If people are missing in your missioning, try this...
The hardest part of mission planning is not deciding your vision, values or partnerships. The hardest part is personalizing mission for every person in your church.
I recently reviewed a strategy document for a mission program of a multi-site congregation. They had obviously put much thought and planning into their framework, criteria for selecting partners, and budget allocations. But, what I didn't see was their plan for engaging every member of the congregation in missions. I mean, that's what the Great Commission - getting people to make disciples and disciplemakers.
If your lead pastor challenged you to grow engagement in mission by 40% in the coming year, what would you do?
If we want God's people to participate in God's mission, we have to plan for it. Leaders must make room in their schedules to engage one-on-one with every person possible - to listen and learn how God has gifted, wired and equipped them to serve in the greatest work in the entire universe.
I encourage you to think about and write down your strategy for engagement. Use some or all of the the following questions:
- How do you define engagement?
- What are the pathways to serving God's mission through your church?
- What are your growth targets?
- Who can serve on your engagement team and help you work with every person possible to help them find their place?
- What metrics will you use to evaluate your success?
I am confident if you will build in this missing component to your missioning you will see significant growth and involvement in God's missions through your local church.
