'Catching a New Vision'

Workshop Seeks God's Will
by Patti Dando Haaheim

“Where there is no vision, the people perish”
– Proverbs 29:18 NIV

This old adage from Proverbs is the premise on which a new weekend workshop “Catching a New Vision” is offered for revitalization of our churches through Congregational Church Development (CCD). In every age the church has needed to redefine its mission and come to a new understanding of its vision in the context of its time and culture. At the start of this new millennium, our National Association of Congregational Christian Churches churches are no different. George Barna, one of today’s gurus of church growth and development, has said “Vision for ministry is a reflection of what God wants to accomplish through you and your church to build up the Kingdom of God”, and further that “each church has been called into existence to reach a different group of people and have a unique influence on the culture in which it ministers.” It seems that many of today’s churches are struggling to find their fit and to feel purposeful in today’s scheme of things…thus the cry for help in revitalization.

It is the intention of this Workshop to help a church re-evaluate its purpose and vision in order to reclaim its gifts and ministries for God. In a weekend setting, members of a local church are encouraged to gather to pray, to study, to listen and to seek what God is leading them to do. The author has put together this retreat to determine where God is leading the church.

We as NACCC churches cannot just hope and wait for good things to happen and revival to come to us. We can claim the promise of Jeremiah who gives us God’s words: “for surely I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare and not harm, to give you a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11), but then we are called to action. And the first action toward revitalization is a commitment to work on moving ahead. It’s crucial to follow a vision that’s God’s and uniquely yours but to do so requires work, guidance, prayer and time.

The time starts with this new beginning, a weekend set aside at your church with people committed to come and participate. Immediately upon making this decision, prayers will begin for God to enter into this process. Guidance comes in many forms – from the history of the church and its present mission, to study of the Word for new inspiration, to a discovering of spiritual gifts found within the Body, to worship and celebration in thanksgiving for what God is doing. It is time to be part of this work and to expect great things for our churches and their futures.

Every church is unique; every church is called by God with its own vision and purpose. In the NACCC we have wonderful churches with terrific people that God wants to use in mighty ways; the key seems to be to unleash each one’s potential and to build up the base of trust that God is at work with us.
 

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	Members of Duluth Congregational Church “felt energized and positive about our future” after participating in the church revitalization workshop.
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The author, who has extensive experience, will gladly help facilitate the process. After a weekend with me as a retreat leader at Duluth Congregational Church, the people had these things to say:

“We feel energized and positive about our future …”

“This was an extraordinary experience revealing not only awareness of our church, but of ourselves …”

“As Congregationalists, we are empowered individually but need astute leadership and motivation, thank you for yours …”

“Thank you for a well-designed, prepared and delivered church retreat. You have helped us think much more deeply about our mission (purpose) and what we need to accomplish (vision). You also helped us be more determined and committed to make a difference in our ministries…”

Your local church can make plans to have this workshop, “Catching a New Vision for Church Revitalization”, become part of your goals this year—

• First, make a commitment with the pastor and lay leaders to participate together.

• Make a decision to schedule the event (usually about 2-3 months in advance) on your church calendar

• Call or email Ruth Mahnke in the NACCC Office (1-800-262-1620 or rmahnke@naccc.org) with possible dates.

• You will then receive a packet of information and a phone call from Rev. Haaheim with confirmation, and the wheels will begin to turn.

• Costs for such a weekend include expenses for the facilitator (travel and meals) and an honorarium of $500 (which is a small fee in comparison to other national consultants).  This can be offset by scholarship money available through the CCD so that no church is left out due to finances. 

For any specific concerns or requests, I can also be reached at 952-432-4408.

Typically, the format for the weekend workshop includes a Friday night session, all-day Saturday with lunch and possibly dinner, a time in Worship on Sunday morning followed by a Celebration Lunch/Brunch. Childcare should be provided so that everyone can participate.

This workshop is for every church in all situations for it is individually tailored to the needs and requests of the local church. For a church that feels it is in trouble, it can help with a new start, for a church that wants to make major changes, it can help with clarity and discernment, and for a church that is active and thriving, it can help to bring more people on board. At CCD, we believe this is one way that we can reach out and help our local churches. So start the process. Make a decision to have an all-church retreat and call Ruth Mahnke at the office to schedule this workshop with me. “Catching a New Vision” applies to all of us in our National Association. 

The Rev. Patti Dando Haaheim, member of the NACCC Executive Committee, developed the “New Vision” workshop in cooperation with the Congregational Church Development Division.
 

From The Congregationalist February 2001