BIRTH DEATH

Congregational Life CycleCongregational Life Cycle

The Congregational Life CycleThe Congregational Life Cycle

GROWTH DECLINE

STABILITY

BIRTH DEATH

Four Organizing PrinciplesFour Organizing Principles

VISION VISION

RELATIONSHIPS RELATIONSHIPS

PROGRAM PROGRAM

MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT

First Principle: VISIONFirst Principle: VISION

Vision is the current understanding of God’s direction for a congregation that is cast by leadership and owned by everyone in the parish. Vision reflects the core values of the congregation.

Vision is the fuel or energy that will drive the congregation into the future with hope and a sense of potency.

Second Principle: RELATIONSHIPSecond Principle: RELATIONSHIP

How the parish attracts new people into the Christian faith journey, helps current parishioners deepen and mature in their faith journey and nurtures relationships within the church community.

Evidence of effective relationship experience is an ever-deepening spirituality, widespread ownership of parish activities and developing new leadership.

Third Principle: PROGRAMThird Principle: PROGRAM

Programs, ministries and activities embody the vision of the church and reflect the gifts and vocations of parishioners.

Effective programs meet real, identified spiritual, social and emotional needs of people in the neighborhood as well as the church community. Evidence of effective programs is that the church is known for the excellence of its programs, ministries and activities.

Fourth Principle: ManagementFourth Principle: Management

Management are those systems that facilitate orderly decision-making, the allocation of resources, integrates new developments and establishes boundaries.

Effective management is efficient, well defined and supports the vision, relationships and programs of the church. Effective management is accountable to the congregation as well as the larger church.

Role of Organizing Principle and Life CycleRole of Organizing Principle and Life Cycle

BIRTH

Vrpm

DEATH

m

Childhood

VrPm

Adolescence

VRPm

Adulthood

VRPM

Maturity

vRPM

Empty Nest

vRpM

Retirement

vrPM

Old Age

vrpM

Infancy

VRpm

Shift in Motivating CriteriaShift in Motivating Criteria

BIRTH

Vrpm

DEATH

m

Childhood

VrPm

Adolescence

VRPm

Adulthood

VRPM

Maturity

vRPM

Empty Nest

vRpM

Retirement

vrPM

Old Age

vrpM

Infancy

VRpm

Vision and Relationships Program and Management

 Compiled for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Oakland

by Michal Anne Pepper, Ph.D.with materials from

George Bullard, D.Min.Lake Hickory Learning Communities

andOffice of Congregational Development

The Episcopal Church Center