Life Cycle of the Church

Congregational Life Cycle BIRTH DEATH

The Congregational Life Cycle GROWTH DECLINE STABILITY BIRTH DEATH

Four Organizing Principles
VISION
RELATIONSHIPS
PROGRAM
MANAGEMENT

First Principle: VISION Vision is the current understanding of God’s direction for a congregation that is cast by leadership and owned by everyone in the parish. Vision reflects the core values of the congregation. Vision is the fuel or energy that will drive the congregation into the future with hope and a sense of potency.

Second Principle: RELATIONSHIP How the parish attracts new people into the Christian faith journey, helps current parishioners deepen and mature in their faith journey and nurtures relationships within the church community. Evidence of effective relationship experience is an ever-deepening spirituality, widespread ownership of parish activities and developing new leadership.

Third Principle: PROGRAM Programs, ministries and activities embody the vision of the church and reflect the gifts and vocations of parishioners. Effective programs meet real, identified spiritual, social and emotional needs of people in the neighborhood as well as the church community. Evidence of effective programs is that the church is known for the excellence of its programs, ministries and activities.

Fourth Principle: Management Management are those systems that facilitate orderly decision-making, the allocation of resources, integrates new developments and establishes boundaries. Effective management is efficient, well defined and supports the vision, relationships and programs of the church. Effective management is accountable to the congregation as well as the larger church.

Role of Organizing Principle and Life Cycle BIRTH Vrpm DEATH m Childhood VrPm Adolescence VRPm Adulthood VRPM Maturity vRPM Empty Nest vRpM Retirement vrPM Old Age vrpM Infancy VRpm

Shift in Motivating Criteria BIRTH Vrpm DEATH m Childhood VrPm Adolescence VRPm Adulthood VRPM Maturity vRPM Empty Nest vRpM Retirement vrPM Old Age vrpM Infancy VRpm Vision and Relationships Program and Management

Compiled for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Oakland
by Michal Anne Pepper, Ph.D.
with materials from
George Bullard, D.Min.
Lake Hickory Learning Communities
and
Office of Congregational Development
The Episcopal Church Center

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Life Cycle of the Church

by StPaulsOak on Jan 31, 2008

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Life Cycle of the Church — Presentation Transcript