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Mission Planning for Congregations Synod Assembly 2012 LIFT – Living into the Future Together What do you believe God is calling your congregation to be and do in your community? Could you see your congregation joining together with other congregations in your community to develop and carry out a mission plan in your community? In what kinds of networks are you participating within and across our synod that will engage people in creative approaches to ministry? Guiding Principles for Congregational Mission Planning: 1. Mission planning involves Three Great Listenings: God, community, household of faith 2. Mission planning is relational and fosters partnerships. 3. Every congregation is uniquely gifted by God. 4. Mission planning pays attention to context. 5. Mission planning is a shared journey. 6. Mission planning is ongoing. Effective Evangelical Congregations: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. have a clear vision of God’s mission, focused on Jesus Christ and the Great Commission are centered on Jesus Christ to make disciples are deeply involved in Bible study and prayer have inspiring worship that is connected to the needs and resources of the people in the community and congregation empower their lay leaders to use their spiritual gifts invite, welcome, and integrate newcomers effectively 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. engage the needs of the community and world have courageous, passionate, and contextual leaders who see themselves as witnesses to Jesus Christ are able to deal openly and productively with change and conflict recognize the need for joy, love, and community in those around them reach out to children & youth in their community work for justice and community transformation Thriving (growing or stable) in GMS share these traits: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Strong pastoral leadership – culture of trust mutuality, and respect Wide distribution of power/responsibility and ministry sharing Respond to the local culture – operate as mirrors and bridges of their locations Strong missional understanding – with a variety of direct, hands-on engagement Strong ecumenical ties 6. Balance of strong programmatic (attractant) and missional expressions 7. Intentional, open, and engaging communication 8. Emphasize building community including sense of belonging and connection Where is here? •End of long term pastorate •Arrival of new pastor •Departure or death of key leaders •Arrival of dynamic new members/leaders •Crisis in the community •Shift in population •Conflict •Financial loss/gain •Fire/disaster •New building •Etc. What’s Driving Your Congregation? Tradition Personality Finances Programs Buildings Events Purpose Questions to Explore What study/prayer/action has begun already in your congregation? How do you already see God at work in the community around you? How has scripture informed your understanding of God’s activity? How is your congregation already engaging in God’s activity in the community? How has your congregation involved others partners e.g. ecumenical, synodical, churchwide and community? How is leadership being multiplied and equipped? Simple Assessment Tool Commitment to God’s Mission No Clue Fully Engaged Willingness to Change OMDB FSA Leadership Mired in Conflict All on the same page Where are you going? What is the vision? For this time…. For this place. . . Action Steps: Cast Your Vision Pray & Go deep in the Word Listen to the hopes and dreams of your church …and your community Talk about, write about, hone and shape your vision Share your vision with the people and invite the community to shape it Select a guiding coalition (Dream Team, 20/20 Vision Team) How will you get there? Break things into concrete action Do them Evaluate Make adjustments Take the next step Faith in God changes everything! Mission Planning Toolbox www.milwaukeesynod.org Click on Resources Mission planning toolbox for congregations – in box on right side of page LIFT (Living into the Future Together) Outcomes: Make accessible mission planning resources from across the church Connect and develop lay leadership & rostered leaders who can engage in relational work Develop guiding principles for congregational mission planning Focus on long-term change of building relationships with communities and neighborhoods, rather than quick fixes Develop local mission tables Work together to nurture congregations that are evangelical (proclaiming God’s reconciling forgiveness, mercy, and love) and missional (engaged in witness and service in God’s world) through which God makes disciples of Jesus Christ Encourage completion of congregational mission plans by the end of 2012. Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you; and be gracious to you; the Lord LIFT up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.