By Jayne Ryan Kuroiwa, DisciplesWorld contributing writer

 

INDIANAPOLIS (1/10/06) — For some church folks, transforming Disciples churches may sound like an exercise in discouragement. Not for DHM's Jane Lawrence, whose vitality and passion about leading the team effort to turn around Disciples churches is unmistakable.

 

Lawrence, executive vice president of Disciples Home Missions (DHM), has been immersed in preparations for the groundbreaking churchwide conference on revitalization, “Journeying the Good News Road,” planned for later this month.

 

What began as a DHM event to resource regional congregational transformation teams has shifted course and now promises to bring together those teams, individuals adept at revitalization methods, and perplexed congregational leaders looking for advice on how to stem decline and embrace transformative change.

 

That combination of cohorts may seem as unlikely as Dorothy, the Tin Man, Lion and Scarecrow from Wizard of Oz fame, but then the journey ahead will depend on linking arms and utilizing every individual's special gift.

 

Asked why the goal of transforming existing congregations was the last piece of former General Minister and President Dick Hamm's “2020 Vision” to be taken up by the wider church, Lawrence was quick to list multiple reasons that make the effort of revitalizing 1,000 Disciples of Christ congregations by the year 2020 a daunting effort.

 

Reason number one: “It's so difficult!” Lawrence exclaimed.

 

Transformation efforts are not quick to come by. George Bullard, nationally known consultant in the field of revitalizing congregations, has stated it may take a good seven years for a transformation effort to come to fruition. Even then, his research shows, the vast majority, around 75%, fail.

 

Lawrence senses the denomination's task of transforming churches has been slowed by seeking a consensus on how to identify churches that have embraced substantive change.

 

“How do you identify transformed congregations? I prefer calling them 'transforming,' not 'transformed.' It's a journey that never really ends,” she said.

 

Lawrence also spoke of the psycho-social difficulties in embracing transforming congregations as part of the Disciples' 2020 Vision. You can't get at the agenda of revitalization without admitting “we're dying,” she pointed out, and it's easier to focus on the positive vision of starting new congregations than to do the reality check of assessment and transformational change.

 

Finally, transformation makes high demands of the congregations who need it most. Churches in decline are often in survival mode, Lawrence explained. Their systems show signs of depression, lethargy and lack of self esteem. They may lack the financial means to enact lasting change, and the leaders who are knowledgeable and experienced at bringing about change.

 

During the Jan. 18-20 event, participants will create much of the conference themselves, from sharing what brought them to the event, to networking in interest groups, to creating a Tool Room of ideas and advice on such methods as Natural Church Development, the Lazarus Project, and the Center for Parish Development. A bookstore and participants' resource notebook will ensure many of the good ideas make it home.

 

Keynote speakers will present a variety of insights into the challenges of leading turn-around congregations. Hamm will meet congregational anxiety with good-natured humor as he asks, “What do you mean Ch-ch-ch-change?” Christian Board of Publication's Pablo Jimenez will explore “What Happens When the Church is on the Sidelines?” Rick Lowery, Old Testament professor at Phillips Theological Seminary, will lead Bible study throughout the event. General Minister and President Sharon Watkins will address the conference, and Alan Roxburgh of the Missional Leadership Institute of Vancouver, British Columbia and author of Crossing the Bridge will focus on how to assess readiness for congregational change, how to weather the stress of change, and how to achieve congregational spiritual transformation.

 

Last minute registrations are still open for “Journeying the Good News Road,” being held at the Wyndham Hotel in Arlington, Texas. For registration details follow the “Journey” links at www.homelandministries.org or www.disciples.org.