Authentic Episcopal Expressions of Discipleship The Episcopal W ay Happy are the people whose strength is in you whose hearts are set on the pilgrims way Psalm 844 The further the church strays from its core the weaker it becomes Lets get back to the Way ID: 802953
Download The PPT/PDF document "Episcopalians on the way:" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Slide2Episcopalians on the way: Authentic Episcopal Expressions of Discipleship: The Episcopal Way
Happy are the people whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the pilgrim’s way. Psalm 84:4
Slide3The further the church strays from its core the weaker it becomes. Let’s get back to the Way!-Michael Curry
Slide4Introduction
Slide5Slide6Cartooning is preaching. And I think we have a right to do some preaching. I hate shallow humor. I hate shallow religious humor… I hate shallowness of any kind.-Charles M. Schulz
Slide7Slide8A
vision for RenewalWorks: To make spiritual growth a priorityTo build cultures of discipleship in our congregations
Slide9AKA
The Great Conversation
Slide10Slide11Scripture reflection:For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of
life.-Ephesians 2:8-10
Slide12Questions that promptedRenewalWorks, questions the wider church seems to be asking.
Slide13Are we a club for the elite who pretend to have arrived or a school for disciples who are
still on the way?Brian McLaren, Finding Our Way
Slide14There is no such thing as a stationary Christian. A stationary Christian is sick in his (or her) identity. A Christian is meant to walk. To move.-Pope Francis
Slide15Background on RenewalWorks: What can we learn about what causes spiritual growth?
Slide16More than a de
cade of researchOver 450,000 congregants, 13,000 EpiscopaliansOver 1,700 churches, 15 countries. Close to 300 Episcopal congregationsCensus profile: geography, type & church sizeDenominations represent 68%
Slide17Through the Eyes of Parishioners
What are characteristics of growing churches?
What drives spiritual growth in an individual?
Strategic questions
Slide18Does more church activity mean more spiritual growth?
Slide19What does seem to matter?Relationship with God
and neighbor.(discipleship = relationship)17
Slide20Spir
Spiritual Growth Continuum
Slide21It’s all about the arrows.
Slide22Spiritual growth?
Slide23Spiritual growth?When in your life have you experienced it?What caused that to happen?When in your life has it eluded you?
What caused that to happen?
Slide24The relational dimension of spiritual growth
Jesus said: The first commandment is this: Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other greater commandment than these.Mark 12:29-31
Slide25What we’re learning about the Episcopal Church
Slide26Episcopal respondents:Close to 350 congregations, 13,000+ parishioners47% of churches under 250 parishioners, a lot much smaller75% over 50 years old.
60% income of 75k or higher54% in church longer than 10 years
Slide27Episcopal respondents:14% reflect daily on scripturePrayer shifts in content across continuum42% never met with clergy individually48% never talked with a spiritual mentor
46% serve those in need once a month or more
Slide28Episcopal respondents:60% want the church the help them develop a deeper relationship with God in Christ57% indicate desire to be challenged to grow and take next steps spiritually42% extremely/very satisfied with way church helps develop a relationship with God in Christ
Slide29Emerging Implications
There is a distinctive and pervasive Episcopal cultureNot particularly high expectations for growth or change. Commitment to spiritual beliefs and practices relatively low.Serving is huge leverage point: Need
to ground/connect to beliefs, scripture,
practices
Change
will not be quick nor
easy
;
Need
a multi-year path
Slide3030
Looks at:1. Church’s role2. Personal Spiritual Practices3. ServiceSpiritual Vitality Index
Slide31Average
1%3 Primary Archetypes Define Participating Episcopal Churches
Slide32Spir
Spiritual Growth Continuum
Slide33It’s all about the arrows.
Slide34The Best Practice Principles
Slide351. The leader’s heart2. Get people moving3. Embed scripture4. Create ownership
5. Pastor the community
Slide36Tune in tomorrow.
Slide37Slide38If you come here,
you will grow.