“Our Outplacement Specialist Is Ready to Serve You”
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, December 11, 2006
- Viewed 211
- (64) comments so far
1. Expectations: transfers may consider their “last church” as God’s new default position and are perplexed when your congregation isn’t like that. Or, they may have left the last place over some issues they plan to bring with them.
2. Infrastructure: integrating transfers into the congregation consumes time, energy, and resources that could be invested elsewhere—like in evangelism
If George Barna is right, though, “More than 80% of the current growth registered by Protestant churches is biological or transfer growth – very little of the growth comes from penetrating the ranks of the unchurched.” William Chadwick’s book, Sheep Stealing deals with the same theme. So we’ve got a problem, and I lived it first hand in our congregation.
Now, let’s be clear. Since 50% of growth by conversion is considered world class, transfers are just going to happen. I’ve been one. Also, there are some advantages to this type of growth. Paul came to Antioch, for example, because Barnabas brought him. An infusion of Christian talent can be exactly what a ministry needs to get on mission.
The key for me, then, is attracting missional transfers, believers who want to live in a way that affords a credible hearing for the gospel in their community.
I want to suggest two factors that can attract missional Christians:
1. Culture: Every pastor knows that musicians are attracted to good music. I believe mission works the same way.
2. Outplacement Specialist: The back cover of every Sunday bulletin in our last church carried a paragraph about Daryl, our Outplacement Specialist. A student at my seminary working on a counseling degree, Daryl was responsible for much of the telephone follow-up for all of our visitors. But we also advertised that he would assist anyone who was not feeling like they fit into our congregation with finding another church more suitable to their preferences. We had some takers.
The existence of an Outplacement Specialist sends a couple of strong cultural messages. One is that we are unapologetic about our identity. Our culture and approach are simply not for everyone. The second message is that we do not view integrating transfers as the core of our mission and are delighted to help them find another church.
For discussion:
1. Should every church advertise the services of an “Outplacement Specialist”?
2. Transfer growth takes a beating all the time. Is it really as bad as many observers claim? Does it have benefits we overlook too often?
The last congregation that Jan and I pastored is located in a Midwestern city that serves as the home of our denomination’s national headquarters and several of our colleges. With large pools of believers (including thousands of Christian college students) in town, we faced the possibility of investing years of our lives filling seats with Christians who used to have a seat in someone else’s building. This seemed like a grim prospect for a couple reasons...
Comments
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Tye Male on Mon, December 11, 2006
Question #1 - I would prefer to be so missional and be so absolutely clear about our mission that one visit would be all that is needed. I’m sitting at Panera this morning and I feel quite positive that if I were to try and order a taco they would say “no.”
Question #2 - is transfer growth bad? Transfers often bring baggage. That is why is it absolutely critical that your entry point establishes for transfers your mission, vision, and values. (and to think you ised to be able to transfer your membership by “coming forward and signing a card.”
Pastor Bill on Mon, December 11, 2006
Friends
Outplacement specialists, kangaroo christians, sheep stealers…...., the church has become a big business. One wonders how the early church ever survived without all these great programs…...
Truthfully, are we getting to the point where the sheep as well as the pastor need to sign a “pre-nup” before assuming membership or any other activity in the church?
I once read something about the Holy Spirit in the Bible (any translation will do) and what His position is in all we do for the Lord.
What next - the sinners prayer “Lord I accept you as Savior and Lord, but if I don’t like all you offer, I will leave and expect You to return all that was taken from me full value plus interest! AMEN.
We best all remember 2 Chronicles 7:14, for it is interesting the the outside world believes we are a christian nation (small letter on purpose), yet look at the malls and public parks on Sunday morning and Wednesday/Thursday evenings…......Sometimes I believe Jesus is lookiing across the Nation’s Capital and saying the same thing He did to His Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37.
Wendi on Mon, December 11, 2006
Pastor Bill,
With all due respect, I don’t think that the concept of an outplacement specialist precluded the work of the Holy Spirit. As I understand it, this is a person who is a specialist, much like a youth minister or a choir director (positions you may well have at your church). This specialist would have a passion to minister to people who join the church from another (rather than joins as a previously unchurched). This person is deeply committed to the unique mission of his/her church and wants such newcomers to have a full understanding so that they can jump in and join the team. Of . . . determine that this is the wrong team before they and the church expend time, resources and energy trying to make something work that isn’t going to.
Nor do I think that the suggestion of such a ministry implies a church would encourage people to place their own terms on a relationship with Jesus. Indeed, it could encourage a more sold out and fully surrendered commitment to Jesus. It says to people, “This is what it means to follow Jesus in this place, care more about others than yourself . . . especially others who are still far from God. No personal agenda’s allowed. We love and care for one another, but we’re also working on this mission together, but the “this” we’re talking about is influencing the community outside our walls. If that isn’t how you want to follow Jesus, than this church isn’t the place for you.”
Not that it has anything to do with this thread . . . but I doubt if Jesus is looking over the nation’s capital with tears like those He shed over Jerusalem. This because He never suggested that any nation should be a “Christian nation” and never lived as though He had any intent to establish His kingdom through a particular government . . . rather His plan was quite the opposite.
Wendi
Leonard on Mon, December 11, 2006
Transfer growth happens no matter what. People are spiritual nomads in this culture. The “Outplacement Specialist” OS is a role a well trained group of people could play. We target people. I do not know who sits behind the door of most houses in my ministry area. I know what surveys tell me, but not much more. I know that on any given Sunday 5% are in a bible believing church church. So we target people. In the targeting of people we are seeking to build relationships with others not in light of their church attendance but in light of God’s love for them. This is what it means for us to be kingdom minded.
People who transfer into our church rarely stay, people who come in by invitation of a friend (still by far the most effective way to reach people) often find themselves staying, connecting, service and bringing another friend. BTW, we give people an opportunity to respond to Christ in regards to salvation every week. Nearly every week someone does.
Wendi, while I appreciate what you are saying about the term “accept Christ” I think we can make an argument for “accepting Christ” from scripture. I believe your point is that we cannot get bogged down by prescriptive demands for engaging in a relationship with Christ. (correct me if I am wrong.) But within the terms of relationships, for example, bride groom there is an acceptance required. Just because the exact verbiage is missing does not mean the issue of accepting Christ is not biblical.
Much of what we see in the book of Acts is descriptive not prescriptive, meaning that while we can learn about the church greatly, it is not necessarily a manual on doing church in America, the 21st century or even planting a church in my neighborhood. I am not saying I cannot or do not use the book of acts, I am saying because the term accept Christ is not there, is not reason to void the term.
Oliver on Mon, December 11, 2006
yes pastor bill! what you say really resonates. thats what i think also. i think jesus and the early church would be shocked if they came in and saw what passes for church today. i think it is a betrayal of the very definition of church. the early church didn’t have programs, our church ‘culture’ today has to change drastically. we have become acclamated and comfortable with what we see around us. we are like the frog in the boiling kettle. I know i have to keep my anger in check, but i love the church too much and i hate to see it ruined by what people are doing to it. the last thing we need is another specialist of any kind!
Jan on Mon, December 11, 2006
I agree Lenonard. I think it’s nit picky (sorry Wendi) to debate the Christianeze phrase “accept Jesus”. We all know what we mean. I wouldn’t necessarily use the same terminology when discussing making a life decision with an individual. But I understood what was meant.
Anyway, we don’t give invitations (another one of those terms!) every week, but we do it often.
We didn’t for the first year and a half at our church, but then one day, realized that though some may not be reached through an upfront invite, others are. And we’ve seen response, especially among the elderly.
Most churches are targeting a younger audience, but there are still lost seniors. And it has been interesting to note that our new believers who are older have been the most excited about it. One lady has been bringing a new friend just about every week. And these aren’t old people that are coming to church with her. They are all ages, yesterday a 25 year old. So, I think it would be a shame not to give an invitation, because we think that that’s yesterday’s culture.
And I think in the right setting younger people respond as well. We’ve found that going back in that direction has added vibrancy to our ministry and challenged those who had been putting off the moment, to go for it.
Transfer growth will always happen. But I do think we have seen a shift in our society due to the consumerism we live with every day, and Christians are church shopping and hopping more frequently than in past decades. Some of the reasons for leaving churches are so petty. I think we have a lot of immmature believers who think church is there for them and have no desire or inclination to serve the Lord.
Curt on Mon, December 11, 2006
An outplacement key contact is a great idea, I could have used it. I have two experiences of changing churches for “non” geographic reasons. It is not an easy task to discern if you are to grow where you are planted, or discern if you are not growing because of where you are planted. Equally important is to insure that the individual attempting to transfer in has resolved issues prior to leaving their former church. As a church leader it is valuable to respond to this question “What are the people like here?” by responding “What were the people like where you came from?” In my case, both churches have loving, caring, deeply committed people. Does God call parishioners to a new place for His reasons? I believe so. Attempts to communicate this with my Senior Pastor were met with frustration on both sides. An objective third party, if given latitude by the Church Board, might have been able to define the best solution for all without being too heavily invested in any specific outcome other than continued spiritual growth.
Wendi on Mon, December 11, 2006
Jan and Leonard,
I agree with both of you. I responded as I did to Harold because I sensed (correct me if I’m wrong Harold) he was implying that any church which did not invite people to “accept Christ” through a weekly Sunday morning alter call was not calling people into a relationship with Jesus, and not inviting the “unholy” to join “the holy.” For many, conversion is a long process without a clear and definitive conversion experience. For many others there is a moment in time when the HS gets through and they absolutely need to make a public statement and pray the “sinner’s prayer.” I think we could easily make a case for “accepting Christ” through scripture. Phillip and the Ethiopian come to mind. There are many others. Yet, I think we could make a case for long (and painful) process conversion w/ out any “accept Christ” moment. The disciples for example. When exactly did they become Christ followers. It may have been the day they decided to leave everything, but it’s pretty clear that they had practically no idea at the time what that decision meant or would come to mean. So I want to be part of a church that offers many different types of entry opportunities to a relationship with Jesus.
And if I’m reading Harold correctly, I guess I also responded as I did because, while I like invigorating discussions with differences of opinion about innovative ideas (I even had some dissenting opinions about the idea), I tire of comments that automatically accuse a new idea of compromising the “old fashioned” (read: right) way of doing ministry.
Wendi
Jim Lamb on Mon, December 11, 2006
When I first moved to Oregon one of the pastor’s I met told me that if I stayed long enough I would probably see just about every church attender in the town. After spending just over 5 years there what really happen was a group from a church would get upset with a pastor at a church and whatever number of them would move over to another church, usually one that was just trying to get going. That would get that church going. It seemed like most of the time the move was about control. The group moving couldn’t get the control they wanted in the old church, but the new church pastor was so glad to see the growth he or she was willing to give more control in decision making or whatever to this new group. Most of the transfer growth I saw was from new folks moving into the area. We happen to be a Baptist church and there were 3 in town, so the folks would usually check out all three and then decide on one or the other.
I always looked at transfer growth as God providing. It seemed like everytime we had someone who was on board with the vision and was plugged in they would move. I used to tell people we are going to miss you and you were a key part of our team, but God will provide and He will use you at your new church just like he used you here. I would say that because of what you’ve learned here and done here you are now equipped to help someone else at a new place. Also God will send someone else to fill the void you will be leaving. I always felt this was God’s deal. His plan was perfect & he needed this person or these people somewhere else in the Kingdom, but He would send someone to replace them.
Regarding a out placement specialist. When I first looked at it I thought why not? This tells people you have a KIngdom building mindset instead of a inward empire building mindset. As I thought about it I came to the conclusion that just providing an information sheet might be enough. In other words here’s a bio on each church in town available at the information table. I would rather use the person who was going to be the specialist in another area of ministry in the church or community.
Adelantopastor on Mon, December 11, 2006
Don’t like the idea of an outplacement specialist, but it does mean that we would have to care more about peoples relationship with God then them joining our church. Pastors swallow your pride and if poeple don’t fit in your vision, give them freedom to leave and do it quickly. Who needs one mote unhappy person in the pews?
Oliver on Mon, December 11, 2006
several people keep mentioning “fitting a vision” it sounds like “its my way or the highway” mentality. it sounds like get with the program or hit the road jack, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out. the vision shouldn’t change from church to church! jesus already gave it to us! i would just challenge everyone to ask themselve is what you are doing in your church truly God’s vision, or have we been building our own personal kingdom? if you are talking about more hype, corporate marketing, the latest ‘innovations’ (discredited fads), and more and more programs, people should be sick of that shallowness. Have we bought into the “Barna” circus and the warren wannabe’s? Let get a hawiaian shirt on and be cool so people will come to our cool church! meanwhile we discard centuries of doctrine and church history down the toilet. we have dragged the bottom of the barrel of ideas to try to stuff everyone into our pews, we compete church after church to try to outdo each other to pack em in. when will we learn that this is nothing more than a passing, empty, superficial attempt to mask our spiritually bankrupt, spiritually corrupt, morally difficient, theologically void, consumer driven, entertainment soaked, brain dead churches!
Peter Hamm on Mon, December 11, 2006
Oliver writes “the early church didn’t have programs”. I disagree. The early church had different people in different giftings serving in their gifting, according to their SHAPE, I believe. There were deacons (the serving of widows was DEFINITELY a “program”) and pastors and evangelists and people with gifts of hospitality. Our “programs” match people with those gifts to ministries where they can serve.
Then you write “i would just challenge everyone to ask themselve is what you are doing in your church truly God’s vision, or have we been building our own personal kingdom?” I am not building my own personal kingdom. I am in the middle of an exchange with a member who left here recently because he didn’t agree with our ministry philosophy and some of the things we say and the ways we say them. What am I doing about it? I am bending over backward to try and help him as much as I can to be successful in building the Kingdom in the church he’s going to… another church in our town that is starting a more “contemporary” service. We are, here at our church, all about Kingdom building.
Lastly, you write… “when will we learn that this is nothing more than a passing, empty, superficial attempt to mask our spiritually bankrupt, spiritually corrupt, morally difficient, theologically void, consumer driven, entertainment soaked, brain dead churches!” If you can’t say something in kindness (love is kind, remember) please refrain from saying it at all. That comment was really too much. But I suspect the blog owner here is going to shut you down soon, since you don’t seem to want to comment on the things we are talking about here.
Oliver, with all due respect, I don’t think MMI is the place for you. We talk about doing innovative ministry to today’s culture, and you seem very negative on anything but the home church movement. There may be a blog out there that would make sense for you to comment on, but I’m feeling like this ain’t it.
God bless you!
Peter
Earl Creps on Mon, December 11, 2006
So do I hear some of us saying that MMI needs an Outplacement Specialist?
Leonard on Mon, December 11, 2006
Olivers email is not even accurate. I think we just post around him till he gets outplaced.
Peter Hamm on Mon, December 11, 2006
Earl,
That is jsut the funniest thing! I nominate YOU!
Leonard, perhaps you’re right! (I find myself wondering if Oliver’s middle name is Ricky, or perhaps Ricky’s middle name was Oliver…)
http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/wink.gif
Smile everybody! God is good all the time!
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