can this church be better than any other church you've attended?
  2. What does that mean?
  3. Why should anyone come to our church?
Want more Right Questions? Read Right Questions for Church Leaders.
Worship attendance is vital to the mission of the church. The Reaching Others through Worship Video Tool Kit provides resources and strategies to help you improve hospitality and worship attendance. Topics include: Tips for Making Worship More Visitor Friendly; How Do People See Your Church?; Putting Out the Welcome Mat; The Ministry of Greeting; The Power of Worship; and more.
Learn more and watch introductory videos now.
One key to effective outreach is making sure that worship visitors feel truly welcome. From helping newcomers feel at home in worship to following up with visitors, the strategies and tips in 50 Ways to Welcome New People will help your congregation make a good first impression and extend hospitality in meaningful ways.
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50 Ways to Welcome New People
One key to effective outreach is making sure that worship visitors feel truly welcome. These 50 Ways will help your congregation make a good first impression and extend hospitality in meaningful ways.
  1. Engage your leaders and members
  2. Teach that hospitality is at the core of the Gospel.
  3. Teach your congregation to honor Christ in everyone and that God seeks to be in relationship with ALL persons.
  4. Make a good first Impression
  5. Convey a clear invitation and a statement of welcome in all communications directed at the external community — advertisements, banners, flyers, website, etc.
  6. Know that 40% of visitors make up their mind about a church before they even see the pastor, according to Barna Research. Within two minutes of the beginning of a service visitors have formed an opinion about whether the congregation is friendly.
  7. Care for your building and grounds as a way of honoring your attendees and honoring God. A well-cared-for building demonstrates a commitment to excellence and communicates that what the church does is important.
  8. Have clear exterior and interior signage that guides visitors everywhere they need to go.
  9. Reserve special parking places for visitors. Encourage church members and staff to park offsite or in more remote spaces. If parking lot congestion is an issue, recruit volunteer parking attendants.
  10. Make your nursery clean, safe, sanitary, well-equipped, and visually appealing to children and their parents. Use a space that is easy to find and convenient to the sanctuary. Make sure your nursery workers and procedures inspire confidence on the part of parents.
  11. Make sure your restrooms and neat and clean.
  12. Be intentional about saying hello and goodbye
  13. Station greeters at all entrances, in classroom areas, and in the parking lot or entry walks, if appropriate.
  14. Identify your greeters and ushers with a special badge or name tag so visitors who need information can easily identify them.
  15. Encourage friendly, out-going persons with the gift of “hospitality” to serve as greeters and ushers. Don’t expect that just anyone can do these jobs well. Provide regular training that helps them see the church through a visitor’s eyes.
  16. Escort newcomers to the nursery, classrooms, coffee hour, etc. Don’t just point the way or give directions.
  17. Adopt the “rule of three,” which says members will not talk to other members in the first three minutes following the service — typically how long it takes guests to exit.
  18. Enact the “circle of ten” rule — that each member will greet anyone, member or guest, who comes within ten feet of them.
  19. Say, “I don’t think we’ve met before. …” if you are not sure if the person next to you is a member or a visitor.
  20. Ask outgoing church members to sit in the pews where visitors most commonly sit, often near the entrance or in the back.
  21. Post someone at every exit to shake hands and thank people for coming. Ask worship participants (readers, music leaders, liturgists, etc.,) to do this since their faces will be familiar.
  22. Help newcomers feel at home in worship
  23. Accept and encourage casual attire.
  24. Do not ask visitors to stand and identify themselves. Seventy percent of new attendees feel negatively about being recognized. However, they do expect people to be friendly and welcoming.
  25. Provide nametags for the whole congregation and develop the habit of wearing them. Form a “tag team” to organize and promote name tag use.
  26. Review your church bulletin and other printed material to make sure information is not “insider oriented.” Avoid church jargon and assuming that people understand the context.
  27. Make sure your order of worship is easy for a visitor to follow. Include written or verbal explanations of what is going on and why. Print the words to all prayers, songs, and responses.
  28. Sing at least one hymn each Sunday that is well known outside the church, such as “Amazing Grace,” “Joyful Joyful,” or “Morning Has Broken.”
  29. Include a welcome to visitors in the open words before the service. Make sure the person speaking identifies him or herself. It is best for the pastor to issue this welcome.
  30. Remember that visitors sometimes arrive a few minutes late. Don’t front load all the information directed at them.
  31. Place information about your church’s ministries where a visitor can easily find it — preferably in the pew, or a clearly marked location near the entry points used by visitors. Don’t expect them to go someplace else to find it.
  32. Prepare Visitors Packets to be handed out by greeters with information about your church programs.
  33. Give visitors with small children a small activity packet (with crayons, pipe cleaners, stickers, etc.) as they enter worship.
  34. Avoid all talk about money with visitors.
  35. Keep the discussion of “family business” to a minimum in the services. Limit announcements.
Follow up with your visitors
36. Get the names and addresses of first-time visitors. Some churches use visitors’ cards, but asking ALL worshippers to record attendance makes it more likely visitors will sign. Visitors don’t want to be singled out.
37. Make a special effort to remember visitors’ names and call them by name.
38. Make at least one follow-up contact with first-time visitors within 24 to 36 hours of their visit — a letter from the pastor, a phone call, a hand-written note, an email message. Many churches deliver a gift, such as freshly baked cookies or a church coffee mug, to visitors’ homes. The purpose is to communicate friendliness, not get a membership commitment.
39. Develop a system or data base for keeping track of visitors, their contact information, and the frequency of visits. A mailing list of persons who have visited in the past is one of your best marketing tools.
40. Don’t overlook visitors who come to the church for the first time for an event other than worship.
41. Once someone has attended three times, they should be invited to join the church with a pastoral visit and/or an invitation to take part in an inquirers or new member class.
42. Encourage visitors to get connected with activities and groups, even if they are not ready to join.
43. Be more inviting
44. Hold an Open House Sunday at least once a year.
45. Organize a “bring-a-friend” Sunday at least once a year.
46. Extend extra hospitality during back-to-school time, Christmas and Easter, when persons are most likely to consider visiting a church.
47. Start a personal invitation ministry. Three out of four people attend a church for the first time because they were invited. Yet less than half of church members say they have invited someone in the last year.
48. Provide training to members on how to invite others to church.
49. Print special invitations to Christmas Eve services that people can deliver to friends.
50. Plan special events — concerts, lectures, etc. — that appeal to those outside the church and that members feel comfortable inviting someone to.
Have special recognition Sundays for scout groups, preschool families, or other community groups meeting in your church to encourage them to attend worship.
Become more aware of visitors and their concerns
Gather feedback on how visitors respond to your church through surveys, focus groups, or interviews.
Conduct a “welcome audit” annually.
Provide training on welcoming at least once a year.
Send your welcome team to visit other churches and report back on how they experienced their reception.
Download a PDF of this page to share with others.
Learn to connect with your church’s neighbors through understanding, engagement, and service. This tool kit includes engaging videos, presentations, and supplemental materials you can use for self study or with groups in your church to help you reach new disciples.
Learn more and watch introductory videos now.
Learn concepts and strategies to welcome and respond to your first-time and repeat visitors, reach younger generations, expand your church’s entry points, and get new people involved. The New Welcome Video Tool Kit helps you open your church to the transformative presence of new people — welcoming newcomers by acknowledging the changing ways that people enter into the life of churches.
The Lewis Center staff has assembled and edited this material.
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Church Leadership Excellence: Apply by Feb. 15 for May 2019

Wesley Theological Seminary and the Lewis Center together offer two Doctor of Ministry programs. The Public Engagement track equips participants to lead congregations in healing the brokenness experienced in communities while being beacons of hope. The Church Leadership Excellence track provides clergy the enhanced knowledge, skills, and motivation to increase congregational and denominational service, vitality, and growth.
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Quotable Leadership:
Change is a threat when done to me but an opportunity when done by me. (Rosabeth Moss Kanter)
From the earliest days of the church, women have spoken and written of their faith. This eight-session study introduces us to the voices of six women who struggled with issues of identity, character, and calling, and who were able to attest to God's living presence amidst their struggles. Women Speak of God is ideal for women and men in your congregation's small groups, adult Bible studies, and Sunday School classes who want to grow in faith and see how God works in difficult times and places.
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