Restoring our connections

Barbara Jones-Hagedorn

Etd

Restoring our connections

Public Deposited

MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Barbara Jones-Hagedorn. Restoring Our Connections. McCormick Theological Seminary. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/6a7f2e36-ad88-476f-87af-6c56f30bf44e.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

B. Jones-hagedorn. Restoring our connections. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/6a7f2e36-ad88-476f-87af-6c56f30bf44e

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Barbara Jones-Hagedorn. Restoring Our Connections. McCormick Theological Seminary. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/6a7f2e36-ad88-476f-87af-6c56f30bf44e.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

Barbara Jones-Hagedorn

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In Copyright

Abstract

My thesis explores the loss of connection among congregations within our presbytery in this challenging postmodern time. Targeted congregations exhibit symptoms of decline that include: isolation from another and from surrounding neighborhoods; a loss of connection to our middle governing body; a fragmented organizational style; and a disconnection from our roots in Reformed faith. The loss of connection is also directly related to a loss of spiritual grounding. Three congregations have been selected from the targeted group. Hoped-for results are: restored connections with other congregations, with their own surrounding neighborhoods, and with the middle governing body. We hope congregations will recover their identity as Reformed disciples and experience spiritual growth through a process of transformation. Expected impediments include: obsolete assumptions that linger from a modern age; a loss of identity and purpose; isolation from the context of a larger church body; fear of differences; and grief. My intervention is an educational approach borrowed from Peter Senge's Learning Organizations.. Over a period of eight months 15 congregations are grouped into Pastoral Teams (pastors and congregational members). The Pastoral Teams are joined by Support Teams (members of the presbytery and contract staff). They work together to create ministry plans. The method involves a series of classes taught by the presbytery staff team. The ministry plans and interviews by the presbytery Council provide the basis for an evaluation. Support Teams will help the Pastoral Teams implement their plans.

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