Summary

In this episode, Danielle and Derek discuss their personal summer experiences, the transition of their church from a growth model to a discipleship-focused model, and introduce new segments for the podcast. They outline 11 pivotal shifts every church must consider in today's changing landscape, emphasizing the importance of practical discipleship and community engagement. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in church contexts, exploring both its potential benefits and challenges.

Takeaways

• The church is transitioning from a growth model to a discipleship-focused model.
• Personal experiences during summer can inform community engagement.
• Defining discipleship locally is crucial for effective ministry.
• AI can be a helpful tool in church leadership and content creation.
• The importance of practical training in church settings is emphasized.
• Community accountability is vital for spiritual growth.
• The church must adapt to cultural changes to remain relevant.
• Engagement with technology should be thoughtful and intentional.
• Discipleship can be simplified to helping others take their next step toward Jesus.
• The church's purpose should be clearly defined and communicated.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and New Beginnings
02:39 Summer Reflections and Personal Updates
05:42 Transitioning Church Models
11:46 Introducing New Segments and Themes
16:37 Reinventing Church: The 11 Shifts
23:30 Behind the Curtain: Real-Time Church Experiences
36:23 Exploring AI in Church Contexts

This special audio-only bonus episode of 'Reinventing Church' features Danielle, Derek, and Aaron discussing the critical components of their church's vision frame for the staff and broader community. They delve into the mission, values, strategy, and measures that guide their ministry, all aimed at aligning with their 'Awake the Lake' 10-year vision. The episode outlines the mission of following Jesus and living out God's story every day, the core values that drive their decisions, the four-part strategy for discipleship, and the specific measures used to gauge success. The speakers emphasize the importance of each staff member and churchgoer understanding and embodying these ideas to achieve their vision of mobilizing 30,000 people by 2035 to bring gospel influence into everyday life.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode

00:55 Vision Frame Overview

05:05 Mission: What Are We Doing?

07:47 Values: Why Are We Doing It This Way?

10:57 Strategy: How Are We Doing It?

13:19 Measures: When Are We Successful?

15:11 Vision Proper: Where Is God Taking Us?

16:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Derek and Danielle reflect on six lessons they've learned this season as they transition from a church growth model to a missional multiplication model.

For full show notes, visit: https://dereksanford.com/reinventingchurch