Pastor Kent Reeder is at the Exponential Conference this week - April 27-30 - and will be regularly posting notes and thoughts based on the sessions and speakers in the conference. Please note that while many of the speakers at the conference are not confessional Lutherans and will, therefore, have some errant theology, the principles discussed are scriptural and godly. [GJ - What about the ding-bats who attend?] Pastor Kent will filter anything that isn't valuable out of these posts - you can enjoy the beneficial parts! [GJ - Oh! Oh! Oh! Church Growth Ecstasy!]
presented by Ryan Kwon
Why build systems?
1. Hell is bad, the gospel is good. You have to love people A LOT if you are going to invest the time and effort into building these systems. Your heart has to be breaking to motivate you to be as efficient as possible in your efforts.
2. Every system gets outdated. What got you through the first year won't get you through the next, and the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. The people, the city, the congregation, and you will change on a regular basis. Your systems have to change with them.
Remember, the question we ask about how to be effective in our congregations will stay the same until Christ returns, but the answers will change.
3. Every church grows. The question is whether your church is growing toward health or toward disfunction [ Sic - dis is a spelling error, dysfunction]. Think systems first, let them create your church, and become proactive in your growth. If your church is driving your systems to change, you will be a reactive church. If your systems are driving your church to change, you will be a proactive church.
[GJ - Somebody translate this booschwah into something about the Means of Grace.]
Truths about Systems
1. Systems are the engine behind mission and vision.
2. Systems make vision into reality.
3. Visions inspire, but systems modify behavior. (Neither is stronger than the other.)
4. It's a system problem, not a people problem. Stop blaming your people. Start blaming and fixing your systems.
If you think to yourself, "I don't have a system in place for this." You're wrong. You do - it is just terrible.
[GJ - The liturgy, the Lutheran hymns, shudder - the Lutheran name, the Confessions, the Means of Grace, the efficacy of the Word. You have to dump all that, according to James Tiefel's wonder-boy.]
The Building Blocks of a System
1. Expectations - Have a clear goal for this system. You must build a clear expectation for this system.
2. Rewards - What is rewarded will be repeated. You must build a reward in for the good things.
3. Consequences - If the vision doesn't happen, you must have consequences.
4. Communication - How and how often you will communicate within this system.
5. Behavior - This is where the rubber meets the road. This is what a system creates and affects.
[GJ - Management speak. Oh, I just love that. Leaders have to...lead. You must have S.M.A.R.T. goals. You must have a mission/vision statement because all the corporations do. You must have enthusiasm, no, passion. Yes, a passion for everything you do because passion makes things happen.]
People need regular reinforcement in systems. (Fortunately for Illumine, we can reinforce the systems at the beginning of each trimester because we have this pre-existing system.)
Principles that Shape Various Systems
1. Staff Systems: Spin fewer but larger plates. Anticipate change-ups and adjustments as a result of leaders growing and fitting new spaces. Get the right people at the right places.
[GJ - Spin a few big plates - like offering plates? WELS did that with Marvin Schwan.]
2. Sunday Systems: Know your guest experience. Systems should be flock focused, not sheep focused. (Think about people, not just a person.)
3. Discipleship Systems: Know what a disciple is. Know how they are formed. Know how to identify/measure them.
- Pastor Kent Reeder
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
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GJ - Take a long look at their pagan logo: lightbulb, flame, and a screw.
http://illuminechurch.com/about-illumine/
Illumine is a new church. We started in May of 2013 and officially launched public worship services here in Rock Hill on April 13th, 2014. We exist so that Christ may shine brilliantly on us, in us, and through us. To that end, we focus on worship (Christ shining on us), education (Christ shining in us), and community service (Christ shining through us.) On a given day, you might see us volunteering, gathering in a home or conference room for a class, preparing for worship, or praying together for each other and York County.
Illumine welcomes everyone. Everyone needs a chance to refresh - that's our Sunday morning. Everyone deserves a chance to grow and be more than they were before - that's our education goal. Everyone benefits when we serve those around us - that's why we aren't working unless we're reaching out to the community. We'd like your input in this process. We'd like your help with this process. We'd like you engaged in this process. Get in touch anytime: illuminechurch@gmail.com &
(803) 810-9398, or come by and visit us at our ministry center - 1262 Riverchase Blvd., Rock Hill, SC.
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http://illuminechurch.com/faq/
What should I wear to worship?
Honestly, this question is much less important than we tend to realize. Wear whatever makes you and those around you comfortable. If you want to dress up for church, by all means, go for it. If you believe it's judgmental and unfair when we force people to dress up for worship, wear something else.
The bigger issue is this: if you have issues with the way people are dressing at Illumine, come find Pastor Kent Reeder. We'll talk about it, because there's probably something that needs to be addressed. What exactly that is will get figured out when we talk - and at the end of the day, isn't that why we come to church, anyway?
GJ - If you still have issues, we will beat you like a rented mule. Ask Ichabod.
