Developing a Missions Strategy That Fits Your Church

1. Developing a Missions StrategyThat Fits Your Church A Guide for Church Leaders and Consultants David Mays

2. Is your missions ministry global? Or just all over the map? David Mays

3. Every church needs a missions strategy. This resource will guide you through a process to a • deliberate, • well-reasoned, • goal-focused, • church-specific, • Scripture-based, • God-honoring missions strategy for your church.

4. The Key Question is: Your strategy is your roadmap. • It describes how you will get somewhere. • A strategy helps you reach a destination or a goal. • Where does God want you to go? That is, • What does God want to accomplish in the world through our church?

5. Developing a strategy is straightforward. But it’s not easy. • Get the right people together. • Pray • Do your research. • Solidify your foundation. • Clarify what God desires for your church. • Agree on your priorities. • Set goals. • Begin to work toward the goals.

6. This resource may be useful For • A church mobilizer or consultant • A pastor, missions pastor, or missions chair To • Lead a workshop for multiple churches • Present the process to one church • Guide one church through the process over time

7. Develop Your Missions Strategy • Do it on your own. • Use the “Strategy CD.” • Utilize an outside consultant.

8. Strategy Development Components This resource addresses three major pieces of a strategy: • Process: How do we develop it? • Content: What goes in it? • Implementation: How do we follow it?

9. Process Principles • Key Leader Involvement • Include Your Missionaries • Prayer • Consensus • Research • Proactive • Continuity • Open to Future Scrutiny

10. Primary Inputs Scripture – What is the goal? Missions – What is missions? Your Church’s Purpose – What is your church mission? The World – What are the great challenges? These are the foundations for your missions strategy. Content – What goes in it?

11. Content – What goes in it? Secondary Inputs • Audiences – Whom do you seek to reach? • Ministry Tasks – What most needs to be done? • Balance – How much local? How much global? • Focus – A beacon or a thousand points of light? • History – Do you need gradual or radical change?

12. Content – What goes in it? Secondary Inputs (continued) • Relationships – Do you support only those you know? • Our Roles – What ministries best fit your congregation? • Partnerships – Is it important to partner with other groups? • Participation – Do your members have to help hands on? You select which of these Inputs are important to your church and should become part of your strategy.

13. Implementation Principles • Continuity • Addition • Attrition • Saying ‘No’ • Disassociation

14. Components of the Strategy CD • Leader’s Guide • Participant Workbook • PowerPoint Slides • Supplemental Documents • Scriptures and missions definitions • Budgeting and funding factors and grids • Purpose, vision, and values samples and resources • Sample strategies • Survey forms • Strategy articles and additional resources

15. God wants your missions ministry to be effective. He will gladly provide direction as you seek him. David Mays

16. More Information • Purchase the Strategy CD • Send $35 to David Mays, 7589 Burns Drive, Brownsburg, IN 46112 • See the Leader’s Guide www.davidmays.org/guide.pdf • Schedule a workshop or consultation • Email dmays@TheMissionExchange.org • Call 317-852-0348 (h/o) • Costs: http://www.davidmays.org/Consultations.html • More missions resources www.davidmays.org • Acknowledgement: • The workshop format and key factors were adapted from Blake McDaniel, ACMC

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18. David Mays • David Mays is Director of Learning Initiatives for The Mission Exchange. The Mission Exchange empowers the global missions community through training and partnerships. www.TheMissionExchange.org • Ministry: Training, resources, and networking in world evangelism • Dream: A movement of churches centered on The Great Commission www.davidmays.org