| Congregational Development: A
Definition
Congregational development is:
The development of the congregation as a
community of faith with a unique identity, purpose and dynamics.
- The development of the congregation as an
organization that can be understood, assessed and developed using
the knowledge and methods of organization behavior and development.
The goals of congregational development include:
A. Developing the community of faith by enabling a
pattern and culture of congregational life that is
- - rooted in our tradition
- - adapted to the local context
- - appropriate for the particular group(s) of
people drawn to the congregation
and that:
- Renews people in their baptismal
identity and purpose and sends them, in Christ, for an apostolate in
family, work, civic life and church.
- Nurtures the Christian life of people
at all phases of maturity; gives special attention to guiding and
equipping those of apostolic faith; encourages all toward a more
prayerful disciplined and compassionate Christian life.
- Fosters a strong life and ministry of
worship, doctrine, action and oversight.
- Enables people to seek the presence of Jesus
Christ in the people, things and circumstances of life, through
stability, conversion of life and obedience.
- Reflects the unity, holiness, catholicity and
apostolicity of the Church.
B. Developing the congregation as an organization
that:
- Has established structures, processes and a
climate that allow it to effectively manage its important
and pressing business (i.e. projects,
problems, crises, etc.) While giving adequate attention to strategic
issues (i.e., long term development and renewal, planning and
envisioning, engaging new opportunities, crisis prevention, etc.)
Has an increased ability to engage formation
issues such as:
- vision including the defining of identity,
purpose, values, organizational culture and related programs and
activities.
- attracting new people (as staff and/or members)
who support the vision
- increased competence and commitment
- creating an alignment, an adequate
"fit" among the various aspects of the organization’s
life, e.g. income/expenses; space/program needs and possibilities;
vision/resources of leadership, energy and money; etc.
- establishing relationships with external
"public" or constituencies that have a stake in the
organization
3. Has increased its ability to adapt to new
conditions, solve problems and learn from experience
Additional Notes
1. Many of the definitions of congregational
development used in the Church may not be comprehensive enough; they
pick one aspect, value or method and make it the whole thing. So we
hear congregational development defined as membership growth, the
creation of large parishes, many strong programs and activities,
"total ministry", the ministry of all the baptized,
spiritual renewal, new models (not "one priest, one parish,"
or Willow Creek, etc.)
2. Congregational development is directly
related to issues of identity. It involves becoming what you are.
"The Diocesan Consultations 1996" noted our confusion over
Anglican/Episcopal identity and the assumption that spiritual
development helps build Christian communities.
I’d suggest that this calls us to:
- understand our own corporate spirituality
(at its best)
- create and identify methods for helping
members understand, participate in, and live that spirituality.
- find ways to communicate who we are and what
we offer to our members.
© Robert A. Gallagher, 1997 |