Mission Action Plans - Being Honest!

Our church is just about to revisit the Mission Action Plan (MAP) this evening and one of the very first things we need to do is examine where things have gone right and take a look at the successes. Not only that, but we need to examine where things have not been a success and this is often the most important consideration of all and yet it is so often glossed over or passed by to keep things positive.

We have seen a number of successes in that we:

Have an embryonic Lay ministry team (Pastoral Minister, Pioneer Minister and Reader),

Have established a positive (and functioning) visionary Local Mandated Team,

Have established a Men’s house group – Supporting those coming through Alpha course.

Have more than 90% of the members taking at least one role in church - remedying lack of all-member involvement from previous NCD survey,

Have a thriving Kid's Club,

Have hosted a 'Foundations for Ministry Course' – Growing skills across the diocese.

Are working in the community through community partnerships - serving the community,

Have established a midweek Communion Service – Making Church accessible for those unable to come on a Sunday,

Have seen one of our number selected for ordination training – gifting wider Church.

Hosted and trained people on Money Management Courses – CAP and Red2Black,

Are positively engaged in Triple P* – running courses and provision management,

Have a Church caravan providing holidays within community – fully funded and free to needy (pastoral care and outreach in one!).

Have installed new Central heating (at no cost) – lowering our running costs to assist with Parish Share!

But of course there are also areas of failure too:

Building Project: Lack of drive from within - Lack of coherent support from outside agencies - Lack of obvious support from wider Parish setting

Church Socials: Poor attendance - One man band approach - Unsure of the reason for having them?

Sunday School: What is it about? - Who is it for? - Who does it?

Evening Services: Poorly Attended - Sunday Morning only approach - People want want teaching, reflection, prayer – But When? - Lots of energy writing, preparing and setting-up but for whom?

The last area beggars the question, "What is the place of a Sunday Evening (and other non Sunday am) provision?"

We will return to this as a real example of the ways that we can sort out our MAPS and bring a common (majority fellowship) vision and honest support for the things that we feel God is calling us to. After all, I'm their leader, I must follow them ;) .

Happy Monday



* Triple P - Positive Parenting Programme