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

Keys to Project Improvement

Initially, the complexity of the project was not apparent. It required an enormous amount of time, planning, and effort, but the overall endeavor brought joy. Soon after commencing the project I realized that the success of the project would require a cultural change in each church in the area of how the people welcomed, perceived, and treated first-time guests. This required more time than I originally planned in order to implement the necessary changes for the success of the project. Three specific areas could improve the results of this project: (1) greater buy-in by board, staff, and congregation;
(2) implementation of training before launching the project; (3) devoting more of my time to each church; and (4) advance scheduling of key aspects of the project.

First, the project could be improved by procuring greater support from various stakeholders before the project’s implementation. When finding churches to participate in the project, I only met with the senior pastor. In retrospect, acquiring the support of the entire church board and staff would have increased the effectiveness of the project. In so doing, the decision to participate in the project would have reflected a collective decision rather than the decision of the senior pastor alone. At the outset of the project, I did not realize how much change the project would require for the church. Therefore, casting vision for the cultural change and the outcome of the project prior to its implementation could have helped to bring greater cooperation, excitement, and participation. Furthermore, having time with the staff to help them develop a passion for the project and its intended outcomes might have encouraged them as they carried out the various new tasks.

The congregation also needed more time to catch the vision for the project. Looking back, I realize that merely informing the congregation that the church leaders had decided to participate in the project did not provide enough time for the congregation to process the information. I would recommend that church leaders allow a minimum of one month to prepare the congregation so that the people grasp the basic purpose of the project. By connecting the project to the desired outcome of more people finding Christ as Savior can provide parishioners with motivation to support and participate in the vision.

Second, church staff and volunteers needed training before the commencement of the project. The appointment of a Welcome Coordinator who would oversee the greeters and ushers would provide organizational structure as well as training for all volunteers. The training could include a trial run where all greeters and ushers perform their given roles. This would assure less confusion during the first Nametag Sunday. In each case, the church needed to double the amount of ushers and greeters used each Sunday. Therefore, the church could benefit by recruiting new ushers and greeters prior to the project launch date. In addition, office personnel needed hands-on training regarding data input, printing nametags, and keeping track of the weekly attendance.

Third, I needed to schedule more time at each church. Simply providing verbal instructions regarding the process almost never proved to have optimal effectiveness. People need both an explanation and a demonstration of how to perform their given tasks. Quite possibly, breaking jobs into smaller tasks might help people view the goal as more easily attainable.

Fourth, the project could have benefitted from scheduling the various activities of the project on a calendar from the outset of the process. The participating churches did not implement several aspects of the project simply because they were not on the calendar. In addition, allotting a realistic timeframe for the implementation of the project would produce better results. Upon receiving the pastor’s initial approval, I would recommend scheduling a meeting with the board and staff, so as to acquire a unanimous passion for the purpose and outcomes of the project, as well as to schedule the additional aspects of the process. Unfortunately, various aspects of the training on financial health did not receive adequate time for proper implementation.

Implications of the Project

Each church can and should grow, as supported throughout the biblical record. However, many pastors of plateaued or declining churches become discouraged despite understanding the scriptural mandate for continual growth. This project extends hope to discouraged pastors by providing a simple plan by which to revitalize a stagnated church.

Another implication of the project is that any church can adapt the principles presented in this project. Whether the church numbers more than 200 in attendance and is currently experiencing growth or small and facing a plateau or decline, any church can adapt the principles of this project and expect growth. A pastor of a large church (1,000 in attendance) contacted me about implementing the project because he felt his church demonstrates a weakness in assimilating first-time guests. Through the years, this church enjoyed growth due to sponsoring major events. After experiencing a slump, the pastor recognized the need for adopting an intentional plan for assimilation. Missionaries I consulted expressed confidence that the principles would transfer internationally. The use of this plan could potentially open up a whole new venue for church growth. Assemblies of God missionaries often serve as Bible school teachers and could use this platform to teach the principles presented in this project and assist brothers and sisters around the world in the church growth movement.

The project clearly implies that leaders must possess a deep-seated desire to experience growth in their church. If asked, most leaders claim they want to see their church grow, but desire must be accompanied with a willingness to support a cultural change within the church. I believe that any pastor who willingly does whatever is necessary to have a growing church can have a growing church.