Three Key Factors of a Dynamic Ministry, Part 3

I have been writing of the results of an ELCA study that sought the answer to the question: "Why do some congregations grow and others do not?"  The first reason is those growing congregations have a clear vision for ministry.  Vison is a combination of purpose, values and time.
 
The second element growing congregations have embraced is a willingness to change.  Ministries which have dreams larger than their memories are those which have embraced change.  And, for congregations to change, the sum of dissatisfaction, vision and concrete action all must  be greater then the costs.
 
The third factor in growing congregations is leadership.  Leadership is a key component for any system wishing to move in a particular direction.  God has used women and men, as God used Jesus, as leaders to change people and communities.  A congregation is unlikely to change from a stalled or even declining state into a vibrant ministry without good leadership.
 
Leadership is not just about the pastor.  In fact, good leadership is best exhibited in the development of a team.  Moses appointed the seventy.  Jesus started with twelve disciples.  While an individual (generally the pastor) can move a congregation, the inclusion of skilled, committed and equipped lay leaders from the beginning will result in more change, more ownership of the outcomes by the whole congregation, and a wider range of gifts being utilized for leadership.  It is the strength of lay leaders, combined with empowering, equipping and visionary pastoral leadership which will be most effective in congregational change.

•  Purpose
• Willingness to change
• Leadership

All three elements must be present for a dynamic ministry to occur.

Good leadership with no purpose or willingness to change results in frustration. 

A clear purpose with no willingness to change results in cynicism.