TransformationalChurch.com is live.
Last winter, LifeWay announced Transformational Church, a new ministry focus and initiative based on one of the largest and most significant research projects ever conducted on the American church. LifeWay’s goal is to assist churches to see greater levels of transformation in the lives of individuals, the churches themselves and their communities.
The website will be one of the primary sources of information, education and direction for Transformational Church. The site will be refreshed continuously with new information, and resources will be highlighted that can be used in strengthening the elements of transformation in churches.
“We are working toward a clean and fluid website that church leaders will visit often and even mark as a ‘favorite,’?” said Bruce Raley, director of leadership and evangelism training and events. Raley leads LifeWay’s Transformational Church project team and coordinates consultant training for the initiative.
“Included on the site,” he added, “will be podcasts, articles, research and data releases, ideas for ministries, leadership challenges, ‘God stories’ from churches where transformation is taking place, and more.”
While some areas of the site are still under construction, many resources are already available, including the Transformational Church Assessment Tool (TCAT). TCAT is designed to help a church “assess the health of the congregation, celebrate areas of strength and address areas of concern.”
The site also features information about the book “Transformational Church” by LifeWay president Thom Rainer and director of LifeWay Research Ed Stetzer, as well as dates of training for certification as a Transformational Church consultant.
Rainer said there are two motivating forces behind the Transformational Church initiative. First, “we want to know reality. Facts are our friends, and they help us understand the current situation of the church in real terms – good, bad and ugly.” Second, “we see hope and possibilities in what God is doing in local churches. This is what our research has shown us, and we want to share this encouraging data with churches at all levels of effectiveness.”
Raley noted that Transformational Church is not “just another program” or a “one-size-fits-all strategy” with a formula for immediate results.
“Transformational Church is a guide to assist churches as they examine where God is working and what they need to identify as possibilities for greater transformation, today and in the future,” he said.
For more, visit TransformationalChurch.com, or follow @TransformChurch on Twitter.