| Using the Core Story to Write a
Vision Statement |
 |
|
| The purpose of this Appendix is to assist you in reviewing an
existing vision statement or writing one for the first time. |
| The words vision, mission and ministry are often used
interchangeably. In the Percept materials we define these as follows: |
| Vision |
| Our vision is the “big picture” of where God is calling
us. Vision is based on who we are today and the potential before us. Many Percept
materials will refer to “vision” as being composed of what is and what should be
if we responded to God’s call. A vision is always just a bit beyond our grasp and is
something we work toward. Our understanding of our vision changes periodically as the
circumstances in our community and congregation change. |
| Mission |
| The mission is what we do to fulfill our vision. A mission plan
often contains the broad stroke plans we have to close the gap between where we are in our
current ministry and where we know God is leading us. In today’s fast changing
society a mission plan is usually valid for no more than three years. Percept recommends
that a mission plan be reviewed annually. |
| Ministry |
| Ministry is the concrete action of our mission plan that takes us
closer to fulfilling God’s vision for our church. Ministry is what all of us do each
day in fulfilling the hopes and dreams of the congregation through action. |
|
| An Example of Each |
| Vision
Statement |
| First Church invites all people to worship in joy, learn with open
minds and serve the inner city of Smallville with a compassionate heart. |
| Mission
Plan |
| NOTE: This is a general outline; a full mission
plan would be more complete. |
| 1 |
Offer two distinctly different worship opportunities each week. |
| 2 |
Provide quality and challenging educational and small group opportunities
weekly. |
| 3 |
Challenge our members to become active in ministries serving our community. |
|
| Ministry |
| 1 |
Offer a contemporary, casual dress worship service at 9:00 A.M. each Sunday.
This service will use music, drama and other art forms to share the Gospel and
praise God. |
| 2 |
Offer a traditional worship service at 11:00 each Sunday utilizing classic
hymns and a traditional order of service. |
| 3 |
A banner announcing each service will be purchased and in place by August 1. |
|
|
| Writing a vision statement is an important way for the church
board to place before the community what the intentions of the congregation are for
mission and ministry. It is the “why” that leads to the what and how of things. |
| A vision statement needs to grow out of the discussion of the Core
Story. If your core story leaves the future open ended, writing a vision statement is the
next step. If your core story has been written with a concrete mission plan suggested, you
might want to ask – what is the vision behind this mission plan? Although that may
seem like putting the horse before the cart, it’s actually an interesting way to see
if the proposed mission plan actually reflects where the church board/council feels God is
leading the church. Either way is acceptable. |
|
| Writing a Vision Statement |
| Set aside a significant part of your local church
board’s meeting or plan a special meeting just for the purpose of writing the vision
statement. The time frames below are only suggestions. This process can also be divided
between two or more meetings. |
| Materials Needed: Copies of the Core
Story, newsprint, markers, masking tape, samples of vision statements (You may use the
example above or go to church websites of your denomination and select a few to share). |
| NOTE: Before the meeting begins –
have the definitions of vision, mission and ministry written on newsprint; have the sample
vision statements written on newsprint. |
|
 30
minutes |
| Set aside a significant part of a council/board meeting to discuss
the question – where does our Core Story suggest God is calling us in the next
chapter of our life? It is likely that people will generate specific ministry steps at
first attempt. List all ideas on newsprint. |
|
| 5
minutes |
| When the group appears to be winding down, see if the ideas can be
grouped into general areas (i.e. evangelism, education, worship, etc.) |
|
| 10
minutes |
| Present the definitions of vision, mission and ministry previously
written on newsprint. |
|
| 5
minutes |
| Present the examples of “vision statements” previously
written on newsprint. |
|
| 15
minutes |
| Divide the group into smaller groups of no more than 4 (this can
be done as a single group if less than 8) and ask the group to write a vision statement
based on the previous discussion. Give each group a piece of newsprint to write on. |
|
| 5
minutes |
| Ask each group to share their statement by reading it and then
attaching it to the wall with newsprint. |
|
| 5
minutes |
| Ask participants to walk around the room, review the statements
and put an x on the one which they feel most clearly reflects what they believe the
church’s vision to be. |
|
| 5
minutes |
| Ask for one or two volunteers who agree to take the top two
statements and combine them into a new statement to be viewed and edited at the next
meeting. |
|
| At the next meeting (either regularly scheduled or a special
meeting of the board/council) the statement may be shared, edited and finally voted upon. |
| In some instances it is necessary for the congregation to vote on
a vision statement. In most congregations it can be approved by the decision making group
and shared with the congregation for affirmation. |
| When you’ve completed your vision statement you’re ready
to begin designing your mission and ministry plan. A suggested one-day retreat design to
assist you in this important task can be found in Appendix F. |
|
