24 / 02 / 07
The church has a dual calling to evangelism ("go and make disciples of all nations" Mt 28:19) and discipleship ("teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" Mt 28:20). Most churches in the post-christian west naturally gravitate towards discipleship more then evangelism and allocate their resources accordingly. When faced with a decrease or loss of effectiveness in their evangelism, this is not an existential threat to the church, but often leads to an almost exclusive inward focus of the church and its resource allocation. But even there shifts in technology, and changes in cultural and societal dynamics can challenge the church and its ministry. I believe to be good stewards of the people and resources entrusted to us and faithful servants to our divine calling as the local church, we need a paradigm shift in how we think, build, grow and are the church. We need to become missional by design.
Faithful Stewardship:
Missional by Design emphasizes the importance of stewarding the resources God has entrusted to the church. This stewardship extends beyond financial assets to include the talents of congregation members, the church’s time, and its presence in the community. Missional by Design wants to help church leaders to utilize these gifts responsibly and effectively, always with an eye towards serving God's calling and mission.
Transparent and Accountable Leadership:
In keeping with the values of honesty and integrity, Missional by Design advocates for transparency in all aspects of church leadership and ministry model. Transparency builds trust and fosters a sense of shared responsibility within the church community, ensuring that decisions and actions are aligned with the church’s mission and values and can be shared and reflected on by its members.
Collaborative and Inclusive Decision-Making:
Recognizing the body of Christ as diverse yet unified, we encourage a participatory style of leadership. This method allows for a rich tapestry of perspectives and gifts to inform church decisions, enhancing the ministry’s relevance and impact.
Effective Witness in a Hybrid World:
At the heart of our strategy is a commitment to serving the community and the world in a way that reflects Christ’s love and compassion. We guide church leaders to align their mission with the needs of those they serve and bring the love of Jesus to their analog and digital neighborhoods.
Unified Mission and Purpose:
Missional by Design offers a common framework that harmonizes strategic planning with theological reflection. This unified approach ensures that every action and decision is taken with a clear understanding of its impact on the church’s mission and the wider community.