Discussion Questions:
- How do the authors of “Future Focused Church” reconcile the current challenges facing churches with their belief that the best days of the church are ahead?
- Reflect on the significance of starting with ‘Who’ in the process of church change. Why is it important to gather the right people first when embarking on a journey of transformation?
- The episode talks about the importance of relationally discipling young people, modeling kingdom diversity, and tangibly loving neighbors as checkpoints in a church’s journey. How do these areas resonate with your church or community?
- Based on the discussion, what role does theology and one’s beliefs about God play in maintaining optimism about the future of the church?
- Jake Mulder mentioned a church that misperceived the presence of young adults in their community. Why is it crucial for churches to understand their actual ‘here’ before moving towards ‘there’?
- Discuss the role and impact of a transformation team in a church setting. What are the benefits of having diverse perspectives represented on this team?
- Experimentation from the edges is highlighted as a way to introduce change. Can you share any examples or ideas of small experiments that might work in your church setting?
- How does the episode suggest the use of scripture in discerning the ‘there’ for a church? Why might this be a powerful approach?
- The concept of maintaining disciplined attention is crucial for successful change. What strategies can church leaders implement to ensure they don’t lose focus on their goals?
- Reflect on the importance of balancing mission focus with being ‘people always,’ as mentioned by Kara Powell. How can this balance be achieved in pastoral leadership?
