TN161 Developing ownership

First published on this website in May 2026

Synopsis

There are times in any church’s life when regular events, church groups, structures/systems or any activity can become somewhat tired or stale. For regular events or groups you need to refresh the profile and build ownership. But also for new events or groups, you need to sell the new idea and build ownership.

Suggested principles for refreshing a tired activity are:

1. Pray
2. Ask whether the event should stop or the group close down
3. Find a wise enthusiast with passion for what you want to refresh
4. Rethink the foundations including purpose and vision
5. Question and rethink every current means to reach vision
6. Get the key decisions ratified by the appropriate decision-making group
7. Put this over to the congregation

There is a similar list for a new activity. These are followed by two case studies to show how all this might work in practice.