Missions Strategy Workbook

Church

Facilitated by –

EFCA ReachGlobal

Month/Day/Year

1

Table of ContentsI. FOUNDATIONAL CONSIDERATONS 4

A. ScriptureB. MissionsC.Church PurposeD.Prayer

II. COMPONENTS OF MISSIONS STRATEGY 6A. Acts 19 LocationsB. Biblical CompassionC. Indigenous Movement LeaderD.Church DNA

III. GLOBAL OUTREACH TRENDS 12IV. PROCESS 13

A. Next StepsB. Meeting Schedule

Appendix 17

Missions Strategy Template 19Missions Scriptures 21Missions Scope and Boundaries 25Missions Definitions 26Budget Grids 28Church DNA Factors (definitions) 30Credits 31

2

2

Definitions of Strategy:

“A missions strategy is an intentional plan developed and implemented by a local church that seeks to maximize its impact on the world [external (engagement)] as every member of the congregation moves toward becoming world Christians. [internal (mobilization)]” - Blake McDaniel

“Strategic thinking and planning is a disciplined, ongoing process of

thinking and praying carefully about how a church can optimize its future and then managing the process.”

Strategic planning and dependence on God are not mutually exclusive.

Strategic thinking is critical to strategic planning!

Strategy describes how we will pursue our priorities and vision.

The key question:

How can your church be part of gospel-centered movements transforming lives and communities worldwide in the power of God’s Spirit?

3

CONTENTI. Foundational Considerations

Scripture: What scriptures guide us? Missions: How do we define missions? Church purpose: How does our missions/outreach purpose align with our

church purpose? Prayer: An integral part of your missions strategy

A. Scripture - What scriptures inform your direction in missions?

What Scriptures provide our authority and direction in missions? For example: Gen 12:1-3; Ps 67; Isaiah 49:6; Matt 28:16-20; Mark 13:10; Luke

24:44-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; (appendix, p 21 )

Questions:So what is the goal of missions (what are we trying to accomplish)?

Strategy Template (appendix, p.19): begin with biblical basis section that includes:

The primary scripture(s) for our missions foundation.

God's end goal for people and our part in it.

Our commentary on what these scriptures call our church to do.

Resources: “Great Commission-Driven Church,” (pre-seminar reading)

B. Missions – How do we define missions?

If your church has a written definition of missions, write it out here.

How broad or how narrow is “missions” for our church?

How is missions differentiated from other church ministry?

Strategy Template:● Write a definition of missions for your strategy. ● Write a statement describing the boundaries. Include examples of the

kinds of ministries and peoples that would be included in missions and examples of those that are not.

Resources: Missions Definitions & Boundaries (appendix, p26)

4

4

C. Church Purpose: How does our missions/outreach purpose align with our church purpose?

Write out your church purpose statement here.

What portion of our church purpose statement is fulfilled by doing missions?

How does missions help fulfill the written purpose of our church?

Strategy Template: write a purpose statement for the missions ministry that aligns with, and contributes, to your church purpose.

D. Prayer: An integral part of your missions strategyPray for:

God’s vision in your missions strategy Missions commitment in your congregation Raising up short- and long-term workers The missionaries you support Your missions team and partners The gospel to reach the unreached

5

II. Major Components of Missions Strategy

A. Acts 19 Locations (impact a region)A strategy for reaching cities and rural areas. Does your church favor outreach in cities or rural areas? What is the difference between multiplication and addition?

B. Biblical Compassion (be the love of Jesus) How do evangelism and compassion fit together? How will your church use its people’s gifts for this? Is it being it being done

locally, globally?

C. Indigenous Movement Leader Impact a movement Missiologists are saying that the leadership of world missions has passed

from an exclusive western group to partnerships between western and indigenous movement leaders. What is your church’s role in this? What are the roles of these indigenous leaders? How do you connect with those leaders?

D. Church DNA (multiply your influence) What is it about your church which can be “exported?” Peoples’ gifts, skills, experiences that are useful in kingdom expansion?

Church DNA Factors:

1. AudienceThe term "audiences" is a way of referring to those whom we are most concerned to serve, love, evangelize, and disciple. These may be defined by geography, culture, ethnicity, needs, or religious background and opportunity.

Examples might include: Geography – continents, countries, tribes Opportunity - the least reached, religious mega spheres THUMB – tribal, Hindu, unreligious (Chinese), Muslim, Buddhist Nominal Christians – Catholic, Orthodox, liberal Protestant, cults Persecuted church, the young developing church, heavily

evangelized Handicapped, poor, oppressed, marginalized, incarcerated, abused,

orphans, the wealthy, educated, and influential Search vs. Harvest - “Do you go where the gospel hasn’t yet been,

or to “low-hanging” fruit?

6

6

If this is a key factor for your church, write a summary of those audiences that are your priority audiences.

2. Balance: Global / Local How does our church structure for Acts 1:8 ministries?What proportion of our missions resources should we proportion to global and to local?

Jerusalem (the natural spheres of influence of the church), Judea (geographically near, culturally similar people), Samaria (geographically near, culturally different people), and the Ends of the earth (geographically distant, culturally different

people)?A more contemporary way of dividing these groups is as follows:

People like us nearby People unlike us nearby People unlike us far away

If this is a key factor for our church, how should our resources be apportioned? Write a paragraph describing and explaining how we would like our efforts to be apportioned.

3. Focus – 1000 Points of Light or a BeaconHow broadly or narrowly should we spread our efforts? Is this an important factor for us? What factors help us decide? Do we have a focus now? Our resources? Our interests?

a. Do we have focus areas now? List any of your current missions ministries that receive a much greater focus than other missions involvements.

b. If this is a key factor for your church, decide how you hope to distribute your resources and efforts.

4. History - Church Missions History and Valuesa. How has God led us in the past?b. What has been important to us? c. What values have guided our decisions? What values are still

important? d. What do we strongly want to continue?

7

e. Is there a compelling reason to break with the past, to become more effective and purposeful, to gain leadership and congregational commitment?

f. How important is it to break with the past to become more effective and purposeful and to gain leadership and congregational commitment?

g. How important is it to make a smooth, graceful, long-term transition?

Write a paragraph of commentary on how we perceive our past and present missions ministry in relation to the future and how we propose to move forward.

Note: If your church has very little missions history or very little ongoing support of individuals or ministries, and this is not an important issue, then skip this section and go on to the next.

5. Relationships with “our own” and Potential Missionaries a. What priority will we give to identify, raise up, train and send workers

from our own church or fellowship?

b. Will we partner with missionaries sent from other churches? What priority will we assign between the two?

c. If this has been an important issue in the past, then determine how important it is now, and how you will address it for the future.

How much will a prior relationship impact our strategy? Will we make exceptions? On what basis?

What will we do when a candidate applies with whom we have a relationship but whose ministry does not fit our strategy? And visa versa?

Write a paragraph of commentary summarizing your consensus on how you intend to handle the relationship issue.

Resource: Skills, Knowledge, Character: A Church-based Approach to Missionary Candidate Preparation, Greg Carter. Next Step Resources http://www.nsresources.com/browse.cfm/4,5879.html

Resource: Determining What Missionaries to Support (Resource Manual)

8

8

6. Church Gifting, Vocations, Interests Questions to Ask:

1-Is there a type of ministry that is garnering growing involvement and enthusiasm on the part of the congregation? Try to identify why: Is it leadership? Significance of need? Exciting results?   2-Very unique characteristics - Are there elements in this church that others around us don’t share?  3-A special uniqueness about the location or history? 4-Some passion that ties together the pastoral staff and other key leaders?  6-A cross-cultural ministry the church has which God is uniquely blessing?  7-Something that particularly stimulates the involvement of our young adults?  8-A missionary or organization we already are involved with that has a vision far bigger than our current resources? 9-A significant number of members of the congregation involved in a particular type of occupation? 10- Anything strangely lacking in your congregation? This could be in terms of vocations, ministry passions, etc. (helps to determine what is not a fit)  11-If there are strong denominational ties, what do denominational leaders (and you) believe you are called to accomplish?  12-Globally connected people whom God has seemed to “drop into our lap”?  13-Particular strengths pertinent for cross-cultural work?

14-What kinds of ministry tasks and roles fit best with the way God has gathered and equipped our congregation?

9

If this element is significant for your missions strategy, then research your church for those qualities that can positively influence missions ministry.

Write a conclusion of the kinds of ministries and involvement that relate to the world situation that best fit your congregation.

Resource: Building Global Vision, David Mays, for instructions and worksheets to examine key areas (such as social situation, vocations, skills, expertise, age, gifts, values, etc.)

7. Participation How important is it for our congregation to be able to contribute hands-on to the ministry?

If the personal involvement of our congregation is important to our church, consider the following questions:

● How important is it that our people be able to go there?

● How important is it for the work to be in an area that is 'safe' and financially accessible to our congregation?

● How important is it that for ministry to be the kind of ministry that our people can practically assist on-site?

If this is a key factor, write a paragraph explaining why involvement of the congregation is important and what that means for the selection of missionary personnel, programs, projects, and ongoing ministry.

8. Partnershipa. How important is it for our church to join other US churches and

agencies to do what we could not do alone?b. To what degree do we desire to work in partnership with overseas

churches, organizations, and movements?c. How important is it for our missionaries to work in partnership with other

missions entities where they serve?d. What kinds of other partnerships do we know about?

Are any of these particularly attractive to us? Why? What particular kinds of partnership do we desire to foster? What do we need in order to proceed with this?

Resources: (first two are in resources manual)1. Key Principles for Healthy Missions Partnerships 2. Partnership Champion Description

10

10

3. Healthy Missions Partnerships course: http://www.equip.efca.org/calendar

4. When Helping Hurts , Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert

If this is an important criterion for your church, write out a statement describing your intentions and desires.

Write one or more paragraphs that:● Describe the partnerships that are important to our church. ● Give the rationale for why this is important to us. ● Explain the degree to which this will influence our missions

decisions.

9. Ministry Tasks and Types

a. What types of ministry tasks are most strategic for us and the world?(Ex.: leader training, church planting, discipleship, evangelism, ministries of compassion, etc.)

b. Determine whether this is a high priority for our church.c. If yes, list the various kinds of missions ministries or tasks that our

church is doing or supporting now.

d. Write a summary of those ministry tasks we believe are most important, urgent, or strategic with our rationale as to why this is so.

Conclusion of Church DNA Discussiona. Remember that the key factors for your church are not necessarily the ones

that appeal to you or to raise the prominence of a ministry that you support. Select the key factors that will best help your church to maximize its effectiveness in missions.

b. What needs to change?

c. Where do we need education? ● For our leaders? ● For our team? ● For our congregation?

Where do we anticipate disagreement?How will we pray through these things?

Are those four major components embedded in our missions/outreach strategy? If not, how can they influence our strategy for the greatest kingdom impact?

11

III. Global Outreach Trends(further details in “Global Outreach Trends” PowerPoint presentation - can be used as a follow up to the initial strategy presentation)

Where do most of the unevangelized/unreached people live?Where do most of the world’s evangelical Christians live?What research do we need to do? (See #3 in meeting schedule section)

Where are the greatest opportunities, and what provides the most leverage?

Strategy Template: under “major world opportunities” list your primary findings. Include a consensus summary of the most significant barriers and opportunities to reach your goal.

The Key Question Summary Steps:

How can your church be part of gospel-centered movements transforming lives, communities, and institutions worldwide in the power of God’s Spirit?

What common themes are you seeing?Can we begin to see a clear picture of what God wants to accomplish through our church?Can we identify particular priorities or focus areas or goals?

12

12

IV. Process Steps, developing the Missions Strategy TeamA. Next Steps(How we establish our priorities, areas of focus, or goals and write our Strategy)1. Saturate the entire process with prayer. Begin by enlisting volunteers to pray

faithfully. Assign someone on the team to be sure good prayer happens throughout the process.

2. Determine who will make up the missions strategy team. a. Who will represent the mission team? Who else will be included? (consider):

i. A pastorii. Missions pastor/chairiii. A board memberiv. A key influencerv. Strategic thinkersvi. A researchervii. Someone who thinks objectivelyviii. Objectivityix. Someone who is passionate for missions

b. Recruit the team; explain the objectives and process; gain their commitment.

3. Determine a meeting schedule to complete a strategy draft. Schedule your first meeting as soon as possible. Start by determining the best fit for key members like pastors or elders.

4. Communicate with leaders, congregation, and missionaries. Assign someone on the team to be sure good communication happens throughout the process.

5. Survey our leaders and/or the congregation regarding their missions vision, knowledge, values, and preferences.

6. Communicate with leaders, congregation, and missionaries. Again, assign someone on the team to be sure good communication happens throughout the process.

7. Analyze the missions ministry a. Categorize and analyze current missions efforts (dollars, people, programs,

and projects). ( “Budgeting Grids,” appendix, page 29 - 30) Analyze your current missions involvements in terms of budget dollars, number of missionaries, partnerships, or projects and insert those figures in one of the grid.

b. Consider how missions decisions are being made now. What values guide decisions?

13

B. Suggested Meeting Schedule

Meeting every two weeks, this six meeting schedule will be completed in about 3 months. Meeting every three weeks, it will take about 4 months.

You may have some of these components in place, shortening the process.

Meeting 1:1. Decide on the primary Scriptures that provide your missions basis and aims.

a. We may want to do a Bible Study on missions with our group before beginning this section. (see “Missions Scriptures,” appendix, pages 21 – 24)

b. Write out these Scriptures.

2. Develop your own definition of missions. a. Write out what missions is for our church.b. In a supplemental statement write the types of things that are to be

included and the types of things that are to be considered part of other ministries (in no way denigrating their importance).

Meetings 1 – 3:3. Research the World (Resource): Over the course of the first three meetings,

research the world needs. a. Following are some helpful resources:

i. Operation World, Jason Mandrykii. PeopleGroups.Org. http://www.peoplegroups.org/iii. State of the Gospel

http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/resources/detail/12417#.UP2qOuhF_pE

iv. Missionexus: http://www.missionexus.org/ v. When Helping Hurts, Brian Fikkert, Steve Corbettvi. The Future of the Global Church, Patrick Johnstone

b. After researching the above resources, write up what we see as major obstacles or opportunities in the world with respect to:

i. Role of the North American church and missionaryii. Current mission ministry trends

14

14

iii. Talk with your mission strategy workshop leader about the kinds of things you need to do research.

c. Additional ongoing resources and potential courses for your team to consider:

i. Joshua Project:  http://www.joshuaproject.net/ ii. US Center for World Missions: http://www.uscwm.org/iii. Perspectives Course.org *iv. Kingdom Expansion 101 – EFCA EQUIP course: equip.efca.org *v. Mission Frontiers Magazine from the US Center for World Missionsvi. http://www.globalchristianity.org Global Mapping International:

http://www.gmi.org/links/discover/missions/vii. World Christian Database.

http://www.worldchristiandatabse.org/wcd/

Meeting 2:4. Write a purpose statement for the missions ministry.5. If you already have one, revisit your mission purpose statement to make sure it

communicates what you want it to communicate but still describe how it helps you accomplish the vision statement of the church.

a. This may be an addition to your church purpose statement.b. It may be an expression of what God has called you to do in the world.c. It may be a statement suggesting your role is "to help church leaders carry

out their missions purpose in the church," or something similar.

6. Work through the factors in your church DNA componenta. Bring any additional leader, congregation, and missionary survey results

to the discussionb. Explain and discuss each DNA component.c. Decide which elements are of most important to our church.

7. Continue working through #3 above, Researching the World.

Meeting 3:8. Develop a preliminary strategy that incorporates each DNA component (value)

that is important to you. d. Write a statement about the elements that are most important and how

those elements shape your new missions strategy.e. Review strategies from other churches (if helpful).

15

f. Given your values, do additional research on various geographies, peoples, and ministry tasks.

a. Read widelyb. Consult with other churches and mission agenciesc. Attend pertinent networking meetings available in the United Statesd. When possible, travel to the field to discern our options.

Meeting 4:9. Budget analysis

a. Set up any budget categories or grids that are helpful and determine any 5 year financial goals God has given you to pursue.

10.Review the past three meetings a. Scripture (meeting1)b. Definition of missions (meeting 1)c. Purpose statement (meeting 2)d. Preliminary strategy document

Meeting 5:11.Complete a Draft of the strategy paper and get feedback and approvals

a. From the findings from previous weeks, use the Strategy Template if it helps (“Strategy Template,” appendix, pages 19 - 20) to write a draft strategy – This can be done progressively through the process.

b. Get input and feedback from other leaders on each section as we proceed outside of strategy discovery team meetings.

c. Get final approvals.

Meeting 6: 12.Communicate broadly

a. Develop a plan to communicate the strategy to leaders, missionaries, congregation, and potential missionaries

13. Implement – the missions team can do this after the strategy is discovered. Your workshop facilitator is available to help coach you through the implementation process.

a. Determine what policy, personnel, structure, finances, and annual mission ministry goals you need to develop to support the strategy

16

16

APPENDIX

Missions Strategy Template, p.19

Missions Scriptures, p.21

Missions Scope and Boundaries, p.25

Missions Definitions, p.26

Budget Grids, p.28

Church DNA Factors (definitions), p.30

17

18

18

Missions Strategy TemplateMissions Strategy for _______________________ Church. Date: ______

Foundational ConsiderationsPrimary Scripture (s):

Our Definition of Missions:

Church Purpose:

Missions Purpose Statement:

Prayer (our major needs):

Major Components of Missions StrategyActs 19 Locations (impact a region)

Biblical Compassion (be the love of Jesus)

19

Indigenous Movement Leader (impact a movement)

Church DNA (our top 3 factors)

Major World OpportunitiesSummary of global opportunities that are most significant to us:

Priorities & Focus Areas

Our most important priorities from among the four major missions strategy components, the church DNA factors, and the foundational considerations.

Goals/ResultsIn 3-5 years, we desire to see our missions efforts change in the following ways:

Include a budgeting grid that reflects your efforts and your goals (your key results areas).

20

20

Missions Scriptures

Genesis 12:3I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Exodus 19:5Although the whole earth is mine

Deuteronomy 28:9-109 The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you.

Joshua 4:23-2423 For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. 24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.

1 Samuel 17:46This day the LORD will hand you over to me…and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.

2 Samuel 22:50Therefore I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to your name.

II Kings 19:19Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God.

1 Chronicles 16:23-2423 Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

2 Chronicles 6:33…then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you…

Nehemiah 9:6You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

Psalm 46:10Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 86:9All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

Isaiah 49:6I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.

Jeremiah 3:17At that time they will call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD.

21

Ezekiel 36:23I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.

Daniel 7:13-1413 In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him…

Amos 9:11-1211 "In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be, 12 so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name," declares the LORD, who will do these things.

Nahum 1:5The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it.

Habakkuk 2:14For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Zephaniah 3:8-98, 9 I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them-- all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger. Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.

Haggai 2:7“I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,” says the LORD Almighty.

Zechariah 14:9The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.

Malachi 1:11“My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations," says the LORD Almighty.

Matthew 28:19“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit….”

Mark 13:10And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.

John 3:16-1716 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Acts 1:8

22

22

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Romans 15:12And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."

1 Corinthians 10:26"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."

2 Corinthians 5:19…that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ...

Galatians 3:8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."

Ephesians 1:10…to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Philippians 2:10…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth

Colossians 1:6All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing…

1Thessalonians 1:8The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia… your faith in God has become known everywhere…

1 Timothy 3:16Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

2 Timothy 4:17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it…

Titus 2:11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Hebrews 10:10… we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

James 1:18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

1 Peter 3:18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God…

I John 4:14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

Jude 1:25

23

To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Revelation 5:9-10And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

24

24

Missions Scope and Boundaries

Definitions establish boundaries. Missions leadership teams frequently find themselves dealing with too many ministries of too broad a scope. Further, the missions budget becomes the target for every ministry that doesn’t fall logically somewhere else. The missions budget may become the “miscellaneous fund.”

In order to clarify what qualifies for missions funding and in order to limit the workload to what is most important and manageable, it is valuable to draw boundaries. Where are the edges? What kinds of ministries, projects, and Christian workers, do not qualify for missions consideration? Our Scriptural basis for missions and our church philosophy of ministry will provide input for our definition.

Following are some questions, which may help determine what’s “in” and what’s “out.” After answering these questions, it may be possible to write a simple definition of missions for our church. We may change it later, but in the interim we avoid having missions stretched beyond recognition by the precedent of individual decisions.

For our church, does missions include?

Ministry outside the U.S. only

Cross-cultural ministry only

Spiritual ministry only

Field ministry only

Evangelism & church planting only

Social ministry with clear spiritual aims only

Missionary support only

Missionaries from our church or denomination only

Vocational ministry only

Work done only by missionaries sent

American missionaries only

Work done only outside the church

or

or

or

or

or

or

or

or

or

or

or

or

ministries inside the U.S. as well e.g. ministry to ethnic communities in our citysame culture ministry as well e.g. ministry to college students, seminaries, retirementrelief, development, & support ministries, as well e.g. emergency disaster relief or missionary aviationadministration and support as well e.g. home office staff, secretariesholistic ministry as well e.g. medical or hospital or educationcompassion ministry on its own as well e.g. Habitat, food pantries, crisis pregnancy centerprojects and organizations as well

other missionaries as well

short term and mission trips as well

work done by the congregation as well

partnership with national Christians, national churches and national organizations as well

work done by our church on our premises as well

25

Missions Definitions

“By mission I mean the total redemptive purpose of God to establish his kingdom. Missions, on the other hand, [as contrasted with mission] is the activity of God’s people the church to proclaim and to demonstrate the kingdom of God in the world.” - Avery Willis

“Missions is any endeavor aimed toward the goal of reaching beyond the needs of the local congregation for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission – by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ making disciples and relating to the whole need of mankind, both spiritual and physical.”

“The sending out of specially equipped disciple-makers who cross barriers of distance, culture and language in order to establish and strengthen the church in places beyond the normal sphere of influence of our members.”

“East Lansing Trinity church affirms the definition of missions as any endeavor outside its local congregation to fulfill the Great Commission of Christ, making disciples and relating to the whole need of mankind--spiritual and physical.” - East Lansing Trinity Church, East Lansing, MI

"The sending out and supporting of equipped disciple-makers who cross barriers of distance, culture and language in order to establish and strengthen the church in places beyond the normal sphere of influence of our members, both within and outside the USA." - Northwest Bible Church, Dallas, TX

“Missions is disciple making beyond Grace Church’s immediate sphere of influence for the purpose of establishing and strengthening local churches throughout the world.” - Grace Church of Edina)

“Missions is that endeavor of the local church to carry the gospel across cultural and/or geographical boundaries in order to make disciples for Christ from every group of people.” - Ward Church, Livonia, MI

“Missions may be defined as the sending out of specially equipped disciple-makers who cross barriers of distance, culture, or language in order to establish and strengthen the church in places beyond the normal sphere of influence of our members. Missions, then, is specially cross-cultural outreach, whereas evangelism includes sharing the gospel in one’s own culture. Missions is defined primarily by culture, rather than by geography.” - Northwest Church, Fresno, CA

Definition of a Cross-Cultural Church Planting Missionary:Cross-cultural church planting missionaries are messengers sent by their respective churches to places where there is no Christian witness. They live an exemplary life and communicate the gospel in ways their new neighbors can understand. Their aim is to see conversions to Jesus Christ. They teach believers to obey all of Christ’s commandments. The final goal of their missionary activity is a body of obedient Christian disciples who are able to carry on the work of evangelism and discipleship among their own people and who are eager and able to reach other peoples also.” - Establishing Ministry Training, Robert W. Ferris, ed., p. 33

26

26

Frontier Missions and Domestic Ministries“By frontier missions I mean the effort of the church to penetrate an unreached people with the gospel and establish there an ongoing, indigenous church which will apply the love and justice of Christ to that culture. By domestic ministries I mean the diversified efforts of a local church to apply the love and justice of Christ to its own culture. (In both of these I include individual and his personal conversion to Christ as part of the goal.)

Since missions and ministries are the efforts of extremely diversified people, how does the singling out of frontier missions for special emphasis relate to the tremendous diversity of people in the church and the great variety of personalities and interests and abilities and callings that they have? Should everyone have the same level of interest and involvement in frontier missions? If not, how does what each of us does relate to that cause? Or should it?

Now stop and think about that. What this means is that frontier missions is the exportation of the possibility and practice of domestic ministries in the name of Jesus to unreached people groups. Why should there be tension between these two groups of people? The frontier people honor the domestic people by agreeing that their work is worth exporting. The domestic people honor the frontier people by insisting that what they export is worth doing here.” - John Piper, Bethlehem Baptist Church

“Missions at College Church shall be defined as ministry which fulfills the Great Commission by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ cross-culturally through evangelism, discipleship, Bible translation, church planting and church leadership development, giving priority to the least reached.  MISSIONS is a part of the Church’s total MISSION. MISSION describes who the Church is and what the Church does to advance Christ’s kingdom for his glory. Missions describes the Church’s activity to advance Christ’s kingdom across language and/or ethnic boundaries. This ministry among peoples of distinctly different cultures and languages is CROSS-CULTURAL and is the particular focus of the Board of Missions. - Bruce Wilson, College Church, Wheaton, IL

World, National, and Local Missions shall be defined as any ministry aimed outside the continental United States or a cross-cultural ministry within the continental United States, the purpose of which is to fulfill the Great Commission by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ through evangelism, church planting, church development, and training and/or equipping of Christian leadership. Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

Missions - sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in a meaningful way cross-culturally especially with those groups who do not have a viable Christian witness within their own culture.

27

Budget Grid 1Church: Add Church name here Ministry Type

Missionary/Agency Annual Evangelism Disciplship Other Other

1 $0

2 $0

3 $0

4 $0

5 $0

6 $0

7 $0

8 $0

9 $0

10 $0

11 $0

12 $0

13 $0

14 $0

15 $0

16 $0

17 $0

18 $0

19 $0

20 $0

21 $0

22 $0

23 Non-Allocated $0

Total $0 $0 $0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Place the number 1 in each box to designate the ministry type in which the missionary/agency is engaged.

Current Monthly Support

Future Support

Pre-Evangelism/ Translation

Leadership Development

Church Planting

Holistic/ Compassion

Support Ministries

28

28

Budget Grid 2 Place the number 1 in each box to designate each ministry's Geographic View and Strategic Component (all that apply).

Church: Add Church name here Geographic View Strategic Components

Missionary/Agency Annual Local National International Other Other

1 $0

2 $0

3 $0

4 $0

5 $0

6 $0

7 $0

8 $0

9 $0

10 $0

11 $0

12 $0

13 $0

14 $0

15 $0

16 $0

17 $0

18 $0

19 $0

20 $0

21 $0

22 $0

23 Non-Allocated $0

Total $0 $0 $0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Current Monthly Support

Future Support

Acts 19 Locations

Biblical Compassion

Indigenous Movement

LeadersUnreached

Peoples

29

Church DNA Factors (definitions):

AudienceHow important is it to work toward reaching or ministering to particular groups of people? This may be indicated by continents, countries, religious groups, or people groups.

BalanceHow important is it to achieve a better balance of local and global efforts?Do we need to adjust the locations of use of our budget dollars, workers, projects, or partnerships.

FocusShould we shine a beacon or glow with 1000 points of light? How important is it to adjust our focus?Is it better to do one big thing, many small things, or somewhere in between?

HistoryHow much should we continue the mission efforts and values of the past?How much do we need to change and how quickly?

'Our Own' - RelationshipsHow important is it to support those we already know or who are part of our congregation or fellowship?How willing are we to partner with others?

Gifting, RolesHow important is it to engage in ministry that fits the gifts, skills, vocations, and inclinations of our congregation?

ParticipationHow important is it that our people be able to contribute hands-on to the ministry?How important is it that we work in areas that are safe, close, or cost effective for our travel?

PartnershipHow important is it that our congregation partner with other entities in mission work?How important is it that the projects or missionaries we support are part of larger partnership efforts?

TasksHow important is it for us to evaluate, select, and support more strategic, critical, and urgent ministry tasks? How important is it to avoid or minimize less strategic ministry opportunities

30

30

Credits

David Mays, Scott Moreau, Eric Swanson, Jason Mandryk, and the Connect Team at EFCA ReachGlobal

31