The Final DTP Consultation of 2011

Yesterday afternoon at 3:15 p.m., I dropped Dr. Borden off at the Albany airport.  As I drove away, there was a feeling of sadness mixed with exhilaration.  Throughout 2011 he and I have spent 40 days together doing consultations, lay training events, pastors’ clusters and arranging for coaches.   All eight consultations were very well received, and the votes of six of them very affirming.  The final two churches will be voting within the next few weeks.

This weekend we were with Pastor John Gillette and the people of the Mooers Wesleyan Church.  It is obvious that God is at work in this congregation, and we expect even greater things in the future. 

I’m dictating these paragraphs to Cam from the road so that she can get the prescription posted on the website.  It is amazing to me how God is using this website to minister. Often, when I log on, I see that over 200 people are on the site, probably reading the prescriptions, listening to Dr. Borden or looking at what God is doing in our district, and I am humbled.

Along with the prescriptions, video clips of interviews of pastors whose churches have participated in a DTP consultation have been posted, and later this week, come back and look for audio and video files of Dr. Tim Brown’s messages from the District Ministerial 2011 (Leadership Development Tab -> Ministerial Retreat).

This has been an intense two months in my life and I want to thank all of you who pray for me.  I am very conscious when I’m on the road and tired, or in a meeting with a church board, that I’m just an instrument in God’s hand.

Susan and l love each of you and are grateful that we can do the journey together with you.  You will find the Mooers prescription below. 

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MOOERS WESLEYAN CHURCH CONSULTATION

OCTOBER 28-30, 2011

STRENGTHS

1.     Pastor and Mrs. John Gillette:  The people of the congregation value highly the ministry of John.  They speak well of his preaching and his care and concern for the congregation.  In the last two years he has led the congregation to grow and reach out to a number of new people.  His wife, Diane, has stepped up to fill key ministry positions that needed immediate leadership.  They demonstrate team work in both their marriage and in congregational ministry. 

2.     Youth Ministry:  The congregation has a large, growing and vibrant youth ministry.  The youth not only attend their weekly meetings but are serving in the congregation as well as conducting mission work in several communities.

3.    Compassionate and Non-Judgmental Congregation:  We heard from many that this congregation demonstrates love to those within their midst and to those who attend that are new.  They model openness to people who are exploring their relationship with Jesus Christ as well as to those new in their faith journey.

4.    Resources:  God has blessed this congregation with a number of key resources for ministry.  Those resources are its buildings and grounds (which are maintained with care), no debt (though the congregation is asset rich and cash poor), a growing congregation, and room for future ministry growth.

5.    Desire for Growth:  Almost without exception, everyone we spoke with wants to see the congregation grow.  The congregation is not afraid of growth and the people want to see it happen quickly and in great numbers.

CONCERNS

1.     A Passion for Lost People:  Currently the pastor is the primary evangelist in the congregation.  The desire for growth was not always related to reaching lost people.  Few people expressed broken hearts for the lost of the community.

2.    Mission/Vision:  The congregation does not have a clear mission (purpose) and therefore many decisions are not made in relation to implementing a clear mission.  There is no compelling vision that fuels the soul of the congregation.

3.    Worship:  The current style of worship is not meeting the needs of many and is not helping the congregation reach out to many people under the age of forty.

4.    Staffing:  The congregational ministry structure does not marry responsibility, authority and accountability.

5.    Facilities and Growth:  The current facilities are not conducive to help produce the growth that the congregation wants to see, including the building of larger facilities (we understand that facilities in and of themselves will not produce growth).

PRESCRIPTIONS

1.     A Passion for Lost People:  The pastor will lead the congregation in a Sunday morning worship service of prayer and repentance.  First, forgiveness will be sought for not making the evangelism of lost people the priority of the congregation.  Secondly, the congregation will pray that God will give the people, individually and collectively, a passion for the lost in the community.  Thirdly, the congregation will ask God to give it a compelling vision for the future that includes envisioning a large number of lost people coming to Jesus Christ.  Finally, each member o f the congregation will commit to pray daily for one specific individual to become a disciple of Jesus Christ within the next twelve months.  This day of prayer will take place by January 9, 2012.  Following this Sunday of prayer the pastor will lead a weekly prayer meeting.  This meeting will focus on prayers for the community, as well as the mission and vision of the congregation.

2.     Mission/Vision:  Upon the acceptance of this report (should that be the case) the new mission statement of the congregation will be  Mooers Wesleyan Church exists to honor God by making more disciples for Jesus Christ.  The pastor will then lead the congregation in a mission/ministry audit.  The purpose of the audit is to examine how every ministry of the congregation meets the mission statement.  The ministries that are not focused on and contributing to the mission statement must be changed or be cancelled.  This audit will be completed by December 31, 2012. 

In 2012, the pastor will lead the congregation to conduct four bridge events that occur on Sunday mornings.  The purpose of these events is to reach out to those in the community that are not yet disciples of Jesus Christ.  The pastor, in consultation with his coach and the DS, will present a vision statement to the congregation that is compelling and produces accountability.  This statement will be presented by February 6, 2012.  Understanding that today most people search for a church by using the internet, a new updated website will be in operation by  March 30, 2012.

3.    Worship:  the pastor will put together a worship team that he will oversee.  The purpose of this team is to provide extensive planning for each service and rigorous accountability for how well each service meets the expectations expressed in the plan.  Each service needs to be creative and different.  The intent is to allow unbelievers to see believers worship their God (Isaiah 2:2-, 56:6-8, Psalms 47:1, 100:1-5).  Such worship means getting unbelievers into worship, making worship understandable to unbelievers, and leading them to make a commitment to follow Jesus Christ.  Such worship experience requires extensive planning and implementation.  The issues are not seeker worship vs. traditional or contemporary worship, but worship designed to minister to the soul through a variety of the senses.  This team will be in place by March 1, 2012.

4.    Staffing:  The current ministry structure will not help the congregation grow since the element of accountability is missing.  Also, the pastor’s current job description is designed for keeping the congregation small and not producing growth.  Therefore, the pastor’s job description must be changed.  He is to be the Spiritual Leader (preaching and calling the congregation to follow God’s collective promptings).  He is to be a leader and he is to develop leaders.  He is to hold ministry people accountable (paid and/or volunteer staff), either directly or through the ministry overseers.  He is to help assimilate new people into the congregation.  This includes overseeing bridge events until an assimilation director and team can be put in place.  The pastor is also the congregation’s representative in the community.  The pastor will implement this new job description by March 1, 2012. 

The current Spiritual Formation terminology will be changed to the Ministry Team, with the two directors being called the Ministry Overseers.  The first job of the ministry overseers is to help the pastor conduct the mission/ministry audit.  The ministry overseers also assist the pastor in helping the staff to set goals in the areas of evangelism, leadership development and growth.  The initial goals need to be in place by March 1, 2012.  The congregation will pay the pastor’s expenses to attend the Nelson Searcy seminar in NYC on November 18, 2011 (it would be good if several leaders could accompany the pastor in attending this seminar).

5.    Facilities and Growth:  The congregation needs to deal with Phase 2.5 before moving to Phase 3 (the congregation has already successfully completed Phases 1 and 2).  The purpose of Phase 2.5 is to provide flexibility in the current facility.  By maximizing the current square footage the congregation can grow, eventually gaining enough momentum to go to two services.  The additional human and financial resources resulting from this growth will make it possible to finance Phase 3 sometime in the future.  Phase 2.5 will include new or expanded restrooms in the fellowship hall, the removal of the wall between the worship center and the fellowship hall and replacing the worship center pews with decorative padded chairs.  The renovation shall also include updating the downstairs with modern lighting, vibrant paint and floor covering and decorative accessories that make this space child friendly.  The former youth room will be retrofitted as a children’s worship area.  It is believed that this area will be used not only on Sunday mornings, but also for an alive mid-week ministry. 

The top three positions to be considered are children, worship and administration/ assimilation.  The sooner this can be done, the better.  In order to fund these capital and human resource improvements the LBA and Trustees, in consultation with the DS, will come up with a fundraising plan by June 1, 2012.  A capital campaign and/or a loan are two options to consider.  Meanwhile, the pastor will select someone(s) who will raise $1000-$2000 from 10-20 people to jump-start the implementation of this prescription.  This will be accomplished by December 31, 2011.

THOSE WHO ATTEND THE CONGREGATION REGULARLY WILL VOTE TO EITHER ACCEPT OR REJECT THIS REPORT ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011.  EACH BALLOT WILL BE SIGNED.  NO BALLOTS WILL BE COUNTED IF NOT SIGNED.  IF ACCEPTED IMPLEMENTATION WILL BEGIN AND THE PASTOR AND SPOUSE WILL RECEIVE HELP AND COACHING FROM THE DISTRICT FOR THE NEXT YEAR TO ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW PLAN FOR RE-INVENTION.

Dr. Paul D. Borden

Rev. W. Paul James

Rev. Tom Flanders

100-Hour Week

We just completed a wonderful, busy, exciting, fruitful week in Eastern New York/New England.  Last Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, over 70 leaders gathered at Schroon Lake for two-and-a-half days of inspiration, team building and leadership development.  Dr. Tim Brown, from Growing Healthy Churches, shared practical and life-changing lessons.  Lots of positive reports were heard from our churches and the buzz and energy indicated that momentum is flowing in the right direction for our district.

Thursday through Sunday, Dr. Borden, Rev. Buddy Rampey, DS of South Carolina District , Dr. Dan Berry, DS South Coastal District, and I were engaged in the consultation process at Waterford WC.  The strengths, concerns and prescriptions are included for your information further on in this blog.  

Sunday afternoon we drove to the Cooks Corners WC, where approximately 90 individuals joined us for a training event entitled, A Great Commission Congregation.  Dr. Borden and I got home late Sunday, about 11:15p.  These seven days have included 100 hours of ministry!  They were both tiring and exhilarating. 

Now, this week, we turn our attention toward launching coaches with four of our consultation churches, and on the weekend we will be doing the consultation at Mooers WC.

As I looked into the eyes of our leaders at the retreat, I was proud.  Personal and spiritual growth is evident, and as our leaders grow, souls are finding Christ and the Kingdom is being expanded.  It truly is fulfilling to be a part of this district.

Also, Susan and I would like to thank you for the cards, notes, and financial gifts that you gave us for Pastor Appreciation Month.  The fact that some of you made your gift to the Vision Fund in our honor was very kind.

Let me wind up this opening part of the blog, so that Cam can get the prescription posted.  My understanding is that some time this (or next) week, some personal stories that were video-recorded at the retreat will be posted on the website.  It's just another way that we are trying to communicate to you what's happening across our district.  Here is the Rx from Waterford...

WATERFORD WESLEYAN CHURCH 

CONSULTATION

OCTOBER 21 – 23, 2011

STRENGTHS

1. Pastor and Spouse:  Pastor Paul Barna and his wife Pam are the best assets the congregation has today.  God has used Paul to lead this congregation to its best days of ministry.  His commitment to God, the congregation and the community has been used by the Holy Spirit to make many new disciples for Jesus Christ and to lead congregational growth.  Pam, acting as a key volunteer staff member, has been used by God to lead an outward focused children’s ministry that is top notch.

2. BLAST:  This ministry is reaching out to many children and families that would not normally attend any congregation.  Children are being changed spiritually, emotionally and socially in numerous positive ways.  This ministry is providing an opportunity to reach many un-churched adults.

3. Outward Focus:  Under the leadership of the pastor evangelism is occurring, the reputation of the congregation is undergoing a positive transformation and a portion of the congregation’s resources are focusing on serving the needs of the community.

4. Recent History:  During the last eight years God has led the congregation to take risks of faith in order to bring honor to Jesus Christ.  The congregation took a risk on an inexperienced pastor, the purchase and move to new buildings, and being part of the District’s Transformation Process.

5. Compassion:  The congregation reflects an attitude of compassion for each other and a concern for reaching lost people.  Almost everyone interviewed wanted to see the congregation grow in order to reach more people with the love of Jesus Christ.

CONCERNS

1. A Passion for Lost People:  Although the congregation has a concern for lost people the passion for evangelism demonstrated by the pastor is not true for the congregation.

2. Mission/Vision:  The congregation has no clear mission statement and there is not a specific and strategic compelling vision for the future.

3. Staffing/Leadership Development:  The volunteer staff of the congregation is not being developed as leaders nor has there been a leadership development strategy employed with regularity and consistency.

4. Worship/Assimilation:  These two ministry programs need to be strengthened in order to assist the congregation in turning around the downward trend in growth that has occurred over the last two years.

5. Finances/Facilities:  The congregation has limited finances.  If not addressed this situation will inhibit immediate facility changes required for growth as well as staff needs required for growth.

PRESCRIPTIONS

1. Passion for Lost People:  The pastor will lead the congregation in a day of prayer during the Sunday morning worship service.  The purpose of this day of prayer will be to ask God to break the hearts of the congregation, individually and collectively, for the spiritually lost of the community.  The whole worship service will be geared around this theme.  Following the service the leaders will rent a bus to take the congregation on a vision ride through the communities to provide time for people to pray for those that do not yet know Jesus Christ.  These events will take place by December 11, 2011.  The pastor will take ten weeks in Jan, Feb, and March of 2012 to lead the Sunday morning congregation through the ALPHA course.  This training will replace the Sunday morning worship service.  The pastor will contact Rev. Gilbert Foster of Redeemer Church for training.  The congregation will remunerate Rev. Foster for the training.

2. Mission/Vision:  Upon the acceptance of this report the new mission statement for the congregation will be:  Waterford Wesleyan Congregation exists to honor God by making more disciples for Jesus Christ.  The pastor in consultation with his coach and DS will develop a vision statement that is specific and produces accountability.  This vision statement will be presented to the congregation by January 8, 2012.  The pastor and his staff will conduct a ministry/mission audit between January and December 2012.  The purpose of this audit is to demonstrate how every ministry of the church meets the mission of the church and its overall strategy of start, stay, serve and send.  Those that do not align with the mission will be changed or discontinued.  The congregation will change its programming from a Sunday school/small group model to a small group one, with one exception.  This also means that Wednesday night will become a small group for people who are not in one already.  These programming changes will occur by September 1, 2012. 

3. Staffing/Leadership Development:  The pastor will assume five main roles of responsibility.  These roles are:  A. Spiritual Leader (preaching and calling the congregation to address major issues that affect the entire body), B. Producing and Directing Worship, C. Developing Staff (developing staff as leaders, holding them accountable, conducting leadership development), D. representing the congregation to the various communities the congregation serves, and E. over seeing bridge events.  This job description, while being developed during the Spring of 2012 will be in place by September 1, 2012.  The pastor will begin meeting with his staff on a regular basis by March 1, 2012.  He will hold them accountable for goals, including evangelism, leadership development and growth goals.  He will expand his new leadership development initiative to include the LBA, staff, and ten other people in the congregation by September 1, 2012.  The pastor will employ Rev. Dean Brown for $1500 (total) for 12 months to provide coaching in setting up key systems, for leading staff, and for overseeing key ministries of the congregation.  This coaching will begin by February 1, 2012.

4. Worship/Assimilation:  The pastor needs to become the producer and director of worship.  The congregation has very good musicians and music leaders; however, the over all plan for how the entire worship service is structured is the pastor’s responsibility.  Much more must be done to make the entire service a participatory worship experience appealing to the heart through multiple senses. He needs to begin to assume this role by February 1, 2012.  The pastor is also to be the key assimilator of new people into the congregation until a team can be put together to do this.  The congregation will pay for him and two others to attend the Nelson Searcy seminar on assimilation in NYC November 18, 2011.  A new assimilation plan must begin its initial implementation by December 18, 2011.

5. Finances/Facilities:  The pastor and a capable teaching partner will teach the Financial Peace seminar (or an equivalent) to all adult Sunday school classes from April 16 through the end of May 2012.  He will lead the congregation in a capital campaign to raise $100,000 in the Fall of 2012.  The trustees will begin work as soon as possible to remove pews from the back of the worship center and to make room for a café type greeting and reception area at the back of the center.  This should be completed by Feb. 1, 2012.   A permanent wall needs to be placed to make a closed in nursery.   This should be completed by May 1, 2012.  Room dividers, of excellent quality need to be installed down stairs to provide flexibility in the usage of that space.  This should be done by September 1, 2012.  The pastor will recruit a key leader to raise $1000 each from ten to twenty families by December 31, 2011 to cover some of the costs required to implement this report.  The leaders will also place quality, visible and guest friendly signage throughout the church building and grounds.   The signage will be completed by December 31, 2012.  The pastor is to be given extra time off over the holiday season, including the first Sunday in January in preparation for leading all the change prescribed in this report.  In light of the consultation team’s concerns the pastor will consult with his coach and the DS about future location for children’s ministry and office space.

THE CONGREGATIOIN (INCLUDING THOSE WHO ATTEND REGULARLY BUT MAY NOT YET BE MEMBERS) WILL VOTE ON THIS REPORT ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2011.  IF ACCEPTED THE DISTRICT WILL DO ALL IT CAN IN ITS POWER TO PROVIDE HELP AND RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT THE REPORT.  IF THE REPORT IS REJECTED THEN THE PROCESS IS OVER AND THE DISTRICT WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO ENCOURAGE SUCH CHANGES SINCE THE CONGREGATION HAS SPOKEN.

Respectfully submitted by:

Dr. Paul D. Borden

Rev. W. Paul James

Dr. Dan Berry

Rev. Buddy Rampey    

     

Commitment Is the Key

Years ago, Susan and I left our pastorate in Cottondale, AL to plant a church in Anderson, SC.  Shortly after I published our decision, I received a letter from a friend, who was in Scottsdale, AZ.  It read:

Dear Paul,

We received your Review (church newsletter) this week and learned of your plans for church planting.  Congratulations on your faith and courage—and obedience.

May I share something from personal experience?  The work you face ahead is challenging, demanding, lonely, endless, overwhelming and, at times, painful.  We have learned it is more demanding to give birth to a new church than care for one that is already in existence and growing.  But let me hasten to add that the rewards are more thrilling, satisfying, exciting, meaningful, fulfilling and heartwarming.  Perhaps, in a very special way, the Lord will help you to bring into existence a spiritual family that before was not present.

If you are at all concerned about what lies ahead, let me assure you of a greater awareness of the Lord’s faithfulness and a greater appreciation for your calling and ministry.

Jim

Thirty years have come and gone since I received that letter.  This summer, Lakeside, the church we planted, celebrated 30 years of serving God and their community.

While reflecting, I was reminded that the key that unlocks the door to success is the key of commitment.  Someone wrote, Most frustrated quitters never achieve their potential, not because of bad breaks or unusual problems, but because of the failure to commit themselves to their goal regardless of obstacles.

The level of your determination to accomplish your work is measured by what it takes to make you quit.  Any reservation in your mind concerning the rightness of your plan will become a roadblock to you.  Every great endeavor has a price tag.  The greater the job, the higher the price.  That price tag is known as commitment.

It was during these days that I framed the quote by H. M. Murray and hung it so that I could see it everyday.

Until one is committed, there is a hesitancy, a chance to draw back.  But the moment one definitely commits oneself, then God moves too, and a whole stream of events erupt.  All manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings, persons and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way, begins to flow toward him.  It all starts when he commits himself.

Last year about this time, our district committed to the task called District Transformation Project.  Through weekend consultations, year-long coaching, and periodic lay training events we are endeavoring to bring health to our churches, one at a time.

This weekend, our District Board and Leadership Team will meet to evaluate where we have been as a district, where we are as a district, and where we are headed as a district.  I value highly this Leadership Retreat!  Working with a group of committed leaders makes the journey more enjoyable and the task more doable. 

And as with all other worthwhile enterprises, the DTP demands and deserves our all.  Truly, commitment is the key.  The letter that I received 30 years ago is still applicable for today!

Turnpike Consultation

Dr. Borden and I completed ten intense days of consultations, pastoral coaching, and lay training.  It is thrilling to me to see the excitement come to congregations as the possibilities for the future are shared.  Following is the prescription that was given to the Turnpike Wesleyan Church yesterday.  Your continued prayers for the district and for me are greatly needed.  

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TURNPIKE WESLEYAN CHURCH 
CONSULTATION

SEPTEMBER 16 – 18, 2011

STRENGTHS

1. Pastor:  Pastor Norm Mesel is leading the congregation with positive energy.  The congregation is growing and people are becoming new believers in Jesus Christ.  He is and has been a healing influence in a congregation that had experienced some hurts and difficulties in the past.

2. Evangelism:  People are becoming disciples of Jesus Christ on a regular and consistent basis.  The number of new disciples last year was almost twenty percent of the average worship attendance. 

3. Facilities:  God has blessed the congregation with a newer building and land for expansion.  The facilities look nice and are well kept.

4. LBA:  The Local Board of Administration is providing competent leadership for the congregation.  They are allowing their pastor to be a leader; serving his needs and standing with him when those who find it difficult to follow do not treat him or his spouse well.  They also are committed to congregational health and growth.

5. Finances:  The leaders and congregation have worked hard to turn their financial deficit around in order to be in a strong financial position. 

CONCERNS

1. Mission/Vision:  The current mission and vision statements do not motivate the congregation for an exciting outward focused ministry to the community. 

2. Small Church Mindset:  The congregation functions well in a small church mindset which however, inhibits future growth spiritually (evangelism) and numerically (providing influence in the community).

3. Structure:  The current structure of the congregation does not marry authority and responsibility with accountability.

4. Assimilation:   There is no system in place to assimilate people new to the congregation.

5. Facilities:  The current configuration of the facilities is not child friendly.

PRESCRIPTIONS

1. Mission/Vision:  The pastor and leaders of the congregation will adopt the mission statement that Turnpike Wesleyan Church exists to honor God by making more disciples for Jesus Christ.  This mission will be adopted by November 1, 2011.  The pastor and his ministerial team will conduct a mission/ministry audit that will evaluate every ministry of the congregation.  Each ministry will demonstrate how it is making new disciples and if such is not the case, it will be changed or discontinued.  This audit will begin January 1, 2012 and completed by December 31, 2012.  The pastor in consultation with his coach and DS will create a vision statement that produces both excitement and accountability by January 1, 2012.  The pastor will lead the congregation to conduct four invitation bridge events in 2012 that help people move across the bridge of faith to become disciples of Jesus Christ.

2. Small Church Mindset:  Upon the acceptance of this report the leaders of the church will begin to function with a large church mindset.  First it means being mission and vision driven (see prescription #1).  Second it means the pastor’s role must change from being the congregation’s chaplain to its leader.  His new job description is:

Spiritual Leader (Preach the Word and Call the church to maintain a Godly witness to other believers and the community)

Keeper of the mission and caster of the vision

Leader of the LBA and Ministry Team (Includes the appointing and removing of staff members-paid and volunteer)

Develop other leaders in the body

Represent the church to the community

The pastor will hire a half-time children’s person to oversee all children’s ministries.  This person will be in place by January 1, 2012.  The pastor will have a volunteer/paid staff in place by January 1, 2012 to cover all of those ministries people expect when they come into a church (worship and music, groups and making friends, care, age appropriate ministries, assimilation, facilities and finances).  The current assistant pastor will become the Spiritual Care staff member.  Some of her primary responsibilities will be hospital visitation and leading and preaching at the Sunday evening service.  Staff will be expected to set goals, including evangelism, growth and leadership development goals.  The pastor will hold the staff members accountable for goals and the LBA will hold the pastor accountable for goals.

The church will schedule two Sunday school hours to run concurrently with the two Sunday morning worship services.  Adult Sunday school will move to an elective model with classes scheduled at both hours.  The pastor will also lead the congregation to move to a small group model.  This will start the first Sunday in January 2012.

3. Structure:  The LBA will read the book Winning on Purpose by Dr. John Kaiser.  This will be completed by December 1, 2012.  The congregation will move to the accountability model of governance described by Dr. Kaiser in his book.  This will occur on January 1, 2012.  This new model means the LBA consisting of five members will govern the congregation.  The pastor will lead the congregation.  The staff members will work for the pastor and manage the ministries of the congregation.  The congregation will do the ministry.  All other committees and boards (except the Trustees) will no longer exist.    

4. Assimilation:  The pastor will create an assimilation process based upon the work of Pastor Nelson Searcy.  This process will be in place by January 1, 2012.  The system will cover all initial contacts with the congregation through the Yellow Pages, a new web site, newspaper ads, flyers, signs etc.  It will help new people connect with the church from the time they first drive on to the parking lot (e.g. visitor signs, a first touch ministry etc.) until they become mobilized for ministry.  The leaders will allocate up to ten paid hours a week for staff help, if it is deemed necessary, to establish the system and implement it with effectiveness.  The new system, including the new web site and computer programs required to track people, will be in place by January 1, 2012.

5. Facilities:  The leaders under the direction of the pastor will dismantle the last four classrooms at the end of the upstairs hall and use the space to create an attractive children’s education area.  The entire hallway needs to be painted/decorated for children not adults.  Places need to be provided for parents to register their children and infants so the area is kept safe.  This renovation needs to be completed as soon as possible.  If it is physically possible it should be done by April 1, 2012.  The downstairs fellowship hall needs floor to ceiling room dividers that are sound proof.  The dividers need to be placed to create four rooms if necessary.  This work needs to be completed by June 1, 2012.

THE CONGREGATION, INCLUDING ALL REGULAR ATTENDERS, WILL VOTE ON THIS REPORT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT IT.  THIS VOTE WILL OCCUR BY OCTOBER 16, 2011.  IF ACCEPTED THE DISTRICT WILL HELP THE PASTOR HAVE A COACH THAT WILL ASSIST THE PASTOR AND LEADER IN FULFILLING THE PRESCRIPTIONS IN THE REPORT.  IF REJECTED THEN THE PROCESS IS OVER SINCE THE CONGREGATION HAS SPOKEN.

Submitted by:

Dr. Paul D. Borden

Pastor Paul James 

(A Recommendation but not a prescription – This means that the vote on the report does not require this recommendation to be carried out).  The leaders need to remove the pews and replace them with chairs as soon as it is financially and physically possible).  This will provide more flexibility and usage of this space.

Malone Consultation Complete

One of our goals for this year was to engage with Dr. Paul Border in eight weekend consultations.  Consultation five is now complete.  This past weekend we were with Pastor Marc Watkins and his team at the First Wesleyan Church of Malone.  The report, including strengths, concerns, and prescription follow.  We came away believing that the best days for the Malone church lie in the future. 

Another added lesson was churches from all across the north country that joined us for a lay training event on Sunday afternoon and evening.  From East Pitcairn in the west, to Waterbury Center in the east, our pastors and people turned out enthusiastically.  For four-and-a-half hours of training and fellowship, 150 individuals listened to the voice of God (even without electricity.  The town of Malone was without electricity for 24 hours.) 

This weekend we ask for your prayers as we move to Plattsburgh and the Turnpike church.  These are busy but rewarding days, and your prayers and support are felt and appreciated.

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MALONE FIRST WESLEYAN CHURCH

CONSULTATION REPORT

SEPTEMBER 9 – 11, 2011

STRENGTHS

1.     Pastor Marc Watkins: Pastor Marc Watkins is valued highly by everyone we spoke to during the consultation process.  People appreciate his leadership, enthusiasm, servant’s heart and commitment to evangelism.  God is using Marc to lead the congregation in healthy growth.

2.     Becky Watkins:  Becky is valued for her leadership and excellent work with children.  She has been used by God to create, staff and lead an effective children’s ministry in a relatively short period of time.  The congregation is growing in large measure due to the effective children’s ministries.

3.     Growth:  The congregation has doubled in worship attendance in the less than two years that Marc and Becky Watkins have come to lead.  What is even more impressive is that a congregation that recorded no baptisms for a decade, has now baptized eight in 2011. 

4.     Giving:  Those who give to the work of the congregation do it generously when compared to other congregations in the United States.  The 17 giving units gave almost double the national average of other congregations.

5.     Resources:  God has given this congregation a number of significant resources that can be leveraged for growth.  These resources are:  location, the absence of debt, a committed core of leaders and a pastor and spouse who are leaders.           

CONCERNS

1.     Vision:  The mission of the congregation is clear.  It is to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment (GC2).  However, there is no clear vision that produces accountability for the fulfillment of this mission.

2.     Worship:  The Sunday morning worship service though improving in its development is not meeting the need many have for a meaningful worship experience.  Some want it to be more traditional while some visitors do not return because it is viewed as too traditional.  There are multiple agendas that are often in conflict with each other.

3.     Developing Status:  The congregation was put into developing status some years ago because of declining attendance and other issues.  Some see this status as punitive in nature and want to see the congregation returned to its status as an established congregation.

4.     Staff Members:  The three key ministries that help a congregation grow (worship, children and assimilation) are not resourced properly for growth.

5.     Building:  The building is not conducive for developing the key ministries that will enable growth.

PRESCRIPTIONS

1.     Vision:  The pastor will call the congregation to a day of prayer for God to provide a vision for the future.  This day of prayer will occur on a Sunday morning during a worship service.  Time will be given to ask God to break the heart of the congregation collectively and individually for the needs of those who are not yet disciples of Jesus Christ to become His followers.  Prayers will be offered for those who comprise different segments of the community e.g. teachers, first response personnel, those who work in the prisons, etc.  Also, the people will pray that God will open their hearts to a compelling vision for the future.  Following the worship service leaders will invite the congregation to join them in a prayer drive throughout the community.  This day will occur by October 30, 2011.  Following this day the pastor will initiate two weekly prayer events to pray for the community, the vision and the salvation of those apart from God.  These prayer groups will begin the first week of November.  The pastor, in consultation with his coach and DS will develop a vision statement for the congregation.  This statement will be in place by December 31, 2011.

2.     Worship:  The pastor will take on as one of his primary responsibilities the planning and execution of the Sunday morning worship service.  He will function as both the producer (determining who participates) and the director (determining how worship will be carried out).   Each worship service will be creatively planned in that there will be different formats(including the seating and lighting in the auditorium), often asking those in the congregation to participate in using their various senses as part of the worship experience.  Various styles and kinds of music will be used on different Sundays.  These services will be designed to help those who do not normally attend church feel safe and unthreatened in the worship environment.  The services will be missional in that people will be provided constant information as to what is occurring and what is expected, while helping them cross minimal cultural barriers to have a deep experience with God.  This new style of worship service will begin the first Sunday in January 2012.

3.     Developing Status:  The District Superintendent will recommend to the District Board to return the congregation to the status of an established congregation when certain milestones are reached.  These milestones will indicate that the congregation is ready to take its rightful stance as a full fledged established Wesleyan Congregation.  This will occur when the congregation’s giving averages $6000 a month for four months in a row and at the same time the worship attendance averages 75 people two months in a row.  The DS in consultation with the pastor feel that these milestones are easily doable within the next nine months and will demonstrate the congregation’s commitment to be a healthy one fulfilling our Lord’s command to make disciples.  These milestones will also evidence that the leaders are committed to having a congregation that is viable and open to the pastor’s leadership.  The leaders will also create an annual budget by the beginning of the next fiscal year.  Also when the congregation goes back to its established status it will be organized on the Accountability Leadership Model proposed by John Kaiser in his book Winning on Purpose.

4.     Staff Members:  The pastor will assume the primary role of planning and implementing creative worship services beginning January 1, 2012.  The congregation will hire Becky Watkins as the Children’s pastor for $1000 a month beginning November 1, 2011.  She will also continue to serve in her janitorial role until funds are available to hire her replacement in order to let her focus entirely on children.  The pastor will require a volunteer to help him with the administrative side of the assimilation process.  This key volunteer position needs to be filled by January 1, 2012.

5.     Building:  The entire inside of the building upstairs and downstairs needs to be painted to provide a new fresh look.  The upstairs needs to be lightened up and the downstairs needs to be painted to appeal to children.  Once the painting is completed the District will send the congregation a gift of $1000 to be put towards the carpeting of the downstairs.  This work (the painting and the carpeting) needs to be completed by December 31, 2011.

As the congregation looks  to the near future and the possible purchase of near-by real estate, they need to consider how finances will be sought that will also allow them to update the rest rooms that are downstairs and build a restroom on the upstairs level.  The upstairs restroom needs to be built as soon as it is financially possible.  This will require the relocation of the nursery to a clean updated space.

THE CONGREGATION WILL VOTE ON THIS REPORT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT IT BY OCTOBER 9, 2011.  IF ACCEPTED THE DISTRICT PROMISES TO PROVIDE A COACH FOR THE PASTOR TO HELP HIM IMPLEMENT THE PRESCRIPTIONS.  IF REJECTED THE DISTRICT WILL RESPECT THE WISHES OF THE CONGREGATION AND NOT ENCOURAGE THE PEOPLE TO PURSUE THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT. 

           

Respectfully submitted by:

Dr. Paul D. Borden

District Superintendent - Pastor Paul James

Round Three

Across the years I have struggled with taking time away from ministry.  I grew up in a household where a good work ethic was applauded.  At twelve, I had my own lawn-mowing business.  At fourteen, I drove a laundry truck for Fowler Bros. Dry Cleaners, Spartanburg, SC.  At sixteen, I worked the service desk at the Sky City (a store similar to K Mart).  The service desk, which also served as a complaint department, was where I learned a lot about people and how to get along with them.   At eighteen, I was building Coke and Pepsi machines at Beverage Air.

When I started my ministry, it was difficult to take a day off each week or to get away from the church for a real vacation.  Fortunately, across the years I have learned the principle of rest and have come to understand that I function better when rested physically and emotionally.

Several years a go, I heard Rick Warren describe this principle by advising pastors to...

• Divert daily--short breaks that renew, 
• Withdraw weekly--a day away that refreshes, and 
• Abandon annually--a couple of weeks to let the batteries completely recharge.

In late August, Susan and I were able to do our 'annual abandoning'!  We spent two weeks in Florida; one week visiting family and the other watching the waves roll in on an Atlantic beach.

Now it's back to the District Transformation Project!  Dr. Borden arrives this week for the third round of consultations.  Malone and Turnpike will be our focus.  In addition, we will hold three Success Universities for pastoral training and one lay training event for the North Country.

The lay training event entitled, Developing Healthy Churches, will be held on Sunday, September 11, from 3p-8:30p at the First Wesleyan Church of Malone.  Approximately 150 individuals from our north-of-the-Adirondacks churches have indicated their attendance.  I am impressed!  The hunger to see life change and community transformation is palpable.

Please pray for all of these events, and for Dr. Borden and myself over these next ten days.  It is an intense period and we need wisdom from above.  Watch this column for updates on the consultations.  Audio files of Dr. Borden's teaching is available for download at the district website--www.enynewesleyan.org -> Church Multiplication Tab -> District Transformation.