Answers to Your Questionshttp://cornerstoneblog.squarespace.com/answers/en-US2008-08-20T19:30:32ZSquarespace Site Server v5.0.0 (http://www.squarespace.com/)How can a church change the first time guest perception that our church is not personable because of our size? (800+ members)http://cornerstoneblog.squarespace.com/answers/2007/5/21/how-can-a-church-change-the-first-time-guest-perception-that-our-church-is-not-personable-because-of-our-size-800-members.htmlEditor2007-05-21T18:03:24Z]]>Is it acceptable or wise to be considering property and a building while still honing the “code”?http://cornerstoneblog.squarespace.com/answers/2007/5/21/is-it-acceptable-or-wise-to-be-considering-property-and-a-building-while-still-honing-the-code.htmlDWW2007-05-21T17:58:28ZGeneral"Code"(who we are....our DNA) and "Calling" (where we believe God is calling us) should guide and influence everything we do. "Code" and "Calling" influence the type of ministries we pursue, staffing we develop, and of course facilities we should consider to support those activities. Buying property or designing buildings without clarity of both “Code” and “Calling” is analogous to beginning a vacation without a clear destination…..resulting in the risk of backtracking, wrong destinations, frustration, and hesitation.

Ed Bahler, Aspen Group

www.aspengroup.com 

]]>Several questions were asked regarding Stewardshiphttp://cornerstoneblog.squarespace.com/answers/2007/3/19/several-questions-were-asked-regarding-stewardship.htmlEditor2007-03-19T17:25:27ZStewardshipPlease visit the Discussion section entitled Sucessful Stewardship Campaign for the questions and answers provided by the speaker,Pat Cummins of RSI.  www.viscern.com  

]]>How can small churches use what we heard today?http://cornerstoneblog.squarespace.com/answers/2007/3/16/how-can-small-churches-use-what-we-heard-today.htmlEditor2007-03-16T21:56:38ZGeneralFull question: we are a small church of 70 members and can utilize some of what we hear today. I'm curious as to how many here are under 100, how many 100-300, how many 300+ are represented here today.

Response: The average weekend attendance of the churches represented at the conference was as follows:

Avg. Attendance

# of Churches

0-100 

      3

100-200

    13

200-500

    19

500-1000

      4

1000+

      3

We are often asked how a small church can apply the examples that seem to be from larger congregations. Our encouragement is to look at the examples as demonstrating “transferable principles” that can be “scaled” up or down.

Consider an example of connecting space, like at Living Water Community or Vineyard Urbana (www.aspengroup.com/ProjectLibrary.asp). Even if you don’t have enough space for an area this size, you could ask, “where could we create space where people could relax and spend time together?” Perhaps you could carve out part of your lobby for a cluster of furniture. Or convert a classroom to a gathering area.

The point is that the principles are universal – it’s all about people whether you’re talking 100 or 1000 – so “steal” what you can from the creativity of others, whether larger or smaller than you, and see where it leads!

]]>With so much info, where does one begin?http://cornerstoneblog.squarespace.com/answers/2007/3/13/with-so-much-info-where-does-one-begin.htmlEditor2007-03-13T12:27:47ZProcessOther related questions:

1) Does Aspen coordinate all phases of a building project: vision casting, fundraising, communication venues, etc?

2) What is the quickest way to get started? If you have just begun talking about this, what is the most important step to begin?

Response: we realize the day can be a bit overwhelming and feel like you’ve been drinking from a fire hose! The conference is meant to do three things:

  • Inform (that’s all the information you had presented to you – much of it from original research as well as many years of experience on the part of the presenters)
  • Introduce (there were many people there who will be helpful to you as you move through this process)
  • Inspire (by God’s grace you can do this! And it can be a blessing to you and your church body!).

That said, yes we at Aspen can help coordinate the various phases of your project. Some of these things we offer as direct services, and some, like fundraising, we coordinate with industry experts in the various fields.

It’s very important to start by selecting an internal team who will lead the process. I would be happy to expand on the principles shared in the Selecting the Team presentation if you would like to contact me at beisenmann@aspengroup.com. Very early in the process you will want to select external partners who can assist you in the various phases of visioning, feasibility, architecture and construction.

We at Aspen would welcome the opportunity to connect with your team to explore how we can best be of assistance. You can start by contacting any one of us from Aspen but specifically, for Indianapolis and the surrounding area: Lynn Cobb at lcobb@aspengroup.com and for Illinois and Northwest Indiana: Yolanda Fields at yfields@aspengroup.com.

Brad Eisenmann, Aspen Group. www.aspengroup.com

]]>Is the Seller or Buyer of a property obligated to reveal "issues" with the site?http://cornerstoneblog.squarespace.com/answers/2007/3/12/is-the-seller-or-buyer-of-a-property-obligated-to-reveal-issues-with-the-site.htmlEditor2007-03-12T22:14:42ZGeneralFull Question: Is the seller or buyer of a property obligated to reveal/uncover soil conditions, environmental status (Phase I & II), flood prone areas, underground tanks, underground obstructions, etc.?

Response: This is a really an issue best answered in full by your legal counsel.  That said, per John Mayer, civil engineer with Engineering Resource Associates, the Property Right to Know Act established the regulations where the Seller needs to notify them of any issues. So, yes there are regulations that cover this issue. But regulations alone don't cover the question.

If you are asking the question as a potential Buyer, remember that in the commercial world -- which is where church transactions occur -- the rule is often "let the buyer beware".  It's very different than a residential real estate transaction! So to protect yourself, it's best to perform Due Diligence before purchasing any property. This process will help you discover issues related to zoning, wetlands, flood plains, environmental considerations, etc.  Any contract you sign for purchase should contain a contingency allowing you to ensure you can ultimately use the property for the purposes you intend.  If the Seller is unwilling to negotiate such a contingency you should be extremely cautious about entering a purchase agreement!

If you are the Seller, the issue also raises moral/ethical questions.  We won't wade too deeply into that in this response but would certainly advise you to consider the issue with much prayer and in light of the Golden Rule. 

Jim Smith, Aspen Group. www.aspengroup.com 

]]>Is there a way to network with churches like Vineyard to glean from their experience?http://cornerstoneblog.squarespace.com/answers/2007/3/12/is-there-a-way-to-network-with-churches-like-vineyard-to-glean-from-their-experience.htmlEditor2007-03-12T15:18:21ZGeneralAs a speaker at Cornerstone, Ben Hoerr is willing to interact with you and may be contacted via e-mail at ben.hoerr@thevineyardchurch.us.

Separately, TAG is developing a Transforming Church Institute that will provide a forum you may want to consider.  More information on that will be available in the next few months.  You may want to check their website for details to follow at www.transformingchurch.net.

]]>How do we encourage young people to participate and engage in a church setting?http://cornerstoneblog.squarespace.com/answers/2007/3/10/how-do-we-encourage-young-people-to-participate-and-engage-in-a-church-setting.htmlEditor2007-03-10T22:32:05ZReality CheckFull Question: As young people participate and engage from a distance they can presumably do so anonymously. But what happens in a place they are known? Do they distance themselves and disengage?

Response:

Great question! We are all looking for a place to be loved, a place to belong, a place to be valued, a place to use our gifts in a way that makes a difference. If we can find an environment that safely provides for these needs there would be no need to distance and disengage. I sense that is what Christ intended the church to be; that kind of safe place meeting those needs of belonging and purpose.

However, many of us, at any age, are fearful about the safety of others and the safety of church groups. We find careful ways to progressively test the sincerity and safety of relationships. That is what dating is about, right? Begin the relationship at arms length, a safe public event maybe with another couple for example and carefully determine if the person is safe and worth getting closer to.

Churches have to prove themselves to be safe and worth getting closer to, i.e. Christ like. They then must develop safe, progressive ways people can "date" them and develop a closer and closer relationship; a process that allows people to engage at their rate, not a church centered process to accomplish the church’s goals. If a church is Christ like, selflessly, intentionally, and progressively meeting the needs of belonging and purpose, why would there be any motivation to distance and disengage? However, far too few churches are seeing and responding to these needs provoking your unfortunate question.

Ed Bahler, Aspen Group. www.aspengroup.com

]]>Why is the "front porch" in the building if we have to be out there in the community?http://cornerstoneblog.squarespace.com/answers/2007/3/10/why-is-the-front-porch-in-the-building-if-we-have-to-be-out-there-in-the-community.htmlEditor2007-03-10T22:28:30ZReality CheckYou may recall the discussion in the “Reality Check” presentation where we emphasized the future is both “attractional” and “incarnational” (see the discussion here under “Reality Check” for a deeper explanation of terms). In other words, we believe the physical church will still play a role as a place for:

1. The Biblical Context and insight necessary to understand how to make life work.

2. A place of connection and belonging.

3. A place to be equipped to go into the community and connect within incarnational environments.

The church will always be the place where people are taught, find belonging, and are equipped for ministry. The "front porch" of the church is vital in creating connecting/belonging places mentioned in #2 above. It is natural for people to develop deep friendships in a progressive way. You wouldn’t invite a stranger into your home and take them right to the kitchen for one of those heart to heart late night intimate talks. We generally go out to eat, go to Starbucks, or some event that allows us to discern if we want to take the relationship deeper. It’s interesting that we invite people to church and expect them to quickly feel comfortable with an intimate conversation about God. The "front porch" provides these environments to get acquainted and build the trust so necessary for a person to open up and explore their relationship with God.

Ed Bahler, Aspen Group.  www.aspengroup.com

]]>How do you really convince a church of 100 years that this is what we need to do in order to truly serve Christ?http://cornerstoneblog.squarespace.com/answers/2007/3/10/how-do-you-really-convince-a-church-of-100-years-that-this-is-what-we-need-to-do-in-order-to-truly-serve-christ.htmlEditor2007-03-10T22:24:23ZReality CheckFirst accept the reality that it may not be possible. That is one of the reasons new denominations are spawned as culture changes and develops. However, a place to begin is to first build understanding of the problem within your team. Don’t attempt to talk about solutions before you get understanding and buy in to the problems that threaten your future.

A great place to start with building understanding of the problem is to create awareness of the Digital Age issues as we shared them in the Realty Check presentation. We discuss these change issues at every Cornerstone Conference as well as in Pastor’s Luncheons we at Aspen Group conduct. Feel free to call us for details and schedules for either presentation.

There are multiple books that can help as well here in the Recommended Reading section of the blog. Take a look at:

Millennium Matrix

Search to Belong

Bowling Alone

The Great Good Place

Revolution

Two other good books for insight in leading church change are “How To Change the Church Without Killing It” by Gene Appel and “Breakout Churches” by Thom Rainer. I pray that helps. If not email me direct at ebahler@aspengroup.com and we’ll explore ideas together.

Ed Bahler, Aspen Group.  www.aspengroup.com

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