ASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY RELATIONALLY CONSULTING LEAD PASTORS OF ESTABLISHED SUBURBAN CONGREGATIONS: CLARIFYING DIRECTION AS A CATALYST TO RELAUNCH THE CHURCH A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DOCTOR OF MINISTRY COMMITTEE IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF MINISTRY DOCTOR OF MINISTRY DEPARTMENT BY TROY H. JONES RENTON, WASHINGTON MAY 2015 Copyright © 2015 by Troy H. Jones All rights reserved iii CONTENTS CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................. iv ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. ix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .........................................................................................................x LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................. xiii Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1 The Context ..........................................................................................................................1 The Problem .........................................................................................................................5 The Purpose .........................................................................................................................6 Definition of Terms..............................................................................................................6 Description of the Proposed Project ....................................................................................7 Scope of the Project .......................................................................................................7 Phases of the Project ......................................................................................................9 Research .................................................................................................................. 9 Planning ................................................................................................................ 11 Implementation ..................................................................................................... 12 Evaluation ............................................................................................................. 12 Writing .................................................................................................................. 13 Chapter 2: BIBLICAL-THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE REVIEW......................................14 Introduction ........................................................................................................................14 A Theology of the Outward-focused Church: Rooted in the Nature of God .....................15 The Kingdom of God: God’s Expansive Nature..........................................................16 iv The Notion of Blessing ......................................................................................... 17 The Fall of Humankind ......................................................................................... 20 The Tower of Babel .............................................................................................. 21 Abrahamic Covenant ............................................................................................ 24 The Incarnation of Christ: God’s Redemptive Nature .................................................27 Rooted in Old Testament ...................................................................................... 28 The Incarnation of Christ ...................................................................................... 30 The Sacrifice of Christ .......................................................................................... 32 The Redemptive Church ....................................................................................... 33 The Sending of the Spirit: God’s Empowering Nature ................................................35 Israel’s Leaders Empowered ................................................................................. 36 Jesus Empowered .................................................................................................. 38 The Empowered Church ....................................................................................... 40 A Theology of Fresh Eyes: The Need for New Perspective ..............................................42 Moses and Jethro: A Pentateuch Model for Fresh Eyes ..............................................44 Exodus 18: Moses and Jethro ............................................................................... 44 The Formation of the Nation of Israel .................................................................. 46 Esther and Mordecai: A Historical Model for Fresh Eyes ...........................................47 Simon Peter the Apostle: A First-century Church Model for Fresh Eyes ...................51 Simon Peter and Cornelius’s House (Acts 10-11) ................................................ 53 The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) .......................................................................... 54 Paul the Apostle: An Outsider Model for Fresh Eyes ..................................................56 The First Missionary and Church Planter (Acts 13) ............................................. 57 Paul Confronts Peter (Galatians 2:11-16) ............................................................. 59 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................61 v Chapter 3: GENERAL LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................62 Introduction ........................................................................................................................62 Relaunch Metaphor ............................................................................................................64 Assessment: Facing Congregational Realities ...................................................................66 Asking Questions .........................................................................................................67 Deceptively Healthy.....................................................................................................69 Fresh Eyes ....................................................................................................................77 Clarity: Defining Clear and Compelling Direction ............................................................79 Mission Clarity.............................................................................................................81 Vision Clarity ...............................................................................................................83 Culture Clarity .............................................................................................................86 Momentum: Creating a Culture of Catalytic Change ........................................................92 Courage: Going From Ideals to Actions ......................................................................93 Short-term Wins: The Remodeling Phase....................................................................96 Momentum: The Tipping Point ...................................................................................99 Focus on Mission-critical Changes ..................................................................... 101 Create Well-defined and Time-bound Strategic Initiatives ................................ 104 Stop Tinkering with Change—Lead It. ............................................................... 106 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................107 Chapter 4: DESCRIPTION OF FIELD PROJECT ...............................................................108 Preparation of the Project.................................................................................................108 Selection of Pastors ....................................................................................................108 Clarification of Strategic Initiatives ...........................................................................111 Preparation of Project Logistics .................................................................................112 Execution of the Project ...................................................................................................113 vi Execution of Relational Consultations.......................................................................113 Execution of Relaunch Cohorts .................................................................................114 Execution of Intentional Networking and Sharing Resources ...................................116 Results of the Project .......................................................................................................117 Quantitative Results ...................................................................................................117 Qualitative Results .....................................................................................................119 Tangible Ministry Results ..........................................................................................119 Clarity of Vision ........................................................................................................120