A Remarkable Church Transformation & Visioning Opportunity
by Rev. Mark E. Tidsworth, Founder and Team Leader
The obstacles are removed!
That’s the “Aha” insight breaking through for me this week.
As we at Pinnacle engage with churches of various sizes, shapes, and locations, we often hear them describing the obstacles standing in their way, preventing them (in their minds) from pursuing transformation and/or visioning. Time, funding, lack of leadership, overwhelmed, willingness, etc… these are the frequent flyers of reasons to step away from the need to transform and/or discern vision.
After designing, providing, and refining the Reshaping Church Initiative over the last three years, it’s becoming crystal clear to me that RC removes these obstacles in remarkable ways. When we hear people in churches, clergy, church staff, and denominational leaders saying, “If only…,” followed by a litany of what’s needed in order to pursue transformation or discern vision, this RC Initiative is already there.
Here's what I mean. The following are key aspects of the RC Initiative, each contributing to the formation of an effective church transformation and visioning opportunity.
Refined Process
During the pandemic, I wrote ReShape: Emerging Church Practice In A Volatile World, published in August 2020. A Second Edition, revised and updated, is rolling out soon. The process of transformation embedded in this book is the heart of the RC Initiative, including the six specific actions Small Groups engage during their reshaping. Numerous churches from various denominations have engaged this initiative by now, helping us strengthen and refine our approach each year. The churches who will be part of the 2024 RC Community of Practice will find a stronger polished process, thanks to the churches who have gone before them.
Experienced Leadership
The professionals leading RC were already accomplished people before serving in RC. Now though, the Program Director, Program Coordinator, and Coaches are also experienced, learning through training and providing services, refining their RC leadership competencies. Every participating church is partnered with an RC Coach who shepherds them through the entire experience. This level of personal attention, along with the experience of these coaches, provides excellent opportunities for churches to personalize the RC process into a very contextualized experience. Central’s Program Director and Pinnacle’s Program Coordinator also manage logistics, smoothing the way for participating churches. I’m grateful for the experiences of the last three years, resulting in experienced leaders for RC.
Solid Partners
We remain very appreciative that Central Seminary in Kansas City chose to invite us at Pinnacle Leadership Associates to be their partner in pursuing a Lilly Endowment Grant focused on Thriving Congregations. Since then, we have forged a solid partnership, seamlessly collaborating to provide RC. This means that those congregations and denominations considering participating are assured the providers of RC are solid partner organizations, each with histories of serving the needs of God’s Church over time.
Quality Resources
I can’t communicate how grateful we are for the Lilly Endowment that provides the funding for RC. Because of this generous grant funding, we were equipped for designing and developing high quality resources. Each participating church receives copies of the ReShape book, as well as attractive and effective digital resources like:
-The Reshaping Church Leaders Guide
-The Reshaping Church Small Group Leaders Guide
-Publicity Materials
With grant funding, it’s amazing how attractive and substantive resources can take shape. Thank you again to the Lilly Endowment!
Missional Grants For Churches
Speaking of grant funding, we designed this Initiative to include mini-grants (up to $5000) for each participating church. In the latter stages of RC, churches are led to discern their vision for their unfolding expression of church, resulting in a Reshaping Church Ministry Guide. When their vision includes missional engagement that contributes to the movement of God in their church and community, then they can apply for this mini-grant. Most every participating church so far has been successful in receiving these grants. So wow, not only does participating in Reshaping Church cost a church very little ($500 tuition), they also can receive a $5000 grant. Financial concern obstacle removed, just like that.
Online Initiative
Wait a minute… I’m here to tell you that something good did emerge from the pandemic. We created the Reshaping Church Initiative during the pandemic, while also engaging the first several rounds during the shutdown. Of course, the entire initiative was done online. Since we are largely beyond pandemic restrictions, we considered moving to an in-person format. Quickly, we abandoned that idea, choosing to continue online. Why? Among many reasons, accessibility rises to the top. Churches from all over this USA, and several from other countries, have participated so far. This diversity of region and community has made the experience richer for every church. It would be difficult to describe the types of diversity among the participating churches which are beyond geographical. Being online has opened doors for so many, removing many obstacles to participation.
Given all this, I’m struck again with what a unique and remarkable church transformation and visioning opportunity is embedded in this Thriving Congregations, Reshaping Church Initiative. Currently churches are discerning their call to participate. You are invited to contact us at Pinnacle or Central Seminary to explore participation beginning in late January 2024. The Central Seminary website is a fine place to continue learning more, https://www.cbts.edu/central-seminary-lifelong-learning/reshaping-church/. The 2024 Community of Practice is limited to 24 churches, so contact us soon with interest.