Leadership Consultant Ray discusses challenges of church growth, navigating awkward-sized churches, empowering teams, adapting to change, and enhancing communication styles and team dynamics with Gavin and Nigel.
Navigating growth barriers from small to large churches through delegation and empowering staff teams.
Understanding and addressing challenges unique to churches transitioning to an awkward size of around 150 individuals.
Utilizing the 'Five Voices' framework to enhance emotional intelligence in team dynamics and promote effective communication within church leadership.
Deep dives
Understanding the Growth of Grace Community Church
Ray Evans shares his journey, starting as a window cleaner while waiting for a job, eventually transitioning into pastoral ministry at Grace Community Church in Bedford. The church began small and fragile, with significant growth challenges. Ray led the church through various growth barriers, from small to medium to large, emphasizing the importance of empowering others and building a strong staff team.
Navigating the Awkward Size Church Dilemma
Ray discusses the challenges faced by churches transitioning from medium to awkward size, around 150 individuals. At this stage, relational dynamics change, impacting core members and new attendees. He highlights the need for churches to understand the dynamics at play during this transition and to proactively address these challenges to foster continued growth.
Empowering Leaders and Teams for Effective Church Growth
Ray emphasizes the importance of empowering leaders within the church to support and enable growth. He shares how investing in small groups and task-oriented teams re-energized Grace Community Church, leading to substantial growth. By delegating tasks effectively and supporting team members, the church saw a significant positive impact on its overall functioning and expansion.
Utilizing Emotional Intelligence and Team Dynamics
Ray delves into the concept of emotional intelligence and its application in understanding team dynamics through the 'Five Voices' framework. By recognizing individual strengths and weaknesses in communication styles, teams can operate more cohesively. Understanding and respecting different voices, such as creative, connector, nurture, guardian, and pioneer, facilitate more effective teamwork and decision-making.
Promoting Growth Through Diverse Team Engagement
Ray advocates for diverse team engagement by leveraging individuals' unique voices and contributions. By addressing the various communication styles within a team, leaders can integrate differing perspectives to drive growth and foster a collaborative environment. Encouraging mutual understanding and open dialogue among team members enhances productivity and ensures a harmonious team dynamic.
Would you describe your church as being an awkward size?
Listen in as Gavin and Ray talk about overcoming some of the barriers to gospel growth that are faced in our churches. Ray serves as the Leadership Consultant for the FIEC and is also the author of Ready, Steady, Grow.
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