Introduction
In our experience, most congregations want to be healthy.
Only a very few are so tied up in knots of privilege, self-serving, bitterness about modernity and outmoded practices that they will choose to die, rather than let go of anything.
Most are ready to move on. Eager, in fact. These last several decades have been challenging for historic denominations. It's time to move on. The question is How. After decades of bitter feuding over everything from gender to paint colors, how can we know what specific steps to take?
Here's an interesting list of "Fixtures Fading or Gone," sent in by Facebook friends. It just shows how much has changed,while many congregations have tried to stand still. Click here to see "Everything Else Is Changing!"
The answer lies in focusing on the basics. If a congregation will implement best practices in critical areas like Membership Development and Communications Strategy, it will move toward health. The Church Wellness Project exists to identify and explain those best practices.
We have no doctrinal or ecclesiastical axes to grind. Leave those to others. Our one concern is to help congregations get healthier and healthier.
Except for the costs associated with a top-flight web site, Church Wellness isn't about money. It's about will and flexibility.
By engaging many congregants in the Project, leaders will not only get good work and good wisdom, but a likelihood of buy-in.
Only large congregations will be able to tackle all Seven Key Factors at once. Most will start with one or two -- usually Membership Development and either Leadership Development or Communications Strategy -- and then turn to the others. This is fine. Your goal is balance.
Most project participants ask for help. Our staff provide on-site consulting, web-based training, and remote consulting by e-mail and telephone. Just contact Tom Ehrich to discuss fees and arrangements.
Project materials change constantly, as new research and field-level discoveries occur.
Onward!
