TCN has developed a process* designed to assist local congregations in becoming more effective in reaching their communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Based on biblical principles, worldwide research among effective mission movements, and pilot projects field testing strategies and resources over the past five years, the TCN Transformation Process includes four components and a number of ancillary resources.

A good introduction to the TCN process is to attend a Hinge Training Event. These one-day events are tailored to the needs and desires of local congregations interested in opening new doors into their communities.  TCN has identified 8 Hinge Factors in the transformation process which a congregation can measure with an Assessment Tool. It is a good idea to begin with this tool which reveals where the members see the congregation in each of these areas from the outset.  The assessment may be taken again later in the process to track progress and underscore areas where more attention may be required.

After the introduction to the process and the assessment, a congregation turns it attention to the other three components of the TCN process.

Although these three major building blocks of the process are not necessarily sequential, joining a Learning Community is a good place for a pastor to start, because it gives one a supportive collegial group among which the body of knowledge relating to church transformation may be discussed.  From there, the pastor is encouraged to gather a group of missional individuals at the congregational level to form a church Leadership Community. Also, one should contact TCN to see where learning communities may be meeting nearby, or to register interest in forming a learning community in your area.

A TCN Coach is available to “walk alongside” the pastor at any time during the Transformation Process.   The coach will also work with the pastor and church leaders in guiding them in formulating goals and strategies which have been identified by the Church Assessment. Since it has become clear that coaching is the most critical factor in the success of a congregation’s ministry to be transformed, it is ideal to engage a coach as early in the process as possible. Coaching is absolutely essential after a consultation, in order to keep the church leaders accountable and moving forward with the recommended prescriptions.

To jump start the Transformation Process and/or to receive specific recommendations on how best to move forward, a Consultation weekend may be held.  Following an extensive Congregational Self-Study, a team of trained consultants will spend a weekend with a congregation, gathering input from interviews and focus groups along with teaching the principles of church transformation.  A report will result which is customized to the particular congregation, recommending actions that will make the most of the congregation’s assets, while leveraging them for outreach, and also recommending healthy changes which will address situations in the congregation which are counterproductive to transformation.

TCN works closely with regional judicatories of participating denominations.  Interested pastors  and congregations should contact their local judicatory to see if it is a partner with TCN.  However, judicatory partnership is not necessary for church participation.

For more information, please contact Terry Tieman at terry@transformingchurchesnetwork.org

*Church transformation is a spiritual process that can only be accomplished by God Himself.  And yet, just as surely as we recognize that it is none other than God Himself who grows His church, we must also recognize that it is His people who plant the seed, water the soil, and cultivate the crops (1 Corinthians 3:6).