Orange ’13 Preconference: “Transitioning to a Lead Small Church” Notes

Sue Miller led this discussion.

Why is Change needed?

What circles need to know about this? The people above you, another Director who could be impacted need to know.
What Positives would happen as a result? Spell it out to others the benefits of this. Show them what it will look like for a student to come to the same safe place for 4 years and what that student will look like.
Practice communicating your Vision. What is the 5 min version? The PowerPoint version? The 15 minute version?

The Big Change

Maybe it doesn’t have to be so Big. Take time and implement it in stages or steps.
Figure out an Implementation plan. When do you start and who (what demographic, age or grade) do you start with?
Think about a team of Leaders that can help you. Then, bring them along with you during the process.
Maintain vision by setting up ongoing Communication. The leaders need to be in the loop on things. Share what you are learning, ask what they are learning and their stories. Over-communication is much better than no communication.

Dealing with the Angry Birds

Listen, Process, and then Stand firm. Processing this with the Angry Birds is important but there will come a time when you have to end the conversation and stand firm.
Some will Leave.
It’s OK to let them Go. We have to trust God to provide

Getting off to a Strong Start.

Volunteers need to know how to do this. So, it’s time for Training. Help them know what it means to lead and process stuff with them. Help them know what a “win” is.
Build into your Coaches. Meet regularly with them. They need to be shepherd by you to shepherd others. Maybe meet 15 minutes before the start of church to meet with them.
Every program should point to Small Groups. It’s important so they need to be pointed towards those relationships that are building into small groups.