Pastor's Perspective

The Acts 16:5 Initiative is a process for congregational transformation that our church is participating in along with a number of other churches in Mission Presbytery. The Acts 16:5 Initiative is the creation of E. Stanley Ott a Presbyterian pastor who now spends most of his time consulting with churches and church governing bodies.

The aim of the Acts 16:5 process is to give congregations the means of designing ministry appropriate to specific needs of the congregation and the needs of the surrounding community, guidance and support in the process of change and transition, and ways to review and to affirm each congregation’s past and present ministries while simultaneously designing the future. Emphasis is on blessing the past and adding for the future as the church moves forward into God’s future by envisioning together how God may be ready to work to transform us and increase the depth and breadth of our faith and our ministries.

Some basics of the Acts 16:5 Initiative:

A New Expectation – We must show honor and appreciation for past and present ministries and members of our congregation and, at the same time, be filled with the expectation that God has a new vision for us. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

A Defining Vision – Set the tone for all ministries by clarifying the vision that shapes and defines what we are seeking to do by God’s grace.

The Defining Practices of Growing Disciples – Identify the practices that will define our ministries and  personal   lifestyles,  such  as  the  practices  of bearing witness, prayer,  and the  study of the Word. We  will  have  fun   learning  new  ways  to  be  the people of God and to do  the work of  the  people of God.

The Personal Lifestyle of a Christ-Follower – Ministry is first of all a lifestyle to be lived (by each one of us) before it is a program to be run. The Acts 16:5 Initiative encourages each of us to become intentional about growing in faith and in our practices of the faith.

Missional Endeavor – Be intentional to have “missional” impact on the surrounding community. This means learning new ways to “reach” the uninvolved and the uncommitted to the faith, to draw them in and to “grow” with them as followers of our Lord.

Congregational Lifestyle – Encourages imaginative thinking about congregational lifestyle including worship (services that “engage” the mind and spirit), fellowship (small groups and congregational celebrations), discipleship (growing true disciples), leadership (imaginative, high initiative, and permission-giving), and ministry mobilization (spiritual gifts discovery and service).

Action Learning – Acts 16:5 teaches the exciting Action Learning process that enables fresh, imaginative thinking leading to new solutions and new ministries.

The next step will be forming a Vision Team of people with initiative and imagination who are willing to help guide the process over the next two or three years.  There will be more gatherings of the participating churches.  As time passes you will be hearing more about this but for now know that the session is listening to you as you have indicated that there are areas of church life that need new energy.  God is doing a new thing and we are listening as best we can to hear God’s call to this congregation and its members.