Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church

Developing a Missions StrategyThat Fits Your Church Part I: Laying the Foundation David Mays

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

The Mission Exchange • Helping church and mission leaders through mutual learning and cooperation • Webinars • Book Summaries • Learning experiences www.TheMissionExchange.org

Definition of Strategy • an intentional plan developed and implemented by a local church that seeks to maximize its impact on the world[external] • as every member of the congregation moves toward becoming world Christians” [internal]

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.

The Key Question: What does God want to accomplish in the world through our church?

The Key Question Scripture The Goal Purpose Our Commitment Our Church Our Role Our World Opportunities Key Question God wants to accomplish through us...

Crisis Denomination Excitement Leader Participation Purpose Relationship Requests Trips Vision What shapes your missions* ministry? *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.

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?

I. CONTENT A. Primary Inputs B. Secondary Inputs

A. 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 Strategy Content

Missions Strategy Template Foundation • Biblical Basis – Scriptures & Goals • Missions – Definition & Scope • Purpose – Church & Missions • Major World Challenges Priorities • Priorities • Goals

1. Scripture • 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.

Scope Select 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.

Outcomes What 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.

Commands Does 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).

Biblical Foundation Statement Repeat 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)

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…

Strategy Template Biblical Basis • Scriptures (written out) • We believe these Scriptures • Call us to… (do what) • In order to… (accomplish what) • In… (where or among whom)

2. Missions - Scope Not 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.

Missions Definition • Based on what we have observed so far, in your group, discuss and write down a definition of missions. • Missions is …

Missions Definition • Review the definitions of missions in the handout. • In your group, select one you like. • Explain why you like it.

Missions* Definition • Write a selected definition here: *Missional churches usually define “mission” somewhat broader than “missions.”

One Definition • Review the Missions Boundaries list. • Check any items that this definition requires. • Put an X next to items that this definition excludes.

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

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

Strategy Template Missions • Definition of Missions: • Scope and Boundaries of Missions: • Includes, for example, … • Excludes, for example, …

3. Your Missions Purpose Statement Inputs: • Missions Scriptures • Your Definition of Missions • Your Church Purpose Statement

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.

Church Purpose Statement • Does your purpose statement • Require cross-cultural or global missions? • Allow cross-cultural or global missions?

Church Purpose Statement • Write a church purpose statement here. • _______________________________ • Write a missions purpose statement based on this church purpose statement. What would you write? • _________________________________

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.

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.

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.

Strategy Template Purpose • Church Purpose (or Mission) Statement • Missions Purpose (or Mission) Statement

4. The World - Challenges In 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?

Research Question • What are some of the most critical things needed to reach the Big Goal?

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 Big Challenges This information helps shape the missions ministry.

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

Strategy Template Major World Challenges • Summary statement of major obstacles, barriers, and opportunities to The Goal that are most significant to us

The Key Question: What does God want to accomplish in the world through our church?

A. 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? Discussion

A. 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? Discussion

Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church