Embedded Files
Building congregational vitality is intentionally and continuously developing members’ faith such that they actively engage with their community.
Congregational vitality is not determined by the size of a church or its budget, but by a church’s faithfulness in demonstrating the love and justice of Jesus.
One good test of a congregation’s vitality is to see how its members and neighbors would answer the question,
“If this church were to close, who would miss it and why?”
When a congregation is committed to the work and witness of Jesus Christ, its mission becomes an essential part of the local community. This is the example set by Jesus. He would gather his followers, teaching them and modeling a very different way of life. Then, out of compassion for those in need, he would send them out in mission to teach, heal and confront evil (see Matthew 9–10). This rhythm of gathering and scattering is at the heart of the worship and service of the church: We learn from Jesus and are sent out, then return to experience more of God’s reign of justice, hope and peace.
Congregational vitality arises from the development and practice of faith.
It leads to church growth and the development of new disciples in communities with large populations.
The Office of Vital Congregations has identified Seven Marks of a Vital Congregation:
lifelong discipleship formation
intentional authentic evangelism
outward incarnational focus
empower servant leadership
spirit-inspired worship
caring relationships
ecclesial health
READ
READ
Building Congregational Vitality by Presbyterian Mission Agency
Seven Day Prayer Cycle (download prayer card)
Seven Marks of Vital Congregation overview by Office of Vital Congregations
Seven Marks of Vital Congregations detailed by Office of Vital Congregations
Bible Study - Lifelong Discipleship by Office of Vital Congregations
Bible Study - Intentional Authentic Evangelism by Office of Vital Congregations
Bible Study - Outward Incarnational Focus by Office of Vital Congregations
Bible Study - Empower Servant Leadership by Office of Vital Congregations
Bible Study - Spirit Infused Worship by Office of Vital Congregations
Bible Study - Caring Relationships by Office of Vital Congregations
Bible Study - Ecclesial Health by Office of Vital Congregations
The Life Cycle of a Worshiping Community by Office of Vital Congregations
Godly Play and the Language of Christian Faith by Jerome W. Berryman
Building an Innovative Church by Scott Cormode
A Church Changed by COVID by Sue Washburn
How to Heal the Mass Trauma of COVID-19 by Ed Prideaux
WATCH
WATCH
VIDEOS
VIDEOS
From Lament to Hope (2-3 mins)
Becoming Presbyterian (5 min)
Introduction to Godly Play (5 min)
What is Godly Play (reading)
Why are churches dying, and what can you do about it? (6 min)
Update your faith system (11 min)
Blessed to be a blessing (13 min)
The future of youth in the church (15 min)
Handing down the faith (book referenced in video)
Digital ministry and Zoom church (44 min)
MOVIES/TV SHOWS
MOVIES/TV SHOWS
NOTICE
NOTICE
What is your spiritual gift? How are you being called to serve the church?
Your are invited to take an online assessment to learn more about your spiritual gifts. This is different than a personality or work-style test in that it focuses on 22 spiritual gifts as referenced in the Bible. Once you have taken the assessment there will be a description of your top 5 spiritual gifts. You are then encouraged to reflect on how these gifts may be used to build up congregational vitality at FPC.
Take a Spiritual Gifts Assessment
Administration
The gift of administration is the divine strength or ability to organize multiple tasks and groups of people to accomplish these tasks.
Luke 14:28-30; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Corinthians 12:28
Apostleship
The gift of apostleship is the divine strength or ability to pioneer new churches and ministries through planting, overseeing, and training.
Acts 15:22-35; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 2:7-10; Ephesians 4:11-14
Craftsmanship
The gift of craftsmanship is the divine strength or ability to plan, build, and work with your hands in construction environments to accomplish multiple ministry applications.
Exodus 30:22, 31:3-11; 2 Chronicles 34:9-13; Acts 18:2-3
Discernment
The gift of discernment is the divine strength or ability to spiritually identify falsehood, to distinguish between right and wrong motives and the spiritual forces at work in situations.
Matthew 16:21-23; Acts 5:1-11, 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 John 4:1-6
Evangelism
The gift of evangelism is the divine strength or ability to help non-Christians take the necessary steps to becoming a born-again Christian.
Acts 8:5-6, 8:26-40, 14:21, 21:8; Ephesians 4:11-14
Exhortation
The gift of exhortation is the divine strength or ability to strengthen, comfort or urge others to action through the written or spoken word and Biblical truth.
Acts 14:22; Romans 12:8; 1 Timothy 4:13; Hebrews 10:24-25
Faith
The gift of faith is the divine strength or ability to believe in God for unseen supernatural results in every arena of life.
Acts 11:22-24; Romans 4:18-21; 1 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 11
Giving
The gift of giving is the divine strength or ability to produce wealth and to give by tithes and offerings for the purpose of advancing the Kingdom of God on earth.
Mark 12:41-44; Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 9:2-7 65
Healing
The gift of healing is the divine strength or ability to act as an intermediary in faith, prayer, and by the laying-on of hands for the healing of physical, mental and spiritual sickness.
Acts 3:1-10, 9:32-35, 28:7-10; 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28
Helps
The gift of helps is the divine strength or ability to work in a supportive role for the accomplishment of tasks in Christian ministry with the ability to often see the need before others do.
Mark 15:40-41; Acts 9:36; Romans 16:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12:28
Hospitality
The gift of hospitality is the divine strength or ability to create warm, welcoming environments for others in places such as your home, office, or church.
Acts 16:14-15; Romans 12:13, 16:23; Hebrews 13:1-2; 1 Peter 4:9
Intercession
The gift of intercession is the divine strength or ability to stand in the gap in prayer for someone, something, or someplace, believing for profound results.
Hebrews 7:25; Colossians 1:9-12, 4:12-13; James 5:14-16
Word of Knowledge
The gift of knowledge is the divine strength or ability to bring truth to a situation by supernatural revelation. This is often accompanied by a word from God.
Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:8; Colossians 2:2-3
Leadership
The gift of leadership is the divine strength or ability to influence people at their level while directing and focusing them on the big picture, vision, or idea.
Romans 12:8; 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 5:17; Hebrews 13:17
Mercy
The gift of mercy is the divine strength or ability to feel empathy and to care for those who are hurting in any way.
Matthew 9:35-36; Mark 9:41; Romans 12:8; 1 Thess. 5:14
Miracles
The gift of miracles is the divine strength or ability to alter the natural outcomes of life in a supernatural way through prayer, faith, and divine direction.
Acts 9:36-42, 19:11-12, 20:7-12; Romans 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28
Pastor/Shepherd
The gift of pastor/shepherd is the divine strength or ability to care for the personal needs of others by nurturing and mending life issues.
John 10:1-18; Ephesians 4:11-14; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-3
Prophecy
The gift of prophecy is the divine strength or ability to communicate God's truth and heart in a way that calls people to a right relationship with God.
Acts 2:37-40, 7:51-53, 26:24-29; 1 Corinthians 14:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:5
Service
The gift of serving is the divine strength or ability to do small or great tasks in working for the overall good of the body of Christ.
Acts 6:1-7; Romans 12:7; Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 1:16-18; Titus 3:14
Teaching
The gift of teaching is the divine strength or ability to study and learn from the Scriptures primarily to bring understanding and depth to other Christians.
Acts 18:24-28, 20:20-21; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-14
Tongues (and Interpretation)
The gift of tongues is the divine strength or ability to pray in a heavenly language to encourage your spirit and to commune with God. The gift of tongues is often accompanied by interpretation and should be used appropriately.
Acts 2:1-13; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1-14
Word of Wisdom
The gift of wisdom is the divine strength or ability to understand and to bring clarity to situations and circumstances often through applying the truths of Scripture in a practical way.
Acts 6:3,10; 1 Corinthians 2:6-13, 12:8
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