Transforming Church

The challenge is that because Transformational Ministry is intensely contextual, the one hymnal/one style fits all approach that has dominated the American Lutheran mainline has to be left behind. The truth that most of us have discovered is that one size fits all means that one size fits no one well. Instead, a new methodology unique to each congregation has to be birthed and that is a frightening prospect to most people who look to the church for stability (even if it is stagnance) as a haven in a rapidly changing world.

Even if congregations have to, in a certain sense, “feel their way” out of three hour Council meetings and the trust withholding structures we examined last month, there are certain hallmarks that create an environment for Transformational Ministry:

1. Intensely Relational – The Church exists to bring people into a living relationship with Jesus Christ and to serve in relationship to His Body the Church. In a transformational church, building authentic relationships shaped by faith trumps tradition and institution. Intentional small groups that come together to pray, share faith, and support are vital, which means rethinking Christian Education and unexpected changes for long established small groups like choirs, women’s circles, and Sunday School classes.

2. Growing Spiritually – Modern church leaders have been taught to grow the institution of the church. Post modern leaders focus on growing spiritual people, modeling a growing faith life so it can be replicated in others. Bible study, prayer, and hands on service become a vital part of any congregational group when they gather. Growth is not about numbers, its about faith.

3. Ministry is Shared – Ministry is not something the pastor does – ministry is the work of the whole people using all their gifts. In sharing ministry, that requires leaders (including pastors) to give up control, certain responsibilities, and trusting teams to do them. For the congregations, committees that only meet must die and be replaced by teams that both plan and do ministry.

4. Think Organic – The ELCA Model constitution and most congregational organizations are mechanical and hierarchical. Lines of authority, written policies, and clearly defined structures for participation and voting are all clearly spelled out. But the New Testament language of the Church is organic Body language. Machines don’t grow, bodies do. Team based ministry means creating what many now call a congregational DNA, articulated values, mission, and vision statements that guide instead of committee personalities. Begin with “test runs” groomed for success and once you start living organically, then change your constitution and bylaws to match what you have become.

5. Replication – A body is constantly replicating. On a cellular level, new cells replace the old to heal the body and keep it healthy. On the body level, children can be produced to replicate in a new and creative way the bodies of the parents. In a transformational congregation, replication of disciples and ministries by the most direct means possible becomes the norm. If blessed with numerical growth, then replication of new congregations from the parent church is an increasingly effective for of church planting in a time of limited denominational funding.

6. Pastoral Expectations Change – The statistics are clear – no single person can care for more than 150 people without overextending or burning out. The model of pastor as everyone’s personal chaplain cannot grow beyond a mid-size church. Pastors must shift to training leaders who can equip others to serve, which means not everyone will have a close personal relationship with them. Shut-ins, hospital visitation, confirmation ministry and other traditional tasks of the pastor will need to be shared or given away entirely so that other gifted people can serve and leaders can effectively equipped.

7. Permission To Risk and Make Mistakes – Most congregations work hard not to embarrass themselves or the Gospel message but have gone to the extreme of not trusting anyone to do anything for fear of upsetting “some people” or the presumption that new ideas “won’t work here.” Transformational ministry presumes people’s giftedness and trustworthiness as part of their baptismal calling and that congregational uniqueness does not preclude the ability to learn.

8. Experiential Worship – We all have heard about the fights over introducing “contemporary worship” in traditional congregations. The issue is not style of worship but the environment. Transformational congregations design worship with the expectation that God will show up. Worship that is done with excellence, that draws the community into the mystery of God With Us, that is considerate of the stranger, and filled with a shared joy that praises God should be the goal.

While these are markers you will find in Transformational congregations across denominational lines, the context of the rural/small town setting requires some additional traits if an attempt at transformation is to build up the congregation rather than divide it.

1. Patience – Transformation is going to happen in slow and deliberate steps, not the rapid pace seen in new mission starts or rapidly growing suburbs. If you have a new idea from a conference or a new opportunity that God has placed before you, double the time you think it will take to accomplish the change. Talk and explain to leaders, nurture key people in the congregation, prepare for congregational votes when unavoidable. After a certain amount of change, there will be a push back and you will have to readjust your leadership style and short term goals if you are going to achieve long term transformation.

2. Partnership – Your ordination and seminary diploma mean nothing. That is not to say rural/small town congregations don’t trust you – its just that most are not leader driven. Congregational ownership and participation are important values, often equating a congregational vote with the will of God. While that is not Biblical, partnering for consensus through prayer and conversation is. Pastoral leadership for transformation has to be subversive, changing a community slowly and subtly by the planting of the Word where it will take root and nurturing its growth over time.

3. Permanence – You aren’t going to be in that congregation forever and they know it. With an average term of call standing at about four years, there are countless congregations worshipping 110 or less who have seen nothing but a changing train of seminary graduates who stay 3 to 4 years and then move on, leaving behind unfinished changes that never take root. A rural/small town transformational leader needs to understand this and plant for transformation that someone else will complete. You will likely not be thanked or even know about these successes until long after you are gone. Remember, its all about Jesus, not you.

4. Pastor – Recognize that if you engage in intentional transformation, you will be considered very strange. You will be speaking a new language, exploring new ways of being church, and many of the people you serve (as well as your fellow pastors) won’t understand what you are being called to. Criticism, frustration, and conflict will all be inevitable and any attempt to be a “lone wolf” pastor will only lead to stress and burnout. Find a pastor who understands what you are doing and allow yourself to be cared for and mentored to better understand your community context, the tools of transformation, and a deepening relationship with the Lord who has called you.

Transformational ministry, like the life of faith, is a journey. By the time you think you have arrived, the road has moved on, the people you are walking with have changed, and you must learn how to share and live the way of discipleship all over again. Our rural/small town congregations and their pastors, with a little patience and the right tools, can be transformed into vibrant Great Commission communities engaged in the world of the 21st Century.

Transformational Resources:
The list of resources for Transformational Ministry is vast (750 hits on Google alone), so here are a few starting points to begin the journey.

ELCA Transformational Leaders Gathering – A peer led gathering of ELCA pastors, TLG is committed to mentoring emerging transformational leaders in the ELCA.
Easum Bandy Community – Originators of the church DNA concept, Bill Easum and Tom Bandy have created a valuable and creative electronic mentoring and continuing education community.
Joy Leadership Center – Home of the Church Coach and Vital Congregations Networks through Community Church of Joy, Phoenix.

Authors and Books to Read:
Unfreezing Moves by Bill Easum
Morph! By Ron Martoia
Doing Church As Team by Wayne Cordeiro
Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren
Aquachurch by Leonard Sweet

Pastor Tom Lyberg is the pastor of St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Archbold, Ohio. He has served rural/small town congregations for 14 years. He serves on the coordinating team for the ELCA Transformational Leaders Gathering, the planning team for TransformingChurch.com, and is currently finalizing a “transformed” version of the ELCA model constitution. He is married to Carla and has two sons, Josh (14) and Jacob (8). When not engaged in the work of transformation, he finds renewal in model railroading, computer gaming, and cooking.