Vision education and planning process used with church leadership.

1. 1 Vision Planning August 30th 2009

2. 2 Agenda Review 12:30 - 12:45 (15 min) Kick-off & Lunch 12:45 - 1:30 (45 min) Overall Approach & Process Journey 1:30 - 2:00 (30 min) What is Vision? 2:00 - 2:15 15 Minute Break 2:15 - 3:30 (75 min) Observations, Needs, Themes, etc. 3:30 - 4:45 (75 min) Identify Critical Elements for your Vision 4:45 - 5:00 (15 min) Wrap It Up

3. 3 Deacons Questionnaire Signs of Health David (Facilitator & Objective Consultant) Elders & Senior Minister Observations Needs Approach Critical Themes for Today Key Components Resulting 5 to 6 Key Components for Vision

4. 4 Churches Encounter Issues/Questions Volunteers Passion is lacking Decisions Communication Role Responsibilities Giving is down Losing members Why aren't we growing? Problems may stem from spiritual shortcomings rooted within the congregation OR, (likely) any organization can operate in a “disorderly” fashion.

5. 5 Process for seeking God’s direction Know where God wants us to go Journey Understand where we are

6. 6 Process for seeking God’s direction A process is not the same as Truth. It’s not right or wrong. It’s just a method to use for achieving one or more goals. Know where God wants us to go Journey It is a process, a journey over a period of time. It’s not a once and done decision. Just like a “mall map” you’ve got to figure out where you are first. Must consider what kind of inputs and observations will be used to determine where you are. Then, the more clarity you have on where you are going, the easier the journey, the more efficient the journey, fewer “restarts” etc. Understand where we are

8. Individual and/or group Interviews

9. Recorded Observations

10. Church Health Survey (SCC, appendix)

11. Percept Demographics (SCC, appendix)Know where God wants us to go Understand where we are

13. Goals & Objectives

14. Strategic Plans

15. Tactical Plans Understand where we are

17. Managing change & expectations

18. Celebrating milestones achieved

19. Making adjustments or even cancel Understand where we are

21. Interviews

22. Recorded Observations

23. Church Health Survey (SCC)

25. Goals & Objectives

26. Strategic Plans

28. Managing change & expectations

29. Celebrating milestones achieved

30. Making adjustments or even cancel Understand where we are

31. 11 Building the Church Biblically To the World MAKING DISCIPLES One context that can be used to determine “Where Are We Now” and “Where Does God Want Us To Go” Work -Eph 6:5-9 Church -Eph 4:1-16, 5:15-21 Family -Eph 5:22-6:4 Personal Walk -Eph 4:1-32, 5:1-21 E X A L T God through worship E V A N G E L I Z E the world through proclamation & missions E Q U I P believers through teaching and mentoring E D I F Y others through ministry and service E N C O U N T E R God through prayer E N C O U R A G E one another through fellowship Biblical/Theological Foundation--Knowing God in the power of His Spirit and understanding who we are individually in Christ and corporately as His Church Ephesians 1:1-3:21 Lawless, Discipled Warriors

33. Creation of a vision is not just to justify what a church is already doing

34. Purpose is not to pull people away from other locations of His church; the competition is Satan and his world.

35. Not a “gimmick” used to get membership to do more, give more, etc.

36. Takes work, devotion, & commitment to go through this process for Him

37. Leadership should enter the vision development process uncertain of what it is that He has for this church to do at this location at this time, but yet still be convinced that the church should be doing more for Him.

38. “Holy frustration” leads you to seek greater clarity for the future from Him

39. Possibility of experiencing outcomes that we could never have imagined

40. Shepherds tend the flock in part by taking them to a location of nourishment, safety, etc. Obligation to God to take care of the sheep – “oversight”.

42. “Manager” focuses on precedent and resists change seeing status quo as sacred

43. “Technician” lives in the present, most concerned with getting the job doneGenerally need all three of these types to be “in balance”. Also, it’s a continuum.

45. “Manager” focuses on precedent and resists change seeing status quo as sacred

46. “Technician” lives in the present, most concerned with getting the job doneGenerally need all three of these types to be “in balance”. Also, it’s a continuum. Ian Fair from Leadership in the Kingdom concerning churches of Christ… “The entrepreneurs, represented by Christians, many of them from the younger and newer generations, call for change. The managers , represented by older, conservative elders comfortable with the past or status quo, resist the calls for change. The technician, represented by the average member, wants to get on with the job of ministering to the community and is frustrated by the traumatized leadership who seem unable to provide the aggressive and creative leadership necessary for real growth.” Critical challenge for church leadership is to maintain biblical balance amongst all three types

49. God’s specific plan for a specific church at a specific time.

50. A vision clarifies direction.

51. Where are we going?

52. Why are we going there?

53. What will it look like when we arrive?

54. Without a vision, people wander aimlessly. They don’t know what to do or what not to do.A vision is a clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based on an accurate understanding of God, self/membership, and circumstances.

55. 16 Ideal “Vision Intersection” Profile Leadership Passion Ideal Vision Community Needs Congregation Gifts

57. prompts passion. It is the opposite of a maintenance mentality.

58. facilitates function. It tells us what we are “supposed” to be doing.

59. aligns and focuses all resources to concentrate properly.

60. offers sustenance. Encourages us to look beyond pain of today.

61. invites unity. It is a cohesive factor to hold a group together.

62. encourages energy. It inspires and challenges people.

64. Fear – We might miss something that is “good”.

65. Generalizing – Seeking to please everyone.

66. Stereotypes – Only “those” kinds of churches…

67. Complacency – Why do we need to do this?

68. Fatigue – I don’t have the energy; this is work.

70. 20 Vision X X X X X It will be a journey to achieve such focus. You must know where you are headed. X X Church Ministries

72. Is it challenging: Does it move people to action?

73. Does it create a picture: Can members see it in their heads?

74. Future oriented: Does it present a picture of the ministry’s future?

75. Does the leadership believe that it can be: Is it feasible?

77. 23 Needs Improvement Urgent outreach, especially to this community – the church is much too inwardly focused. New member assimilation is lacking – responsibility falls to the new person. Recognize the areas of strength, concentrate on them, and build on them. Focus on Children’s Ministry – it has some attention, but not enough. Severe lack of ongoing support with volunteers. Dedication to God, turning away from this world and material things. Church is not growing spiritually to the degree needed. More accountability. Use what’s available - does not take advantage of opportunities that exist today such as Community Time, local schools, and Children’s Home. More of the membership involved in service – in teaching the lost, serving the church’s needs and meeting the community’s needs. More opportunities to drive deeper into the truths in the Bible are needed. Equip people to be able to turn away from Satan and this world. Expect it. Determination of God’s plan for here and focus/intentionality on fulfilling it. Mentoring of new Christians and future leaders. Attention to prayer ministry; more support/nurturing and PR. Appropriate increase, alignment, and utilization of the staff. Better use of deacons.

78. 24 Critical Themes for the Future A vision is a clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based on an accurate understanding of God, self/membership, and circumstances.

79. 25 Next Steps/Wrap-up Today’s topics Process of the Journey God Must Be At The Center What Is Vision? Why Is It Important? Vision Killers Questionnaire Responses Identified Critical Elements of HPC Vision Action Items Review Next meeting scheduled for Wed., Sept 16th David to provide sample vision statements based on today’s discussion Discuss Communication Process & Next Steps

80. 26 Appendix

81. 27 Terms

82. 28 SCC (Society for Church Consulting) – Church Health Survey Info Developed by Thom S. Rainer Used in over 2000 congregations A perception survey (which can be their reality) of a sample of the congregation. Depends on a minimum of 30 surveys or 15% of worship attendance, whichever is greater. Attempt to get diverse representation by age, tenure, and gender. Survey is administered by member of SCC consultant, returned to SCC, and results provided within 10 days. CHS sample report available. SCC member consultant analysis & support on future strategies. Utilizes a health scale: 88.00 to 100.00 Very healthy 75.00 to 87.99 Healthy 69.00 to 74.99 Marginally Healthy 63.00 to 68.99 Marginally Unhealthy 50.00 to 62.99 Unhealthy 38.00 to 49.99 Very Unhealthy 00.00 to 37.99 Extremely Unhealthy Measures seven areas: 1. Worship 5. Fellowship 2. Ministry 6. Prayer 3. Evangelism 7. Beliefs 4. Discipleship 160 Total Survey Questions – Sample questions shown on next page

83. 29 Sample Church Health Survey Questions

84. 30

85. 31 Elder/Staff Retreat