ADAPT Session 6

Leadership Development, Simplified Structure & Accountability

Shift: From Tradition to Transformative

Session Time: 90-120 minutes

Preparation:

Read chapters seven and nine

Have participants sign in on the attendance sheet

Loving: 20 minutes

Prayer

Scripture Focus: Hebrews 13:7, Ephesians 4:12, & Romans 14:12

Hebrews 13:7 – remember leaders who first taught the word of God; trust God as they do

Ephesians 4:12 – APEST equip people to do God’s work and build up the church

Romans 14:12 – everyone will give God a personal account for our lives

Accountability Check-In

Review Group Covenant as needed

Homework complete?

Report on action step from last session

Learning: 60-80 minutes

Topic Introduction: 20-30 minutes

In this session we will focus on leadership development, simplifying structure and accountability. It is important to have an intentional process to identify and equip both today’s leaders and well as the next generation of leaders. Simplify how decisions are made in order to expedite the opportunity for effective, fruitful ministry. Accountability is key and CAN be done in church. Be permission giving with healthy boundaries. If leaders aren’t looking out for the mission, who is?

Observations from the book and facilitator notes: Chapters 7 and 9

Chapter 7

  • “Only very recently have we considered lay leadership development.” (p. 77) And shame on us for neglecting that important aspect of being the church.
  • Considering that time is a key factor for people in lay leadership, we need to simplify our leadership system and make it more effective
  • Accountable leadership combines responsibility and authority in an encouraging relationship

Chapter 9

  • Because of the time it takes to make decisions in the church, sometimes the decisions become irrelevant by the time they come.
  • Churches often fail to hold people or ministries accountable for results.
  • “… the accountable leadership model is when the board governs, the pastor leads, the staff manage, and the laity and teams are involved in hands-on ministry.” (p. 102)
  • Core values keep decisions aligned with mission and vision
  • Accountable leadership – different agenda not based on reporting, but on mission and the “big picture” work of the church

Ask the group what they learned from their reading assignment. Is there a case study from the reading that relates to your current situation? If so, ask the group to discuss this.

Discussion and Discovery: 20-30 minutes

Group Questions – Chapter 7

  1. How does one go about becoming a leader in your congregation?
  2. What are the responsibilities of leadership in your congregation?
  3. What is the process used by your nominations committee to fill committee positions each year?
  4. What is your budget for leadership development?
  5. Who is a leader you admire and why?

Group Questions – Chapter 9

  1. What is the process in your church for making decisions?
  2. What are the criteria for making the decisions?
  3. Who makes the decisions in you church? Is it working well? Why or why not?
  4. Who is accountable to Christ for the mission? Who is accountable for the accomplishments of the goals?
  5. Share a time when an opportunity for ministry was missed because the decision-making process was too cumbersome or time-consuming.

Video: 5 minutes

Play the video provided for Session 6.

Shift Analysis: Tradition to Transformative

Ask each participant to complete the provided analysis worksheet. Compare one another perspective on their analysis. What prompted their score? What would it take to move the church to a higher score?

Leading: 10-20 minutes

Key questions:

  • Where are examples in your church of people who have important responsibilities with limited authority to fulfill their roles?
  • Who are the ultimate “authorities” (official or unofficial) in your church? How are they helping or hindering ministry?
  • What are you doing to make the most of your leaders’ time invested in the church and not waste their time with unproductive meetings and training?
  • Where do you see evidence of people in your church being afraid to make decisions?

Key Learning

What is the key insight for our church in its current context?

What do we need to remember to help us move forward?

Action Steps

There are no action steps to take as a group at this time. However, take some time to focus on what God may be calling you to develop or do in your personal life.

Homework

Read Chapter Eight

Assign Group Leader, assign devotion and prayer leaders for next session

Closing Prayer

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