CHURCH HEALTH CONSULTATION
CAN WE DO THIS OURSELVES?
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Sometimes church leaders feel that something must be wrong with them if they can't do all this themselves. However, research shows that the healthiest churches are the most intentional about partnering with outside ministry resources. This is not only a practical reality, but a biblical principle.
Paul writes that God has placed in the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry. When congregations try to "go it alone," they are trying to do all the equipping with only pastors and teachers, excluding the ministries of those equippers whom God has called to serve the larger church rather than being focused on a single congregation. We recommend that each church make it a goal to |
invest 1% to 2% of their annual operating funds in an "equipping budget" for continuing training for ministry leaders (not just
staff). Much, probably most, of this equipping budget will be used send ministry leaders out to receive training or to bring outside resource people in to provide training. This is part of the everyday lifestyle of a healthy church, not something to resort to only when a church feels stuck. The Ministry Coaching which follows the development of your integrated plan includes ongoing equipping of staff and ministry leaders. It is in this phase of the consultation process where you determine how much benefit your church will receive from your consultation process. |
