What Does God Want Us to Do?

1. What Does God Want Us to Do? Mission & Strategic Planning Adapted from and to be used with “Our Mission: Discovering God’s Call to Us” Robin and John McCullough-Bade Augsburg Fortress Used with permission Prepared by Rev. Joseph Chu and Rev. Kurt Nordby Pr

2. Why strategic planning? • Planning is a spiritual issue • Planning is a Stewardship Issue • Planning make sense

3. Tasks of Strategic Planning • Listening & Discerning • Creating a mission statement • Establishing goals based on the mission statement • Developing an action plan based on the goals

4. The Deliverables of the Mission Planning Process - Hardware • A new or revised Mission Statement for the congregation. • An Asset Mapping process to determine gifts for ministry in the congregation. • A set of “time-bound”, SMART Goalsto achieve God’s Mission. • An Action Plan with steps, timelines, costs, etc. to achieve the goals.

5. The Deliverables of the Mission/Strategic Planning Process - Software • A renewed sense of mission from all members • Members with diverse opinions hear one another’s dreams and aspirations • Members with diverse backgrounds move towards a greater consensus on the future of the congregation • All members – young and old, women and men, children and adults enjoy working together towards common goals

6. Step 1: STOP • Objective: To develop a climate to discern God’s mission for the congregation. • Key questions: How do we involve members in discerning God’s mission for the congregation? • Challenges: To NOT move too quickly towards the tasks of the planning process

7. Step 1: STOP – Actions (suggested): • Introduce the process to the congregation through newsletter, email, bulletins, announcements, email, etc. • Talk to ALL committees, ministry teams, small groups, circles, fellowship groups, Sunday School, youth groups • Invite ALL – even the shut-in’s and children to pray for the congregation and the planning process • Organize the process • Recruit members to the Mission Planning Committee

8. Step 2: LOOK • Objective: To formulate a mission statement for the congregation • Key questions: What is God’s mission for for the congregation? • Challenges: To involve as many people as possible in the study of God’s word and review or development of the congregation’s mission statement.

9. Step 2: LOOK – Actions (Suggested) • Invite all members to 3 small-group Bible study sessions on: • What is the purpose of the church? • Blessings and Confessions • Setting Goals • The small group Bible studies should be no more than 10-12 people each, some of them will be held in members’ home. • Participants are encouraged to freely express themselves • Comments and suggestions will be recorded (no names attached to comments)

10. Step 2: LOOK – Actions (Suggested) • Mission Planning Committee compiles comments, thoughts and suggestions and use them to create or revise the congregation’s mission statement. • The draft mission statement will be presented to the entire congregation for comments, revisions and approval.

11. Step 3: LISTEN • Objective: To identify goals which move toward mission • Key questions: How is God calling the congregation to live out God’s mission? • Challenges: To listen to the needs of the congregation and community.

12. Step 3: LISTEN – Actions • Listen to God • Listen to the congregation • Listen to the community

13. Step 3: LISTEN – Actions • Invite members to 1 or more small group meetings (like the Bible study groups) to discuss how the congregation can serve both the members of the congregation and the community. • Using comments and suggestions from small group Bible study groups, the Mission Planning Committee draft a set of goal statements • The drafted goal statements will be disseminated to the congregation for further comments, revisions and finally approval

14. Step 4: GO • Objective: To implement the strategic plan • Key questions: How do we put the strategic plan into action? • Challenges: To communicate and implement the strategic plan in such a way that members of the congregation are included, involved and supportive

15. Step 4: GO – Actions (Suggested) • Based on the new Mission Statement and goals, different committees and fellowship groups will put together action plans that specify the what, how, why, who which, when and where of turning God’s vision into reality. • The Mission Planning Committee will compile these plans and share the drafted action plan with the entire congregation for comments, revisions and approval.

16. MOVING FORWARD • The Mission Planning Committee will be disbanded after the Mission Statement, the Goal and the Action Plan of the congregation are completed. • The Congregational Council will oversee the implementation of the plan. • Mission Planning should be a regular process of the congregation’s ministry.

17. Sample Mission & Goal Statements

18. ELCA Mission Statement & Signature Phrase • ELCA Mission Statement Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world. • Signature Phrase God's work. Our hands

19. ELCA Vision Statement • Claimed by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we are a new creation through God’s living Word by the power of the Holy Spirit;Gathered by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we will live among God’s faithful people, hear God’s Word, and share Christ’s supper;Sent by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we will proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, serve all people following the example of our Lord Jesus, and strive for justice and peace in all the world

20. ELCA Principles (Core Values) • Commitment to the Confession of Faith and Statement of Purpose; • Interdependence; • Servant leadership; • Effective stewardship of resources; • Inclusive representation in assemblies, councils, boards, and committees; • Ongoing review of functions; and • Nurturing of unity.

21. ELCA Strategic Directions/ Time-Bound Goals In April 2003, the ELCA Church Council adopted five strategic directions to guide the churchwide organization through 2012: • Support congregations in their call to be faithful, welcoming, and generous, sharing the mind of Christ; • Assist members, congregations, synods, and institutions and agencies of this church to grow in evangelical outreach; • Step forward as a public church that witnesses boldly to God's love for all that God has created; • Deepen and extend our global, ecumenical, and interfaith relationships for the sake of God's mission; and • Assist this church to bring forth and support faithful, wise, and courageous leaders whose vocations serve God's mission in a pluralistic world.

22. Other Sample Mission Statements Galilean Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas God’s Spirit Calls us: • To hear and proclaim the Word of God • To live and share the love of Christ

23. Other Sample Mission Statements St. Paul Lutheran Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana St. Paul Lutheran, a COMMUNITY that invites COMMITMENT, COMMUNICATES the Gospel, CARES for others, and fosters a loving CLIMATES.

24. Sample Goal Statements (adapted from the goals of Galilean Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas Worship By 2012, we will: • Increase the average weekly attendance at Sunday worship to 140 • Record Sunday Worship each week and distribute to shut-ins • Establish weekly prayer opportunities

25. Sample Goal Statements (adapted from the goals of Galilean Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas Congregation Care By 2011, we will: • Create and implement a system to integrate new members to the church • Train congregation annually on inviting others into our Christian fellowship

26. Sample Goal Statements (adapted from the goals of Galilean Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas Youth By 2011, we will: • Involve all the congregation’s children and youth in at least one outdoor ministry event by the time each is confirmed.

27. Sample Goal Statements (adapted from the goals of Galilean Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas Outreach By 2011, we will: • Designate and emphasize two activities for major outreach efforts. • Develop welcome packets for new neighbors • Train children and youth to be ambassadors in sharing their faith each spring

28. Sample Goal Statements (adapted from the goals of Galilean Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas Support System By 2011, we will: • Develop an Endowment Fund. • Create a task force to consider potential staff to assist in reaching goals. • Develop a building use policy that provides for expanded use by non-members

29. Sample Goal Statements (adapted from the goals of Galilean Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas Social Ministry By 2011, we will: • Involve every member in a servant opportunity beyond our congregation each year.

30. Roles & Responsibility of the Mission Planning Committee • Pray frequently for the future of the congregation and the mission planning process • Plan and organize activities that lead to the completion of the Mission / Strategic planning process • Recruit and coordinate volunteers for the accomplishment of specific tasks when needed

31. Roles & Responsibility of the Mission Planning Committee • Pray frequently for the future of the congregation and the mission planning process • Lead small group Bible study and discussion sessions • Harvest, compile, organize and analyze comments and inputs from members through group meeting/Bible studies and individual conversations • From inputs harvested from members, create drafts of mission and goal statements

32. Roles & Responsibility of the Mission Planning Committee • Pray frequently for the future of the congregation and the mission planning process. • Communicate with members of the congregation regarding the progress of the process and draft statements created. • Revise draft statements according to inputs from members to be approved by the Congregational Council and then the congregation

33. Roles & Responsibility of the Mission Planning Committee • Pray frequently for the future of the congregation and the mission planning process. • Create an inviting atmosphere of trust and confidence so that members feel free to express themselves. • Model team work throughout the process

34. What Does God Want Us to Do? Bible Study and Discussion Sessions

35. Session 1: What is the purpose of the church? Opening prayer Getting acquainted Exploring Scripture Read John 13. The setting for this passage is the last supper of Jesus with his disciples. At this meal, Jesus gave his followers some instructions (verses 14-15). What were they? What did Jesus mean by these words to the disciples? What do these words mean for us today? Read John 13:34-35. These are words from a man who is aware that he is about to die. Final words often carry much weight. What is the new commandment given by Jesus? Why is it important to Jesus that everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another's? Read Matthew 28:16-20. This section includes the Great commission.” In these final words of Jesus to his disciples, what does Jesus ask his disciples to do? Read Acts 1:6-8. The book of Acts is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, written by the same author. Jesus gathers his followers together for final instruction. What does he ask them to do? Pulling it together In the scripture passages for this session, what is the theme of the final words of Jesus? Why do you think Jesus cares so much about making disciples? Why does Jesus still care about making disciples today? How are the final words of Jesus still relevant for disciples today? Has the purpose of the church changed over time? Refer back to the Bible passages Making the connection lf your congregation has a mission statement, review it at this time. How is your congregation's mission statement consistent (or inconsistent) with Jesus' final instructions? Celebrate ways the congregation lives out its mission. Celebrate ways your congregation has been a blessing to you and to others. For the next session Ponder the following question: Our congregation has been blessed,'but how have we fallen short of reaching our mission? How could we expand our missions? (Be specific.) Closing prayer

36. Session 2: Blessings and confessions Opening prayer Getting acquainted Exploring Scripture Read Acts 2:1-24. After Jesus ascended, his followers stayed in Jerusalem and devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 2: 12-14). No doubt they were still sorting out the recent events involving Jesus: his crucifixion, resurrection, and accession. The time was Pentecost, an annual festival for the spring harvest. Jews from many lands, speaking many languages, gathered in Jerusalem to offer their words of thanksgiving. The disciples were filled with God's Spirit and began to speak in languages they had never learned. Peter's sermon stands in stark contrast with his earlier denial of Jesus. (See John 18:15-18, 25-27.) Peter denied Jesus on the night of his betrayal yet Peter was blessed on Pentecost. Others were blessed through Peter's proclamation. Look at Acts 2:41-42 to learn how many people welcomed Peter's message, believed and were baptized. Read Acts 10:1 11:18. What were the issues Peter struggled with? Review Acts 10:34; Acts 10:47; and Acts 11:17. What might it have meant for the early church to realize that God shows no partiality? In your opinion, was the early church restricting the message? If so, how? How was Peter hindering God (Acts 11:17)? Pulling it together Can we relate to Peter? Do we in our own lives ever hinder or block God? If so, how? Making the connection How has our congregation hindered God's vision from becoming a reality? For the next session Keep in mind the final words of Jesus (studied in session 1) and the mission of the church. How are we to carry out God's mission the mission of the church. How do we carry out God's mission for the church in our congregation? What is God calling us to do? (Be as specific as possible.) Closing prayer .

37. Session 3: Setting goals Opening prayer Getting acquainted Exploring Scripture Read Acts 28:16-31. Paul felt called by God's Spirit to take the gospel message to Rome. Acts 27 describes Paul setting sail for Rome. Violent storms forced Paul's boat to be shipwrecked. Three months later, Paul set sail again and finally arrived in Rome. In this passage, we read about Paul's arrest in Jerusalem and the opposition he faced from the Jews. None of the local Jewish leaders in Rome had heard about Paul, so a meeting was arranged. Paul shared his faith and met a mixed reaction. Some believed and others did not. Nevertheless, Paul lived in Rome for two years (Acts 28:30), “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance (Acts 28:31).” Why did Paul keep on proclaiming the faith despite persecution and hardship? Pulling it together Have you ever done something bold for the faith? How might we as individual people be bolder in our witness to Christ? How might we as a congregation be bolder in our witness to Christ? Making the connection What is God calling this congregation to do and to be? Closing prayer

38. Thoughts and Learning • Even though this process might be different from other form of institutional strategic planning, it is nonetheless a very useful process for the congregation – the unexpected outcomes are almost as important as the expected deliverables. • Pastor as “consultant” – help congregation organize the process and organization is extremely important. • The most important part of the process – Bible Study and Mission Forums that involves the entire congregation. • Asset Mapping and goal setting is also very critical step.