What Is Your Church's Ministry Culture?

a very controlled and structured place. Formal procedures generally govern what people do. a very personal place. It is like an extended family. People seem to share alot about themselves with others. very dynamic and entrepreneurial. People are willing to stick their necks out and take risks. very focused on issues that people face in our community. People tend to serve those in the community with the greatest social needs. very results-oriented. A major concern is with getting the job done. People are very goal and achievement oriented.

a no-nonsense, aggressive, results-oriented focus. coordinating, organizing, or smooth-running efficiency. critique, issue clarification, or advocacy. entrepreneurship, innovation, or risk taking. mentoring, facilitating, or nurturing.

evaluation, assessment, and addressing internal and external issues. hard-driving goal orientation, high demands, and achievement. individual risk taking, innovation, freedom, and uniqueness. security of employment, conformity, predictability, and stability in relationships. teamwork, consensus, and participation.

a commitment to assessment, critique and action. There is an emphasis on coming alongside those who need to be defended. a commitment to innovation and development. There is an emphasis on being on the cutting edge. formal organizational policies and procedures. Maintaining a smooth-running organization is important. loyalty and mutual trust. Commitment to our congregation runs high. the emphasis on achievement and goal accomplishment.

efficiently running ministry programming that is effective so that participation by our members can be maximized growing by reaching certain kinds of people through specific types of approaches. having the most unique ministries or newest methods. It is a leader in ministry innovation. taking clear stands on significant issues and working on behalf of those in need. the spiritual & ministry development of its members, building teamwork, and commitment to and concern for people.

collaboration of ministry teams that include both functional ministry leaders (leaders in worship, instruction, fellowship, outreach, service) and leaders who minister among types of people (age groups, ethnic language groups, etc.). creating innovative approaches to the various major functions of the church such as: worship, discipleship, fellowship, evangelism and social ministry. delivering our ministry functions to specific types of people such as age groups and ethnic language groups. identifying community issues and mobilizing believers to meet the physical, spiritual and social needs of people in the community. maintaining control of finances and ministry operations by overseeing those involved in various ministry functions such as worship, discipleship, fellowship, evangelism and social ministry.

addressing social concerns such as poverty, oppression and injustice. fostering an environment where emerging ministries flourish through the giftedness of lay people. small groups and participatory events. the ministry leaders that lead our church programs the visionary leadership of our pastor(s).

how harmonious the relationships are within the church and small groups. how well we adapt our approaches to changes in the community. how well we identify community issues and address them. how well we minister to specific groups of people in the community. how well we supervise and manage our ministry programs.

creative collaboration of lay people. gaining approval of church leaders who will maintain accountability. lay people supporting specific community causes. mobilizing lay people to support specific ministry objectives and goals. various innovations to support new ministry endeavors.

a process to customize ministry among various ethnic, lifestyle, lifestage and socioreligious groups in the community. a process to empower lay people in ministry through support, funding and oversight. mission, vision and core value statements that guide our ministry endeavors. steps that define how we do our evangelization, discipleship, lay caring, and lay leadership development. steps that define how we will respond to the physical, spiritual and social needs of people in the community.