Download the whole .pdf document. Which includes:

  • Purpose
  • Application Process
  • The Five Stages of a Congregational Check-up

  • Outline of a Reflection and Direction Sunday

Purpose 


Congregational Check-ups provide Mennonite Church Manitoba congregations the opportunity to reflect upon their current health and consider future focuses and actions. This experience is not solution-oriented, but invites reflection and a space for focused conversation and integration, with the hope of nurturing healthy congregational life. The role of the designated MCM staff facilitator is to create a non-threatening, safe place for the congregation to talk with one another.  

 

Application Process 

 

Have an initial conversation. 

A Mennonite Church Manitoba congregation who wishes to explore the possibility of a Congregational Check-up should first have their lead pastor or congregational chairperson contact the MCM Executive Minister to discuss their situation and how they feel a Congregational Check-up might help them. 

Submit a request. 

If the initial conversation leads the congregation to believe a Congregational Check-up would be beneficial, the lead pastor or congregational chairperson can then formally request a Check-up by emailing the Executive Minister, outlining in writing the congregation’s general circumstances, their specific hopes for what a Check-up will accomplish, and their desired timeline for this process. This request will also provide the name and contact information for the congregational coordinator(s) (normally a pastor or lay leader) who will work with the designated MCM staff facilitator to plan and implement the process. 

Receive confirmation and make plans. 

The Executive Minister will consider the congregation’s request in light of the expertise and availability of MCM staff, and respond to the congregation. If the Congregational Check-up is approved, plans can be made to work through the stages of a Check-up outlined below. 

Note that any of the MCM Executive Minister or Program Directors may be assigned to facilitate a Congregational Check-up; this decision will normally be made at the discretion of the EM. Depending on staff capacity, it is hoped that MCM staff can facilitate Congregational Check-ups for 3-5 congregations each calendar year. Congregations employing an Intentional Interim Pastor in a time of pastoral transition will not normally be offered this service as the IIP will typically do much of this work.