This document discusses taking a church to the next level by addressing weaknesses and implementing changes to organizational structure. It begins by outlining typical life cycles churches experience, from emerging to declining. Leadership types are described that can influence growth. The role of the pastor is to examine the church's foundation. Feedback loops of growth and decline are explained. Ministry capital components like spiritual direction, relationships, and facilities are assessed. Barriers to small church growth below 200 members are identified. The document recommends adding staff and restructuring to levels of managerial or organizational models to break through ceilings to the next level above 400 members. A choice is needed from leadership and members to change structures for continued growth.

1. Part 3Taking South Shore Community Church to…THE NEXT LEVEL

2. Part 1 HUMAN LIFE CYCLE

3. Part 1 PREDICTABLE LIFE CYCLE OF A CHURCHConsolidatingChurchGrowingChurchDecliningChurchEmergingChurchDyingChurch

4. Part 2LEADERSHIP TYPESOPERATORORGANIZERREORGANIZERCATALYZERSUPER REORGANIZER

5. Part 2CONSTANT RENEWAL

6. ST-JUDE, QUEBEC - 2010

7. The House built on SandThe foundation is invisible.Absence of water or too much water can produce a sinkhole

8. FLORIDASINKHOLES

9. FLORIDASINKHOLES

10. THE ROLE OF A PASTORThe Pastor is more than just a Sunday PreacherThe Pastor has to examine the foundation of the Church and make sure it’s solid ground…

11. Part 3 – The Next LevelI skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been – Wayne Gretzky

12. FEEDBACK LOOPSAll congregations have what we call feedback loops.GROWTH: Positive loops are: Conversions, Births, People transferringDECREASE: Negative loops are the exact opposite

13. POSITIVE LOOPSPEOPLE ADDED PER YEAR BY CONVERSIONS BIRTH AND TRANSFERRENCECONGREGATION SIZE GROWS

14. NEGATIVE LOOPSPEOPLE SUBTRACTED PER YEAR BY REVERSIONS DEATH AND TRANSFERRENCECONGREGATION SIZE DECLINES

15. CONGREGATIONNEGATIVELOOPSPOSITIVELOOPSCONGREGATION SIZE

16. INFLUENCE OF LOOPSPositive loopsNegative loopsBalance ofPositive andNegative Loops

17. Ministry CapitalSoundness of Doctrine and Values. Prayer Life. Vision.SpiritualQuality of Leadership. Talents of PastorDirectionalUnity. Fellowship. Community relations.RelationalStructuralPhilosophy. Ways of Working togetherBuilding. Location. Visibility.Physical

18. MINISTRY CAPITALSIZESpiritualSpiritualDirectionalDirectionalMINISTRY CAPITALRelationalRelationalStructuralStructuralPhysicalPhysical

19. CHURCH GROWTHPlateau of Church Growth in North America10,0006,0003,0001,2008004002001258535

20. SMALL CHURCH BARRIERSNEW CEILING400CEILING (resistance)NEW FLOOR200CHOICEPOINTAVERAGE: 12585FLOOR (support)

21. WHAT ARE OUR WEAK POINTS?Soundness of Doctrine and Values. Prayer Life. Vision.SpiritualQuality of Leadership. Talents of PastorDirectionalUnity. Fellowship. Community relations.RelationalStructuralPhilosophy. Ways of Working togetherBuilding. Location. Visibility.Physical

22. RULE FOR GROWTHORGANIZATIONAL EXPANSION ALWAYS PRECEDES NUMERICAL INCREASE

23. TYPES OF CHURCHES15 to 200 – RELATIONAL200 to 400 – MANAGERIAL400 to 800 – ORGANIZATIONAL800 to 1,500 – CENTRALIZED+ 1,500 - DECENTRALIZED

24. CHURCHES WITH 150OFTEN THEY FIND THEY MUST EMPLOY THE SERVICES OF A BI-VOCATIONAL PASTOR OR PERHAPS PAY A PASTOR A LOWER THAN AVERAGE SALARY

25. THE TEXT BOOK SAYS: TO BREAK THE 200 BARRIER…THE CHURCH NEEDS: + 1 SECOND FULL-TIME PASTOR + 2 FULL-TIME SUPPPORT STAFFGROWTH RULE: 1 PASTOR FOR EVERY 150 PEOPLE + 1 SUPPORT STAFF PER PASTOR

26. Some people don’tWant the Church toGrow Because They are afraidOf loosingThe falseSense ofCONTROLWatch for the spirit ofJEZEBEL !

27. GROWING to the NEXT LEVELFloor: 200 / Ceiling: 400

28. Part 4FINAL PRESENTATIONNEXT WEEKTHE NEXT STEP REQUIRES A CHOICE AND A CHANGE OF STRUCTURE LEADERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP MUST MAKE A CHOICE