Culture Change Course Map

Refocus

The only worthwhile reason to consider shifting your culture is to help you fulfill your congregation’s purpose. If the congregation isn’t clear and aligned on its purpose and how you fulfill that purpose in the location where God has placed you, then you’ll just get lost in the jungle of culture.

Refocus Quick Overview

Introduction

"Why does our congregation exist?"
"How do we fulfill the purpose for which God called us?"

The Refocus step is all about making sure that your culture change journey supports the mission of your church. This requires blazing clarity and alignment for all members on why the congregation exists and how that purpose is fulfilled.

This phase is optional, unless it isn’t.

If you already have alignment on purpose & how congregation fulfills it, then this step isn’t needed. Don’t skip this if clarity and alignment are not present. And don’t assume that they are present — rather assume clarity and alignment are NOT present and see if you can uncover overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

If a congregation is in the Preservation or Life Support stage of the Church Life Cycle, then this step is mandatory. Your culture journey is a rebuild and needs to start with your purpose.

Before skipping this phase, confirm the following:

Our congregation is clear and in agreement on how we fulfill our mission.

Before moving on to the next step (Explore), the following should be true:

Everyone gives the same answer to “Why does this church exist; what do we do to fulfill the purpose for which God has gathered us together?”. If it isn’t the same answer by all active members, then you have more refocusing work to do..
(Optional, but actually the easier path). That answer is just 3 words (OK - maybe up to 5, but fewer is generally better) that describes what discipleship looks like in your congregation. It is OK to have one (or more) of the words be aspirational; just make sure everyone knows and agrees that is the case. NOTE: if you’re in the Life Support or Preservation stage of the Church Life Cycle, then you should have one (or more) of the words that are aspirational.

Key Takeaways

Shifting your congregation’s culture requires change – and not just on the part of some. It isn’t going to be easy; thinking and acting a different way will likely be uncomfortable at first. If you’re to see it through, enact the changes desired, and really impact your ministry, it is vital that everyone understand the why and see the culture change journey as a viable way of accomplishing that. If there isn’t a shared understanding of your purpose and how you fulfill it, then there won’t be a common why and agreement on what to do is unlikely.

Refocus Quick Overview

Church Life Cycle

Living Our Purpose Bible Study