Healthy Churches …

Demonstrate dependence on God to build His church – 1 Corinthians 3:5-10

• Prayer
• Labor

Strategize for making new disciples of Jesus Christ who will reproduce other new disciples – Matthew 28:18-20

Deploy a polity that empowers congregational ministry, not manage it – Ephesians 4:11-12

• Board Governs – 30,000’ view
• Pastor Leads – Vision Catalyst
• Staff Manage – Staff is not defined by compensation but by authority and responsibility
• Members serve or minister

Encourage new disciples to grow in the knowledge, character and missional passion of Christ who is the head of the church – Ephesians 4:12-13

Develop an infectious missional unity that is based in love– John 17:20-23

Prioritize strategically and financially their community as their primary mission focus – Acts 1:8
Value change as a cultural necessity – Acts 15:10-11

Assess regularly for ministry health and evangelistic effectiveness – Rev. 1-3

Effective Leaders …

Are optimists, believing the chief shepherd will win.

• • • • Gather people around mission
      • Communicate clarity and focus of vision
      • Pray cosmically for their community

Love the Sheep, but love the Shepherd and His mission more, and will move the sheep to fulfill it. – Stewardship

• Lead the congregation toward mission, not be their custodian who simply cares for them
• Recognize that wisdom and wise behaviors are as important as faithfulness and commitment
• Realize that faithfulness without fruitfulness is hypocrisy

Value evangelism and practice it.

Are passionate …

• Life Long Learners
• Not lacking in zeal – energetic and unflagging enthusiasm, especially for a cause or idea
• Understanding how to generate momentum
• Willing to risk everything including their positions

See themselves and their congregations as missionary forces.

• Are amateur sociologists seeking gospel opportunity
• Leverage a small group (the congregation) to change a large group (the town or community)
• Congregational Culture Sculptors