Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities in Current Church Dynamics

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Explore the shifting landscape of church attendance and financial realities in the modern age through the lens of inclusive leadership, societal gaps, and sustainable ministry practices. Dr. Amantha Barbee delves into the impact of connectivity, community building, and strategic decision-making for congregations to thrive and adapt in the new normal, urging a fresh perspective on traditional methods. Embrace collaboration, diversity, and innovative approaches to address the evolving needs of congregations and enhance congregational work.

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Uploaded on Jul 02, 2024 | 0 Views

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CONNECTIVITY AND COMMUNITY THRIVING IN THE NEW NORMAL Rev. Dr. Amantha Barbee (she/hers)

WHY ME, WHY YOU? Building inclusive leadership to nurture strategies and practices pertinent to specific ministry contexts Barbee 2024 2

PROBLEM QUALITY COSTS FINANCIALS SOCIETAL GAP Where are our gaps? WHO IS THE CHURCH 20% of Americans attend church every week 41% of Americans are in monthly church attendance or more 57% of Americans are seldom or never in religious service attendance 67% of US adults who typically went to church or other religious services at least monthly prior to the pandemic say they actually attended in person in the last month How has this change affected the church? Barbee 2024 3

OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE A CHOICE WHAT CHOICES MUST YOU MAKE? CLOSE THE GAP TARGET ASK WHY LIVE IN THE NOW FOLLOW THE MONEY. DOES YOUR MATH WORK FOR SUSTAINABLE MINISTRY? Barbee 2024 4

PROBLEM (2) QUALITY COSTS FINANCIALS Charlotte Observer Live Comfortably at $62,110 BUT Average income needed to BUY a house is $76,503 1. Personnel: 40-50 percent 2. Operations: 20-30 percent 3. Programs: 10-20 percent 4. Missions: 10-25 percent Barbee 2024 5

BIBLE STUDY Luke 9:24-25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? 2024 Barbee 6

TRADING IN THE CANOE FOR HIKING SHOES I don t know anything about hiking. Who can teach you? I don t know anything about Social Media. Who can teach you? I don t know those people in the new condos. Why? By keeping your canoe, who are you serving? How will you get to the top of the mountain? It s in the DOING! Collaboration, partnerships, mergers, sharing resources, embracing the new, celebrating diversity, and getting out of the way of God doing and creating something new. 2024 Barbee 7

THIS IS CONGREGATIONAL WORK NOT SESSION WORK Barbee 2024 8

THRIVE STRATEGY How we ll live abundantly in the future PHASE 1: WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHY Start with the church leadership and make sure to train them for the task of hearing the voices of all. (They are not all elders) PHASE 2: WHEN, HOW, WHY How will we gather this information? What are our checkpoints, ways of communicating our findings, and organizing our work? PHASE 3: THE REAL WORK Gather feedback, design a plan, and put the plan into action. Start over again. Barbee 2024 9

WORK MODEL ABSTRACT What are you willing to offer the community for the sake of the Kin-dom? VISION RESEARCH Learn your community How will the work be done? Barbee 2024 10

SUMMARY We must believe in giving 110%. By using our next-generation, forward- looking/thinking mindset and investing for the future, you can be the next generation of churches. We thrive because of Jesus Christ, led by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not always easy. As Arthur Brooks says, Conflict is the cost of abundant love. This work is life-giving, faithful, and filled with the love of God. We must be transforming disciples to be true to the gospel. Barbee 2024 11