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9780787954222

Congregations in Transition A Guide for Analyzing, Assessing, and Adapting in Changing Communities

by ;
  • ISBN13:

    9780787954222

  • ISBN10:

    0787954225

  • Edition: 1st
  • Format: Paperback
  • Copyright: 2002-02-25
  • Publisher: Jossey-Bass
  • Purchase Benefits
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Summary

This hands-on guide helps congregations meet the reality and challenges of today's constantly changing urban and suburban church communities. Congregations in Transition, written in an easy-to-follow workbook format, is designed to help communities of faith focus on the changing needs of their members and explore the opportunities and options open to them.

Author Biography

Carl S. Dudley and Nancy T. Ammerman are faculty members at Hartford Seminary and researchers at the Hartford Institute for Religious Research. They are authorities on congregational studies and the relationship between congregations and their communities.

Table of Contents

Figures, Tables, and Working Notes
ix
Foreword xiii
Loren B. Mead
Acknowledgments xv
Introduction: Invitation to a Journey
1(20)
Who Needs to Change?
2(4)
What Does Change Look Like?
6(2)
How Does Change Happen?
8(3)
The Journey Ahead
11(3)
Getting Organized
14(2)
Companions for the Journey
16(1)
Doing the Work
17(4)
Getting the Lay of the Land
21(38)
The Place Map: Define Your Boundaries
23(6)
The People Map: Naming and Knowing Your Neighbors
29(6)
Conversations with Community People
35(10)
The Institutional Map: Recognizing Historical Resources
45(6)
Summary Exercise: Windshield Survey
51(5)
Summary
56(3)
Sizing Up Your Tabernacle
59(50)
Basic Timeline: An Orientation Exercise
63(7)
Timeline of Buildings and Facilities
70(6)
Timeline of Leadership and Decision Making
76(9)
Timeline of Resources: People, Money, and Spiritual Presence
85(6)
Timeline of Worship and Music
91(8)
Summary Celebration: Creating a Comprehensive Timeline
99(5)
Summarizing Your Work
104(5)
Looking for Pillars of Fire
109(36)
Encountering the Wilderness
111(1)
Wilderness Exercise 1: Testing Your Choices
112(9)
Wilderness Exercise 2: Discerning Directions
121(5)
Wilderness Exercise 3: Naming the Pillar of Fire
126(3)
Imagining Life Across the Jordan
129(1)
Imagination Exercise 1: When Strangers Become Neighbors
129(2)
Imagination Exercise 2: When Neighbors Become Partners
131(6)
Imagination Exercise 3: Testing the Waters
137(3)
Coda for the Congregation: A Time for Celebration
140(5)
Across the Jordan: Settling in the Promised Land
145(32)
Launching a New Ministry: Crossing the Jordan
146(11)
New Habits of Ministry
157(1)
Sharing Kitchen Tables
158(3)
Sharing Tables, Chairs, and Schedules
161(4)
Sharing Boardroom Tables
165(4)
Sharing Sacred Tables
169(3)
Conclusion
172(5)
The Authors 177(2)
Index 179

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