5 Practices of Fruitful Congregations

Out of genuine love for Christ and for others, the laity and pastors take the initiative to invite, welcome, include, and support newcomers and help them grow in faith as they become part of the Body of Christ ... The members focus on those outside the congregation with as much passion as they attend to the nurture and growth of those who already belong to the church ... This includes attention to launching new ministries and classes especially aimed at including those who are new.

Passionate worship connects people to God and one another. People encounter Christ through singing, prayer, Scripture, preaching, and the Lord's Supper. People are searching for worship that is authentic, alive, creative, and comprehensible. There is a dedication to enhancing the worship. The members remember that the service is not about them but about God ... Grievances, interpersonal rifts, the need for attention, and the desire to control are left behind so that all may love God with all their heart and soul and strength and mind.

The followers of Jesus mature in faith by learning together. Sunday School classes, Bible Studies, short-term topical studies, support groups that apply faith to particular life challenges, children's church, Vacation Bible School, United Methodist Men and Women and Youth, camps, retreat are only a few of the countless ways by which churches help people probe God's will for their lives and for the world. Congregations that practice intentional faith development are not afraid of failure and willingly initiate new ministries of learning in community ... so they're not afraid to start groups with low numbers, trusting that God will make use of the time to help those who attend.

Includes the, projects, the efforts, and work people do to make a positive difference in the lives of others for the purposes of Christ. This is so critical to the life of the church that failure to practice it in some form results in a deterioration of the church's vitality and ability to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Such mission reminds congregations that Christ's compassion, grace, mercy, and love extend to the entire world. This task takes people into ministries that push them out of their-comfortzone, stretching them beyond the circle of relationships and practices that routinely define their faith commitments.

Generous congregations emphasize missions, purpose, and life changing results rather than shortages, budgets, and institutional loyalty. They provide a compelling vision that invites people to give joyously and hold high quality annual pledge opportunities with wide participation, excellent preparation, and opportunities for all to be involved. Giving is taken seriously as a spiritual discipline to help people understand and cope with the risks to their faith presented by a materialistic and consumerist society. These churches operate with financial transparency and continually find ways to make people feel appreciated for their giving. The annual budget is not a bottom-line figure to be met, but, rather, a guideline for ministries to flourish, grow, and meet new needs.

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This Page reviewed 13-Feb-2009 04:45 PM

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5 PRACTICES OF FRUITFUL CONGREGATIONS