developing a missions strategy that fits your church part i: laying the foundation david mays
TRANSCRIPT
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
David Mays Director of Learning Initiatives for The Mission Exchange Ministry: Training, resources, and networking
to help church and mission leaders Dream: A movement of churches centered
on The Great Commission
www.DavidMays.org
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
The Mission Exchange Helping church and mission
leaders through mutual learning and cooperation Webinars Book Summaries Learning experiences
www.TheMissionExchange.org
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Definition of Strategy an intentional plan developed and implemented by
a local church that seeks to maximize its impact on the world [external][external]
as every member of the congregation moves toward becoming world Christians” [internal][internal]
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Your strategy is your roadmap. It describes how you will get somewhere or
accomplish something. Strategy assumes a goal, an object, something to
be accomplished.
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
The Key QuestionScripture
The Goal
PurposeOur Commitment
Our ChurchOur Role
Our WorldOpportunities
Key QuestionGod wants to accomplish
through us...
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
What shapes your missions* ministry? Crisis Denomination Excitement Leader Participation
Purpose Relationship Requests Trips Vision
*Note: Throughout this process we use the term “missions.” Missional churches prefer the term “mission,” and usually define “mission” somewhat broader than “missions.” Simply interpolate for your context. In some places we have given examples for both.
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
For Discussion What are the benefits of your current mode of
operation? What benefits do you expect from a strategy? As you understand it now, what do you think God
wants to accomplish in the world through your church?
What do you hope will happen as a result of this consultation?
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Strategy ContentA. Primary Inputs
Scripture - Goal Missions - Scope Church - Purpose The World - Challenges
B. Secondary Inputs Audiences Ministry Tasks Balance Focus History Relationships Our Roles Partnerships Participation
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Missions Strategy TemplateFoundation Biblical Basis – Scriptures & Goals Missions – Definition & Scope Purpose – Church & Missions Major World ChallengesPriorities Priorities Goals
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
What Scriptures do you think should guide your church missions ministry?
Read through the handout list. Add additional Scriptures that should be on the list.
What ones should we add? Mark your top five on the list.
1. Scripture
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
ScopeSelect a missions verse for your group.Does this verse indicate the scope of God’s purpose (who all it
includes)?Example: Isaiah 49:6b. …I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth. Scope:
The ends of the earth. Or all the earth.
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
OutcomesWhat happens as a result of missions?Does your Scripture suggest an outcome or result?Example: Isaiah 49:6b. …I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth. Result:
People receive God’s salvation.
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
CommandsDoes your Scripture give us a command?Example: Isaiah 49:6b. …I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth. Command:
Be a light (witness) to the Gentiles (nations).
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Biblical Foundation StatementRepeat this process for all Scriptures selected.Based on what you learned from these Scriptures, write a
sentence that has three parts:
We are commanded to …. (do what) In order to …. (accomplish what) In... (where or among whom)
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
The Big Goal In your group, discuss and write down the Big Goal
of missions (what God desires to accomplish through His Church).
The goal of missions is…
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Strategy TemplateBiblical Basis
Scriptures (written out) We believe these Scriptures
Call us to… (do what) In order to… (accomplish what) In… (where or among whom)
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
2. Missions - ScopeNot everything the church is called to do is missions.Missions is differentiated from church ministry.What is missions? Define missions for your church. Determine the boundaries – what it includes and what it
excludes.
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Missions Definition Based on what we have observed so far, in your
group, discuss and write down a definition of missions. Missions is …
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Missions Definition Review the definitions of missions in the handout. In your group, select one you like. Explain why you like it.
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Missions* Definition Write a selected definition here:
*Missional churches usually define “mission” somewhat broader than “missions.”
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
One Definition Review the Missions Boundaries list. Check any items that this definition requires. Put an X next to items that this definition excludes.
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Boundaries Relief & development ministries outside the U.S. Support ministries outside the U.S. (e.g. aviation) Social ministries in support of evangelism (e.g. hospital or education) Support ministries inside the U.S. (e.g. home office staff) Missionaries other than those you already know Projects and organizations (as well as missionaries) Cross-cultural ministries in the U.S. (e.g. ethnic communities) Same culture ministries in the U.S. (e.g. college ministries) Social ministry in your own community (e.g. Habitat, food pantries) Ministries to Christians in the U.S. (e.g. marriage or financial counseling) Support of national missionaries, churches, or organizations Mission trips Ministry done by members of your congregation in your community Ministry by your congregation on your premises
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
My definition of missions Sending (or being sent as) Equipped and trained workers Across boundaries of distance, language, culture For spiritual purposes And supporting the above
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Strategy TemplateMissions Definition of Missions:
Scope and Boundaries of Missions: Includes, for example, …
Excludes, for example, …
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
3. Your Missions Purpose Statement
Inputs: Missions Scriptures Your Definition of Missions Your Church Purpose Statement
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Church Purpose What is your church purpose statement? Your church purpose statement tells what your
church is committed to accomplish. Every ministry must contribute to the purpose.
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Church Purpose Statement Does your purpose statement
Require cross-cultural or global missions? Allow cross-cultural or global missions?
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Church Purpose Statement Write a church purpose statement here.
_______________________________ Write a missions purpose statement based on this church
purpose statement. What would you write? _________________________________
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Missions Purpose Example Example #1:
Church Purpose Statement: Our church exists to make fully devoted followers of Christ.
Missions Purpose Statements: A. The missions ministry exists to make fully devoted followers of Christ
worldwide.
B. The missions ministry exists to make fully devoted followers of Christ in other cultures.
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Missions Purpose Example Example #2:
Church Purpose Statement: Love God; Grow Together; Reach the World.
Missions Purpose Statement: The purpose of the missions team is to help church leaders reach the
world.
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Missions Purpose Example
Example #3:Goal of Missions: To preach, serve, love, and make disciples of Christ in all nations of
the earth.
Missions Purpose Statement: To assist our church leaders in fulfilling our church’s role to preach,
serve, love, and make disciples of Christ in all nations of the earth.
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Strategy TemplatePurpose Church Purpose (or Mission) Statement
Missions Purpose (or Mission) Statement
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
4. The World - ChallengesIn relation to the Goal Who is not being reached? What is not being done? What has been neglected? Where are the greatest barriers? What has most leverage? Where are the greatest opportunities?
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Research Question What are some of the most critical things needed
to reach the Big Goal?
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Big Challenges Muslim World Unreached Peoples Creative Access Countries Asia Poor and Oppressed Cities
Children and Youth Partnering c Nonwesterners Diseases and Disasters Persecution & Fanaticism Pluralism, Materialism &
Nominalism Mobilizing the Church
This information helps shape the missions ministry.
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Sources for Research Operation World Exploring World Mission Missions in the Third Millennium www.globalchristianity.org www.gmi.org/ow/downloads/YLG2006.ppt Mission Frontiers
Reference: Building Global Vision, pp. 35-48
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
Strategy TemplateMajor World Challenges Summary statement of major obstacles, barriers,
and opportunities to The Goal that are most significant to us
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
DiscussionA. Major Inputs
Scripture - Goal Missions - Scope Church Purpose The World - Challenges
Do our leaders agree on our Scriptural mandate?
Do we agree on missions? Does our church purpose
statement clearly call for missions?
Have any of these been missing in our thinking?
Which needs most work?
Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church
DiscussionA. Major Inputs
Scripture - Goal Missions - Scope Church - Purpose The World - Challenges
How well do we know our world?
What do we most need to learn?
Who has helpful input? Would it help to survey? Who will research? Where do we expect
conflict? Prayer items?