Presbytery of Western New York
Congregational Transformation Ministry Team
St. Columban Center
Paul Nixon, Consultant
March 5-7, 2009

Lunch, March 6, 2009

• Church planting is a result of experiencing God that drives a a congregation to “a new edge” to engage with the community.
• Spiritual development brings people to the place where things happen.
• Leaders can create an environment through practice of spiritual discernment where the congregation can hear the call.
• Good example of resources for spiritual development:  the Methodist Church’s “Disciple Bible Study.”
• Isolation of churches is a #1 danger.  We/they need each other.
• Recommended for adult education programs:  The Thoughtful Christian.
• A new or redeveloped church addresses different or new people.
• Mainline denominations cannot be sustained without adding new churches as well as revitalizing existing ones.
• New churches will help other churches.  They do not “take from” them.
• Suburban churches can serve as anchor churches for inner-city churches.
• We need a theology that is larger than a congregation.  (This is how the world is transformed.)
• Congregations “catch the spirit” of the minister.
• It’s hard for a congregation to be mission-minded when they are in fear.  Something similar to a 12-step program might help.
• In seeking models to reach the unchurched, pay attention to non-denominational churches.  They do understand felt needs.  People want spirituality without loaded baggage.
• Play an airport lobby game:  Can I imagine these people in my church?  Then, imagine a type of congregation in which they would fit. 

Respectfully submitted,
Janita K. Byars