Dave Weiss' B&C

B. Study Focus

How/why did the group select this focus?
Through this study we hope to learn new ways to lead our churches into a missional focus that is both internal and external, exhibiting both aspects of the great commission: going into the “world” and making disciples. In other words we are seeking to lead our congregants to grow in Christ and that through those relationships they would impact the world around them for Christ. The first step in this process, may well be to increase our understanding of what it means to be a missional pastor and leader, modeling the concept in our own lives for our congregations. If we are successful in this study, the result should be better churches impacting our communities for Christ and a hopeful byproduct would be growth both internally and externally. Another byproduct will be gathered information that we can share with our brothers and sisters in ministry on how to become more missional to their communities.

What issues in your ministries led to your critical question?
As the pastor of a small, new church, growth is a necessity. I have been blessed to see many members of the congregation grow into new ministries, leaving their “comfort zones” to do the work of ministry that needs to be done. This has been good for them and for the church. However, the group is becoming very close knit and while this can also be a very good thing, there is a very real possibility of becoming “impenetrable.” This will impede our mission. I am a bivocational pastor whose time resources are being stretched just to maintain the status quo. Short of major growth, I will remain bivocational and the status quo may be all we get. That is not what I feel God is calling us to do. We are in a fairly affluent community but one with a lot of problems that needs strong churches rising up to make a difference and be the body of Christ.

What assumptions do your ministries bring to your critical question?


How does the ministry context of each cohort member relate to the study focus?
In the contest of my small, two year old church plant, becoming missional to our community is essential to our survival as a congregation. I find myself with the luxury of having nearly every member of the church committed to this, mainly because it was the one thing all the members of the core group were desiring when we set out to do this work. The congregation is willing, but we need to learn how to do what we are setting out to do more effectively if we want to survive and thrive.









c. Learning Objectives.

At the end of the program, the following are my objectives:

1. To identify the needs of the community the questions that they are asking and to lead my congregation to meet those needs, answering those questions and then reach the people in the community (especially within the “postmodern” generation) with the gospel of Christ;

2. To create “real world,” effective ways of making disciples in the context of my community;

3. To lead the people in my congregation to see their community as their single greatest mission field;

4. To establish my congregation as a shining light in my community; a place of healing, comfort, learning, worship, and yes, even fun. To create a church facility that is part community center, part hospital, and a hub for action in meeting the needs of the people in our community, where people can learn to be disciples and use ALL their gifts and talents to the glory of God. The church should be a force for good in the community not just a place to “hang out” on Sunday mornings;

5. To design and implement a mentorship programs that will foster intergenerational relationships and understanding among the congregation.