Alphabet for an Evolving Church: Reflections and Questions for Pastors and Lay Leaders

Even before the pandemic, many leaders had begun thinking about how the Church needs to shift in order to be Christ’s body in the world. The twenty-first century has offered Jesus followers new awareness around individual and collective power (both having and lacking it), big questions to ask and challenges to overcome, and an increased number of tools for connecting with and on behalf of others. Covid-19 stripped us down to the studs, allowing us to see what is essential in a faith community. And now we as the body of Christ are moving through lingering exhaustion and wondering which way to go next.

While there aren't yet answers about specific models of church in this new season, it is possible to name characteristics of a faithful and flourishing congregation. Using the alphabet as a framework, this workbook provides ministers and laypeople with reflection points and questions about your church's culture and focus as fodder for assessing what is and dreaming about what is possible.

Here are some of the ways this workbook can be used:     

• If you are a pastor, you could go through the workbook on your own if you are in a personal transition moment in your ministry or if your congregation is wrestling with its identity and vision.
• If you are a pastor or a lay leader, you could ask your whole leadership team to walk through the reflections and questions together.
• If you are a pastor, you could use each letter and its reflection as a sermon starter for the weeks in ordinary time.
• If you are a pastor, this workbook could also be a seasonal study for your entire congregation.
• If you are a member of a visioning team, the workbook could function as individual or team devotional content.
• If you are a small group leader or spiritual formation/Sunday School teacher, you could use the workbook as curriculum.