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Effective Congregations Main Page

Effective Congregations

 
Leadership
Resources for developing and sustaining transformational leaders
Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey
The Path from Faith to Action
Congregation 2 Congregation
See all Sub-Topics
Developing Vision
Instructional models, Biblical principles, and catalytic learning/serving opportunities to garner momentum in your church for greater external focus
Profile of Second Baptist Church
The Urban Plunge: A First Person Taste of Inner City Renewal
Profile of Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale
See all Sub-Topics
Spiritual Dynamics
Resources to keep transformational community ministry truly holistic
PrayerSummits.net
Training for Evangelism
Our Church’s Mission Devotional Guide
See all Sub-Topics
Church Assessment
Identifying your congregation’s strengths, resources, assets, and needs in order to facilitate greater external focus
Ideas for Moving from Relief to Development
The Eyes Have It
A Strategic Church Transformation Process
See all Sub-Topics
Community Assessment
Resources for researching, partnering with, and understanding your community context
Christians Supporting Community Organizing
An Introduction to ABCD for Church Leaders
Foundations of Urban Ministry
See all Sub-Topics
Ideas to Action
Practical how-to’s and tools for getting started in transformational community ministry
A Guide to Running the Citizen Leaders Program
What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty
Withreach.com
See all Sub-Topics
Mobilizing the Church
Resources for motivating, equipping, and deploying your members in externally focused service
Template for Outreach Serving Survey
Standards of Excellence for Host Organizations
The Equipping Church Guidebook
See all Sub-Topics
Collaboration
Information and how-to tools for building and sustaining effective partnerships for transformational community ministry
Core Ideas on Partnership
Expanded Key Principles for Success in Kingdom Collaboration
Self-Help: Communities Turn Inward to Solve Problems
See all Sub-Topics
Funding Your Ministry
Resources for fund-development for transformational community ministry
Resource Packet on Working with the Media
Fundraising Bookshelf: An Annotated Bibliography
Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry
See all Sub-Topics
Evaluation
Information and how-to tools for evaluating your transformational community programs and initiatives
Measuring Outcomes
How Can We Design Survey Interviews and Questionnaires to Give Us the Best Information Possible?
Using the MA Family Self-Sufficiency Scales and Ladders Assessment Form
See all Sub-Topics
Foundational Principles
“Overview” type resources on church-based transformational community development
Summary of Churches That Make a Difference
Acting On Your Faith: A Guide to Success in Service and Social Action
Biblical Principles for the Church
See all Sub-Topics

Developing Vision Bookshelf: An Annotated Bibliography
Summary of Churches That Make a Difference
Profile of Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale
An Introduction to ABCD for Church Leaders
Our Church’s Mission Devotional Guide
 
News
Conference Calendar
Forum
Find Others
Ask a Specialist
Read more

Congregational Stories to Inspire

 
EFFECTIVE CONGREGATION TOPIC
Developing Vision
 Stories to Inspire

Articles, Excerpts, Tips & More
Profile of Second Baptist Church: This instructional profile tells how this church leads a multi-church effort to serve the city schools of Springfield, MO.
View this Resource

Profile of Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale: This profile describes how this mega-church has transformed the foster care system in southern Florida.
View this Resource

Profile of Calvary Church Grand Rapids: This instructional profile describes how this large suburban church went from commodity-based benevolence to a more holistic, relational approach.
View this Resource

Profile of Harderwyk Christian Reformed Church: This 8-page profile shares lessons from this multi-congregational church’s shift into greater external focus and holistic, relational ministry.
View this Resource

Profile of Rolling Hills Community Church: This instructional profile tells how this 3000-member church in OR has connected over half its congregation in community service by building partnerships with numerous ministries/agencies.
View this Resource

Profile of First Baptist Church Huntsville: This Texas congregation centers its community ministry efforts on supporting correctional officers and assisting ex-offenders.
View this Resource

Profile of Perimeter Church: This large church in suburban Atlanta has given leadership to a multi-church network called UNITE! to facilitate greater church engagement in transformational community ministry.
View this Resource

Profile of Fellowship Bible Church North: This 4000-member church in Texas dramatically increased its community impact by putting an outreach face on their small group ministry.
View this Resource

Profile of Midwest Church of Christ: This profile details how Midwest Church of Christ was able to minister to the city of Louisville, Kentucky and gives tips on how other churches can do the same.
View this Resource

Profile of New Song Community Church: This small inner-city congregation has had a major impact in revitalizing its neighborhood by following the “3 Rs” of the Christian Community Development movement.
View this Resource

Profile of Hope Evangelical Free Church: This instructional profile tells how this church has greatly multiplied its impact in the community by vibrant partnerships with existing social ministries/agencies, including the public school system.
View this Resource

Profile of Lincoln Village Ministry of Southwood PCA: This instructional profile relates the story of a suburban church’s deep engagement in a low-income neighborhood five minutes from the church.
View this Resource

Profile of Tenth Presbyterian Church: This instructional profile relates how this PCA church launched a vibrant diaconal ministry to serve Philadelphia’s homeless and down-and-out.
View this Resource

Profile of LifeBridge Christian Church: This instructional profile relates the journey of this church’s move from internal to external focus.
View this Resource

Profile of Mariners Church: This instructional profile relates the story of a mega-church’s development of a large-scale community ministry department mobilizing thousands of parishioners for service.
View this Resource

Recommended Books
Urban Churches, Vital Signs: Beyond Charity Toward Justice: An inspiring and challenging collection of stories of churches across America involved in dynamic urban ministry among the poor.
View this Resource

Street Saints: This book collects numerous, diverse stories of effective faith-based ministries in the U.S., with advice on imitating their approaches.
View this Resource

Cup of Water, Bread of Life: This collection of stories of effective, holistic ministries from around the world offers inspiration and guidance to church leaders for balancing evangelism and social action.
View this Resource

 

Profile of Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale
Profile of Second Baptist Church
Profile of Tenth Presbyterian Church
Profile of Lincoln Village Ministry of Southwood PCA
Profile of Perimeter Church
 

 

Read more

Church Assessment

 
EFFECTIVE CONGREGATION TOPIC
Church Assessment

Articles, Excerpts, Tips & More
Ideas for Moving from Relief to Development: List of suggestions on how to move away from simple relief to more transformational development in church ministry.
View this Resource

The Eyes Have It: This 3-page article serves as a good introduction to community ministry. It is designed to help congregations assess their context, calling, and gifts in order to select appropriate outreach ministries to get involved in.
View this Resource

Assess Your Churchs Foundation for Outreach: A two-page worksheet helping churches evaluate their readiness for community ministry.
View this Resource

Recommended Books
A Strategic Church Transformation Process: This detailed workbook describes a well-tested, five-phase process for moving churches toward a faithful, effective missional posture.
View this Resource

Congregations in Transition: An in-depth workbook guiding congregations in how to respond effectively to significant changes in their communities, such as demographic shifts.
View this Resource

Ministry Inventory Guide: Assess Your Church: This detailed and interactive workbook help church leaders desiring greater community impact to assess their history, partnerships, ministry assets, current and past engagements, and barriers.
View this Resource

Recommended Links
Ministry Tools Resource Center: This non-denominational ministry was founded to equip believers for ministry utilizing seminars, online training, and publications.
View this Resource

 

Ideas for Moving from Relief to Development
The Eyes Have It
Ministry Tools Resource Center
Assess Your Church's Foundation for Outreach
 
Read more

Evaluation Consent Form

      EVALUATION RESOURCE

Evaluation Consent Form

 

Produced by Social Policy Research Associates for the Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development

 

Resource Type: This resource is a two-page tip sheet with a sample form.

 

Main Audience: This resource is recommended for individuals conducting an evaluation that will include personal interviews/surveys, the publication of which will require consent.

 

 

Related Articles
Sources of Evaluation Information
Outcome-Based Evaluation: A Training Toolkit for Programs of Faith

News
Conference Calendar
Forum
Find Others
Ask a Specialist

 

Read more

Evaluation Consent Form

      EVALUATION RESOURCE

Evaluation Consent Form

 

Produced by Social Policy Research Associates for the Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development

 

Resource Type: This resource is a two-page tip sheet with a sample form.

 

Main Audience: This resource is recommended for individuals conducting an evaluation that will include personal interviews/surveys, the publication of which will require consent.

 

 

Related Articles
Sources of Evaluation Information
Outcome-Based Evaluation: A Training Toolkit for Programs of Faith

News
Conference Calendar
Forum
Find Others
Ask a Specialist

 

Read more

Congregational Stories to Inspire

 
EFFECTIVE CONGREGATION TOPIC
Developing Vision
 Stories to Inspire

Articles, Excerpts, Tips & More
Profile of Second Baptist Church: This instructional profile tells how this church leads a multi-church effort to serve the city schools of Springfield, MO.
View this Resource

Profile of Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale: This profile describes how this mega-church has transformed the foster care system in southern Florida.
View this Resource

Profile of Calvary Church Grand Rapids: This instructional profile describes how this large suburban church went from commodity-based benevolence to a more holistic, relational approach.
View this Resource

Profile of Harderwyk Christian Reformed Church: This 8-page profile shares lessons from this multi-congregational church’s shift into greater external focus and holistic, relational ministry.
View this Resource

Profile of Rolling Hills Community Church: This instructional profile tells how this 3000-member church in OR has connected over half its congregation in community service by building partnerships with numerous ministries/agencies.
View this Resource

Profile of First Baptist Church Huntsville: This Texas congregation centers its community ministry efforts on supporting correctional officers and assisting ex-offenders.
View this Resource

Profile of Perimeter Church: This large church in suburban Atlanta has given leadership to a multi-church network called UNITE! to facilitate greater church engagement in transformational community ministry.
View this Resource

Profile of Fellowship Bible Church North: This 4000-member church in Texas dramatically increased its community impact by putting an outreach face on their small group ministry.
View this Resource

Profile of Midwest Church of Christ: This profile details how Midwest Church of Christ was able to minister to the city of Louisville, Kentucky and gives tips on how other churches can do the same.
View this Resource

Profile of New Song Community Church: This small inner-city congregation has had a major impact in revitalizing its neighborhood by following the “3 Rs” of the Christian Community Development movement.
View this Resource

Profile of Hope Evangelical Free Church: This instructional profile tells how this church has greatly multiplied its impact in the community by vibrant partnerships with existing social ministries/agencies, including the public school system.
View this Resource

Profile of Lincoln Village Ministry of Southwood PCA: This instructional profile relates the story of a suburban church’s deep engagement in a low-income neighborhood five minutes from the church.
View this Resource

Profile of Tenth Presbyterian Church: This instructional profile relates how this PCA church launched a vibrant diaconal ministry to serve Philadelphia’s homeless and down-and-out.
View this Resource

Profile of LifeBridge Christian Church: This instructional profile relates the journey of this church’s move from internal to external focus.
View this Resource

Profile of Mariners Church: This instructional profile relates the story of a mega-church’s development of a large-scale community ministry department mobilizing thousands of parishioners for service.
View this Resource

Recommended Books
Urban Churches, Vital Signs: Beyond Charity Toward Justice: An inspiring and challenging collection of stories of churches across America involved in dynamic urban ministry among the poor.
View this Resource

Street Saints: This book collects numerous, diverse stories of effective faith-based ministries in the U.S., with advice on imitating their approaches.
View this Resource

Cup of Water, Bread of Life: This collection of stories of effective, holistic ministries from around the world offers inspiration and guidance to church leaders for balancing evangelism and social action.
View this Resource

 

Profile of Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale
Profile of Second Baptist Church
Profile of Tenth Presbyterian Church
Profile of Lincoln Village Ministry of Southwood PCA
Profile of Perimeter Church
 

 

Read more

Church Assessment

 
EFFECTIVE CONGREGATION TOPIC
Church Assessment

Articles, Excerpts, Tips & More
Ideas for Moving from Relief to Development: List of suggestions on how to move away from simple relief to more transformational development in church ministry.
View this Resource

The Eyes Have It: This 3-page article serves as a good introduction to community ministry. It is designed to help congregations assess their context, calling, and gifts in order to select appropriate outreach ministries to get involved in.
View this Resource

Assess Your Churchs Foundation for Outreach: A two-page worksheet helping churches evaluate their readiness for community ministry.
View this Resource

Recommended Books
A Strategic Church Transformation Process: This detailed workbook describes a well-tested, five-phase process for moving churches toward a faithful, effective missional posture.
View this Resource

Congregations in Transition: An in-depth workbook guiding congregations in how to respond effectively to significant changes in their communities, such as demographic shifts.
View this Resource

Ministry Inventory Guide: Assess Your Church: This detailed and interactive workbook help church leaders desiring greater community impact to assess their history, partnerships, ministry assets, current and past engagements, and barriers.
View this Resource

Recommended Links
Ministry Tools Resource Center: This non-denominational ministry was founded to equip believers for ministry utilizing seminars, online training, and publications.
View this Resource

 

Ideas for Moving from Relief to Development
The Eyes Have It
Ministry Tools Resource Center
Assess Your Church's Foundation for Outreach
 
Read more

Effective Congregations Main Page

Effective Congregations

 
Leadership
Resources for developing and sustaining transformational leaders
Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey
The Path from Faith to Action
Congregation 2 Congregation
See all Sub-Topics
Developing Vision
Instructional models, Biblical principles, and catalytic learning/serving opportunities to garner momentum in your church for greater external focus
Profile of Second Baptist Church
The Urban Plunge: A First Person Taste of Inner City Renewal
Profile of Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale
See all Sub-Topics
Spiritual Dynamics
Resources to keep transformational community ministry truly holistic
PrayerSummits.net
Training for Evangelism
Our Church’s Mission Devotional Guide
See all Sub-Topics
Church Assessment
Identifying your congregation’s strengths, resources, assets, and needs in order to facilitate greater external focus
Ideas for Moving from Relief to Development
The Eyes Have It
A Strategic Church Transformation Process
See all Sub-Topics
Community Assessment
Resources for researching, partnering with, and understanding your community context
Christians Supporting Community Organizing
An Introduction to ABCD for Church Leaders
Foundations of Urban Ministry
See all Sub-Topics
Ideas to Action
Practical how-to’s and tools for getting started in transformational community ministry
A Guide to Running the Citizen Leaders Program
What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty
Withreach.com
See all Sub-Topics
Mobilizing the Church
Resources for motivating, equipping, and deploying your members in externally focused service
Template for Outreach Serving Survey
Standards of Excellence for Host Organizations
The Equipping Church Guidebook
See all Sub-Topics
Collaboration
Information and how-to tools for building and sustaining effective partnerships for transformational community ministry
Core Ideas on Partnership
Expanded Key Principles for Success in Kingdom Collaboration
Self-Help: Communities Turn Inward to Solve Problems
See all Sub-Topics
Funding Your Ministry
Resources for fund-development for transformational community ministry
Resource Packet on Working with the Media
Fundraising Bookshelf: An Annotated Bibliography
Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry
See all Sub-Topics
Evaluation
Information and how-to tools for evaluating your transformational community programs and initiatives
Measuring Outcomes
How Can We Design Survey Interviews and Questionnaires to Give Us the Best Information Possible?
Using the MA Family Self-Sufficiency Scales and Ladders Assessment Form
See all Sub-Topics
Foundational Principles
“Overview” type resources on church-based transformational community development
Summary of Churches That Make a Difference
Acting On Your Faith: A Guide to Success in Service and Social Action
Biblical Principles for the Church
See all Sub-Topics

Developing Vision Bookshelf: An Annotated Bibliography
Summary of Churches That Make a Difference
Profile of Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale
An Introduction to ABCD for Church Leaders
Our Church’s Mission Devotional Guide
 
News
Conference Calendar
Forum
Find Others
Ask a Specialist
Read more

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