5-page paper synthesizing the 3-5 ideas from the readings that made the greatest impact on you, and how those ideas apply to yo
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ASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY STIMULATING CHURCH GROWTH THROUGH SCRIPTURALLY-BASED BUSINESS STRATEGIES: TARGETING CHURCHES PLATEAUED OR DECLINING IN ATTENDANCE A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DOCTOR OF MINISTRY COMMITTEE IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF MINISTRY DOCTOR OF MINISTRY DEPARTMENT BY RICHARD vARNELL PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA MAY 2013
CONTENTS CONTENTS 5 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 8 LIST OF fIGURES 10 Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION 11 Context of the Project 11 The Problem 11 The Purpose 14 Definition of Key Terms 15 Description of the Proposed Project 15 Scope of the Project 15 Phases of the Project 17 Phase 1—Research 17 Phase 2—Planning 19 Phase 3—Implementation 20 Phase 4—Evaluation 21 Phase 5—Writing 22 Chapter 2: BIBLICAL-THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE REVIEW 23 Introduction 23 Imago Dei: Humanity’s Reflection of God 24 Understanding the Biblical Concept of the Image of God 25 Imago Dei as it Relates to Free Will 26 Imago Dei as it Relates to Work 29 Imago Dei as it Relates to Kingship 30 Imago Dei as it Relates to Reproduction 32 Imago Dei as Reflection through People of the Bible 33 Historical Understandings of the Meaning of the Image of God 34 Community: A Reflection of God’s Triune Nature 36 Empowerment through Community 38 Community in the Life of Christ 39 Growth—God’s Plan 55 Biblical Emphasis on the Importance of Financial Health in the Church 60 What the Bible Says About Money and Possessions 61 How Christians Should Use Their Money 64 How Christians Should Invest Their Money 66 Stewardship through the Creation of a Will 68 Conclusion 69 Chapter 3: GENERAL LITERATURE REVIEW 70 Introduction 70 Closing the Back Door 71 Identify Barriers to Church Growth 71 Physical Facility 71 Church Leaders 74 False Assumptions 75 Expecting Too Much Too Soon 76 Address Vision Limiters 76 Problem Solving Emphasis 77 I’m Busy Enough Now 77 Lockstep Vision 78 Grow Until You Can Survive 78 Generic Stand-Alone Church 80 “No Vacancy” Sign 80 Fortress Mentality 81 The Restoration of Our Golden Era 81 John F. Kennedy, “Ten Quotes on Stop Living in the Past and Letting Go Past Mistakes,” Yahoo! Voices, http://voices.yahoo.com/ten-quotes-stop-living-past-letting-2432076.html (accessed September 7, 2012). 81 Closing the Back Door 82 High-Visibility Event 83 Win the War against Reversion 83 Facilitating the Retention of First-Time Guests 86 Intentionality in Plan 86 Identify First-Time Guests 88 The Communication Card 88 Who are the First-time Guests, and What are They Thinking? 90 Develop a Plan for Ministering to First-Time Guests 94 The Role of First Impressions 95 Planning for the Return of First-Time Guests 101 Effective Assimilation of New Attendees into the Local Church 105 Assimilation through Friendship 107 Assimilation through Tasks/Roles 108 Assimilation through Small Groups 110 Sharing 110 Study 111 Support 112 Service 112 Assimilation through Spiritual Growth 113 Conclusion 114 Chapter 4: DESCRIPTION OF FIELD PROJECT 116 Preparation of the Project 116 Personal Experiences 116 Finding Churches to Participate in the Project 118 Execution of the Project 119 The Basics of the Project 120 Tracking Visitors and Regular Attendees 120 Establishing a Follow-Up Plan 121 Implementing an Answering Service 123 Implementing the Project at Church A 123 Implementing the Project at Church B 126 Implementing Project at Church C 127 Implementing Project at Church D 129 Results of the Project 130 General Observations 130 Results at Church A 132 Results at Church B 134 Results at Church C 137 Results at Church D 139 Summary of Results 140 The Project’s Contribution to Ministry 143 Chapter 5: PROJECT SUMMARY 145 Evaluation of the Project 145 Keys to Project Effectiveness 145 Keys to Project Improvement 149 Implications of the Project 151 Recommendations for the Southern California
Recommendations for Future Study 154 Conclusion 155 APPENDIX A: invitation letter to pastors 157 APPENDIX B: pastor and church profile 158 APPENDIX C: church growth business concepts church growth proposal for churches under 200 159 APPENDIX d: GETTING TO KNOW YOU ... (A LITTLE BETTER) CARD 163 APPENDIX E: WELCOME CARD—FRONT AND BACK 164 APPENDIX f: SAMPLE “MISSING IN ACTION” (MIA) LETTER 165 APPENDIX G: SAMPLE FIRST-TIME GUEST LETTER
APPENDIX H: SAMPLE FIRST-TIME GUEST LETTER 167 APPENDIX I: SAMPLE SECOND-TIME GUEST LETTER 168 APPENDIX J: SAMPLE THIRD-TIME guest LETTER 169 APPENDIX k: SAMPLE second-Time guest LETTER
APPENDIX L: SAMPLE THIRD-TIME guest LETTER (with contribution) 171 APPENDIX m: SAMPLE thirty-DAY FOLLOW-UP LETTER 172 sources consulted 173
ABSTRACT Most Assemblies of God (AG) churches in the United States experienced either a plateau or a decline in attendance during 2011. This statistic has caused concern at the local, district, and national levels of the Fellowship. One of the largest denominations in the world, with significant growth overseas, the AG now realizes that the home base needs attention regarding church growth. This project provides hope that the 6,000 AG stagnated churches can grow. The purpose of this project is to help pastors of plateaued or declining churches experience measureable growth in attendance through the implementation of proper business strategies for accounting and visitor retention. The biblical-theological literature focuses on how the image of God, community, and financial health in the local church can help a church grow. Review of the contemporary literature provides research regarding “closing the back door” ((facilitating the retention of first-time guests and assimilating new attendees into the local church). The project thoroughly tested these concepts in four churches of varying sizes, backgrounds, ethnicity, and settings. All four participating churches experienced growth ranging from 6 to 86 percent. Evaluation of the project reveals that growth cannot take place without a cultural change in the church that focuses primarily on the church’s attitude toward and treatment of first-time guests. The church must identify first-time guests and express genuine courtesy and hospitality to these people. The churches utilized an intentional and detailed plan for following-up on visitors; growth ensued with the implementation of the project plan. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The opportunity to study at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary ( AGTS) has been a highlight in my ministerial career. In the early 1970s, I had been waiting for the Seminary to open, and I attended my first class in January 1974. Dr. Melvin Hodges, Dr. Stanley Horton, and Dr. Anthony Palma were some of my first instructors. Their input into my life has been invaluable to me all of these years. After more than thirty years, I returned to AGTS to work on my doctoral studies. The Seminary has a pattern of choosing great leaders such as Dr. Byron Klaus, President; Dr. Stephen Lim, Academic Dean; and Dr. Cheryl Taylor, Director of the Doctor of Ministry program. As Project Coordinator, Dr. Lois Olena served well beyond the call to duty. In the times that I wondered about continuing in the program, she spoke an encouraging word. I reaped countless benefits from her persistence. The library and technical staff provided an immense amount of help in the research process. Their patience with me and their instructions on how to use the library resources were invaluable. Keith Jones assisted me many times with technical issues, and his willingness to help was repeatedly evident. Dr. Deborah Gill encouraged me to take the course, “Following the Footsteps of the Apostle Paul.” The time my wife and I spent in Turkey was a treasured experience. We were privileged to travel to a part of the world we had never visited. The fellowship that Dr. Gill and her husband, Jan, lent to the trip made the experience even more enjoyable. Dr. David Clark, my biblical adviser, provided insights that assisted me in thinking through important issues. The personal experiences of my project adviser, Dr. Michael Clarensau, brought insight and depth to this paper. Susan Meamber served as my editor throughout the entire project. She not only provided professional expertise, but inspired me with hope in the midst of the journey. My wife, Joy, finished her doctorate in education in 2006; therefore, she was very sympathetic to the challenge of writing a project of this magnitude. She lent a helping hand along the way and never complained about the time I spent on the project. She also spent nine months in Springfield, away from our children and grandchildren, so I could work on this degree. In addition, she traveled with me to visit the churches in the project. She provided me with continual support and encouragement. I could never ask for a more supportive wife. LIST OF fIGURES Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION Yüklə 374,99 Kb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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