“Where do you sense God’s presence in the church?”
“Where do you sense God calling us to go in the future?”
These are the two vital questions renowned author and consultant Anthony B. Robinson asks church members to ask themselves as he helps them turn things around. They key is listening far and wide for the voice of the Holy Spirit.
I first heard about Anthony’s work when I read his terrific book, Changing the Conversation which led me to his popular blog. Anthony’s intellectual gifts combined with his passion for healthy congregations have made him one of my favorite mentors, in this interview you’ll see why.
Watch the Full Program
Rather Listen? Click here for the Mp3.
Synopsis
One of Almighty’s habits seems to be accomplishing big things through seemingly insignificant vehicles. Anthony Robinson says we must prepare to be surprised and expect the unexpected. This can only happen through intentional and continual listening. Here are my notes from the interview:
Cultivate Good Followership
Many people feel once the pastor’s hired, the flock can finally hand over the work. However, there are certain attributes good followers need to cultivate for a congregation to remain healthy. Ministry ultimately belongs to the church.
We Don’t Survive by Focusing on Survival
When a congregation’s mission is simply to live another day it is bound to fail. What sparks survival and growth is keen focus on who God has called us to be and how we’re working to get there.
The Listening Circle
As a listening tool, Anthony frequently uses the ‘Mix-Max’ system of mixing very different people (age, length of membership, ethnicity, gender, etc.) to get a maximum of variety in asking the question: ‘where do you sense the Spirit’s move in the congregation today?’
About Anthony Robinson
Tony is an ordained Minister of the United Church of Christ, who has served four congregations. In his present ministry he travels throughout North America as a speaker, teacher, preacher, consultant and coach serving congregations and their leaders. Tony is also the author of ten books, the most recent Stewardship for Vital Congregations (The Pilgrim Press, 2011). He is currently at work on his next book on The Pastoral Epistles and Pastoral Leadership, to be published in 2012 by Eerdmans. He is also a frequent contributor to various magazines and journals, including The Christian Century, Congregations, and Journal for Preachers. He also writes regularly for several on-line sites including Crosscut.comand Faith and Leadershipat Duke Divinity School.
Books Anthony Recommends:
Thieves in the Temple – G. Jeffrey MacDonald
Becoming the Pastor You Hope to Be – Barbara J. Blodgett
Nurturing Spiritual Depth – Janice Jean Springer
