003 What is the DNA of a Flourishing Congregation [part 1]
Dr. Joel Thiessen shares his insights about what makes congregations thrive.
Joel is the Director of the Flourishing Congregations Institute at Ambrose University in Calgary.
In this episode Dr. Joel Thiessen points to five things that are emerging as starting points for entering this study of "flourishing congregations".
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Congregations that have a clear self-identity. They know who they are, they know what it is they're trying to do, and where they're going.
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They have a committed leadership. They equip and empower leaders, they have leaders who stick around for the long haul, and leadership is a central part of how and why congregations flourish.
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They have a desire to grow numerically, but they also desire to grow spiritually and organizationally. They measure. They count. They are accountable in various ways for the kinds of things they're doing at a congregational level.
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They are a hospitable community. These are places that receive people well, that are warm places that people feel connected to, that they feel loved, and embraced, and these kinds of things.
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They have a vibrant spiritual life among leaders, among congregants, across a congregation.
Dr. Joel Thiessen also points to other determinants in the DNA of flourishing congregations:
- Embrace risk and try new things
- Stewardship — not just of money — of resources, land, volunteers
- Intentional discourse on "what are we leaving to the next generation"?
- Ability to navigate conflict well
- A strong outward-facing presence in the community
Follow Dr. Joel Thiessen on Twitter, his website, or The Flourishing Congregations Institute. And read his intriguing book: "The Meaning of Sunday"
The QT4CM podcast is a peer knowledge sharing initiative for personal and professional development of Christian ministry workers. Quick Tips for Christian Ministry is produced with the support of The Great Commission Foundation… to benefit those who serve in the Name of Christ.
