Church Mission Action Planning

Making a start

The connexional website outlines a simple eight step process which is very easy to follow and support by additional information.

Going a bit deeper the main textbook for Mission Action Planning is How to do Mission Action Planning: Prayer, process and practice by Mike Chew and Mark Ireland. This book is an excellent resource outlining a full process around a reflective cycle.

These two options are basically two different ways of describing the same thing. The connexional process has eight steps which makes each step smaller and simplier. However, the strength of the Chew and Ireland model is the presentation as a cycle and the way that some aspects mirror the reflective cycle found in much teaching around theological reflection.

Review

 

This is the best place to start on the cycle. It is about taking stock of, and looking afresh at where a congregation finds itself when it comes to vision, resources (people, building(s), money etc) and passions. In addition to this it is also about reviewing the missional opportunities that are present in the local geographical area or the networks in which the congregation is connected.

In the connexional 8-step process this stage is split into two: “Step 2: Do a community audit” and “Step 3: Conduct a church review”.

Good tools and resources for this stage:

Once you have all the data available, the conversations will focus on bringing clarity to the vision of the church. The more specific you can be, the easier it will be to move into the next stage. As always simplicity and clarity are key.

Outcomes from this stage of the process might be a set or priorities, a succinct tag-line / mantra, or a simple mission statement.

Good examples of tag-lines / mantras:

Good examples of priorities:

  • Evangelistic focus to work with ages 12-18.

  • Deepening the faith and commitment of existing members.

  • Meeting the need of food poverty in the local community.

  • Engagement and interactivity in worship

As established membership organisations, most churches do have a sense who they are and what they are about: their specific mission. However, this is rarely articulated in a clear, concise way. Often the discernment / prioritisation process is about distilling this sense of mission into a form of words that can be used day to day. An interesting process which helps to do was developed by Simon Sinek and is called “Finding your Why”. For more information on how this might be used in your church get in touch with Adam Sanders, District Mission Advisor.

 

Discern / Prioritise

Plan

 

This is about turning the priorities into SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely) objectives which form part of an action plan. It is really important at this stage for the responsibility for the objectives to be shared among the broader leadership of the church not just to rest with the minister and/or lay workers.

To take one of the priorities from above: “Deepening the faith and commitment of existing members”. Some SMART objectives related to that priority might be: 

  • Increase the percentage of the congregation regularly attending a small group from 20% to 50% over the next 12 months.

  • Introduce a testimony slot from a member of the congregation in every Sunday service.

  • Invite all regular attendees who are not members to a one to one to talk about next steps of commitment to the church.

Good templates for action plans are available on the connexional website as part of the 8-step process.

This stage is about implementing the action plan. Key to this stage is working collaboratively, communicating change well by always going back to the underlying vision and priorities.

Bad communication: “We are starting two new small groups – let Shirley know if you want to join one.”

Good communication: “Here at High Street Methodist Church we want to be a place where people grow in their faith. I am part of the Monday evening bible study group and I love attending – it has been really significant in my growth over the last 12 months. We are starting two new groups similar to the bible study group and I would encourage you all to give it a go!”

Implementing the plan week after week will require commitment and perseverance, especially if it involves change but trust the process, the conversations and all the work that has been done to this point. Once the plan is embedded it is time to return to the beginning and review things in light of the changes and start again!

 

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