One of the most common problems ailing churches face is a debilitating mindset to preserve the Institution vs. genuinely caring for people.
Author, consultant, and Leadership Network speaker Reggie McNeal is an icon in the congregational development world. He’s written extensively, in The Present Future, Missional Renaissance and Missional Communities, about the Church’s need to get out of itself and get with God’s mission. So where do plateaued churches begin? Reggie took an hour to explain it to me in this incredibly informative, and often entertaining interview.
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Synopsis
Reggie McNeal is one of God’s gifts to the renewal of the North American church. He sees the Church’s noble mission to bless the world as an extension of God’s mission. We have a bashful church in an altruistic age that we need to get more interested in. Here are my notes from the interview:
The Three Shifts
Reggie says there are three significant shifts declining churches need to address if they are going to turn things around; moving from an institution-centered to a people-centered paradigm, turning from being a program-driven to a people-development framework, and shifting leaders from a church-centric to a kingdom-centric mindset.
Don’t Use the Word ‘Planning’
Reggie says it’s outdated and inaccurate. A better way to approach planning is with the notion of preparation – how do we, as a church, spiritually prepare for what God is doing?
Get Excited About Our Calling
Every day 80,000 people become Christians. We live in a day and time of unparalleled growth, potential and opportunity. It’s an incredible time to be sent – what’s keeping us from going?
About Reggie McNeal
Dr. Reggie McNeal enjoys helping people, leaders, and Christian organizations pursue more intentional lives. He currently serves as the Missional Leadership Specialist for Leadership Network of Dallas, TX. Reggie’s past experience involves over a decade as a denominational executive and leadership development coach. Reggie has lectured or taught as adjunct faculty for multiple seminaries, including Fuller Theological (Pasadena, CA), Southwestern Baptist (Ft. Worth, TX), Golden Gate Baptist (San Francisco, CA), Trinity Divinity School (Deerfield, IL), Columbia International (Columbia, SC), and Seminary of the Southwest (Austin TX), Reggie has contributed to numerous publications and church leadership journals. His books include Revolution in Leadership, A Work of Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders, The Present Future, Practicing Greatness, Get A Life!, and Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church. Reggie’s education includes a B.A. degree from the University of South Carolina and the M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees both from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reggie and his wife Cathy make their home in Columbia, South Carolina.
Books Reggie Recommends
To Transform a City -Eric Swanson and Sam Williams
On the Verge -Dave Ferguson and Al Hirsch
Organic Leadership -Neil Cole
