When it comes to the area of missions, the American church has lost its way. Too many missions programs are run by faithful, well-meaning people who are using expensive, outdated methods to try and share the gospel to other parts of the world. There is a tremendous amount of waste and duplication taking place on the missions field and the tired, old methods simply aren’t producing much fruit, let alone exciting congregational members to get involved.
Look at the ministry partner photos on the walls of many church’s entryways and foyers and you will notice many with 50% of their supported ministry partners located stateside. All too often there is very little accountability or review of ministry partners at home or overseas – once they are supported, they are seldom dropped. There is a general feeling that as long as God has called someone to the missions field, and they are demonstrating their faith – that they should continue to be supported. It seems quite a few people have forgotten the part about producing fruit.
I have developed the Strategic Intent program with a Biblical, yet systematic approach to missions that incorporates certain business aspects including assessment, goal setting, planning, and accountability. God requires us to have faith but he also has given us gifts, tools and methods to use for His purposes and grow His Kingdom. The key is to take a balanced approach to missions, because God expects us to be both faithful and fruitful.
Good decision making involves having the courage to stand against emotional decision making. This is not always easy. Few people prepare themselves or volunteer for leadership. It tends to be a calling for people who are appointed. That’s because in ministry, most people are asked to help.
Many people who come into positions of leadership or involvement in church ministries have little or no training in leadership or management. They tend to be very spiritually qualified but often not very organizationally gifted. But with the right tools and training, leaders can learn to make better ministry decisions.
One of the most important aspects of mission’s management and stewardship is the clarity and “objectivity” that comes from developing and defining vision, purpose, goals and results. Without guidelines that set parameters and expectations, and more importantly measure results, missions teams are forced to make “subjective” decisions.
Powerful and transforming things occur when Christian organizations and mission’s teams use the gifts and tools God has given them to incorporate the following properties: They set standards of excellence and reflect God’s high ideals. They clarify purpose and direction. They inspire enthusiasm and encourage commitment.
When missions programs are run well, people get excited. They understand the mission and they want to be involved and share in the blessing. They strive to set goals and implement plans to accomplish them. But most importantly a good program will not only bear fruit (but more importantly), fruit that will last”.
Please visit the Strategic Intent Overview and Outline pages. They should help you get a better idea of all the different mission’s team issues this program addresses. If you are interested in using Strategic Intent to build or improve your missions program or have any questions please don’t hesitate to give me a call - there’s no charge for calling!
Note: For churches in the Coeur d’ Alene - Post Falls area:
Strategic Intent is available to any local Christian church in the Coeur d’Alene - Post Falls area at no cost and is a complete donation of my time.
In Christ,
Eric Wilder
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