The document discusses the life cycle of a church and the different levels of change a church may experience as it progresses through stages of birth, growth, maturity, decline and death. It identifies the stages as infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and retirement. Churches may require redefinition, redevelopment or rebirth to transition between stages, with each level requiring more radical change. The skills and leadership qualities needed from clergy also change depending on the church's current stage in the life cycle.

1. Church Transformation Across the Life Cycle BIRTH DEATH

2. The Life Cycle Without Intervention BIRTH GROWTH STABILITY DECLINE DEATH

3. Four Organizational Principles Vision Mission Dream Energy Purpose Core Values Relationship/ Inclusion With others and with God Evangelism Assimilation Discipleship Program Ministries Worship Outreach Activities Education Management Administration Policies Resources Decision-making

4. Organizing Principles 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 Vision and Relationships Program and Management

5. Two Common Mistakes Under estimate level of decline Under estimate how much change is required to put church on growth side of the life cycle BIRTH DEATH

6. Dynamics of Early Growth Birth Vision, mission Target population INFANCY Infancy Clear identity Assimilation Ministry BIRTH

7. Dynamics of Late Growth BIRTH INFANCY CHILDHOOD ADOLESCENCE Childhood Program Development Use of staff/resources/facilities New people attracted by programs Adolescence Awkwardness Competing visions Facilities

8. Dynamics of Prime/Plateau BIRTH INFANCY CHILDHOOD ADOLESCENCE ADULTHOOD PRIME Adulthood/Prime All four organizing principles fully developed Highest worship attendance New members equal those leaving Spiritual growth throughout congregation High self esteem, self efficacy

9. If . . . A Ministry is not Redefined . . . DECLINE WILL FOLLOW. Or Stability Proceeds Uninterrupted . . . BIRTH GROWTH STABILITY DECLINE

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

11. Levels of Change in the Life Cycle BIRTH REDEFINITION REDEVELOPMENT REBIRTH DEATH Retirement/Old Age/Death Rebirth Radical change Empty Nest/ Retirement Redevelopment Discontinuous change Maturity/Empty Nest Redefinition Continuous change Adulthood Adolescence Childhood Infancy Birth

12. Degree of Change Redefinition (continuous change) Changes that continue the historic aspects of the congregation. New information is incorporated into old ways of the church. Redevelopment (discontinuous change) New information is not sufficient. Change does NOT continue the historic aspects of the congregation. Requires a new and different purpose. Rebirth (radical change) Doing a new thing with new and different people, possibly different location.

13. Levels of Change in the Life Cycle BIRTH REDEFINITION REDEVELOPMENT REBIRTH DEATH Retirement/Old Age/Death Rebirth Radical change Empty Nest/ Retirement Redevelopment Discontinuous change Maturity/Empty Nest Redefinition Continuous change Adulthood Adolescence Childhood Infancy Birth

15. Levels of Change in the Life Cycle BIRTH REDEFINITION REDEVELOPMENT REBIRTH DEATH Retirement/Old Age/Death Rebirth Radical change Empty Nest/ Retirement Redevelopment Discontinuous change Maturity/Empty Nest Redefinition Continuous change Adulthood Adolescence Childhood Infancy Birth

17. Levels of Change in the Life Cycle BIRTH REDEFINITION REDEVELOPMENT REBIRTH DEATH Retirement/Old Age/Death Rebirth Radical change Empty Nest/ Retirement Redevelopment Discontinuous change Maturity/Empty Nest Redefinition Continuous change Adulthood Adolescence Childhood Infancy Birth

19. A Word About Being in Ordained Ministry

24. Levels of Change in the Life Cycle BIRTH REDEFINITION REDEVELOPMENT REBIRTH DEATH Retirement/Old Age/Death Rebirth Radical change Empty Nest/ Retirement Redevelopment Discontinuous change Maturity/Empty Nest Redefinition Continuous change Adulthood Adolescence Childhood Infancy Birth