Congregational Development at Castle Rock
There are church builders, church pastors, church tenders, and church killers. I like to be involved in church building. This past Sunday we had a business meeting in which we discussed doing some landscaping for the building. Providing a pleasing look to a congregation might not be that important to some people, but in the Castle Rock area which is more of an affluent area the appearance of the building is important to those who will be our guests in services. We typically have a few families every week from the community. So we broke up the various areas around the building and are attempting to improve all of them. Some of the areas are smaller and certain families have taken ownership of those areas and in the larger areas we are working together to complete some beautiful improvements on the landscape. We are also improving the sign that we have. It is too old looking. We are going to add a new and improved sign. Also, I submitted a report to the elders on transitional development in the congregation. The elders are super excited about some of the directions and improvements that we will work on in the congregation. It is great because the elders work with me inthe congregation. All of this training and reading is paying off because the eldership is willing and wanting me to help them with understanding and development in the congregation. As one of them said, “this is great that we have this information from Matthew’s schooling.” The eldership will wonder about some detail in congregational organization and they will approach me concerning this. As a minister, it always seemed odd that a eldership would not consult me concerning certain congregational elements. I live to help churches, I wake up to build churches, I study churches, so it is nice for the elders to allow me to use this passion to help the church. It is really exciting being part of this progress. From adding to the landscape which is adding to the reputation and the appearance of the congregation to the community to working with the eldership as a team to develop and implement a better environment for leaders and members, to being part of the growth and building of the congregation. It is so exciting to be on the team; to be seeing the work happen. You can feel and see the momentum building.
Related posts:
- Optimistic about Castle Rock
- The Missional Story of Castle Rock
- A Report on Castle Rock
- Dreams for Castle Rock
- Two Years at Castle Rock
About The Author
In the last two weeks too, we had two new baptisms. The best part was that members in the congregation studied and baptized these individuals. This is so exciting.
I have heard the saying “Elders lead the church, Preachers drive the church.” I realize that saying has some limitations and should not have its meaning over-stretched. Nevertheless, the point is that Church leadership and maturation need both the elders and preachers. Any eldership or any preacher that would not consult the other on matters regarding the church is only doomed to bring harm to the congregation.
Any ways, the news of those baptisms is exciting and especially since it is the members (and not just the preacher) who is doing the witnessing and teaching – the way it should be.
Grace and peace,
Rex
It’s great to hear about the inner workings of Castle Rock. Sounds like you have a good relationship with the elders. I appreciate your insights.–Matt Dowling
I think I will do a few posts on the organization, the style of the eldership, and the process of the congregation. I think it would really help people. Let me just say, that our elders never meet around a big table like a board. They have a fireplace and couches in the eldership space. It is cool, drink coffee, sip coke, and talk.
Matthew, your enthusiasm for doing God’s work is so encouraging and inspirational. You have a naivete (and that is a compliment!) that is refreshing. May you never become jaded and weary!
It is a fact that we work better when we are comfortable. I like to see church leaders create a comfortable place to pray, work and discuss the work of God’s church. I hope they invite the flock into their “room.” This is good for the individual Christian to feel comfortable with their leaders. I hope that they go into the living rooms of the flock. This is even more important than their room. When shepherds can sit in the green pastures with the flock and especially when the pastures are brown and dieing, or flooding, scorched, burned, cold, etc. I appreciate your Elders, Shepherds, Pastors for having the foresight to create a comfortable room to work. Always encourage them to invite the flock in and to go to the flocks “living room.”
Thank you Wendy.