Vitality in the local church: Spiritual formation and lay leadership

The current state of the United Methodist Church has been well documented. From books by bishops and pastors to advice from consultants inside and outside the church, sources of information about the decline of the United Methodist Church are many and varied. Annual conferences and local churches across the connection have attempted to regain vitality with limited success. The challenges faced by leadership teams who are attempting to revitalize their local churches are significant, and spiritual maturity is required to navigate the often stormy transition from decline to vitality.;This project evaluated the impact on the lay members of the Mineral Springs United Methodist Church Administrative Council and their willingness to lead change as a result of a two-part intervention that took place at Mineral Springs United Methodist Church, located in Mineral Springs, North Carolina. First, the current state of the church was evaluated using Dan R. Dick's Congregational Vitality Assessment. The participants completed the survey individually, and then reviewed overall results following the completion of the pre intervention instrument. Second, the Administrative Council participated in a four-week spiritual formation experience. Pre- and postintervention instruments determined the degree of change regarding participants' spirituality and willingness to lead change within the members of the Administrative Council as a result of the intervention.;The project produced four findings related to the spirituality of lay leaders in the local church and the impact of leading change. Recommendations built on these findings, primarily at the local church level, are applicable across the Methodist connection. With consideration given for church size and ministry context, the recommendations would be helpful in assisting a local church in a move towards vitality in its life and ministry.