Redevelopment Venture Process (RVP)

What is it?

Are you ready to start? Then fill out the inquiry form to begin your RVP process!

The Redevelopment Venture Process (RVP) is a two-year, team-based process will help a church examine itself and its community, and then help it to become a vital transformative force.

With the help of a coach and some tools, participating churches will have the opportunity to make needed changes and implement the necessary strategies throughout the process.

The process allows for the uniqueness of every church. Each church’s focus and approach will be different.

Results

• Clearer direction and ministry focus
• Increased resiliency and effectiveness as a congregation
• Stronger leadership
• Better utilization of members’ gifts
• Increased capacity for implementing change and taking risks
• Greater self-esteem and increased momentum

Of the eight NIC churches that have completed RVP, seven increased in their Natural Church Development scores. The eight churches had an average net increase of 50 points!

Process

Participating churches will recruit a team that includes the pastor and seven to twelve lay people. This team will meet with the other participating churches for six RVP sessions over the two-year period. Only twelve churches will be accepted into the next RVP group on a first-come basis.

The first session is scheduled for Saturday, September 16, 2006, 9:30am-3:30pm EDT.

Teams join together each session for a time of biblical discernment (spiritual formation) followed by an introduction to helpful discernment tools (e.g. Natural Church Development, Appreciative Inquiry, demographics, etc.).

Each team then takes these tools and applies those which are appropriate in their local church.

RVP Team

The effectiveness and success of the RVP primarily depends on the commitment of the church’s team. The team needs to be committed to attending monthly meetings at the church as well as attending the six RVP sessions. Selection of the RVP team can be determined by the pastor or Administrative Board/Council or some other group in the church.

Carefully consider who is to join the RVP team. Team members should be positive-minded and well respected. It is important that they represent a cross-section of the congregation.

RVP Sessions

Session 1: Understanding your church by taking a Natural Church Development survey.

Session 2: Understanding your community through interviews and demographics.

Sessions 3-4: Creating a new future based on the best of your church’s past and present using Appreciative Inquiry.

Session 5: Celebrating your progress; re-taking the Natural Church Development survey.

Session 6: Sustaining your church’s resilience through leadership development.

Are We Ready to Participate?

How do you know your church is ready to participate in the RVP process? Consider the following:

1. DESIRE GOD’S WILL. At least a majority in the church should sense a need to better discern God’s will for the church.
2. READINESS ASSESSMENT. To make sure RVP is the right next step for your church, your church must complete a church assessment report, and then discuss the results with Ed Fenstermacher.
3. BOARD APPROVAL. The church’s key leadership must support the church entering into the RVP, and affirm the decision by a vote of the church’s Administrative Board/Council.
4. STABLE LEADERSHIP. The church’s pastor intends to stay at the church at least three more years and plans to fully participate on the RVP team.
5. COMMITTED TEAM. The church must be able to recruit a team of 7-12 lay people who are committed to meeting monthly and attending the six RVP sessions.
6. NOT CONFLICTED. Although conflict is a part of any church, the church should not be experiencing deep internal conflict at this time.
7. PRAYER SUPPORT PROVIDED. The church must be willing to bathe its pastor, RVP team, the process, and church in ongoing intentional prayer.
8. WILLINGNESS TO PAY FEE. The church must be willing to pay the non-refundable participation fee of $1,800 (or $2,000 after Sep 1, 2006). This covers all costs—materials, leadership, meals, NCD surveys, coach, etc.

Registration/Inquiry Process

Start by completing the inquiry form (send no money yet). Ed Fenstermacher will then send you a church assessment report to complete. Once he receives the results, he will discuss with the church as to whether RVP seems to be its appropriate next step.