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1 VISION to action

2 We re getting there And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT)

3 Dealing with the challenges ahead? Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NLT) Leading the Mission?

4 Energised by faith rather than just keeping things going or trying to survive Outward looking focus with a whole-life rather than a church life concern Seeks to find out what God wants discerning the Spirit s leaning rather than trying to please everyone Faces the cost of change & growth Rather than resisting change & avoiding failure Operates as a community Rather than functioning as a religious club Makes room for all Being inclusive rather than exclusive

5 We re still getting there There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would Keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Philippians 3:20-21 (MSG)

6 It s Half Time It s time for the second half...

7 CARLISLE DIOCESE : Growing Disciples Vision & Strategy: Mission By God s grace to grow God s Kingdom in Cumbria Vision To see our churches growing Disciples of all ages Strategy The Five marks of Discipleship Maturity in faith Expectant prayer and lively worship Community service and engagement Evangelism Quality of relationships

8 The Leadership & Strategy Adviser (LSA) The Role... To equip and support the leaders and their mission clusters to bring the diocesan vision into action with each cluster creating and using a local mission action plan. The Outcome... Every mission cluster working to a mission action plan led well by a local leader and managed by a strong team.

9 LSA Group has created a select collection of services that can assist your way forward when you have major life choices to make towards the end of your sporting career or when you have retired. LSA Group can offer you "whole life acumen", getting you from where you are now to where YOU want to be and beyond, without feeling like you re diving over a cliff into a deep abyss. Our aim is to empower YOU to make the right decisions for your life - helping you discover many more years of self fulfilment and satisfaction.

10 Church leaders have the power to change the world... What makes my heart beat fast is engaging with leaders in local churches, because I believe that the local church is the hope of the world. I believe to the core of my being that local church leaders have the potential to be the most influential force on planet earth. If they get it and get on with it, churches can become the redemptive centres that Jesus intended them to be. Dynamic teaching, creative worship, deep community, effective evangelism and joyful service will combine to renew the hearts and minds of seekers and believers alike, strengthen families, transform communities, and change the world Bill Hybels, Courageous Leadership Zondervan 2002, p12

11 The criteria for selection for ministry A Vocation B Ministry within the Church of England C Spirituality D Personality and character E Relationships F Leadership and collaboration G Faith H Mission and evangelism I Quality of mind

12 Criterion F: Leadership and Collaboration Candidates should demonstrate an ability to offer leadership in the Church community and in the wider community as appropriate. This ability includes the capacity to offer an example of faith and discipleship which is inspiring to others and witnesses to the servanthood of Christ. They should show a commitment to identifying and nurturing the gifts of others and be able to collaborate effectively. Candidates should be able to identify their own leadership style, and reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of this and of the different ways in which leadership may be exercised within the Church. They should be able to be flexible and adaptable in leadership and demonstrate ability to guide and shape the life of the Church community in its mission to the world.

13 Criterion H: Mission and Evangelism Candidates should demonstrate a personal commitment to mission that is reflected in thought, prayer and action. They should show a wide and inclusive understanding of mission and the strategic issues and opportunities within contemporary culture. Candidates should be able to articulate the good news of the Kingdom appropriately in differing contexts and speak of Jesus Christ in a way that is exciting, accessible, and attractive. They should enable others to develop their vocations as witnesses of the good news. They should show potential as leaders of mission.

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15 8 quality characteristics for church growth 1 Empowering leadership 2 Gift-orientated lay ministry 3 Passionate spirituality 4 Functional structures 5 Inspiring worship services 6 Holistic small groups 7 Need-oriented evangelism 8 Loving relationships However strong a church may be in one or more of these areas, its potential to grow will always be limited by its weakest factor National Church Development Handbook Christian Schwarz, 1996

16 7 marks of a high performance team 1 Clear realistic objectives 2 Shared sense of purpose 3 Best use of resources 4 Atmosphere of openness 5 Reviews progress 6 Builds on experience 7 Rides out storms together Not Bosses, but Leaders John Adair, 1987

17 Re-envisioning & Renewing Leaders Kingdom Mission By God s grace to grow God s Kingdom Discipleship Vision Churches growing disciples of all ages The call is still on Equipping the saints Variety of leader-gifts A leader is not someone who can do the work of ten people, but someone who can organise ten people to do the work Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT

18 VISION to action

19 Mission? Mission is participation in God s existence in the world. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory The God of mission has a church The significance is in the word sent

20 Mission Shaped Church Do church different! A missionary church is focused on the Trinity... is relational... is incarnational... makes new disciples... Is transformational in up out This is about values more than actions. It is certainly not about doing more! It is about being who we are meant to be From going to church to church to go

21 Mission Action Planning Mission ~ Finds out what God is doing... and joins in (Rowan Williams) ~ Looks outwards... Engaging with the world where we are. ~ Spreads good news, equipping Christians to express their faith. Action ~ Arises out of prayer, values, convictions, gifts and passion ~ Expresses God s concern for His world (here, there & everywhere) ~ Engages in hope, embraces struggle and enhances joy Plan ~ Defines action in terms of goals ~ Defines steps needed to meet those goals ~ Considers who and what we need

22 The MAP cycle 1 Review your situation 4 Act on the plans 3 Make plans 2 Choose future priorities

23 The MAP cycle... Reviewing Listening UP to God Listening IN to church members S W O T Listening OUT to the local parish & communities Why does this church exist? What particular purpose does it serve? How does it relate to the community? What does it believe in? MISSION STATEMENT

24 The MAP cycle... Prioritising A vision for five years time... What do you see? What are the priorities? Prayer... and Prophecy Faith... and Expectancy VISION STATEMENT

25 The MAP cycle... Planning Main actions from priorities What, who, when Resources, funding Summary Report Champions STRATEGIC PLAN

26 The MAP cycle... Action Get on with it! Keep on keeping on Adjust as you go (forward!) We can make our plans but the Lord determines our steps Proverbs 16:9 Short term wins! Determined faith Endurance... Character, Hope, Victory (Romans 5) Celebration! OUTCOMES

27 The MAP process - needs wide ownership - is a process not an event - takes up to a year to complete We can make our plans but the Lord determines our steps Proverbs 16:9 - is a mission exercise in itself - is out of date the moment it is written - is life-giving and not constraining - appears in some form on every PCC agenda

28 So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak & lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong. Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT