Introduction How did LifeWay discover the Transformational Church information? In 2008, LifeWay engaged in one of the largest and most significant research projects ever conducted on the North American Protestant Church—7000 pastors, personal interviews with 250 churches, and 15,000 church member surveys.
What did the research reveal? Bruce Raley (director, leadership and evangelism training and events) explains the findings in the spring 2010 Facts and Trends article this way:
“Transformation is occurring in churches across our nation. From coast to coast, churches of various sizes—urban and rural, old and new—are being transformed by the power of God and, as a result, are seeing transformation of individual lives and, ultimately, their communities . . . The findings proclaimed, “There is hope! Hope for the American church! Hope and possibilities!”
Is this just a new program from LifeWay? It is not a new program or a one-size-fits-all strategy, or even a formula for immediate results. Rather, it is an initiative designed to help churches examine where and how God is working and to make the necessary adjustments in order to more fully join in His mission of redemption.
Can you define for me what a Transformational Church is? The best way to help you understand the Transformational Church is by using the letters PCC and BAR. • People—Becoming more like Christ. • Church—Acting like the body of Christ. • Communities—Reflecting the kingdom of God. This is a very basic definition. The book goes into a more detailed explanation.
So what did the research identify in these churches that was transformational? The research surfaced some common themes. These themes were grouped into seven common elements that fit into three categories. These elements and categories make up the Transformational Loop. The Loop helps transformational churches focus on a new scorecard for measuring the success of their ministry.
What do you mean by a new scorecard? Transformational churches measure success by more than just bodies, budgets, and buildings. The seven elements of the Transformational Loop serve as a guide for determining the new scorecard for churches.
Where do I start if I want my church to become more transformational? LifeWay recommends reading the book Transformational Church and visiting the Web site www.transformationalchurch.com. A six-step plan is outlined on the Web site. After reading the book, plan to take your leaders through the content using the Transformational Church DVD Discussion Guide and leading your church to complete the Transformational Church Assessment.
The Transformational Loop
Key Question: Where are we? Discern Context
MISSIONARY MENTALITY: Transformational churches discern their contexts. • Understanding the community: We understand the cultural context surrounding the church. We know who lives around us. • Evaluating the church: We know we are called to care for the community. We strive for everything we do to be in the language and culture of the people we are trying to reach.
Key Question: Who are we? Embrace Proper Values
VIBRANT LEADERSHIP: Leadership is missional in perspective and action-oriented in decisions. • We promote a culture of “we” instead of “me.” • We emphasize teams and strive to have less structure. • We expect, encourage, equip, and empower members to serve. RELATIONAL INTENTIONALITY: Relationships are the platform through which people find and follow Jesus. • We have systems and processes designed to provide and promote relationship development—for the first-time guest, the new member, and the long-term member. PRAYERFUL DEPENDENCE: Spontaneous prayer is normative. • We see prayers answered and we celebrate.
Key Question: What are we doing? Engage Right Actions
WORSHIP: There is a sense of anticipation in transformational churches. • We focus on presence of God instead of the performance of people. • We practice worship as a spiritual discipline. • We see lives changed through worship. COMMUNITY: We recognize that smaller communities within the church are the most effective delivery system for life change. These small community groups contain five elements: • Mission Orientation – We understand and look for ways to join God on mission. • Word-driven Mentality – The anchor is the Word of God. • Multiplication Mindset – Our purpose is to reproduce—leaders and groups. • Stranger Welcoming – We expect and plan for guests by creating a welcoming environment. • Kingdom Focused – We look for ways to be outward focused. MISSION: Transformational churches view themselves as on mission with God. • We encourage a missional lifestyle. • We look for ways to be involved in mission—giving; going; praying; long-term; short-term. • We plant churches; we send people on mission trips—locally, nationally, and internationally; we adopt unchurched people groups.
TCAT Sample Statements Highlight Statements These are a sample selection of statements from the Transformational Church Assessment Tool (TCAT). The participants from your Church will respond to 80 such statements which will serve as the foundation for understanding the perceptions of your congregation about the seven elements of Transformational Church. Worship
A sense of anticipation and expectancy surrounds our worship services.
Worship
Our church members often bring friends with them to our worship services.
Community
New members are immediately taught about the importance of living in community with other Christians.
Community
Our church regularly starts new small groups.
Community
Serving is considered normal behavior at our church.
Mission
Our church challenges members to build significant relationships with people who are non-Christian.
Mission
Our members are comfortable sharing their faith with unbelievers.
Mission
How many non-Christians have you shared your faith story with in the last six months?
Vibrant Leadership
Our church leadership has given us a clear direction for the future.
Vibrant Leadership
Our congregation knows the vision of our church.
Prayerful Dependence
Seeing people praying together is a normal sight at our church.
Prayerful Dependence
Our church depends on prayer for its effectiveness.
Relational Intentionality
Our church has a clearly defined discipleship process for moving a person from salvation to spiritual growth to significant ministry.
Relational Intentionality
There is a culture of inviting at our church, where people are constantly invited by others to get connected on a deeper level.
Relational Intentionality
How many people have you invited to attend a small group at your church in the last 6 months?
Missionary Mindset
The needs of our city or local community inform our local missions strategy.
Missionary Mindset
Our church believes that as the cultural context around us changes, new opportunities to engage people outside the church must be considered.
Missionary Mindset
The activities of our church are designed to relate to the type of people who live in our city or community.
TCAT Sample Statements New Scorecard Statements Contrary to the predictable measures of how many and how much, your church members will reveal how they feel about topics like serving, building relationships, who the church is for, opportunities for ministry, the expectations of the leaders, and personal reliance on prayer. Worship
Our church members often bring friends with them to our worship services.
Worship
People regularly make decisions to obey God as a result of our worship services.
Community
Church members are expected to serve in a ministry at our church.
Community
Our church helps people understand their spiritual gifts.
Community
New members are challenged to begin serving right away.
Mission
Our church intentionally provides service opportunities for our people to be engaged with the unchurched in our local city or community.
Mission
Our church challenges members to build significant relationships with people who are non-Christian.
Mission
Our church specifically prays for lost people around the world.
Mission
People regularly become Christians as a result of our church serving.
Relational Intentionality
When people become members of our church, someone is personally available to help them connect further at our church.
Relational Intentionality
Our church leaders coach people who are placed in significant ministry positions.
Relational Intentionality
Newcomers to our church are tactfully yet purposely connected to a small group.
TCAT Sample Statements Conversation Statements Once you know how the congregation feels you will find help in establishing conversations around topics like how God is working in people’s lives, understanding of the vision and mission of the church, what process the church has for raising up future leaders, and what are the ways the church is reflective of the culture in which it is located. Worship
A sense of anticipation and expectancy surrounds our worship services.
Worship
We see evidence of God changing lives as a result of our worship services.
Community
Small groups are very important at our church.
Community
New members are immediately taught about the importance of living in community with other Christians.
Community
We celebrate and highlight volunteers who serve.
Community
Serving is considered normal behavior at our church
Mission
Our church has earned a good reputation among city leaders by meeting needs.
Mission
Our members are comfortable sharing their faith with unbelievers.
Vibrant Leadership
Our church has a system in place to raise up future leaders.
Vibrant Leadership
Our church leadership has given us a clear direction for the future.
Vibrant Leadership
Our congregation knows the vision of our church.
Vibrant Leadership
Our people understand how their individual roles help accomplish the vision of our church.
Prayerful Dependence
Seeing people praying together is a normal sight at our church.
Prayerful Dependence
Our church depends on prayer for its effectiveness.
Relational Intentionality
Our church has a clearly defined discipleship process for moving a person from salvation to spiritual growth to significant ministry.
Relational Intentionality
Our church constantly challenges people to take the next step in the discipleship process.
Relational Intentionality
There is a clear path for someone to follow at our church to get plugged into a small group.
Relational Intentionality
When people visit our church, there is a plan in place to ensure multiple people greet them.
Relational Intentionality
There is a culture of inviting at our church, where people are constantly invited by others to get connected on a deeper level.
Relational Intentionality
If someone desires to serve in a ministry at our church, there is a clear and easy step to take to begin serving.
Missionary Mindset
The needs of our city or local community inform our local missions strategy.
Missionary Mindset
Our church leadership understands the cultural context surrounding our church.
Missionary Mindset
Our congregation cares deeply about the people in our city or community.
Missionary Mindset
Our church is innovative and entrepreneurial in serving non-Christians outside of the church.