A-Developing Mission Vision

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Global Partnerships Learning Module Page 1 of 4iGPS: http://crcna.org/igps Draft version 2, May 6, 2008

Developing a Mission and Vision

Objectives: by the end of this session, you will have:1. Listened to definitions of mission and vision2. Assessed briefly strengths and challenges for your church and the world3. Shared a vision that excites you about global outreach4. Connected your assessments to your mission and vision to determine a strategy

Materials- Flip chart with paper and markers- Strategic Questionnaires Church and World

M i ssi o n a n d V i s i o n ( 2 0 m i n u t es)

Definitions:

A mission statement identifies the overall purpose of your team or group.A vision statement is a vivid description of what God could do if you effectively carry out your mission.

Why do we need a mission and vision?Write down reasons the group mentions.

What would happen if we did nothing further, ie. What would happen if we had no mission or vision for ourglobal outreach?Share these thoughts with the group.

At this point, please take 5-10 minute to pray asking for wisdom and insight and vision from God. Suggested format:

someone opens briefly, allow everyone to pray, and someone closes after 10 minutes.

Assessm en t (15 m in u t es )

Assess what you have: people, financial resources, spiritual gifts, job skills and training. Assess what you lack.

Fill out the Strategic Plan Questionnaire Church. In groups of three or four, identify 2 from each of the five areas which

are most important. Share these with the group. Write these out and group similar ones.

Assess the world: what is happening, where is the need

Fill out the Strategic Plan Questionnaire World. Count up the totals for each option and write out the top 5.

M i ssi o n St a t em en t s ( 2 0 m i n u t es)

Read the following mission statements. Circle words that jump out at you. Share the words with the group, as well as any

other words you think should be in your mission statement, and have someone write them down.


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1. Pioneers mobilizes teamsto glorify God among unreached peoples by initiating church planting movements inpartnership with local churches.

2. The Seed Companys mission is to complete Bible translations in the heart languages of peoplewithout Gods Word through partnering with: National colleagues Prayer supporters and investors Like-minded organizations

3. Stonebriar Community Church, in strategic partnership with like-minded ministries, is committed to theestablishment and support of biblically-based reproducing churches world-wide.

4. Sagebrush Community: To know Christ and make Christ known among all nations by equipping indigenousleaders and planting churches that plant churches.

5. Campus Crusade: We are helping to build spiritual movements so everyone knows someone who truly followsChrist.

6. CC Philadelphia: To make Christ known among all nations by equipping indigenous leaders and plantingreproducing churches which will be salt and light at all levels within their culture.

Desert Springs Community: We exist in the strengthening and establishment of biblically-based, indigenous, CPM

(church planting movements) among all nations.7. CC Murietta: We exist to develop relationships that demonstrate the Love of God, bring the Gospel to allpeople groups, and build up reproducing communities of believers worldwide.

8. Faith Burlington CRC: The Missions Resource Team is engaged in the life-long discipling process by spurring onour congregation to develop as World Christians in their Great Commission calling.

Purpose: Why do we do missions at all?Read the following scripture passages. Then ask Why do we do missions at all?(perhaps discuss What is missions? first)

Write out the answers shared.

Genesis 12:1-9 The Call of Abraham

Psalm 145 (especially note verse 12) Bringing Glory to God

Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20, John 20:19-22 Commissioning the Disciples

Matthew 9:35-38 Holistic Ministry

Colossians 1:24-29 Labouring in Mission

Choose: either have one person take the words and answers and craft a statement, or have someone facilitate that craft ing

in the group (Common formula:: We exist / will _________ in order / so that ___________.).

V i si o n St a t em en t s ( 20 m i n u t es)

Read the following vision statements. Write out one vision you have about global outreach which excites you. Share this with

the group. Write down these pieces of the vision.

1. Sagebrush

A. Church: We see a church so in love with Christ that they are no longer comfortable with the fleetingAmerican Dream, rather they are gripped by a vision to fulfill the Great Commission. We see a church passionatefor the nations, living and giving generously to fulfill the Great Commission. We see our own sons and daughtersgoing to the ends of the earth as short-term and career missionaries. We see every member of our churchempowered to fulfill a personal life mission in the world.


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B. Field: We see unreached people trusting in Christ, becoming disciples, leaders, missionaries and pastors. Wesee formerly unreached peoples reaching the remaining unreached peoples. We see churches being planted at theends of the earth where Christ is treasured, His Word is being taught by well-trained indigenous pastors, andpeople are being transformed by the power of God. We see nations being overturned by the love of Christ.We see things so wondrous they cant be explained.

2. First CRC, Hamilton

We will see the emergence of an ethnically diverse church worshipping in many places across the city ofHamiltona church deeply investing in its communities; engaging its culture; and seeing the gospel transformpeoples lives, their families, and their neighbourhoods. We will see other churches planted in other cities acrossCanada and other countries around the world.

3. Communities First Association (CFA)

CFA extends the reach of Christian Community Development across the country by providing encouragementand support for Christian leaders, serving as a place for retreat and refreshment, and developing holistic, multi-sector approaches that contribute to Gods shalom.

We envision an association that: Encourages churches and organizations to participate in community transformation. Provides Support for Christian Leaders. Builds a supportive learning community. Has leaders growing leaders. Serves as a place of retreat and refreshment. Has credibility with churches. Is a strategic influence & voice for change

Mental image: Why do we want a partnership?Share out loud and write down the answers to this question.

Choose: either have one person take the words and answers to craft a vision statement, or have someone facilitate that

crafting as a group.

P r a y er ( 10 m i n u t e s)

Break for prayer to uphold and allow the person crafting the statements to complete their work, or to pray overthe statements crafted by the group.

Write out the vision and mission for everyone to see.

St r a t eg i c P r i o r i t i e s ( 10 m i n u t es)

Strategic priorities are main areas of focus that are critical to achieve your vision. These should be chosen towork with the skills and gifts in your church. They will help you to say no to some things since they dont fit yourmission and vision.

Compare the answers to the World and Church questionnaires and write down any areas of overlap or commonality.

Which of these might become a priority for your global outreach? How do these fit with your mission and vision?


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M ob i l i z i n g You r Chu r ch ( 15 m i n u t es)

Mission and vision statement need to translate into changed behaviours. Draw a four quadrant grid and put one ofthe following titles in each:

1. Who needs to know: Who needs to be informed about what happened at this meeting? Is there agroup in the church who should approve the mission, vision and priorities?

2. What do we need to learn:After this exercise, what more do we need to learn? Who do we talk toabout this?

3. How do we generate excitement:How can the ideas be shared with the broader church? What canbe done to excite them about global outreach?

4. Other: Is there anything else that has come up which needs follow up?Share ideas for each of the quadrants, and write them in the grid. Decide who will take on these tasks and when they will

report back to the group.

Re-commitment to the mission and evaluation of the steps taken towards the vision will be ongoing activities.New strategies should be assessed to determine if they match the mission and vision.

Rel a t ed M odu l es

1. Promoting Mutual Growth

Adapted from materials by Bill Thornburg, CRWM, and input from Trish deJong, CRWM, Ben Vandezande, CRHM

Documents

A-Developing Mission Vision