Rob Rawson highlights the part congregations can play in shaping future mission.

OVER the next few months we shall be considering how our congregations can prepare and plan for local mission.

We have documented the Fresh Expressions Pathway for Mission and covered a number of possible initiatives, but in truth, we need to ask ourselves some important questions before we do anything. Each month, we will pose a key question, so to get started, here’s our first one: Do we have a vision for mission? In Proverbs 29:18, we read: ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish.’ A stark warning for us and so, that is where we start.

For many years, I have worked with congregations who have been keen to try a raft of outreach ideas – mostly to attract new members – but have needed to discern God’s vision for their future first. Only when a vision is discerned, could any meaningful strategic planning take place that can lead towards it.

Future Focus is an ideal tool for envisioning, but crucially, members of congregations need to pray and to dream. Whatever objectives, such as improving facilities, or hiring a youth worker are agreed, they would need to be seen as steps along the way to an overall vision. It is helpful to agree on a vision statement whereby the congregation declares where it believes God wants it to be (as opposed to a mission statement that states what the congregation aims to do). That way, anything proposed can be assessed as to how well or not it helps towards reaching the vision. This is vital for prioritising things.

"Proposing measures to reach a vision are not so important as ensuring everybody shares the same dreams and wants them to become reality.

A vision needs to be ‘cast’ to the whole congregation. It’s fairly normal for envisioning work to be carried out by elders, or a specific task group. However, without the rest of the congregation’s ownership, any vision may well remain just that and nothing more. Proposing measures to reach a vision are not so important as ensuring everybody shares the same dreams and wants them to become reality. Once everyone is on board, proposing any changes can therefore be far less problematic!

So, what of a vision for mission? There are yet more questions to ask. What would we yearn to see in terms of God’s kingdom within our community? What would we love to hear being said about our church? What do we dream of seeing within our own congregation? Many of these questions will concern transformation and that may be difficult to materialise without an effective missional culture.

Threaded throughout the whole envisioning process will be the hopes and fears of individuals. It is common to recognise what our own congregations may need to do, but what of ourselves? Are we ready to get stuck in and share our faith (both in deeds and words) with those around us? Having a common vision should motivate us and encourage us all to play our part in building the kingdom.