What I learned at the College for Congregational Development

I spent eight days at the College for Congregational Development last week, and I learned a LOT. Here are some of the major topics covered this year:

The culture of a congregation. Every congregation has its own culture - the underlying assumptions that everyone takes for granted, the values espoused by the congregation (either tacitly or verbally), and the visible symbols found in the church. Sometimes the culture of a parish is positive and helpful, sometimes not. Sometimes it's necessary to change the culture of a congregation, say from inwardly-focused to outwardly-focused.

Appreciative Inquiry. Usually when we want to bring change to an organization, we ask, "What's wrong with this organization?" Appreciative Inquiry uses the opposite approach. It asks, "What's working well in this organization?" By building on what is positive and healthy, we have the best chance of success. People naturally respond to affirmation and reward. Starting with the healthiest people and programs, we seek to build on what is already working.

Anglican Spirituality and Temperament. Anglican Spirituality is Liturgical and Biblical; Communal; Pastoral; Sacramental; Incarnational; and Mystical. Anglican Temperament is Comprehensive; Ambiguous; Open-minded; Intuitive; Aesthetic; Moderate; Naturalistic; Historical; and Political.

Family Systems Theory. A congregation is an emotional system in which all the parts interact. Understanding triangulation, chronic anxiety, closeness and distancing, and self-differentiation can help a leader be more effective. An effective leader is self-regulated, non-reactive, and offers a non-anxious presence. A leader sets direction; manages resistance or sabotage; and stays connected.

Marketing the Congregation. When we live out our deep identity as a congregation and connect with the world's deep needs, then we are able to present ourselves as something valuable for people to come to. Marketing is not about "selling a product", but about building relationships that are authentic and life-giving. We start by understanding our true identity and our deepest values.
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