Signs of A Purpose Driven Transition In Your Church, Part I

Rick Warren's Pastor Tool box share's the guidance of how to transition a traditional church to a market driven, increase-your-customer-base, build -it-and-they-will-come, religious machine...

Highlights from Part 1 by Chuck McAlister, who transitioned 100 year old congregation:

• it involves relocation to a new site, a new name, new ministries, and a new structure.
• dissolve its by-laws and embrace a new structure that we believe will allow it to become the church God called us to be.
• Start a gradual worship style transition.
• Focus on preaching for change to set the stage for determining your church purpose.
• Implement a covenant process
• Transition the education ministry to make it life-empowering.

Don't forget the property management side of the Gospel...

• Transition the maintenance of the church to the staff
• Lead the church to decide to relocate.
• Locate new property for the relocation.
• Pay for property.
• Plan for a new facility.
• Raise funds for the new facility.

McAlister warns the purpose driven pastor of those who will resist the transition...

You must stay committed to your plan of transition in spite of the challenges that arise, the people who leave your church, and those who will try to take your vision hostage by imposing their preconceived or traditional ideas on the church.

The Senior pastor becomes the CEO...

As you communicate your vision with your church in each stage of the transition, do so in small groups. The senior pastor must be the primary communicator of the vision.

Move from glorifying God & equipping the saints to being attractive to the world...

be flexible enough to impact these people (the unchurched), many of whom have given up on church because a traditional church did not meet their needs.

FIRE THE RESISTERS

Possibly, you will face challenges from staff, particularly those who were present when you arrived...It will mean dismissing staff if they do not "buy in" to the transition.

Isaiah 66:5

5Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

See Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V