This is an adapted version of a model I adapted for my church for Visioning into the Future. Visioning should be an ongoing process for every church. Often, it is important to begin with a formal procedure such as this to "get the ball moving," but after that, it can be much less formal.
Keep this in mind when visioning:
1. There will be fear and apprehension. People will be afraid that the goal is to change everything. The Goal is NOT to change everything (and maybe not anything). The Goal is to assess where the church is and to see how effective it is and how it can be more effective.
2. Consensus is important. This is different from voting. Voting has "winners" and "losers." Consensus means that everyone is in agreement. If there is even 1 person holding out on a proposed change, then it's not time to change. Of course, people need to discern if this person truly is sincere or is being "hard headed." If that person is just being difficult, then he/she must be overridden.
3. All involved must agree to be Christian in all things. Factions cannot be formed. Gossiping cannot be allowed. Pouting is not acceptable. Enforcing this is not just the Pastor's job - it is EVERYONE'S job!
4. All who attend the church should be involved and have their voices heard - from the youngest to the oldest. Children have valid input. Even non-members who are regular attendees should be allowed to participate.
5. Open minds must be kept by everyone. If there is a change made, it must be given time to succeed or fail. Decisions cannot be made "on the fly." There WILL be bumps on the road. Remember the purpose is to Glorify God. God can handle a few "rough starts."
This version is a generic version of the specific plan I made for my church. Please contact me in the comment section below if you have questions and I will be in touch with you! Include your e mail if you are comfortable, or we can converse in the comment section.
Visioning into the Future
Where is God Calling Us
Reasons for
Visioning:
1. In the Great Commission, Jesus calls us to make
disciples of the world (Matthew 28:19).
In ALL things we do as a church, it should be to bring people closer to
Christ. Having a plan will make
this more efficient.
2.
As we vision, we can find how to best serve
those who attend our church.
3.
As we vision, we can find how we can best serve the
community as a church.
4.
As we vision, we can find how we can bring new
members to our church.
5.
Churches should look at ways to become more “vital” (vital – meaning life
giving to their community and to themselves). Congregations are being asked to keep what works, change
what doesn’t work, and to try new ways of reaching others for Christ.
6.
Pastors often come and go for reasons beyond their control (assigned by the denomination, called into a new ministry, etc). Because of this, the congregation must
be strong to keep the ministry alive.
If there is a plan in place, people will know how to do this.
Caution:
Visioning and Dreaming almost always causes conflict when it
is done seriously. This is
something that should be stated upfront to everyone involved. Conflict does not have to be unhealthy
if people can remember to handle it in a Christian manner.
Obviously in conflict, sometimes there will be “winners” and
“losers.” That, however, does not always have to be the case. If we are truly seeking God’s will,
conflict may be a sign that things are moving too fast, OR conflict may also be
a sign that someone or a group may be being stubborn and inflexible.
Before beginning, it may be helpful to take a lesson from
the Quakers. In most Quaker
Meetings, they do not vote. They
wait for consensus. When the
leader of the meeting feels everyone is on board, they then trust they are
following God’s will. If someone
is against the proposed change, he or she will state a concern. Ideally, this is done peacefully and
without argument.
The purpose of our visioning is not to cause argument but to
follow God’s Will for our church.
If we believe in a Living God, then we must trust that God wants us to
go on living as a church. This
means we honor the past, but it also means that we look to the future.
This particular Visioning Plan is designed in a way that there
will not be winners and losers if all engage with a faithful heart. We as a church will vote to begin this
process. After beginning, we will not vote on any part of this but rather agree
by consensus. (The only time this
will not be the case is when it is obvious that a person or faction is stalling
the process by being stubborn and inflexible). Before moving on to each
phase of visioning, there must be consensus. All conflict should be handled in a Christian manner –
directly, honestly, peacefully, and lovingly. At no time should gossiping, “storming out,” pouting,
yelling, or keeping your mouth shut be acceptable to yourself or others – if it
happens, it must be stopped. We
are not doing this for ourselves – We are doing this for God, and no one has a
monopoly on God. We will not all get what we want, but by consensus we will get
what God wants.
Method:
Full Congregation Visioning Process using Short Term and
Long Term Methods
·
In order to reach the Full Congregation we will
have Focused Visioning Questions that will lead to optional Discussion Sessions
o Visioning
Questions will be added as inserts to the bulletin and placed in a place where people who miss a service can have access to them. They will have 2-3 weeks to complete them
§
Full Congregation (Members and Non-Members) will
be allowed to write responses to these questions anonymously or with names and
turn them in
·
This is for people who cannot come to the
discussion sessions
·
This is also so that people who come to
discussion sessions can be prepared as to what will be addressed
§
After having the questionnaire, a discussion
session will be held at the church going over the questions and allowing for
discussion. This discussion will
allow for some constructive deviation from the topic, but we will try to remain
as close as possible to the topic at hand. So that people do not get tired, we will ask that all
speakers keep their points concise and we will keep all sessions to a maximum of
90 minutes. If anyone has any more
to say, he/she can put it in writing and turn it in
·
We will follow the “Plan, Do, Study, Act” Model
(PDSA) – Make a plan – Start the plan and do it for 2-3 months – See the
results – Change as needed
Time Frame:
Visioning should be an ongoing process. This is only the start of the
process. While this part is
focused (meaning formal), as time goes on, visioning may not need to be so
formal. The “formal” visioning
will take several months and up to a year (or slightly over a year). There will be four Phases.
After each Phase, the results will be published after they
have been analyzed and made public as bulletin inserts and then placed in the
entryway of the church for those who miss the Sunday that they were put in the
bulletin.
·
Phase 1 – Analyze the Past and the Present –
What changes (if any) can (or should) we make now?
o This Church was put in this place for a reason.
§
What first brought you to this church?
§
What keeps you at this church?
§
Why would you encourage someone else to come to
this church?
§
In what ways could this church improve to help
meet your needs?
o All
churches have strengths and weaknesses.
§
What makes this church necessary to the
community right now?
§
If this church disappeared, would the
community miss us?
§
How would you like to see this church more
active in the community at this time? (Answer this question as if there are no
barriers such as time/money/etc.)
o Initial
Phase 1 Changes
§
Children’s Church
·
Children of all ages are important members of
the Church. The youngest children
should not be expected to be quiet and still during the entire service. We will have volunteers sign-up again
to handle Children’s Church, but the “character” of Children’s Church will
change. Young Children will not be
expected to go to the nursery, but rather it will be an option for parents. A
little noise will not hurt any of us. The volunteers will go to the nursery after the greeting if
parents want to bring their children. If none go, the volunteers will remain
available during the service in case a child gets fussy and the parent wants to
use the nursery. This will be announced and put in the bulletin.
§
Hymns
·
One Sunday a month we will accompany the hymns
from the hymnal with the pianist and acoustic instruments (and possibly
electric bass). This will keep our
traditional hymns with an added element to bring another element of worship and
another chance for congregational involvement into our worship service.
§
Committees
·
All Committees should have a
chair/contact person. – Over the course of the year, the pastor will meet with
each committee to determine its role, goals, etc.
·
“In House” (those not mandated by the denomination) committees will put into writing
basic guidelines for running annual events. This way, if someone new has to take
over, he/she will have a working knowledge of how to start.
§
Prayer Requests
·
Since prayer is so important, prayer slips will
be placed in the pews. We will
still take names during prayer request time, but people will be asked to write
down names/situations they would like to be put on our prayer list to maintain
accurate spelling, make sure no one is left out by accident, and keep things as
accurate as possible. The prayer
slips will be put in the offering plate.
·
Phase 2 – The Near Future - Questions
o Our Church has been trying to have Congregational Involvement in the Worship
service. We use Greeters, Readers,
Ushers, Acolytes, Nursery Volunteers, and Musicians.
§
How do you feel the congregational involvement
is adding to or taking away from worship?
Please explain your answer.
o Our Church also offers Sunday School on a weekly basis and Bible Study on a regular
basis.
§
If you do attend one or both, please specify
which you attend and what benefits you see and what improvements you would like
to see. (If you have a child/children, talk to him/her and also give their
responses). Be as specific as
possible.
§
If you do not attend one or both, please specify
which you do not attend and why you do not attend. Could we do something different so you would attend? Be as specific as possible.
o Churches
honor the past by making disciples for the future.
§
We have recently seen growth at our church. How can we keep this
pattern of growth continuing?
§
Aside from “word of mouth,” how can we let the
community know about Our Church?
§
It doesn’t make sense to “steal” people from
another church unless they are looking for a different church (then it’s not
stealing). How can we reach people
who currently don’t go to church? How can we reach people who are members here
but rarely come?
o Our Church is a very generous church when it comes to giving. We are always a top donator to the Local Missions Group and we pay our denominational apportionments every year.
§
Ministry involves more than giving money and
items. It involves giving of
self. Think of the people we
currently have in our church and our abilities. Remember that ministry can happen in small teams or large
groups. In what areas do you see
that our members could give of ourselves to the community? Where could we serve? (This could
involve visiting, tutoring, clean-ups, building, repairing, etc.). Be creative and specific.
o Phase
2 Changes
§
Assess Phase 1 Changes and adapt as needed
§
To be determined as time gets closer
·
Phase 3 – The Distant Future - Questions
o Our Church was built to be around for a long time to come. That means that we need to always be a welcoming and
inviting congregation.
§
Rather than waiting for people to come to us,
how can we find people and ask them to give us a try? Be creative.
§
How can we make visitors feel like “one of us”
from the minute they walk in the door rather than feeling like outsiders? We
are already very welcoming. How
can we improve on something we already do well?
o Strong
churches use the strength of the people to carry on the ministries.
§
Are your strengths being used? If not, does the pastor know? Are you willing to share what strengths
you have?
§
How can we best learn the strengths of the
people of Our Church? How can
we best use the strengths of people without taking advantage or over-working
people?
o Remember: Jesus calls us to make disciples of the
world (Matthew 28:19). In Phase 2
we came up with several ways that we could help the community. LIST THE OPTIONS HERE
§
What are any obstacles to these ministries?
§
If we are to begin any of these ministries, it is
important that we do our best. It
is also important that the burden doesn’t fall on 1 or 2 people to do all of
the work. Do we have enough people
to be effective at these ministries?
§
Not all people can participate in the same ways,
but all people can participate in some way. What role do you see yourself playing in these ministries?
§
Are any of these ministries too ambitious at
this time – Are the intentions good, but we don’t have the means to do the
work? If so, can we narrow the
focus but keep the idea?
o Phase
3 Changes
§
Assess Any changes made and adapt as needed
§
After possible ministries are determined, form
focus groups to work out details (recruit people, determine needs, time
commitment, etc.).
§
Other changes to be determined as time gets
closer.
·
Phase 4 – Enact
o Enact
Vision Plan for internal and external ministries
This Handout is Given to the Congregation to Introduce the Visioning Process
I allowed voting to begin the Process
Reasons for
Visioning:
1.
In the Great Commission, Jesus calls us to make
disciples of the world (Matthew 28:19).
In ALL things we do as a church, it should be to bring people closer to
Christ. Having a plan will make
this more efficient.
2.
As we vision, we can find how to best serve
those who attend Our Church.
3.
As we vision, we can find how we can best serve
the community as a church.
4.
As we vision, we can find how we can bring new
members to our church.
5.
The United Methodist Church is asking
congregations to look at ways to become more “vital” (vital – meaning life
giving to their community and to themselves). Congregations are being asked to keep what works, change
what doesn’t work, and to try new ways of reaching others for Christ.
6.
There is never a
promise that the same pastor will be appointed for another year. Because of this, the congregation must
be strong to keep the ministry alive.
If there is a plan in place, people will know how to do this.
How Visioning Will
Work
1.
We will do all parts of visioning by consensus
instead of voting – If you have a concern, speak up – We must have honest and
open discussion – We must also agree not
to gossip, form factions, or act in an Un-Christian manner. (The purpose is NOT to change
everything but to look at what we do and see what works and what should change
– if anything)
2.
There will be 4 Phases over the course of
approximately a year (1. Looking at the Past and Present, 2. The Near Future,
3. The Distant Future, 4. Enacting a Plan) – This is not limited to this
process – this should go on forever!
3.
Each Phase will involve questions printed in the
bulletin – EVERYONE who attends this church can answer these questions
(official members and those who attend and are not members – it would also be
nice to have input from children).
Extra question sheets will be placed at the entryway if you miss the
Sunday when they are in the bulletin.
4.
There are 2 ways to answer the questions:
a.
Written answers from everyone are preferred (with name or anonymous). – This is
preferred because everyone can’t be at discussion sessions.
b.
After committee review, we will hold 60-90 minute
discussion sessions.
5.
The committee will analyze the responses (written and
discussed) and make a report back to the congregation. – This can lead to more
discussion/action.
If Changes are
Made
1.
If a change is made, it does not have to be
permanent
2.
Almost any change will have bumps along the way
and most will not be smooth right away – Please keep an open mind and give it
time to work.
3.
We will give any changes a little bit of time to
work themselves out. After they
have had a chance to work, we will discuss them. Then we can 1. Tweak the change, 2. Eliminate the change, or
3. Keep the change.
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