Strategic Planning Council - Day three

We had three hours Friday to wrap up our time together. Our morning would include another breakout group, and a closing session to tie everything up. The latter objective seemed to be reached, although I initially had my doubts. After all breakout groups had shared their reflections on Ron Duncan's framework (see Day One), it was his turn to reply back to the conference. Each attendee was also asked to submit a written statement, indicating the unique, personal commitment to the next steps they would take, followed by a meaningful act of anointing of each delegate.

The ultimate question everyone reading this is asking (and I myself asked) is: So what are the real results that will come as a result of our gathering in Nashville?

Of course, this is not the final step in the lengthy, ongoing process in which we find ourselves. The cumulative results of all that happened in the last two days will need to be compiled and digested. That will begin immediately and hopefully lead to more concrete actions.

Admittedly it can be frustrating for those of us who are impatient with seemingly never-ending consultations, meetings, and discussions. We must eventually move beyond conferences to action. And, there was a point after Thursday's grueling day that I wondered whether anything significant could come out of this jumbled collection of disparate ideas and visions. In truth, we really needed an additional day to adequately complete our task.

Yet, it was apparent by the time we were done at noon, our accomplishment was more significant than we might have initially realized. The real outcome of this Strategic Planning Conference will likely not be measured by the tangible conclusions we arrived at, but by the intangible results that we experienced. What was apparent to me and to everyone I talked to is that there is a new spirit of cooperation and hope within the Church of God in North America. We were openly discussing core issues related to our being, identity and mission. There are new attitudes being expressed, and relationships restored and strengthened. While we still have obstacles to overcome, structures to refine, opportunities to take advantage of, and pockets of discontent to deal with, there is a growing willingness to put our doctrine of unity into practice at least through our own internal cooperation. Dr. Duncan's positive spirit and servant heart are making it easier to trust his leadership and to follow the vision with which he is challenging us.

In short, there were significant strides made these last few days.

Communication in the Church of God

From the analysis report of the recent Church of God survey by Deodandum Marketing Communications:

"Individuals seemed to spend a lot of time talking about communication and how to improve it. But, for a movement its size, the Church of God seems to have more vehicles to communicate, and spend more time and money on communication in person, electronically, and in print, than many other movements or denominations that are much larger. Perhaps it isn't a failure to communicate so much as an inability to listen to, or to accept the legitimacy and efficacy of what is being communicated, or the authority of those communicating."

Strategic Planning Council - Day two

Today was a solid work day at the SPC. From 9:00am (actually 7:30 for me because of an additional, unrelated breakfast meeting) to after 9:00pm we were in some sort of meeting. There were a few small breaks (one lasting almost 45 minutes!) but every minute seemed to be taken up, even meal times involved assigned discussions.

Our work today was centered around participation in small breakout groups, with periodic reporting back to the larger group. I can't say that anything earth-shattering took place, although some passionate and thoughtful discussions and presentations were noticed. Obviously the big task will be compiling all of these ideas following the Conference.

Time to get to bed in order to be ready for our wrap-up tomorrow and long trip back home.

Strategic Planning Council - Day one

My trek to Nashville began with waking at 2:45am in order to catch a 6:00am flight. I arrived mid-afternoon, but had little time for rest before activities began at dinner, followed by an evening general session. So Wednesday was a long day for me. Looking at our jam-packed agenda, it appears that the next two days will likely feel just as long.

The Strategic Planning Conference is comprised of not quite 150 leaders from across North America, representing state/regional delegates and national leaders. The purpose of this gathering is part of a multi-year process of determining how the Church of God can be more focused and effective in its ministries, particularly within our North American organization.

Wednesday's opening session was to set the pace for all that we will grapple with over the coming two days. Crammed into a relatively small hotel ballroom we began our evening under the musical leadership of Jay Rouse. Ray Rood, our facilitator, was introduced. He works for a change management consulting firm, and has had connections recently with Warner Pacific College. Quoting organizational expert Bob Quinn, Rood briefly challenged us with the observation that all organizations are moving along one of two paths, either deep transformational change or a slow death. The choice we make will depend on sufficient leadership.

The bulk of the session was a presentation by Ron Duncan. He stated that he believes “this is a watershed event in the life of the Church of God” and that radical transformation is needed. We have faced three major crises and one major reorganization with the last twenty-five years, and on top of that significant canes have been occurring in our culture. In Duncan's view, from this Conference we must “build a solid foundation for a flexible ministry future in which we resource the local congregation”. There are three building blocks that will make this happen:

1. Restoration of key relationships among Church of God leaders.
2. Return to the basics of the New Testament church.
3. Renewal of collaborative ministries.

Duncan elaborated on these three building blocks, drawing upon results from the recent church-wide survey that was conducted and his own observations. Much of the work of Conference delegates over the remaining two days will be to build on these ideas and provide working answers to the questions that arise out of them.

Obviously there is more detail here than I can share in this post, but hopefully it will provide an overview of the nature of our gathering. I sense a strong spirit among those in attendance, and am impressed with the age diversity of delegates (although less impressed with the gender breakdown).

Please continue to pray for us at the Conference.

Update

I've been silent here for the last couple of weeks, with other matters requiring more attention than blogging. Of course, there's all the transition stuff going on around me, but I was able to take a much-needed five day vacation with my wife as well.

 

Tomorrow (Wednesday) I head to Nashville for the Strategic Planning Council of the Church of God. I plan (depending on Internet access) to provide a daily update on this blog for those of you curious and concerned about our discussions.

 

Review: What's Right with the Church of God?

This year Warner Press published several new books, including a couple that provide self-examination and reflection for the Church of God. Previously, I have already reviewed Jerry Hickson's Are You Sure You're Right?

 

When I first heard about its upcoming release, I knew I wanted to read What's Right with the Church of God: A Challenge to Ministry Leaders (Warner Press, 2006). The title alone intrigued me, since it appeared to provide a positive look at our movement, hopefully without resorting to idealistic, self-absorption. I was looking forward to reading the book.

 

After completing J. Thomas Pelt's work I was left confused.  In fact, I struggle to even say for sure what the book is really about. The back cover says it's about "what we should celebrate ... and what we should change", but the real thrust of the writing seems to go in other directions.

 

This is not to say that it is a bad book. Pelt is senior pastor of First Church of God in Ashland, Kentucky, and by all accounts he leads a thriving, growing congregation. Without question Pelt is passionate about the church and loves our movement. He really does want to challenge us as leaders, as congregations and even collectively to "heed the dreams God has given us and be willing to make things happen, even if it means blazing a new trail and going by a different route than we have used before." (p. 109). The book is full of his own observations on ministry and suggestions as to how we can revitalize it. There are a wide range of chapter topics, including: "Traditionalism", "Methodology Matters", "Reckless Autonomy", and even "Where Would Jesus Hold Campmeeting?". It's a potpourri collection of reflections, ideas and admonitions. There are some valid points throughout. Lacking, however, is a consistent thread or clear purpose to bring them all together.

 

The book reflects a pastor's heart (as Pelt confesses in the Preface). I've never met the author, but from his writing style he appears to be a real go-getter. A no-nonsense, "let's get it done" kind of guy. This is probably why the book seems to energetically bounce around all over the place, and the arguments are sometimes simplistic and even abrupt.

 

I guess my biggest problem with the book goes back to the title. If the book was billed as a writing of a pastor sharing his experiences and counsel to help congregations and their leaders I would have found it easier to digest. I was expecting something more.

 

From CHOG Blog to ONEvoice!

CHOG Blog readers may be interested to learn that I have been asked to provide a regular column for ONEvoice! magazine, with the first installment to appear this fall. I will be taking over the CLOSERlook column which is designed to explore "doctrinal topics related to polity and theology from a fresh perspective that should be both challenging and relevant to today's church." This is one of a number of changes that are supposed to be coming to ONEvoice! later this year.

 

While I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to the larger church in this manner, it is a daunting responsibility. It's one thing to write opinionized rants on my blog; but another to provide something more substantive to a broader audience. I hope that I can meet the challenge and that my writing will be helpful and constructive.

 

I submitted my first column for yesterday's submission deadline despite having very little time to come up with something since being asked. I'm not completely satisfied with my first attempt, but I'm looking forward to some of the topics I want to explore in subsequent issues.

 

I just hope that they don't require one of those full-body photos to accompany the column!

 

Kurt Johnston on us and the Church

Last week at IYC Kurt Johnston, Junior High Pastor at Saddleback, was the speaker at the Youth Ministry Institute for leaders (which I attended). On his blog he offers some brief perceptions on the Church of God and our convention. Even though he calls us a "denomination", he understands the "Big Body of Christ".