Let’s Move the Church Forward Together!
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Every Church Deserves 3 Types of Leaders
The Leadership Stool
The image of the stool is powerful. When we are missing a leg, it is difficult to keep our balance.
PASTORAL LEADERSHIP
Pastors do a lot of things: they preach, teach, visit, organize. But at the heart of their work is the ability to “equip the saints [the church] for the work of ministry” (see Ephesians 4).
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Organizational leaders have the ability two do two things. First, they align the work flow, ministries and missions of the church to the goals of the church. Second, the have the ability to help their people make hard decisions.
LOCAL MISSION LEADERSHIP
Local mission leaders have the ability to help their congregations reach the masses, serve needs that arise, invite individuals into fellowship groups, and welcome people into a vibrant life of faith in the Christian community.
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Are you looking for a customized leadership model that works for your church?
Call or Text Matt: 330-230-7752FEATURED TRAINING
Prayer Lab: Participating in God’s Inner Conversation
“Matt eased my fears by letting me know I don’t have to impress anyone with my prayers.”
“The best part of the day was when Matt told me that Jesus takes my imperfect prayers and changes them to perfect prayers, then offers them to God.”
“Others should participate because when it’s over you feel so confident and at ease saying a prayer out loud.”
“I loved that we tried different ways to practice saying prayers. It was helpful, and not overwhelming.”
“I learned that others have the same fears about praying out loud as I do! Knowing others feel what I feel is comforting. They are trying to overcome the same feelings as me! Many of the methods or ways to overcome fear were helpful!”
“Matt stretched us in incremental and well planned ways, in a very short time.”
“This was a very good learning experience on how to design and create prayers. It helped me feel closer to God and those who were there.”
“I loved when we I felt confident enough to pray for someone else’s concern.”
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Christendom is dying,
but the Church is about to THRIVE!Feel stuck as a church? Have you tried these three steps? Getting started is easy. Name the reality that Christian influence and power is about to cease in the West. For more information, read Matt’s article in the Presbyterian Outlook.
The Power of Naming
1. The Power of Naming
Like a doctor who does not tell a patient they have cancer, Christian leaders fall short when they do not clearly state that Christendom is coming to an end. Without honest communication about our state of being, the church can not move forward to more fully embrace God’s near Kingdom of healing, wholeness, assurance, forgiveness, and salvation.
Discussion Questions
2. The Power of Grieving
After having several honest conversations about the death of Christendom, it is time to help our people grieve the loss of the church that we once knew. As we mourn, it is important to remember that Christendom, established by the Roman Emperor Constantine, is not the church. In fact, as Christendom falls, we have the opportunity to reclaim the church in more powerful ways.
Discussion Questions
3. The Power of Empowerment
After naming the state of our churches, and providing opportunities to lament what we have lost, it is time for the church to reform.
We will reform as we learn what it means to proclaim the good news of God as expressed by Jesus, “The Kingdom of God is at hand…” During this transition we will more fully learn and experience what it means to live into God’s near Kingdom which is characterized by healing, wholeness, assurance, forgiveness, and salvation. Discussion QuestionsTraining for the Reformation
It is no secret that the church is fully entering into a seismic Reformation as Christendom falls. This is good news! However, there is a dire need to shed old routines and embrace the mission of the church in more substantial ways.
The following trainings are essential, and will help us get started. Ask how you can host these trainings in your region. Each offering can be tailored to your need as 1/2 day or whole day events.PRESENCE
Help leaders of your church learn the practice and art of providing spiritual care. This is not the job of a pastor alone. It is the responsibility of the whole church.
EXPLORE
Local church leaders need to understand the DNA of their congregation and their larger community.
This workshop will help your people explore what makes your church and larger community unique. From this knowledge, you can better provide options that will bless Christ’s ministry among you.NEAR
Jesus proclaims that “God’s Kingdom has come near.” During this training, explore how God’s Kingdom embraces the struggles and needs of your specific and local context.
BLESSED
God has uniquely blessed each follower of Jesus to serve at the intersection of their spiritual gifts, passions, and community needs. In this training, provide an opportunity for your people to connect with God’s call.
ALIGN
As churches, we often spend time spinning plates from yesteryear. God bless us!
When we blindly follow the past, we often miss the center of what God is doing in the moment. In this workshop, learn to realign your efforts to the specific ministries of Jesus.ACTION
As presbyterians we have a lot of room to grow in matters of activation. We are skilled at thinking and dreaming. But we do not often know how to put plans into meaningful action.
In this gathering, learn how to build consensus, bring people along, and get moving.ELDERS and WORSHIP
More and more of our churches are returning to a time when there is less and less pastoral leadership.
The elders are the spiritual leaders of a local congregation. Over a series of classes, empower your elders to lead worship without a pastor. Today is the day to get start eldering.COMMUNITY
One sign of health within a local congregation is learning how to be in community together. This means that we help one another grow, gently guide one another, share open and honest communication, and name unhealthy behavior. If you have ever heard a phrase like, “I am leaving the church if…,” you need this training.
SESSIONING
In most congregations, our sessions are organizers of church work and events. There is a time and place for this. But the spiritual leaders of a congregation are called to so much more!
In this workshop, learn how to reframe, restructure, and rework what you do at session meetings. Chances are, session meetings can be so much more life-giving than what you currently experience.PRAYER LAB
Do you have leaders in your congregation who are afraid to lead spontaneous prayer? You are not alone!
This is a common fear for many people. In this 3 hour workshop help move your leaders from apprehension and fear to comfort and skilled!
Key Articles by Matt
It’s time to rethink Calvin’s definition of “true church”
While Word and Sacrament are essential, they cannot be our lowest common denominator for ministry expectations. Instead, learn from Jesus’ ministry in Mark 1, or help to develop your own robust ministry expectations.
Beyond Word and sacrament
The power of naming
Without naming issues, humans have no hope of moving past their struggles. As a 21st century western church, we have to name that our influence and position in the world has drastically changed in the past decades.
The Death of Christendom
Theology of leadership during crisis
When we waded into the pandemic, we had to prepare ourselves to lead through a crisis. Well, COVID-19 is not our only challenge. Need some tips on leadership? You will benefit from this!
Theology of leadershipInside-Out Faith
Jesus goes to people and so did the early church.
Instead of asking where all of the people have gone, our churches will be more faithful to ask: where is Jesus going? Living in community with those who are outside of our bounds is the setting of God’s good news and the context of discipleship.Get in Touch
PO Box 1479
Ashland, OH 44805
Na Yang, Administrator: (330) 230-7751
Terri Bate, Mission Development: (330) 403-6910
Matt Skolnik, General Presbyter: (330) 230-7752