In his popular book, Twelve Keys To An Effective Church, Kennon L. Callahan identifies twelve primary characteristics that contribute to the success and effectiveness of a church. Take a moment to read them, think about how Henderson is currently working to address each, tell us how you think we're doing, and offer suggestions as to how we might improve our effectiveness. Send your thoughts to Robin (nrm123@hotmail.com) or at the church address.
1. Specific, Concrete Missional Objectives. "The missional church has two or three such objectives that involve strong groupings of the congregation in mission with persons who have specific human hurts and hopes."
2. Pastoral and Lay Visitation. "Though a lost art in many churches, the missional church does consequential visitation with the unchurched, newcomers, constituents, and members on a regular basis."
3. Corporate, Dynamic Worship. "The weekly services are holistic in music and message, corporately planned, and led by a compassionate, competent team of laity and pastor."
4. Significant Relational Groups. "Most people come to a local church looking for community. Instead, we put them on a committee. Missional Churches are constantly and intentionally starting new caring groups in which people may discover roots, place, and belonging."
5. Strong Leadership Resources. "Many churches train leaders to fill functional slots inside the church's program. Missional churches nurture a majority of their leaders to be relational and caring with individuals and groups in the regional community."
6. Streamlined Structure and Solid, Participatory Decision Making. "Missional churches plan on the basis of their strengths, hopes and objectives. They are less preoccupied with their own needs and problems than many churches. They have a streamlined organizational structure."
7. Several Competent Programs and Activities. "Missional churches know people attract people more than programs do. Generally, they have two to three competent programs that serve, rather than use, people."
8. Open Accessibility. "A physical location that is accessible in terms of major traffic patterns and average trip time and leaders who are accessible to the community are both important."
9. High Visibility. "Successful missional churches have a high degree of geographical and grapevine visibility with churches and unchurched persons in the community."
10. Adequate Parking, Land, and Landscaping. "As a national average, one parking space permits 1.75 persons to participate in the church. Occasionally, it could be as high as 2.5 per parking space."
11. Adequate Space and Facilities. "More churches underbuild than overbuild, and they thereby limit their growth. They build fixed rather than flexible structures. Missional churches build for the future, with a clear perspective that this is the eleventh, not the first most important characteristic. Increasingly, they take energy and debt interest issues seriously."
12. Solid Financial Resources. "Missional churches know people give money to people more than to programs, purposes and paper. Missional churches tend to put their money into people rather than property. They exercise responsible, courageous stewardship."