Thursday 3 January 2013

AAA - Rating our churches

Following on from considering a 'credit rating' type system for those who come to church, I thought it might be helpful to use a similar system to advise where a church was and perhaps assist people in knowing what to expect:
So here goes:

GGG’—Extremely strong church that teaches, preaches and pastors; a worshipping and caring body that supports those within it, those on the periphery and those in the (non-churchgoing) community - does the stuff.

GG’—Very strong capacity with a few weaknesses and some major strengths - what we'd consider to be an 'excellent church'.
G’—Strong capacity to meet spiritual commitments, but concentrates on generally one area from a list that includes worship, mission or self; attracts members from other churches because of it's strength and keeps them for a season because of what is lacking beneath the surface - a 'good church'.

ggg’—A generally capable church that is engaged in the community, teaches and pastors its members and has a good social life - an emerging (and desiring to be) missional) church.

gg‘— One dimensional church - attractive because it has a band, or brings in 'names' or perhaps has a new building - talks about Christ and lives very much for self.
g‘— It's church, but generally only in name. Not a lot of fire and content to continue with its door closed (until the parish share raises its ugly head)  - all the worst things that can be found in a self-serving maintenance church.

pp+’—Problems (real or perceived) mean they struggle to be effective and welcoming.

pp’— Problems (real or perceivedmean that the church has given up and looks to that person who will come and make a difference as they are convinced they can't.
 ‘pp-’—Problems (real or perceived) have created an Alzheimer's church where spiritual death is a reality even though the body continues to appear to still be alive.

These three groups have started to give me a baseline to consider what measures need to be taken to change it and make it effective and fun; for let's be honest here - if a church is doing all the stuff but isn't a place where fun and fellowship is a reality, then regardless of what it does, it isn't Church (is it?)


The reason for this line of thinking is not to put people or churches down but to enable me to start looking at what might be done to help the person or people to engage and enjoy mission and membership. To this end I will post a modified Engels scale tomorrow.

Again, comments, modifications and help regarding any of the posts is aways welcome.

9 comments:

  1. You seem to be confusing 'size' and 'strength'. Some churches are _never_ going to be big because they exist in small communities, but they can still be strong.

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  2. Hi - a second attempt at responding as the first vanished into the ether!

    I wasn't trying to do to bring size into the equation but on rereading I realised I'd left a derivative of 'small' in from an edit. Hopefully this reads better and, as someone in an extremely small church, I want to look at what and how and not size (I think numbers tend to skew opinion and become the holy grail).

    My intention is to develop a scale with relevant tools associated with them.

    Thank you for the comment- hopefully this has been answered (and we can move forward with some suggestions).

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  3. Hallelujah - finally managed to post !!!

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  4. Some people struggling with the Alzheimer's reference, which I have taken on board and am rethinking, but my reasoning is this:
    With Alzheimer's, the reality is that the person effectively vanishes (or a better analogy might be 'dies') but the body continues to function. This is true of a number of churches that I come across where they body continues but the past, present and any future have departed and the 'stony face' where withdrawal becomes the only state, takes over.

    Having had a parent who died this way (and dealing with many more) I see the parallels quite markedly presented. and like Alzheimer's patients, those churches which are afflicted have neither chosen not desired the situation and are trapped in the reality.

    Not a negative nor a put-down or comment about people being outside God's love (for none are, but an honest reflection.

    HTH

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  5. Umm who's the judge here? Or: in whose opinion? It's God's church, the body and bride of Christ; some that seem good to you might seem bad to Him and vice versa. This ain't your call. Back off.

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    1. Keep on like that and I'll be sorry I let you cross in front of me on the roundabout by the station last night Oliver :-)

      No one's the judge, it is merely an attempt to work out what is appropriate in terms of what is presented - as for what God considers good or bad? Always a tough one, especially as some churches appear to exist to please themselves and live as they wish regardless of the call on them.

      Like the mission vs resource grid - a potentially positive tool if used positively - doesn't condemn but states where the church feels it is (for it is not assign but self-identified).

      Think our church members generally know where to place themselves (as church) and this is a great help in moving forward.

      Happy New Year, keep looking over your shoulder ;-)

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  6. How fortunate you are to have someone whose call it obviously is correct you.

    Obviously his opinion is the only one that matters and you must be blessed indeed to know him and be under his authority (I assume he is senior to you?)

    As for me, I like the idea of trying to create strata in which various needs reside, bold but potentially helpful.

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  7. Thanks for the support - not a problems, me and Oliver are friends and I always value his challenges - they are what we need to ensure that we don't cross lines :-)

    trying to create tools to help is a real challenge because the key is to find ways of looking at the situation that enhance and support rather than demean or reduce the confidence and ability.

    Hey ho - on with the task

    V

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  8. Sorry for delay in posting any reply - my machine won't post comments to this blog for some bizarre 'Ooops - Google has a problem' reason; which means I need to use a different machine.

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