REPORT 11A
Director of Healthy Church Ministries
Pat Jones | Director of Healthy Church Ministries | Download PDF
This report covers my activities and observations since the 2007 National Conference.
I want to begin by expressing how great a privilege it has been to serve with Bishop Ron Ramsey over the past four years. His passion and singular focus have been inspiring. Our hearts have been one during these years and it has been a fun ride.
Summary
The following is a quick summary of the major events I have participated in during this biennium.
Summer/Fall, 2007:
- Conducted 7 Regional Training events.
- Spoke for a leadership training event at a local church.
- Spoke for a men’s retreat at Camp Living Waters (Luther, Mich.).
- Conducted a church consultation at Fowlerville, Mich.
Winter/Spring, 2008
- Led three regional Bishop’s gatherings.
- Led a consultation at Mongul Church, Shippensburg, Pa.
- Spoke seven times at retreats, training events, and churches.
- Attended the Presidential Symposium at Huntington University.
- Led an ordination service for the Bishop.
- Attended two major conferences, Hit the Bullseye and Drive.
- Assisted with several interviews or board interventions at churches.
Summer/Fall, 2008
- Conducted consultations at Crestview (Lafayette, Ind.), Union Chapel (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Pleasant Hill (Greencastle, Pa.), and Kilpatrick (Woodland, Mich.).
- Spoke for the Canadian National Conference.
- Spoke at 14 different churches in various regions.
- Did training for nine churches.
- Facilitated six regional meetings.
- Participated in a number of meetings regarding two church withdrawals, and other board matters at local churches.
Winter/Spring, 2009
- Conducted consultations at three Ohio churches: Findlay First (Findlay), Franklin (New Albany), and The Rock (Findlay).
- Attended a preaching conference in Houston, Texas.
- Attended board of trustee meetings for Huntington University.
- Spoke at a church planters’ retreat in Orlando, Fla.
- Did training at six churches.
- Spoke at three churches.
- Attended the Youth Summit in Daytona Beach, Fla.
- Participated in interviews and luncheon events for Huntington University.
- Made a final visit to our churches in the Northwest, Arizona, and Kansas.
In addition....
- I facilitated a cluster in the Columbus area for the past year and a half.
- I participated in all the regular meetings of the Executive Leadership Team, the Huntington University Board Development Committee, the Huntington Board of Trustees, and staff meetings at Healthy Ministry Resources.
- I did monthly coaching of the pastors whose churches we consulted.
Observations
Church Health
During the quadrennial period (2005-2009), we conducted 13 consultations. All 13 churches show signs of transformation and/or growth. We continue to work with some to address growth inhibitors. Currently, seven of them are still being coached.
A significant number of our churches moved to the governance approach for leading the church. Some did this on their own and we assisted others. I have heard very positive comments about this in each situation.
I believe our investment in churches and pastors toward the end of fulfilling the Great Commission has been fruitful. More of our churches are seeking that goal than before. There have been more converts reported over the past two years than in recent years.
Two Key Issues
Two key issues, if addressed, could radically change all of our churches and open new doors for church multiplication.
The first is prayerlessness in our churches. There are programs, strategies, statements, and fellowships. But there is little evidence of prayer having a prominent place in the heart and mindset of many of our churches. There are so many biblical prompts to pray. Yet we don’t pray.
The second is the need for corporate mentoring. We have allowed the voices and attitudes of a few to obscure the yearnings of a number of people in our churches. There are some stuck, negative, controlling people and churches. But there are also many who simply do not know how to change because they have never seen anything else than what they are experiencing right now.
If we could have healthy churches willing to look beyond themselves to regionally mentor other churches who desire to change and grow, it would benefit the whole. This approach would also multiply the growth process with less stress on the Bishop and greater effectiveness for the church.
Conclusion
It is with great humility that I commend all of our cluster leaders. They have provided us with a very necessary connection. I cannot say enough about their dedication to the task and how we are at a better place because of them.
Additionally, I am thankful for the support and friendships that I have enjoyed with the entire team at Healthy Ministry Resources.
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Jones
Director of Healthy Church Ministries