What is New Beginnings?
- A way for presbyteries or individual congregations to envision a new future for their churches.
- It is both an assessment and a process:
- As an assessment, it provides congregations with information about their church and community, including a building inspection, a financial review, detailed demographic information and much more.
- As a process, it helps churches use that information to discern a new future story for the congregation.
- While the program is primarily geared to churches in significant decline, it is also helpful for churches who simply feel ‘stuck’ in their present situation.
- Over forty PC(USA) churches are already involved in the program – some of which have already decided on a new beginning!
- Future stories come in many forms, including mission redevelopment, relocation, a full restart, or the possibility of leaving a legacy.
Does your church new a new future story? Find more more complete information or contact Ann Philbrick, Associate for Church Growth and Transformation.
"Absolutely joyful, but scary too"
Pastor, congregation find new life and transformation going through “New Beginnings” assessment
February 28, 2011
By Paul Seebeck, Communications Associate
“It’s absolutely joyful, but scary, too,” says Michael Davis, associate presbyter of congregational development for the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee. He’s reflecting on the change happening in the church he serves. Glencliff Presbyterian, a congregation of fewer than 50, recently decided to allocate a percentage of its resources to join a “parallel start” for a Hispanic new church development (NCD).