Charles Fulton, director of Congregational Development and President of Episcopal Church Building Fund, was the workshop presenter at the diocese’s church growth seminar April 11-12 at St. Paul, Salem. The workshop drew more than 100 attendees. Photo by Diane Inskeep Photography

Redefinition, redevelopment, rebirth, or a good death are strategies to prevent church decline. In this way, Charles Fulton, director of Congregational Development & President of Episcopal Church Building Fund, applied principles from the natural life cycle to the mission of the Church. He outlined this strategic look at understanding the vitality of a congregation in a weekend workshop April 11-12 at St. Paul, Salem, which drew more than 100 attendees. What followed were some practical questions to ask about our active or not-so-active ministries that will help to sort out where to put emphasis and encouragement or where to discontinue.

One of the shortcomings for many Episcopal churches today is that we keep doing what we’ve always done. In a rapidly changing world, the result is decline in participation and membership, along with ministry that is incongruent with our neighbors and surrounding communities. There are exceptions of course. However, many congregations can make simple adjustments with an emphasis on the mission and purpose of the church.

Fulton also presented a theory of congregational size and suggested ways to adjust operations to foster growth. Context, leadership, and culture are considerations for growth, he emphasized. Context is the connection between the ministry and the neighborhood. Leadership is the way lay and clergy use their gifts and work in teams. Culture includes demographics, traditions and history, and environment.

In the end, said Fulton, the best way to grow as a church community is through the sharing of individual faith stories. He outlined a ten-step process for “Preparing to Tell Your Faith Story.” “The basic unit of evangelism is the individual Christian,” he told workshop attendees. “It is the individual who needs to be equipped for this work. This is an approach that can be undertaken without permission or authentication.” According to Fulton, “all one has to do is to get in touch with their own personal story of how God is involved in their life. The question becomes, “May I tell you how the God I know is acting in my life?” The process gives a framework for telling your story, how God has come into your life, and what results when you have recognized God’s presence.”

More than 20 churches and ministry groups totaling 135 participants, including two church teams from the Diocese of Olympia, attended this crucial program. The Church Growth and Development Committee is grateful to St. Paul, Salem, for hosting the workshop and the Rev. Dcn. Maureen Hagen, who served as the registrar and facilities coordinator for this event.

Contact
The Rev. Jaime Sanders , Convener
revjaime@stjohnsmilwaukie.org