Recharge Your Church

Process

Over ten sessions each individual or coaching group learns how to build a growing and reproducing church. Recharge is best experienced as a one-year process with monthly sessions, although individuals can work at their own pace. Each participant reads a list of required books and articles followed by discussion questions and individual reflection.

The goal is to discover and apply principles within your own church context.

You will be asked to select a team of 5-8 people to serve as your Church Leadership Team. Recommended characteristics for this group are:

  1. Growing and maturing Christians who are sensitive to God’s leadership in their lives and aware of church and community needs.
  2. Recognized and/or emerging leaders within the church.
  3. Supportive of pastoral leadership, though not necessarily “yes” people.
  4. In covenant with the team and pastor. This team may struggle with issues, but once a decision is made, all members must enthusiastically support the decision.
  5. Strategic and futuristic thinkers (at least some of them).

Church Leadership Team Job Description

1. Pray for God’s vision.
2. Review the church’s current health.
3. Write mission, vision and core values statements.
4. Develop a strategic plan.
5. Lead the church to implement the plan.
6. Communicate with the church body.
7. Overcome roadblocks as a team.

Equipping Options

Recharge offers a flexible approach that can benefit Pastors, staff teams, church leadership teams, and other key leaders. Each of the ten sessions can be downloaded and completed using the free online resources at MinistryActionPlans.com. Recharge is a process that works for:

  • Individuals
  • 1×1 Accountability Partners 
  • Small Group Cohorts
  • Leadership Teams
  • Associational Leaders
  • Large Group Seminars

Session Topics

The structured course of study follows this outline:

Outcomes

It you give it a full heart and mind effort, here’s what you can expect from the Recharge process:

  • You will have a growing and maturing spiritual life and lead your church to be a growing, multiplying church by reaching out to unchurched people in your community.
  • You will develop fruitful coaching/mentoring relationships and peer learning.
  • In cooperation with the team, you will assess the context and the health of your congregation.
  • You will learn to recognize potential conflict in the church and develop strategies to lead effectively through it.
  • You will develop leadership and team building skills to lead your church to become an Acts 1:8 church.
  • You and your team will write core values, develop a powerful vision and implement effective strategic plans to achieve the church’s vision.
  • You and your team will develop strong accountability relationships.
  • Team members will pray for and encourage each other.
  • You and your team will complete the “Vital Signs of a Healthy Church” Assessment at the beginning of the Recharge process. You can also have additional church members complete the assessment if you wish. We encourage you to evaluate results with a second assessment after the strategic plan has been implemented.

To Do Items

If you’re ready to get started, here’s a starting point for your effort. You’ll need to make a small investment in the six books on our reading list and in a MissionInsite Profile for your community. All other materials are available as a free download from our site. Get the ball rolling with this checklist:

  • Print the Recharge material for yourself and your group (if applicable). You can also order spiral bound copies here for $30 (our cost for printing).
  • Order the six books on the Recharge Reading List (see below). Use this Amazon List to order paperback versions of each book.
  • Order a MissionInsite Profile for your community. The ExecutiveInsite Report costs $195.00 and is a detailed report that integrates narrative analysis with data tables and graphs. In this 16-page report, you’ll get a big picture overview of the key trends in your community through 12 essential insights.
  • Prepare to recruit a Church Leadership Team to assist in the strategic planning process.
  • Prepare to complete the “Vital Signs of a Healthy Church” Assessment.
  • Complete the Group Covenant (if applicable).
recharge_materials
Reading List

Group Covenants

The best way to use Recharge is with a group—for encouraging accountability, personal growth, outside insights and beneficial discussion.

Take the initiative in forming a group by reaching out to other pastors or church leaders. Better yet, form a coaching group in partnership with your local association or Director of Missions. Recharge works well with a group of 7-10 pastors meeting monthly over a 10-month period. Starting in August or January is always good, but Recharge can start at any time.

Each group can decide on the best day and time for monthly meetings. Often, groups meet over lunch or dinner to build relationships and group chemistry. It’s a good idea to use a group covenant with any option beyond one person.

Group Covenant

I covenant with my coaching team to:
1. Make each meeting a priority in my schedule.
2. Complete assigned reading.
3. Complete required prep between meetings.
4. Protect the coaching team by keeping Recharge meeting discussions confidential.