Stages of City Transformation

Glenn Barth talked about the stages of city transformation as being in six stages that build upon one another. The first stage is exploration. This stage is visionary and needs someone who is catalytic who can see the value of people from every vocation, ministry, and family working together and who can build relationships throughout the community. Next comes formation and is based on convening and communication. People who are excited about the movement come together and develop a mission statement and objectives. Then, the transformation goes into operation. Either volunteers with the vision lead or someone is hired to lead the movement. Management involves creative thinking, decision-making, and motivation building. Next, the breakthroughs happen in which prayer and other effort leads to seeing God happening in the community. Breakthrough leads to transformation which involves discipling. Finally, replication then happens where other cities are coming to your city to be taught the process and not just the program. Of these stages exploration, operation, transformation, and replication continues to happen.