Replanting Series [Part 4 of 5]: Click | View Series

Define Church Leadership

1. Identify the top three or four lay leaders of the church.
• What will each of their roles be in leading change?
• What resource or encouragement do they need to more effectively help guide the ship?
• Do they fully understand the vision for replanting a missional church?
• How could they lead organized groups of men as you work through this process of change? Try to identify at least six key positions of leadership.
2. Staff Leadership
• Does the staff (if applicable) need to redefine their job descriptions to accommodate the changes desired?
• What role will they play in the leading of the body?
• What knowledge or encouragement do they need to be effective in their redefined roles?
3. Board, Officers, Elders
• Identify the governing structure of the church. Is it congregational rule, elder rule, deacon/trustee rule, pastor directed?
• Determine if the structure is a biblical model and if it is functionally healthy.
• Examine the qualifications of the church officers according to 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5. Work through the process for purging the existing appointed leadership if necessary.
• Whom do you believe God has appointed as lay leaders in your church?

Establish a Clear Mission (Prov. 29:18)

1. Write (and rewrite) a mission statement that is easily understood and easily repeated, and that reflects exactly what will guide the church when determining the value of ministries (establishment and continuance). An example of a mission statement is adapted from Willow Creek: "Turning unchurched people into fully devoted followers of Christ." Another example is "Making True Disciples" (our former statement) and "Penetrating the Darkness - Sharing the Light" (our current statement).
• What are the values of the church that could be incorporated into a mission statement (evangelism, discipleship, worship, etc.)?
• Write out a first draft:
• Can it be recited easily?
• Is it easily understood by non-theologians?
• Who could be given the responsibility of forming the mission statement?
2. The mission statement acts as a filter for all ministries. Is this specific ministry contributing to or taking away from the God-given mission statement?
• How will ministries be dissolved without creating division among the body?
• How open are the leaders of ministries to exploring other ways of doing things to be more effective in your mission?
3. Communicate your mission statement often in as many avenues as you can.
• Publish it on everything (bulletins, business cards, letterhead, websites, pens, etc.)
• Preach the mission statement in detail at least once a year. Exegete every word. Include it in preaching regularly.

Determine Core Values

• Your core values are the foundations which allow you to build all other ministries. Core values are expressed by the term "We will," not "We might." For instance, we will worship God passionately. We might have communion.
• Think of ways you could creatively and visually express those core values to the body.

To be continued.

Editor’s note: This series is adapted from a previously-published article by Pastor Scott Thomas, Director of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network.

Religion Saves

Check out Pastor Mark Driscoll's newest book: Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions. Find out more.