Insights and Recommendations
The Vision is in place and relationships among the core team (and immediate contacts) are well developed. However, at this point the ministries that build wider connections within the community have not been put in place. It is likely that the high relational score is built on the relational quality of the core team rather than relationships into the wider community. The challenge in this context is the high level of core relationships may work against a desire to develop wider community relationships and the group, while having an outward vision, may quickly become inward focused. Further, new people may find it difficult to assimilate into the vision group.
Key Ideas:
· The core group get along very well, and it is likely that new contacts have been able to join the group on the strength of relationships.
· Ordinarily ministries and processes build the relationship connects (i.e. P – Programmes/Ministries usually develops prior to R = Relationships). However, in this stage the relational strength of the team has built the relational network and connected at least some new people into it.
· The challenge is to develop wider community engagement ministries before this core group becomes so interconnected that there is little desire to keep connecting with others.
· How will new people be able to engage in serving in the congregation?
· Management/Structures continues to be accomplished informally.
Next Step Area:
· Based on a community assessment, work through what outward focused ministry initiatives can be put in place.
· Put in place a process for ensuring an outward focused vision is not lost among the relational strength of the core group.
· Celebrate the relationships in the core group however take steps to ensure this strength does not negate assimilation of other people.
Discussion Questions:
· How will relationships be built beyond the level that can be maintained by the core group?
· What ministry initiatives will allow the vision to be expressed in the wider community?
· How does it currently feel for a new person to connect with the core group?
Useful Guides:
These guides may be useful to inform the discussion.
· What is a Healthy Church Guide
· Five Growth Areas Guide
· Understanding Your Community
· SHAPE
· Prayer in the Life of Your Church
Action Steps:
What action step/s will you take at this point?
Ensure regular implementation and evaluation conversations continue along the journey.
Prayer Points:
How will you seek God’s leading? What will you ask your leadership team and congregation to pray for at this point.