4 Key Principles for Laity-Led Church Revitalization

4 Key Principles for Laity-Led Church Revitalization

by | Sep 25, 2023

Spotlight on Certified Renewalist, Courtney Stotler

 

Revitalizing a church community is often seen as the responsibility of pastors, but Courtney Stotler’s story challenges this notion. Courtney, the administrative council chair, is an example of what can happen when laity leaders are willing to step up and engage in new levels of leadership. In this week’s blog, I will spotlight Courtney’s 4 key principles for laity-led church revitalization.

Courtney noted, “I felt things had become ‘stagnant’ and were plateauing – even maybe declining.  I felt that surely a 3-year program would teach us how to revive things, and how to do so in a lasting way.  I was also interested personally in growing as a leader.  I am a lay person with a full-time job outside of the church, and I serve as a leader of the organization that I work for.  I thought that it would be great to grow my leadership skills for work, in addition to the church.”

By following four key principles, Courtney was able to help the church rebound and cultivate a culture of growth. As her story demonstrates, laity-led revitalization is possible for any church community. Presented below are the four critical principles distilled from her transformative journey.

 

Principle 1: Laity Can Be Leaders, Too

Courtney started her journey in Creating a Culture of Renewal® along with her pastor and a fellow lay member. She already knew that she was a goal-oriented person with strong ambitions. Through the Everything DiSC® Workplace profile, Courtney learned she is a strong “iD” style and that her priorities are results, actions, and enthusiasm. Her leadership style is energetic, fast-paced, quick to act, and can be controlling. She came to realize that one of her biggest fears was a lack of control.

In her first year, Courtney learned a lot about DiSC® and people reading, which she found fascinating. Courtney reflects, “Learning about the Platinum Rule, and putting it into practice, was powerful.  I learned that my active, fast-paced style could be overwhelming and off-putting to other styles.  I could see how this was actually hindering me from getting the results that I wanted.”

During her second year, Courtney continued to learn more about communication and leadership styles. The Everything DiSC® Work of Leaders profile showed her the best practices of remaining open, prioritizing the big picture when driving a vision, practicing active listening, and taking the time to test assumptions.  Through mentoring another participant, she also grew in her leadership skills and strengthened her ability to hold others accountable.

Courtney continued to hone the skills that she learned during her third year in Creating a Culture of Renewal®.  By practicing alignment and gaining buy-in, Courtney was able to utilize structured messaging, explain rationale, and exchange perspectives. She also grew in her ability to structure a plan, address problems, and learn the value of offering consistent praise.

Takeaway: Recognize and embrace your leadership potential. Access available programs and training to equip yourself with the necessary leadership skills within your church community.

 

Principle 2: Shared Vision Isn’t Just a Pastor’s Job

Courtney understood this. “My pastor, buddy, and I worked together with the Visioning Team to create an overarching vision.”

Their dream was of a community whose body, mind, heart, and spirit are fed through the love of Christ. It involved not just their church members, but the flourishing of the whole community.  It assumed that the whole community could be ‘fed’, expanding their reach from inside to outside the church walls, while unifying and bringing people together.

Courtney collaborated with the Visioning Team to study her congregation’s culture and took a hard look at worship, comfort vs. challenge ministries, differences between generations, and the shadow mission. They asked three questions:  1) what brings us great joy; 2) what resources does our church have to share; and 3) what are people in our community hungry for?  By taking time to test assumptions, and inviting key community leaders from outside the church to join us in the discussion, Courtney and the Visioning Team co-crafted the dream of their congregation.

Takeaway: Laity play a vital role in shaping the church’s future. By working with fellow members and clergy, you can build a shared vision that encompasses the entire community’s aspirations.

 

Principle 3: Individual Initiatives Can Align with the Church’s Broader Vision

In the process of crafting a church-community vision, Courtney established her own vision.“My vision,” writes Courtney, “is to ‘Fill the Gap’ – an equal chance for success for all local students through mentoring and support of graduating seniors that are first-generation college students.” Her community is racially diverse with many families living below the poverty level.  In addition, many students graduating from the local high school are first-generation college students.  Statistically, only 20% of first-generation college students complete their degrees. She knew that a college degree has the power to end the cycle of poverty in a family forever.  An adult with a college degree earns nearly $1.2 million more over a lifetime than their counterpart with only a high school diploma.

Courtney was able to cast this vision with her Visioning Team, as well as the whole congregation through a weekly newsletter.  She met with several key people inside and outside the church which brought additional perspectives and helpful feedback. By testing assumptions with school board members, school counselors, and social workers, new ideas and revisions were made.  There was some push back, but Courtney was able to exchange perspectives, address problems, and draw boundaries where necessary.  “I even cast my vision with our Youth Sunday School class – and got some great and unexpected feedback!”

As a result of this work of building alignment, unexpected people became engaged and participated in various ways, including young adults, older adults, and people that had been first-generation college students themselves.

Takeaway: Consider how your distinctive skills and passions can contribute to your church’s vision. Your endeavors have the potential to create a remarkable impact.

 

Principle 4: Execution of a Vision Brings Miracles

In Courtney’s church, active participation has grown.  Worship attendance is increasing, 2 confirmands are finishing confirmation classes, a children’s choir has started, plans are underway for Summer Sunday School, and the congregation’s dream was co-created with input of over 25 members. The Quality of relationships has improved. There are active prayer and covenant groups, opportunities for children and youth to participate in activities of the church, online worship for greater participation, and community stakeholders attending church activities and partnering in ministry.  Giving continues to grow.  They paid 100% of their apportionments for the year already and received a grant for Freedom School.  Worship has become more intergenerational.  New ways to facilitate prayer requests are being developed, to expand reach and utilize new technologies.  New ministries are forming, and existing ones are expanding.  And the pastor and the congregation were named “Citizen of the Year” by the local school district for the work they have done and the work they have planned to support the community.

Takeaway: When you bring a new vision to life, miracles show up in every area of congregational life. It’s worth the risks involved.

 

Courtney Stotler’s experience in the Creating a Culture of Renewal® program breaks the stereotype that only pastors can lead church revitalization. Her journey shows how laity can effectively contribute by embracing leadership, participating in vision-building, aligning individual initiatives, and the miracles that come. These four principles can inspire and guide other lay members looking to play a vital role in their church’s revitalization.

To master and apply these skills in your community, I cordially invite you to join me for an upcoming seminar titled “How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success: An Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal®.” This seminar offers a hands-on opportunity to delve deeper into these principles and practice implementing them within your church community. Join me as we embark on a transformative journey to revive our churches.

 

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

 

 

4 Principles to Revitalize Church Communities

4 Principles to Revitalize Church Communities

by | Sep 21, 2023

Spotlight on Certified Renewalist, Rev. Dr. Becca Girrell

Leadership is not a one-size-fits-all formula. It requires a balance of self-awareness, community engagement, and visionary thinking. Rev. Dr. Becca Girrell, a recent grad of Creating a Culture of Renewal®, is a newly credentialed Certified Renewalist serving as a pastor in New England. Her work has been a shining example of what great leadership can do. Together with her team, her incredible journey has set a blueprint for Christian leaders seeking to renew their congregations and communities. In this spotlight on Certified Renewalists, I would like to share the 4 principles she embodied to revitalize her church and community. But first, let me introduce you to Rev. Becca.

 

From COVID to Community

Rev. Becca was newly appointed to United Community Church of Morrisville VT during COVID-19 lockdowns. All worship services and meetings were conducted through Zoom. As you can imagine, settling into this new environment without the usual opportunities to foster relationships proved challenging. Nevertheless, Rev. Becca was determined to create community.

Over the course of her three-year stint in Creating a Culture of Renewal®, Rev. Becca and her leadership team developed a Kingdom-oriented vision, “We connect people to the resources they need with the dignity they deserve by using all of our space and resources for God’s mission.”

As a result, the congregation connected with the community through “Breakfast on Us” serving 50+ meals per day, Monday-Friday, and regular community dinners serving 75+ meals each time.

In addition, the church partnered with healthcare teams, rural resource navigators, and more than half a dozen organizations to make their services available at the church several days a week. By popular demand, the church provided Narcan training to help combat the opioid epidemic.

What happens when a church uses all of their space and resources for God’s mission? Not only does the community experience renewal, but so does the congregation!

 

A Reinvigorated Church

United Community Church of Morrisville VT has been reinvigorated. Even as missional engagement has soared, worship attendance—both in person and online—has increased while congregational giving—both plate giving and missional giving—has grown by 36%!

The miracles haven’t stopped there.  Since completing Creating a Culture of Renewal®, Rev. Becca applied for and was awarded a multi-year development grant in the amount of $10,000 a year for the next three years that will continue to fund the Community Resource Hub. The church also responded to area flooding by becoming the go-to place for resources. This opened the doors to additional disaster relief grants and donations in the amount of $17,000.

Let’s look at the four  principles Rev. Becca used during her time in Creating a Culture of Renewal® to achieve success.

 

Principle 1: Grow in Self-Awareness

To grow as a leader, one must know one’s strengths and weaknesses.  In Creating a Culture of Renewal®, we use the Everything DiSC® suite of profiles. Rev. Becca was able to use this valuable assessment to gain insight into her communication style. During her first year in Creating a Culture of Renewal® as she grew in self-awareness, she could tailor her approach to better relate to her team. That includes those with strong personalities that had caused friction in the past. “I found knowing the DiSC styles of my group to be a very helpful way to get to know the key people at church,” reflects Rev. Becca, “Skills like people reading and understanding congregational culture were also assets, especially as I got to know a new congregation in my first year. I was worried about starting CCR at the right or wrong time. But there is no wrong time.”

 

Principle 2: Move People to Dream Like Jesus

Creating a church improvement plan is often as far as most congregations get when thinking about vision. But United Community Church of Morrisville VT, with the leadership of Rev. Becca, dared to dream like Jesus.

Their vision was to create a community hub that would address systemic issues. They wanted to reduce poverty-related suffering and create equitable access to services. At the same time, they realized that “an empty church is not a sacred use of space.” Instead, they dared to use their building to co-create miracles with God for others.

A Jesus-sized vision for the community is not an easy task. But Rev. Becca has shown that when Christian leaders clearly understand their purpose the result makes a lasting difference.

 

Principle 3: Connect Impact and Funding

Often, churches have a finite view of money for missions. But United Community Church of Morrisville VT’s  strong vision unified the congregation and community and drew external support. Rev. Becca and her team found the resources to help those who may have been passed over by other organizations. “Through the partnerships and connections we made by casting this vision and seeking alignment with it,” Rev. Becca adds, “we submitted the grant application with a letter of support signed by 12 community partner organizations and 4 interfaith clergy. This huge demonstration of alignment and buy-in from a wide community was essential to our being awarded the grant.”

Their success highlights the importance of connecting with outside resources to help fund efforts for the church.

 

Principle 4: Embrace Change

Authentic Christian leadership involves trusting in the provision and faithfulness of God. Even in the midst of intense change. A significant principle that Rev. Becca firmly held onto was the necessity to embrace change. The onset of the pandemic brought unforeseen challenges, and adapting to the new normal was not mere choice but necessity. Rather than viewing these changes as obstacles, Rev. Becca saw them as opportunities to innovate and reimagine how the church could serve and connect with its community. Her flexible approach allowed the church to continue its mission under changing circumstances, reinforcing the idea that embracing change is about finding new avenues for growth and community service.

 

Certified Renewalists Make a Difference

We’re so proud of Rev. Dr. Becca Girrell and the United Community Church of Morrisville VT. Together they have exemplified vision and leadership with grace, courage, and humility. They are an inspiring reminder of the power of God’s presence in our lives, no matter what challenges we face. It’s also a reminder that Certified Renewalists make a difference.

If you want to experience the same kind of transformation and create a culture of renewal in your congregation and community, consider registering for a free How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success: An Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal® seminar. Through Creating a Culture of Renewal®, you can empower people, love your community, and dare to dream like Jesus to transform the world. Let 2024 be your year of transformation!

 

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

5 Strategies for Avoiding Burnout

5 Strategies for Avoiding Burnout

by | Sep 12, 2023

The church is notorious for its high rates of burnout and turnover. This problem has been acknowledged by countless testimonies of church leaders leaving their ministries. Burnout is both challenging to avoid and hard to recover from. I know. I’ve been there myself. It was out of my own experience of burnout that Creating a Culture of Renewal® was formed to help other church leaders. In this article, I want to share five strategies for avoiding burnout. These strategies have proven invaluable to ensuring effective ministry.

Burnout is a daunting reality; not to be taken lightly. I was struck recently by Rev. Alexander Lang’s blog entitled, “Departure: Why I Left the Church”. In his post, he speaks of severe burnout and the now-familiar phrase ministry fatigue, exacerbated by the realities of constant stress, unrealistic expectations, and lack of rest.

So what’s a pastor to do? We need honest conversation to bring light into the shadowed corners of ministry fatigue and provide practical strategies promoting healthier routines. Committing to serve the local church shouldn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being. Here are the 5 strategies for avoiding burnout.

 

#1 Seek Accountability

One of the most common reasons for ministry burnout is the feeling of isolation. Isolation is a breeding ground for poor decisions. They say nothing good happens after midnight. In the same way, without the presence of honest voices and wise counsel, you can find yourself caught in a situation that rapidly spirals out of control.

One of the best ways to overcome this feeling is to seek accountability. Find someone you trust to confide in, whether a fellow pastor or counselor. Allow them to speak truth into your life and provide encouragement. I know this seems counterintuitive, but having another individual to be open and honest with about your struggles can bring relief.

Accountability in the church often gets a bad rap, but it’s one of the most important aspects of staying connected. It will bring clarity to your life and keep you from falling into isolation.

 

#2 Prioritize Self-Care

Self-care is vital in any occupation, but it is essential in ministry. It’s easy to put the needs of others before your own. Make sure to prioritize time for yourself, whether working out, reading a book, or spending time with family and friends. Taking care of yourself will only benefit your ministry in the long run.

In hindsight, I regret not realizing sooner that the most critical voices I encountered in my ministry were often the ones who told me I wasn’t doing enough. However you are not obligated to shoulder everything alone. Jesus didn’t. He had a whole circle of people who loved and supported him. They also carried out the ministry with him. Even when it wasn’t convenient, Jesus stole away to the wilderness, and took time to reconnect with God in private. When you prioritize self-care, you give yourself restorative time. You give yourself time to reevaluate your rhythms with the care of God.

 

#3 Develop Healthy Boundaries

Setting healthy boundaries around work is crucial to avoiding burnout. It’s important to remember that you are not superhuman. You can’t do everything and be everywhere at once. Learn to say no when necessary. Practice delegating tasks to others. Create a work-life balance that allows you to rest and recharge. Just because the doors are open doesn’t mean you must be available 24/7.

It’s also important to establish boundaries in relationships. Don’t let people take advantage of your time and resources. It’s perfectly fine to take a step back and prioritize something else occasionally. This doesn’t imply that you don’t value others but rather that you acknowledge the importance of balance.

 

#4 Foster Meaningful Relationships

Developing relationships outside of your ministry can be crucial to overcoming isolation. Build friendships with people in your community, join a hobby group, or volunteer in a local non-profit. Creating these meaningful relationships will not only help you feel more connected, but they also provide opportunities to engage with new people who don’t necessarily see you through your role as a church leader.

One of the best ways to do this is to get out there and start meeting people. Find a group that shares common interests outside the church and join them on their outings. The key is to connect with like-minded people while enjoying yourself away from church. It’s just fine to introduce yourself without using your church title or anything that identifies your denomination or status as clergy.

My life changed when I joined the Master Gardeners. It reconnected me with outside interests and a whole new group of people. It’s great to introduce myself this way: “Hi, I’m Rebekah. I like to garden!”

 

#5 Re-Focus on Your Purpose

Lastly, it’s important to stay focused on your purpose. Remember why you became a pastor in the first place. Often, ministry burnout occurs when the focus shifts from purpose to task. Keep your eyes on the prize and allow the joy that comes from serving the Lord to sustain you during difficult times.

When things get hard, take a step back and ask yourself if what you are doing is something that will move the mission forward? Or does it simply add stress and complexity? If your job has become something else entirely, it’s time to take a break. Go back to the basics. Take a walk, reconnect with God, and recalibrate your focus on God’s mission for you.

Ministry burnout is undoubtedly a formidable challenge to face, but you are not alone on this journey. Remember these 5 strategies for avoiding burnout: seek accountability, prioritize self-care, develop healthy boundaries, foster meaningful relationships, and re-focus on your purpose. These are the 5 strategies that proved most effective for me to avoid burnout and feel revitalized and alive. I pray they will serve you too.

 

Leaving is Not Failing

It’s important to remember that it is okay if you decide to step away from your ministry. This pause could be a period for rest and rejuvenation, a time to refocus and rekindle your passion for service. And if it turns out to be a more permanent hiatus, remember that is fine, too. There’s no failure in choosing a new path that brings you new peace and fulfillment.

Ultimately, I stepped away from the pulpit so that I could re-focus on my purpose: helping to shape larger conversations in the church. Creating a Culture of Renewal is the result.

As a passionate advocate for pastors, my greatest desire is to see you lead the best ministry you can, which resonates with your passion and purpose. That’s precisely what Creating a Culture of Renewal® is all about. It’s about digging deep, reconnecting with your ‘why,’ and leading from a place of authenticity and joy. It’s about creating a renewable and sustainable ministry that won’t drain you or others. But instead invigorates and inspires you every step of the way.

Remember that with the proper support and guidance, you can create a meaningful, fulfilling, and sustainable ministry that truly makes a difference. If you’re interested in that, I’d love to connect! Join me at my next free seminar: How Christian Ministries Are Achieving Success.

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

 

4 Ways to Talk About Money in Your Church

4 Ways to Talk About Money in Your Church

by | Sep 5, 2023

How do you talk about money in your church? Talking about money is not always easy. This sensitive topic often gets brushed under the rug in the church. The truth is that we need to have conversations about money if we want to keep our churches running. It’s important to be willing to talk about finances openly and honestly. But how do you do it? How do you break the silence? In this blog post, I will give you four practical ways to talk about money in your church.

 

Align the Giving with the Mission

People want their gifts to have an impact. That’s why being able to connect giving to your church’s mission is essential. Talk about how money will be used and how it will help fulfill your church’s vision. Share stories of the people who will benefit from generosity and show how gifts are making a difference in the lives of others. By aligning your congregation’s giving with the church’s mission, you can engage people deeper and create an environment where giving fulfills God’s purpose. This strongly resonates with individuals who prefer bold and impactful actions, as it emphasizes the significant impact of their giving.

 

Invite People to Be Generous

Generosity is essential to being a Christian, but it’s not always easy to talk about. One way to break the ice is to invite people into a conversation about generosity. Talk about what it looks like in their life and how they can cultivate a spirit of giving. Don’t be afraid to preach about it from the pulpit and discuss how God calls us to be generous with our resources. Promote giving as a form of worship, emphasizing the boundless grace bestowed upon us by God. Showing gratitude for all donations or gifts can encourage people to be generous. Saying thank you and expressing appreciation for monetary contributions helps create a culture of giving. Make it a daily practice to express gratitude by sending thank you notes for all donations and gifts received.

 

Be Transparent About Your Church’s Finances

A lack of transparency is one of the most significant barriers to discussing money. Many churches are hesitant to share financial details with their congregations, which can lead to mistrust and uncertainty. One way to break through this barrier is to be transparent about your church’s finances. Share your budget, financial reports, and any financial struggles. Being open and honest can build trust and encourage people to get involved. Transparency is particularly helpful when communicating with more analytical and detail-oriented members. It helps foster a sense of ease and openness when discussing financial matters. It’s one thing to be transparent about your church’s finances but another to ensure financial information is easily accessible and understandable. Think about how you can present financial reports in a way that people can understand and appreciate. Create clear visuals such as graphs or charts to make it easier for people to digest the information.

 

Stability Matters 

It’s essential to make sure that your church is financially stable. This may involve making tough decisions, such as cutting expenses or implementing a fundraising campaign. It’s essential to talk about these changes openly and honestly so people understand the importance of financial stability. Apart from cutting back, many within your church may want to support the church community’s stability, legacy, and work. This could be done by setting up endowment funds that allow future generations to have financial stability. Surprisingly, this may not even be just your members, but community members who cannot imagine their society without your church. The use of planned giving programs is also a powerful way to help secure the long-term financial health of your church. These programs allow individuals to make more significant gifts, such as bequests, that can impact your church’s financial stability. Educate your congregation about these options and how they can get involved in making an even more significant difference. 

Your next step about money can be difficult, but this doesn’t have to be. You can start talking about money in a meaningful way that helps engage and empower your church community. So don’t be afraid to break the silence!

 

While we all understand the complexities and challenges of addressing finances within the local church, it’s essential to recognize that you play a part in reducing these barriers and facilitating smoother financial operations. In my three-year award-winning leadership coaching program, Creating a Culture of Renewal®, participants are equipped with practical strategies to overcome financial hurdles and foster a culture of open dialogue and shared responsibility. Your participation has the potential to inspire impactful change within your church community. Not only that, giving goes up 2-10 times the cost of participation in Creating a Culture of Renewal®. Reach out to learn more.

Discussing financial matters is never a simple task, but I am confident that these strategies yield fruitful results.

 

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

What Kind of Kid Disciples Are in Your Church?

What Kind of Kid Disciples Are in Your Church?

by | Aug 29, 2023

My parents are fond of saying that us five kids came out of the womb with our personalities intact. The same may be true of the children and youth in your congregation. When discipling young people, it is essential to understand their personalities to reach them most effectively. I like using the DiSC® model of behavior to assess personality styles. Although personalities are technically not set until later in life, you can learn a lot about a child by observing their actions and behavior now.

For example, children whose personality reflects the Dominance (D) style are often seen as brave, confident, and assertive. A child with the Influence style (i) is outgoing, enthusiastic, and talkative. Both (D) and (i) styles are fast paced. Children with the style of Steadiness (S) are even-tempered and empathetic, while children with a Conscientiousness (C) style like to take their time and be organized. (S) and (C) styles are moderately paced. And, of course, all children, like adults, reflect each of the four styles within their personalities to differing degrees.

By understanding the different DiSC® styles of the children of your congregation, you can create an environment where children feel comfortable, engaged, and able to relate to the message being taught. You can help by providing opportunities for them to learn and interact in ways as diverse as their personalities.

For instance, let’s say you have a group of children that primarily are Influence (I) style. Connect the group by organizing a fun and interactive activity that allows them to express themselves creatively. Children with the (S) style may appreciate a calm and nurturing environment for engaging in group play. Children with the (D) style can be given a problem that requires risk or boldness to solve. Children with the (C) style can design processes for caring or incorporating new children into the group.

Creating an engaging and inclusive environment for children in church is essential for their spiritual growth. As adults and leaders, we must ensure children feel safe and respected in their faith community. After all, Jesus too exhibited varying personality styles, and we see it in the Gospels. We know of his compassion, forgiveness, and empathy, but we know he also took risks, questioned, challenged, inspired, and shook things up.

By creating an environment where children can feel comfortable exploring their faith and expressing themselves, this helps them be more Christlike. Invite them into conversations and provide activities tailored to their preference. 

Regardless of DiSC style, here are 6 things you can do to create a safe and empowering environment for children: 

  • Encourage children to ask questions freely 
  • Model kindness, understanding, and respect
  • Invite the children to be honest and take risks in sharing their perspectives 
  • Make sure everyone is included and feels heard across the DiSC® styles 
  • Facilitate conversations that are meaningful for the child’s age and development level
  • Shake things up! 

Understanding the DiSC® model of human behavior and applying this knowledge to create an inclusive and engaging environment for children in church is not just a matter of intellectual understanding. It is, in fact, a call to practical wisdom – to understand and act upon these learnings. It’s about stepping out of the realm of theory into the realistic, dynamic world of action. 

In my three-year award-winning leadership coaching program, Creating a Culture of Renewal®, church leaders are equipped with a variety of DiSC® profiles to facilitate the growth of healthy and vibrant church communities.  Communities that empower both adults and children. Reach out to learn more.

 

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

3 Powerful Impacts of Group Culture on Congregations

3 Powerful Impacts of Group Culture on Congregations

by | Aug 22, 2023

Group culture is the “way we do things.” Churches, denominations, and even committees have a group culture. While ethnicity, region, and generation impact the way a group functions, group culture gets at something deeper. In this article, I’m going to share with you 3 powerful impacts of group culture on congregations. And how you can leverage it to maximize your influence on the communities you serve.

 

DiSC® Model of Human Behavior

In Creating a Culture of Renewal®, we use the DiSC® model of human behavior. This model provides an easy-to-understand framework for human behavior. It names four primary behavior styles: Dominance (D), Influence (i), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). It also acknowledges that each person is a blend of all four styles. Although, one or two styles predominate in each person.

Individuals who align with the Dominance (D) style prioritize results and take a direct approach. Those in the Influence (i) category prioritize relationships and social interaction, often displaying enthusiasm and optimism. Steadiness (S) style individuals are cooperative, reliable, and value group harmony. Lastly, Conscientiousness (C) style individuals prioritize accuracy and tend to be analytical, detail-oriented, and careful in their approach. Think about your leaders and your congregation.  Do you see a healthy mix of styles, or one style that’s predominant?

By categorizing behavioral tendencies, the DiSC® model allows a deeper understanding of how individuals interact and communicate within different contexts.

Now let’s look at the 3 powerful impacts of group culture on congregations.

 

  1. Group Culture is Self-Perpetuating

The first impact is a potential pitfall of group culture. The culture of a group tends to perpetuate itself. For example, a confident and energetic community naturally empowers and supports individuals who thrive in that environment. A careful and conscientious environment (C) naturally rewards others who are aligned with those values.

The opposite is also true. A confident and energetic community may frown upon harmony-seekers (S), or those who prioritize careful analysis (C). Likewise, a careful and conscientious environment (C) can shut down those who display too much enthusiasm (i), or those who are risk takers (D).

Tip: Even leaders fall prey to this. We in leadership often surround ourselves with people who are similar to us and share our values. When you leave out the voices at the margin, you’re missing out on differing perspectives that are necessary for a well-rounded approach.

 

  1. Leaders Matter in Shaping Group Culture

The second powerful impact of group culture on congregations is that leaders greatly influence the culture of the congregation. This is true of ordained, appointed, an elected leader—whether clergy or laity. That’s because leaders attract or repel others to their ideas and initiatives through their innate qualities. Their priorities naturally shape the agenda, while their pace sets the tone for how and when tasks are accomplished. Moreover, leaders have the power to determine which conversations receive attention and provide an interpretive lens for them. They may even select other leaders who align with their values and approach.

Tip: By leveraging your unique position of authority, you can shape the group culture and foster a more inclusive and positive environment for other DiSC® styles. This requires understanding the value of different behavioral styles, as well as navigating the challenges that might arise from working with all four styles. It’s important to remain to vigilant in recognizing attempts to exclude certain styles so that you can foster a supportive atmosphere that benefits everyone.

 

  1. Identify Your Group Culture

The third powerful impact on group culture is the pace and preference of your group culture. Some leaders tend to be fast-paced; they are comfortable taking action without having to know every detail. Others are more moderate-paced, preferring to think things through thoroughly before making decisions. Consider the preferences of each leader. Are they more people-oriented or project-oriented? Pace and preference shape group culture.

Tip: Take a moment to think about the leaders within your congregation. This includes both official and unofficial leaders, paid and volunteer staff, committee chairpersons, experienced members, and even those who may not always agree with the majority. Make a list of each leader and their pace and preference. See if you can match that to DiSC styles.

 

Maximize Congregational Influence on the Community

The more open the group culture—welcoming all four behavioral styles—the more likely the community will feel welcomed as they interact with you.  Remember that each community member also has a DiSC® style that influences how they approach life. Remain open to all the kinds of people God is sending your way.

By understanding and embracing behavioral diversity, leaders can create a balanced environment: one that is adventurous, curious, open, harmonious, and caring atmosphere where everyone feels seen, heard, and respected. Want to learn more? Join Creating a Culture of Renewal® to continue to learn, grow, and champion a culture grounded in love, understanding, and mutual respect.

 

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.