The Characteristics of a Purpose Driven Congregation by Rick Warren
Does your church qualify for a 2006 Church Health Award?
Over the past three decades, I've seen Purpose Driven principles transform congregations such as the ones honored with Church Health Awards.
These churches understand the importance of maintaining a balance between the five biblical purposes of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and missions, and they embrace Purpose Driven characteristics not only to grow in numbers, but also, more importantly, to grow in health.
That's why, through these awards, we emphasize balance, health, and strength over size or shape. There is no correlation between the size and strength of a church.
Being Purpose Driven is not about size; it's about being biblical and eternal. There are Purpose Driven churches all around the world in more than 100 countries and in more than 100 denominations or associations.
There's a huge variety among these churches. Some are post-modern; others are charismatic, multi-sensory, ethnic, language-based, liturgical, traditional, contemporary, or country; others are aimed toward singles, surfers, or prisoners. These churches are found in rural areas, small towns, suburbs, urban areas, and inner cities.
Some of these congregations don't even have a seeker service; instead they do evangelism in some other way, understanding that being Purpose Driven is about seeking the lost and then helping them grow into balanced believers in Christ.
As I've thought about it over the years, here are some of the critical characteristics of Purpose Driven churches:
They have a purpose statement that describes (in their own words) their commitment to building the church around the five New Testament purposes: worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, and ministry.
They use a Purpose Driven strategy to fulfill their purpose statement. While using a variety of terms, a Purpose Driven strategy brings people to Christ and into membership in his family, then builds them up to maturity, then equips them for ministry in the church, and then sends them out on a life mission in the world in order to bring glory to God.
The Purpose Driven strategy is based on two vital assumptions: People grow best when you allow them to make gradual commitments, and you must ask for commitment in specific ways, such as using covenants.
They organize around a Purpose Driven structure, which ensures balance and gives equal emphasis to all five New Testament purposes. Purpose Driven churches are team-based, rather than hierarchical. They organize around purpose-based teams (at least five-one for each purpose) composed of lay leaders and staff, with each team responsible for a specific purpose and target group (such as the community, the crowd, the congregation, the committed, and the core).
They program by purpose: They have at least one program for fulfilling each of the five purposes and each of the corresponding constituencies. They evangelize the community, gather the crowd for worship, fellowship in the congregation, disciple the committed, and equip the core for ministry and mission.
They staff by purpose: Every purpose has its own champion. Purpose Driven churches begin by finding volunteers to lead and serve on each purpose-based team, and they develop full-time, paid positions as needed.
The pastor preaches by purpose: Messages and series are planned to ensure that the congregation receives a balanced emphasis on each of the purposes.
They form small groups on purpose Purpose Driven DNA is implanted in every cell (group) of the congregation. Each small group helps the members fulfill each of the five purposes in their lives. The goal is to help every believer live a purpose driven life.
They calendar by purpose: The purposes are the determining factor in deciding what events are scheduled. Every event must fulfill at least one of the five purposes or it isn't approved.
They budget on purpose: Every expenditure is categorized by the purpose to which it relates.
They build by purpose: Buildings are seen as ministry tools, not monuments. They must serve the purposes and never become more important than the purposes.
They evaluate by purpose: These congregations regularly ask, "Are we balancing all five purposes? Is there a better way to fulfill each purpose?"
http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/...key_principles_to_unite_your_congregation.htm
[Edited on 11-14-2005 by Robin]
Does your church qualify for a 2006 Church Health Award?
Over the past three decades, I've seen Purpose Driven principles transform congregations such as the ones honored with Church Health Awards.
These churches understand the importance of maintaining a balance between the five biblical purposes of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and missions, and they embrace Purpose Driven characteristics not only to grow in numbers, but also, more importantly, to grow in health.
That's why, through these awards, we emphasize balance, health, and strength over size or shape. There is no correlation between the size and strength of a church.
Being Purpose Driven is not about size; it's about being biblical and eternal. There are Purpose Driven churches all around the world in more than 100 countries and in more than 100 denominations or associations.
There's a huge variety among these churches. Some are post-modern; others are charismatic, multi-sensory, ethnic, language-based, liturgical, traditional, contemporary, or country; others are aimed toward singles, surfers, or prisoners. These churches are found in rural areas, small towns, suburbs, urban areas, and inner cities.
Some of these congregations don't even have a seeker service; instead they do evangelism in some other way, understanding that being Purpose Driven is about seeking the lost and then helping them grow into balanced believers in Christ.
As I've thought about it over the years, here are some of the critical characteristics of Purpose Driven churches:
They have a purpose statement that describes (in their own words) their commitment to building the church around the five New Testament purposes: worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, and ministry.
They use a Purpose Driven strategy to fulfill their purpose statement. While using a variety of terms, a Purpose Driven strategy brings people to Christ and into membership in his family, then builds them up to maturity, then equips them for ministry in the church, and then sends them out on a life mission in the world in order to bring glory to God.
The Purpose Driven strategy is based on two vital assumptions: People grow best when you allow them to make gradual commitments, and you must ask for commitment in specific ways, such as using covenants.
They organize around a Purpose Driven structure, which ensures balance and gives equal emphasis to all five New Testament purposes. Purpose Driven churches are team-based, rather than hierarchical. They organize around purpose-based teams (at least five-one for each purpose) composed of lay leaders and staff, with each team responsible for a specific purpose and target group (such as the community, the crowd, the congregation, the committed, and the core).
They program by purpose: They have at least one program for fulfilling each of the five purposes and each of the corresponding constituencies. They evangelize the community, gather the crowd for worship, fellowship in the congregation, disciple the committed, and equip the core for ministry and mission.
They staff by purpose: Every purpose has its own champion. Purpose Driven churches begin by finding volunteers to lead and serve on each purpose-based team, and they develop full-time, paid positions as needed.
The pastor preaches by purpose: Messages and series are planned to ensure that the congregation receives a balanced emphasis on each of the purposes.
They form small groups on purpose Purpose Driven DNA is implanted in every cell (group) of the congregation. Each small group helps the members fulfill each of the five purposes in their lives. The goal is to help every believer live a purpose driven life.
They calendar by purpose: The purposes are the determining factor in deciding what events are scheduled. Every event must fulfill at least one of the five purposes or it isn't approved.
They budget on purpose: Every expenditure is categorized by the purpose to which it relates.
They build by purpose: Buildings are seen as ministry tools, not monuments. They must serve the purposes and never become more important than the purposes.
They evaluate by purpose: These congregations regularly ask, "Are we balancing all five purposes? Is there a better way to fulfill each purpose?"
http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/...key_principles_to_unite_your_congregation.htm
[Edited on 11-14-2005 by Robin]