CATForce

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Welcome to the CAT FORCE information page! The goal of this web site is to give you information about the NEW district initiative to assist churches interested in increasing their church health.

Our mission at the NJ District Ministry Resource Center is to plant, stabilize, grow, and multiply the churches, ministers, and ministries of the Assemblies of God in New Jersey. We’ve developed CAT FORCE with our mission in mind!

If you have any questions or you are interested in CAT FORCE coming to your church, contact the Superintendent’s office / Special Projects & Resource Development Assistant – Rev. Arlena Corzine, 609.747.7878 x306.

If you want to read more about CAT FORCE, download or review our brochure.

COACHING:

Pastor Matt Jones, Mountain Top Church, Budd Lake (908.850.5477), has gone through the coaching process of CAT FORCE. Read about his experience here:

History – Mountaintop Church was in its third year after restart. After a period of significant growth, the church leveled off and had great difficulty breaking the 100 barrier. The average attendance was between 85 and 100 people on a Sunday morning.

NCD Process – A church focus group of 25 people was established to walk through the NCD process. It was selected from among ministry leadership and regular attendees. The survey revealed their minimum factor: holistic small groups. The process was three-fold including discovery, brain-storming, and implementation. The process of self-discovery was very exciting.

Changes Initiated – After three significant sessions, the church focus group worked out the following changes with the coach:

1. An immediate change of church schedule.

a. Two programs were cut. They were determined not be growth oriented.

b. The schedule was consolidated to give two week nights back to our people.

2. Ministry changes.

a. Existing ministries were examined and revamped in order to facilitate deeper interpersonal relationships.

b. Home Fellowship Groups were established.

c. A number of church focus group members were inspired and became involved in ministry and church leadership.

d. A refreshed and more effective greeter and follow-up/discipleship ministry was put into practice.

3. Refinement of church mission, purpose, and vision.

a. No one, even leadership, knew church mission, purpose, and vision.

b. The mission, purpose, and vision were far too complex to be easily remembered.

c. The church vision was repackaged and spoken to the congregation on a weekly basis, in every ministry.

Results

1. Attendance – within a few weeks, attendance increased across the board.

	2006 (Jan. – June)	2007 (Jan. – June)
Avg. Sun AM attend	101	151.6
Highest attendance	163	162
Lowest attendance	58	100
# of services over 100	12 (50%)	23 (100%)

2. Ministry –

a. The church as a whole has taken ownership of the new paradigm.

b. Existing ministry, i.e. men’s and women’s ministry, have become vibrant and far more significant.

c. Deeper relationships among our people.

d. A deeper sense of purpose among our people.

e. Greater leadership base.

f. Greater ministry worker base.

g. Looking forward to going through the process again.

COHORTS:

This extension of CAT FORCE will be new to New Jersey churches in 2008. We will work with Dr. Wayne Lee and Church Life Resources. You can read about Church Life Cohorts by reviewing their brochure.