Nancy wrote: how do I get the Minister to see the need for openness so that the visioning is truly shared and the group does not feel manipulated.

Nancy,

1. Core issue in congregational structure is: does the senior minister set the direction and the congregation follows, or, does the board appoint a minister who will deliver the congregation's needs?

2. If the minister is there to serve the congregation (second option), for the minister to build a vision in isolation from congregant's needs/aspirations is going to lead to friction and dissatisfaction. The danger with the former (charismatic leadership) is that the direction that the minister leads the congregation may not be the direction they want/need to go.

Proposed solution:

3. Run a number of focus groups (minister not involved except as a participant in one focus group - chaired by independent person) with different congregational segments (youth, young married, middle aged, seniors, different ethnic groups, different socio-economic or educational groups, staff and board) to determine:

- areas of satisfaction with congregational performance

- areas of dissatisfaction

- needs not met by the congregation

- explore the congregation's charter/vision/value statement to determine the degree that the congregation delivers its charter

- illicit suggestions as to what changes are needed

4. Run a cross-segment issues workshop that tables the issues identified during the focus group (minister present). Consider the options available to the congregation to reconcile the issues with the charter and available funds and other resources. Develop a vision that addresses the issues and needs.

5. Circulate Workshop-developed vision to all congregants seeking their input. Refine vision. Recirculate. Adopt

Benefits of process:

a. Involves minister

b. Involves congregants

c. Developed vision is product of need

d. Minister can be as visionary as he likes but unless he satisfies the charter and the needs, he will not get support (and this will be blatantly obvious). In so doing, the developed vision will be assessed against real measurable and surfaced needs - not against esoteric, unquantified, charismatically derived personal vision.