5Ms Leadership Role Descriptions One really helpful way for us to care for those who serve in leadership among the Body of Christ, is to have clear expectations and understanding of role boundaries, requirements, and how support will be provided. It’s unkind to ask people to serve in leadership without clarity about what you’re asking them to do, what others are responsible for, and how they will be supported in their ministry! And lack of clarity will lead to confusion, conflict, and frustration.These role descriptions aim to provide clarity for those serving as leaders in a 5Ms ministry model.If your church operates with a Purpose Driven model for ministry (5Ms, or something else) these role descriptions may give you a starting point for recruiting and caring for purpose leaders. These documents were written for volunteer leaders at Trinity Church Mount Barker in 2019. Your documents will look different according to…
Neighbourhood Exegesis Updated 2021Is your church planting team or church leadership team ready for a field trip?How well do you understand the people in your local area, how they live, what they long for, and what they think is important?Here’s your chance to find out!Of course, every church and church plant ministers in a different context;Different people.Different needs.A complex inter-relating of demographics, culture, geography, and history.This worksheet, developed originally from a concept in the book “God Next Door” by Simon Carey Holt (Acorn Press, Brunswick East, 2007), can help you understand the neighbourhood of your church, and therefore the people you’re seeking to reach with the good news of Jesus.To get the most out of this worksheet, send leaders from your church, or members of your church planting team, out to complete the exercise on their own or in small groups. Then compare notes, and build a picture of those…
Developing a Spiritual Profile of People in Your Mission Field Download PDF Do you know the people your church or new church plant is seeking to reach with the good news of Jesus? What makes them “tick”?What do they value?How do they look at life?What will make it hard for them to hear and respond to the gospel?What aspects of the good news of Jesus will resonate most strongly with them?Working through this worksheet can help your team understand the people you’re trying to reach, and to be as effective as possible in communicating the good news of Jesus.
Thinking about Church DNA & Culture Download Completed Flowchart Download Blank Flowchart Download this Article Church DNA Arguably one of the most neglected aspects in the planning of many church plants, is consideration of the DNA that the planter transplants, and therefore the culture of the church that develops. To identify and shape our church culture with the aim of most effectively making disciples of Jesus, I have found it helpful to think about theological positions, beliefs, practices, ministry patterns, etc, as either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd order issues. This approach is helpful in planning church plants, where decisions need to be made about almost every aspect of church life, but also in established churches where the culture can include ministry patterns that are not directed by mission, but from some other motivation. These notes are to help you use the Church DNA & Culture Flowchart Worksheet. There is also…
Church DNA & Culture Flowchart Blank Worksheet How are decisions made in your church, or for your new church plant?What Bible translation will you use?How will the meeting space be arranged?What kind of coffee will be served?And music! Will you have any? How much? What type?Every church has DNA and a unique culture that shape the way decisions are made. Sometimes “We’ve always done it that way” trumps any other reason in determining the shape of our life together in church!This tool aims to help you understand your DNA and your culture, and to enable you to make mission-oriented decisions.This version of the flow chart has blank spaces for you to work through with your leaders, team, and members.There is also a completed version as a worked example available for you to download. Download PDF
Church DNA & Culture Flowchart How are decisions made in your church, or for your new church plant?What Bible translation will you use?How will the meeting space be arranged?What kind of coffee will be served?And music! Will you have any? How much? What type?Every church has DNA and a unique culture that shape the way decisions are made. Sometimes “We’ve always done it that way” trumps any other reason in determining the shape of our life together in church!This tool aims to help you understand your DNA and your culture, and to enable you to make mission-oriented decisions.This completed sheet is a worked example. The First, Second, and Third Order Issues may be different in your context. There is also a blank worksheet available for you to complete with your leaders, teams and members. Download PDF