Local church transformation

Why would you consider changing your church‘s organizational structure? If that structure is not empowering the disciples in your congregation to use their spiritual gifts in mission and ministry, then it needs to be changed.

Here are some benchmark questions:

• In congregational meetings, is there more time spent talking about mundane, minor tasks (Such as: who takes care of the communion bread!) rather than prayer, Bible study, and helping people find their spiritual gifts and use them in a particular ministry?
• Is there more of a sense of "going through the motions" rather than an excitement about what God is doing in our church?
• Is there an emphasis on money, rules and by-laws rather than how God is pointing us to mission beyond our church walls?
• Is worship an awe-inspiring experience in which the living God is known on a regular basis rather than a rote, boring practice?

If you answered "yes" to 2 out of these 4 questions, your church is in need of transformation.

"Transformed into what?" you might ask. Let's let the Bible answer: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2)

In short, we let ourselves be transformed into followers of Jesus and into congregations that follow God‘s will. We become, gradually, the body of Christ that Paul discusses so frequently in his letters (I Corinthians 12).

What does this "body", this organization look like? In general, it looks like an organism that is responsive to God's guidance (the "head") and works organically to fulfill God‘s will (NOT our own!).

Specifically, at Faith Christian Church, it looks like small teams of people who accomplish meaningful tasks according to their spiritual gifts (hence, spiritual gifts inventories and discovery events are important!-please contact me via e-mail for suggestions).

The board of our congregation is now comprised of six elders who recruit (or "call") leaders of teams. The teams then do the ministry. For example, our Fellowship elder has recruited a Dinners leader, a Wednesday evening fellowship leader, a special services leader for Wednesday evenings, and a Pastoral Companions leader (a leader who leads a team that makes calls on people in the hospital, nursing homes, and in need).

The pastor becomes more of a vision-caster, worship leader, and a trainer of leaders.

How did this change happen? Through a four-year effort of: spiritual retreats (with lay leadership, led by the pastor) focused on congregational transformation; a transformational process, following the guidance outlined in Leading Congregational Change, that was led by a vision team; and a series of congregation forums (six!) that was led by lay leaders and the pastor who patiently and prayerfully explained the structural changes.

This transformation also occurs through a series of adjustments to the new "structure" that continue to happen. Transformation is never a fait accompli – an accomplished thing – it is ever-happening because God is never done with making us into the disciples or followers of Jesus that God intends.

Such has been our journey. Not all organizational structure changes are the same or occur in the same way. Where are you on the journey? What is God doing in your church life?

The Rev. Douglas E. Pfeiffer is pastor at Faith Christian Church, Omaha, Nebraska. Contact Doug at pastor@faithomaha.org or (402) 333-7866.

For more information on changing congregational organizational structure contact Jane Lawrence at (888) 346-2631.