Vital Church Initiative Implementation Team Assesses Progress

In April 2015, a team of Brighton First congregation members came together to oversee the implementation of the VCI Consultation prescriptions (see document link on this blog page), adopted by the congregation. After more than a year of consulting with church staff members and team leaders and meeting monthly, the Implementation Team assessed the church's progress at its August meeting.

The team was joined by Naomi Garcia, our church's "VCI Directive Coach". Garcia, a staff member for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church, asked two basic questions. First, how was the VCI Implementation Team and other church committees, boards and teams working together. She also asked how Implementation team members felt about progress in each area of the VCI prescriptions.

The team talked about progress and needed growth in the areas of hospitality, community outreach, worship, faith development, strategic planning, and leadership development. Brighton First opens a new worship service on September 11 and introduces new community outreach efforts in September and October. The Adult Faith Formation team introduces a new comprehensive program for disciple education and growth in September. The Administrative Board will adopt a 2-year strategic plan in September. The Hospitality Team is joining with many faithful volunteers to offer a warm welcome on Sunday mornings.

These combined efforts are moving Brighton First forward in its mission to help people Know God, Love God and Serve God. Ultimately, Brighton First is committed to making disciples for Jesus Christ.

There is, however, one challenging area of the Vital Church Initiative that is in its beginning stages. The alignment of church programs and ministries with the church's mission and vision will be the focal point of the VCI Implementation Team this fall. In order to use the church's resources most effectively, the congregation has agreed to an alignment of what we do with our purpose and our vision for the future. This means that some ministries and programs will continue, some will be modified and others will be celebrated and ended.

The authors of Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples, Thom Reiner and Eric Geiger, studied the difference between churches that are thriving and those that are anemic and struggling. They came to the conclusion that churches that carefully choose how they will accomplish their mission and avoid putting resources into programming that does not ultimately grow disciples for Jesus Christ, are more likely to thrive. Reiner and Geiger write, "Churches with a simple process for reaching and maturing people are expanding the kingdom. Church leaders who have designed a simple biblical process to make disciples are effectively advancing the movement of the gospel. Simple churches are making a big impact."

While there are very good reasons to align our church's ministries and programs with our mission and vision, it will be a difficult task. The VCI Implementation team committed over 16 months ago to leading Brighton First through this process and they will continue to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in the months ahead.

Vital Church Initiative Implementation Team Assesses Progress

In April 2015, a team of Brighton First congregation members came together to oversee the implementation of the VCI Consultation prescriptions (see document link on this blog page), adopted by the congregation. After more than a year of consulting with church staff members and team leaders and meeting monthly, the Implementation Team assessed the church's progress at its August meeting.

The team was joined by Naomi Garcia, our church's "VCI Directive Coach". Garcia, a staff member for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church, asked two basic questions. First, how was the VCI Implementation Team and other church committees, boards and teams working together. She also asked how Implementation team members felt about progress in each area of the VCI prescriptions.

The team talked about progress and needed growth in the areas of hospitality, community outreach, worship, faith development, strategic planning, and leadership development. Brighton First opens a new worship service on September 11 and introduces new community outreach efforts in September and October. The Adult Faith Formation team introduces a new comprehensive program for disciple education and growth in September. The Administrative Board will adopt a 2-year strategic plan in September. The Hospitality Team is joining with many faithful volunteers to offer a warm welcome on Sunday mornings.

These combined efforts are moving Brighton First forward in its mission to help people Know God, Love God and Serve God. Ultimately, Brighton First is committed to making disciples for Jesus Christ.

There is, however, one challenging area of the Vital Church Initiative that is in its beginning stages. The alignment of church programs and ministries with the church's mission and vision will be the focal point of the VCI Implementation Team this fall. In order to use the church's resources most effectively, the congregation has agreed to an alignment of what we do with our purpose and our vision for the future. This means that some ministries and programs will continue, some will be modified and others will be celebrated and ended.

The authors of Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples, Thom Reiner and Eric Geiger, studied the difference between churches that are thriving and those that are anemic and struggling. They came to the conclusion that churches that carefully choose how they will accomplish their mission and avoid putting resources into programming that does not ultimately grow disciples for Jesus Christ, are more likely to thrive. Reiner and Geiger write, "Churches with a simple process for reaching and maturing people are expanding the kingdom. Church leaders who have designed a simple biblical process to make disciples are effectively advancing the movement of the gospel. Simple churches are making a big impact."

While there are very good reasons to align our church's ministries and programs with our mission and vision, it will be a difficult task. The VCI Implementation team committed over 16 months ago to leading Brighton First through this process and they will continue to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in the months ahead.

Being a "Leaders' Leader", Reflecting on Empowering the Leaders of Brighton First

Kay Beech of Beech Photography Studio volunteered to take pictures of women at a recent "Ladies' Night Out" at Brighton First. I've been looking at this photo that she took that evening.

Photo courtesy of
Beech Photography Studio

I have been asking myself, "Is this a leader?"

I do see a pastor when I look at the picture. I've been pastoring churches since September 1991, 24 years. I've celebrated and prayed, mourned and served with hundreds of faithful people through the years and I've been blessed. I have specific notions of what it means to live out that identity.

As a result of my coaching session with VCI coach Naomi Garcia this morning, I'm looking at this picture and asking, "I see a pastor here, but do I see a leader?" Naomi and I spent some time talking about how I might be the best leader for the leaders of this church, a "Leaders' Leader".

We first talked about leading leaders to have the most productive and effective meetings. She challenged me to think about the way I offer information before and during meetings. How is my delivery perceived by different members of a team? How might I say things to bring everyone along? Who do I need to talk to in preparation for meetings?

Another area that Naomi pushed me on was trust and delegation. I tend to want to do all the follow up when team members are assigned tasks. Naomi helped me sort out the difference between my responsibility as a pastor and as a leaders' leader. I am called to comfort and encourage as a pastor. As a leader, I am called to empower leaders to hold the members of their team accountable. 

We also spent some time talking about the spiritual accountability of the leaders of Brighton First. In some churches, the pastor and/or leadership structure outlines very specific criteria in spiritual practice that leaders are required to follow. Required spiritual practices for leaders may include membership in a small group, regular worship attendance, tithing and/or daily prayer. While I am hesitant to call for specific spiritual practices to be a leader at Brighton First, I do understand the importance of being engaged in growing in the faith for every Christian.

I believe that each person's spiritual practices need to fit with their character and their style preferences. And whatever those spiritual practices are, the intention in observing them is to always be moving into deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 

With Naomi's thoughtful questioning, I've decided to take on the task of spiritual leader to the leaders, by establishing individual baselines. That means that in the coming months, I have personal conversations with all leaders about their spiritual lives. My hope is to pray with them and offer resources and encouragement to continue growing in faith. And then, as the months go on to do regular check in.

By God's grace, these steps will not only strengthen my leadership at Brighton First, but will strengthen leaders for the ministry ahead.

Being a "Leaders' Leader", Reflecting on Empowering the Leaders of Brighton First

Kay Beech of Beech Photography Studio volunteered to take pictures of women at a recent "Ladies' Night Out" at Brighton First. I've been looking at this photo that she took that evening.

Photo courtesy of
Beech Photography Studio

I have been asking myself, "Is this a leader?"

I do see a pastor when I look at the picture. I've been pastoring churches since September 1991, 24 years. I've celebrated and prayed, mourned and served with hundreds of faithful people through the years and I've been blessed. I have specific notions of what it means to live out that identity.

As a result of my coaching session with VCI coach Naomi Garcia this morning, I'm looking at this picture and asking, "I see a pastor here, but do I see a leader?" Naomi and I spent some time talking about how I might be the best leader for the leaders of this church, a "Leaders' Leader".

We first talked about leading leaders to have the most productive and effective meetings. She challenged me to think about the way I offer information before and during meetings. How is my delivery perceived by different members of a team? How might I say things to bring everyone along? Who do I need to talk to in preparation for meetings?

Another area that Naomi pushed me on was trust and delegation. I tend to want to do all the follow up when team members are assigned tasks. Naomi helped me sort out the difference between my responsibility as a pastor and as a leaders' leader. I am called to comfort and encourage as a pastor. As a leader, I am called to empower leaders to hold the members of their team accountable. 

We also spent some time talking about the spiritual accountability of the leaders of Brighton First. In some churches, the pastor and/or leadership structure outlines very specific criteria in spiritual practice that leaders are required to follow. Required spiritual practices for leaders may include membership in a small group, regular worship attendance, tithing and/or daily prayer. While I am hesitant to call for specific spiritual practices to be a leader at Brighton First, I do understand the importance of being engaged in growing in the faith for every Christian.

I believe that each person's spiritual practices need to fit with their character and their style preferences. And whatever those spiritual practices are, the intention in observing them is to always be moving into deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 

With Naomi's thoughtful questioning, I've decided to take on the task of spiritual leader to the leaders, by establishing individual baselines. That means that in the coming months, I have personal conversations with all leaders about their spiritual lives. My hope is to pray with them and offer resources and encouragement to continue growing in faith. And then, as the months go on to do regular check in.

By God's grace, these steps will not only strengthen my leadership at Brighton First, but will strengthen leaders for the ministry ahead.

Pastor Sherry Begins Work with Clergy Coach

As part of implementing our Vital Church Initiative prescriptions, I will receive personal clergy coaching. The purpose of the coaching is to assist me to enhance my leadership skills for the successful implementation of VCI and beyond. I will meet with the coach for 60 minute conversations each month. The coaching sessions run concurrent with the Clergy Peer Mentor group that both Deacon Loretta and I attend monthly.

Prior to each coaching conversation, I am asked to complete a "session focus form" that will help our time together to be fruitful. I will set the agenda of each coaching session and will focus on goals (both the congregation's and my own) and the issues that I face in ministry.

Naomi Garcia is my assigned coach. She is also the directive coach for our church's implementation team for the next 24 months. Naomi is the Associate Director of Discipleship for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. She lives and has her office in Grand Rapids. Her formal education is in faith formation teaching and learning. She has also had extensive training as a coach and is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation and with the United Methodist Church congregational development team, Path 1.

I look forward to these coaching sessions and the opportunity to grow in skill and knowledge. I ask that you be in prayer for me as I work to personally serve Brighton First to the best of my ability.

Pastor Sherry Begins Work with Clergy Coach

As part of implementing our Vital Church Initiative prescriptions, I will receive personal clergy coaching. The purpose of the coaching is to assist me to enhance my leadership skills for the successful implementation of VCI and beyond. I will meet with the coach for 60 minute conversations each month. The coaching sessions run concurrent with the Clergy Peer Mentor group that both Deacon Loretta and I attend monthly.

Prior to each coaching conversation, I am asked to complete a "session focus form" that will help our time together to be fruitful. I will set the agenda of each coaching session and will focus on goals (both the congregation's and my own) and the issues that I face in ministry.

Naomi Garcia is my assigned coach. She is also the directive coach for our church's implementation team for the next 24 months. Naomi is the Associate Director of Discipleship for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. She lives and has her office in Grand Rapids. Her formal education is in faith formation teaching and learning. She has also had extensive training as a coach and is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation and with the United Methodist Church congregational development team, Path 1.

I look forward to these coaching sessions and the opportunity to grow in skill and knowledge. I ask that you be in prayer for me as I work to personally serve Brighton First to the best of my ability.