The Eight Church Ministry Styles and the Nature of Conflict in the PCA

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The Eight Church Ministry Stylesand the Nature
of Conflict in the PCA

• Rocky Mountain Presbytery Presentation
• April 25, 2008

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Thesis

• Description of eight distinct ministry styles
  among PCA Churches reveals the true nature of
  conflicts that arise.

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• To get at the fundamental issues underlying our
  conflicts, we have to examine the roots.
  
• More often conflicts are over differences in
  ministry style rather than differences in
  theology.

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INTRODUCTION

• As personality differs from one person to
  another, so ministry styles differ from one
  church to another.
• Ministry Style is a churchs
  ethos, culture, and
  behavioral traits.

Where personality is located
The Human Brain
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The Body's DNA

• It is the DNA of the
  churchs body that
  
• Enables it to act and
  serve as it does.

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• By definition, a churchs personality and its
  unique ministry style do not involve
  right and wrong, good and evil.
• Its the difference between being right-handed
• and left-handed.

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Church Personality is its Ministry Style

• The church personality points to the
  most productive
  ministry path
• as a church engages
  in its mission.

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Six Elements that Define a Church
The Ignored Factor
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• A churchs unique ministry style is apparent to
  people when they

Experience your Educational Style
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Your Ministry Style is the Way You Conduct
Small Group Bible Studies
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Your Ministry Style is the Way You Conduct
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A Churchs Ministry Style

• Identifies your churchs primary
• Communication style,
• Means of handling change,
• Decision making process,
• Outreach/assimilation strategies
• Approach to conflict
  resolution.

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Creative, Artistic Outgoing
Friendship Family Traditional
Study of 74 Churches
Orderly Hierarchical Established
Cutting Edge, Outward Faced, Risk Taking
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1
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Creative, Artistic Outgoing
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Study of 74 Churches
Friendship Family Traditional
Orderly Hierarchical Established
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Cutting Edge, Outward Faced, Risk Taking
1
1
13
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Rocky Mt. Presb.
Jim B., Rex C.
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Don R., Rick V., Bryan C., Jeff H., Norm K.,
E.J., Andrew Z., Steve C., Jimmy
Jim U., Evan H., Steve B.
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Jason B., Rick F.
Structured Flexible
Kevin A., Steve S., Scott M., Rich W., Colin
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• Worship Styles
• According to
• Church Personality

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Five Worship Styles

• I. High Church
• II Middle Worship
• HighMiddle
• MiddleMiddle
• LowerMiddle
• III. Low Church

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I. High Church Worship

• Very formal, liturgically oriented, uses
  responsive readings and traditional music
  composed before 1900.
• Minimal use of informal
  comments made by this
  pastor in the midst of
  worship.

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The Church Personality Wheel
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II. Middle Worship Ministry

• A. High Middle
• Dresses formally in a robe and vestments
• Pastor makes more comments during worship
• He is less liturgical
• Makes use of creeds,
  confessions, formal
  hymns.

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The Church Personality Wheel
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B. Middle / Middle

• Non-liturgical in style yet still somewhat
  formal,
• Uses hymns and gospel music,
• Has an informal leadership style,
  
• Uses expressions of humor.

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The Church Personality Wheel
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Normal Church Size
Large
Smaller
Small
Large
Structured Flexible
Large
Medium
Medium to Large
Large
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C. Low Middle

• Likes hymns and Scripture songs,
• Uses flexible order of worship,
• Dresses informally,
• Fosters a loose relational
  environment.

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The Church Personality Wheel
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III. Low Church Worship

• Does not publish an order of worship,
• Encourages congregational spontaneity,
• Uses scripture songs and
  choruses that can reach high
  noise level,
• Encourages hand clapping,
• Dresses very informally.

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The Church Personality Wheel
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Ministry Leadership Style

• Hersey, P. and Blanchard, K. H, Leadership and
  the One Minute Manager, William Morrow, 1999.

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• Telling/Directing strong, benevolent dictator
• High task focus, lower relationship focus.
• The leader takes a highly directive role, telling
  people what to do but without as much concern for
  the relationship.
• The leader will also provide
  a structure, both for
  the ministry
  to be accomplished
  and for how the people are
  managed.

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The Church Personality Wheel
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• Selling/CoachingA Winsome Persuader.
• High task focus, high relationship focus.
• The leader listens and then helps the
  people develop necessary
  skills through coaching
  methods.

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The Church Personality Wheel
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• "Participating/Supporting
• Low task focus, high relationship focus. The
  Leader sits as an equal and leads the group to
  consensus
• Finds out why people are not participating and
  persuades them to cooperate.
• The leader listens, encourages
  by pointing to the blessings
  when people
  demonstrate the
  necessary commitment.

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The Church Personality Wheel
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• "Delegatinga Light-Handed Grip on the Reins
  Good for Mature Groups.
• Low task focus, low relationship focus
• When the people can do the job and are motivated
  to do it, the leader can basically leave them to
  it.
• People have less need for
  encouragement, although it
  is always welcome.

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The Church Personality Wheel
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Outreach Styles According to the Churchs
Personality
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Corollary

• When we understand a church churchs primary
  ministry style
• then we know in advance which outreach
  initiatives will be most
  fruitful for that church.

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LAbri Style Artistry and Music, Crisis, Mercy
Ministry, Kindness, Creativity, Life Change
Outreach, Community Ministries, Contemporary
Worship
Optimal Means of Outreach

• Side Door
• Counseling
• 12 Step,
• Small Groups,
• Mentoring,
• Oikos
• Relational
• Ministries,
• Kinship,
• Traditional Holiday Services,
• Friendship Sunday,
• Visitation
• Social Events

• Front Door
• Preaching
• Teaching,
• Christian
• Education,
• Large
• Organizations,
• Apologetics,
• Traditional Holiday Services,
• Tried and True Methods,
• Traditional Worship

Big Events Church Planting, International
Missions, New and Innovative, Sports Outreach,
Creative Worship
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Missouri Presbytery Church Planters
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7 PCA Church Plants, 1 Worship Site in St. Louis
2002 to 2007, 1 Plant in 2008
Grace
New City
Newport
Covenant
Old Orchard
Twin Oaks
Providence
Concord
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Programming by Ministry Style
Service Opportunities
Membership Classes
Structured Programming
S Structured F Flexible
Small Groups
Vision Casting
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• Personal and Church
• Temptations and Suspicions by Ministry Style

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Suspicious of
Personal Church Temptations by Ministry Style
Temptation to
Liberalism
Inward Faced
Dead Orthodoxy
Business Orientation
Situational Ethics
Irresponsibility
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Temptations
ADDICTION RECKLESSNESS
SENSUALITY DEBT
DISCRIMINATION CONTROL
CONSUMERISM SELFISHNESS
S Structured F Flexible
PEOPLE PLEASING CONFLICT AVOIDANCE
COMPETITIVENESS ARROGANCE
ANXIETY FEAR OF REJECTION
AMBITION FEAR OF FAILURE
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Programming by Ministry Style
Mercy Ministries
Structured Programming
Structured Programming
S Structured F Flexible
Small Groups
Vision Casting
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The Roots of Conflict Among Different Church
Ministry Styles
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Outreach Magazine 07 Among Top 25 Most Innovative
Friendship Family Traditional
Orderly Hierarchical Established
Cutting Edge, Outward Faced, Risk Taking
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Goals

• Properly express Reformed Theology
• Restore Conservative Presbyterianism
• Cultivate Doctrinally Informed Congregations

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• Reach the Lost on the margins
• Draw more people in more churches
• Transform the Culture
• Oppose oppression
• Reach Gatekeepers of the Culture

Study of 74 Churches
Orderly Hierarchical Established
30 Somethings
Trinity- Charlottesville
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• Organizers with Entrepreneurials
• The Positives
• Both are high-energy churches who enjoy lots of
  interaction with others and also like to juggle
  many projects at once.
• They are great conversationalists and tend to
  think out loud.

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• They are also naturally logical and objective
  about most things, including their relationships.
  
• They can often critique each other constructively
  without feeling attacked.
• Since both types are motivated by achievement,
  they take great pride in their own and other
  church's accomplishments.

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• Organizers are drawn to Entrepreneurials'
  creativity and quick thinking.
• They admire Entrepreneurials' originality,
  flexibility, and optimism, even when confronted
  with formidable obstacles.
• Entrepreneurials appreciate Organizers because
  they seem so stable and in control of their
  lives.

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• Entrepreneurials also respond to Organizers'
  decisiveness and ability to organize and complete
  projects efficiently.
• Because of their differences, Organizers and
  Entrepreneurials, have the opportunity to help
  each other grow and develop in important ways.

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• Organizers help Entrepreneurials get and stay
  organized, so they experience the benefits, of
  actually finishing their inventive projects.
• Entrepreneurials, credit their associates with
  helping them pay closer attention to details and
  do necessary reality checks.

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• For their part, Entrepreneurials encourage
  Organizers to take the long view and focus on
  future implications rather than paying so much
  attention to the moment.
• Many Organizers say that Entrepreneurials help
  them stay open to new ideas and possibilities and
  encourage them to be more spontaneous, so they
  are more fruitful in ministry.

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• The Frustrations
• Organizers tend to be cautious, responsible,
  traditional churches. They find comfort in
  structure and rules and like others to do the
  same.
• They tend to see things in terms of black and
  white, good and bad.

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• By contrast, Entrepreneurials tend to be very
  independent, creative churches who shun
  convention and established ways of doing things.
• Conflicts occur when Organizers voice concern
  rather than support for Entrepreneurials' newest,
  greatest idea.

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• Because creativity and innovation are the
  lifeblood of Entrepreneurials, when Organizers
  insist on pointing out the flaws instead of the
  benefits of an idea, Entrepreneurials feel
  undermined and discouraged.

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• Likewise, when Entrepreneurials act impulsively,
  especially with regard to safety or finances,
  Organizers tend to react angrily at what they see
  as irresponsible behavior.
• Entrepreneurials are often very ambitious and
  drawn to exciting possibilities and uncertain
  ventures.

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• They also change ministry programs frequently
  because they get bored easily.
• This can cause anxiety for Organizers, who are
  much more conservative and believe the adage that
  "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."

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• Because Entrepreneurials are generally very
  confident, they can sometimes communicate an air
  of superiority or even arrogance.
• On the other hand, because Organizers are such
  responsible, take-charge churches, they can come
  across as being bossy and controlling.

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• Organizers tend to make quick decisions, which
  means they stop gathering information much sooner
  than Entrepreneurials do.
• Organizers complain that Entrepreneurial churches
  are indecisive, don't always keep their promises,
  and change plans at the last minute.

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• As a result, Entrepreneurials often feel
  pressured to make a decision before they are
  ready.
• Organizers also prefer their churches to be neat
  and well organized, whereas Entrepreneurials
  prefer a more fluid ministry style, fewer rules,
  and more opportunities to experiment.

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• Organizers and Entrepreneurials are likely to
  struggle with control issues.
• Ironically, both types often feel that the other
  type of church is trying to control them, though
  in different ways..

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• Entrepreneurials complain that Organizers set too
  many rules and limit their freedom.
• Organizers complain that Entrepreneurials bring
  too much chaos into the ministry.
• Finally, since both types of church are so
  naturally logical and objective, neither is
  especially sensitive to, or comfortable dealing
  with, the feelings of the other.

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• While they are direct and honest, they may avoid
  becoming vulnerable and taking the time to really
  explore the root causes of their problems with
  one another.
• Entrepreneurials are generally more comfortable
  expressing their feelings than Organizers, who
  tend to be very private about them. This can
  create tension for both types of churches.

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• How to Serve with Entrepreneurials
• Listen with an open mind and try to be supportive
  of their creative suggestions or ideas.
• Try not to impose more rules or structure than is
  absolutely necessary.
• Plan to be spontaneous. Spend time with them just
  being free to go with the flow.

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• Recognize their many creative solutions to
  problems and compliment them on them.
• Relax and hang out with them. Be willing to leave
  some tasks undone.

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• How to Serve with Organizers
• Demonstrate your appreciation for all the ways
  they make the ministry run smoothly.
• Be sure to follow through with precision on all
  your commitments.
• Respect their need for order and neatness.

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• Watch your tendency to be too critical and
  arrogant with your suggestions. Remember, you
  could be wrong.
• Make sure to consult them before acting on things
  that impact them directly.

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Learning Styles of Eight Church Personalities
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• Organizer/Fellowship Churches favor memorization,
  step by-step presentations.
• Dependable and responsible, they want teaching to
  be realistic and practical. They develop
  effective, no-nonsense study habits.
• Because they seek the right way of doing things,
  SJs like the teacher to sets clear expectations
  and provide specific instructions for
  accomp-lishing required tasks.

Organizer/Fellowship Learning Style
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• Entrepreneurial/Strategizer Churches desire
  com-petency in knowing, understanding,
  explain-ing, predicting and controlling events.
• Lectures that explain ideas, theories, and
  principles help structure their understanding of
  life.
• Logically researched presentations will stimulate
  them, and lead them to complex problem solving
  and discovery through intellectual exploration.

Entrepreneurial/Strategizer Learning Style
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• Relational/Inspirational Churches want to
  discover their unique identity in Christ and a
  significant sense of their calling.
• They thrive in cooper-ative, harmonious,
  personal relationships with peers and teachers in
  order to optimize their learning potential.
• Group discussions, role playing and small-group
  projects help them learn in a friendly and
  personal atmosphere.
• Face-to-face dialogue that focuses on potential
  and possibilities are best.

Relational/Inspirational Learning Style
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• These Churches like freedom to act spontaneously
  without restraint and learn best through
  experience.
• The joy of hands-on, active learning situa-tions
  inspire them and fulfill their need for physical
  involvement in learning.
• Media presentations, dramatic plays and creative
  demonstrations anything but routine
  paper-and-pencil work will engage the SP.

Expressive/Adventurous Learning Style
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• 1 Cor 1219-21 If all were a single member,
  where would the body be? As it is, there are many
  parts, yet one body

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eye
head
ear
smell
I Corinthians 12 parts of the body
hand
internal organs
15 If the foot should say, Because I am not a
hand, I do not belong to the body, that would
not make it any less a part of the body.
ligaments
foot
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head
eye
ear
smell
internal organs
hand?
ligaments
foot?
I Corinthians 12 parts of the body
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• 1 Cor 1219-21 If all were a single member,
  where would the body be? As it is, there are many
  parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the
  hand, I have no need of you.