If I was standing at the beginning of time, with the

possibility of a general and panoramic view of the whole human history up to now, and the Almighty said to

me, "Which age would you like to live in?"

I would take my mental flight by Egypt through, or rather across the Red Sea, through the wilderness on

toward the promised land. And in spite of its magnificence, I wouldn't stop there.

I would move on by Greece, and take my mind to Mount Olympus. And I would see Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Euripides and

Aristophanes assembled around the Parthenon as they discussed the great and eternal issues of reality. But I wouldn't stop there.

I would go on, even to the great heyday of the Roman Empire. And I would see

developments around there, through various emperors and leaders. I might even

hover over Bethlehem. But I wouldn't stop there.

I would even come up to the day of the Renaissance, and get a quick picture of all that the

Renaissance did for the cultural and aesthetic life of man. But I wouldn't stop there.

I would go by the man for whom we Anglicans

are so prayerfully indebted.

But I wouldn't stop there.

I would come up even to 1867, and watch this great nation being born. But I wouldn't stop there.

Strangely enough, I would turn to the Almighty, and say, "If you allow me to live just a few years in the first half of the twenty-first century, I will be happy." Now that's a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land. Confusion all around. That's a strange statement. But I know, somehow…

…that only when it is dark

enough, can you see the

stars.

That is casting a vision. A vision for now...

“Behold, now is the accepted time;behold now is the time of

salvation!”

2 Cor 6.2

Beat Coke!

An example of a vision in the corporate world:

Pepsi’s vision is to beat Coke, and all their goals center around this vision.

How do you develop a vision?

• We’re going to present to you one framework for discerning a vision.

• You can use it as is, or modify it to meet the needs of your parish.

• Emphasizes significant community involvement.

• One day program!• Suggests ideas for more detail.

1. PRAYER

2. NATURE &

MISSION of

the CHURCH

3. NEEDS

& ISSUES

of the W

ORLD

4. IMAGE of th

e

FUTURE

5. GOALS

6. OBJE

CTIVES

Pathway to developing a Parish Vision

1. Have a prayer team supporting you.

2. Go through the process with your leadership team (no less than 2 people).

3. Remember: your vision for you as a leader, your leadership team & congregation will come through prayer.

Some preparatory steps

Possible prayer support

• Consider such courses as: – Prayer: Opening Your Heart to God by Bill

Hybels– 12 Step Centering Prayer– Ignatian Prayer– Meditation, – Fourth day groups, – Cursillo, – Anglican Fellowship of Prayer, – Lectio Divina, etc

Parish Visioning Workshop Outline

9:30 Welcome Prayer Bible Study

10:00 Vision Statement Nature and Mission of

the Church Needs and Issues of

Today’s World An Image of the Future

11:30 Worship Service

12:00 Lunch1:00 Goals1:45 Break2:00 Objectives2:45 Closing

Step 1

Prayer and Bible Study

Through prayer we begin the process of finding a basis for UNITY in understanding God’s work.

Prayer is the foundational motivation for ACTION in Christ.

Prayer, in community, also holds us ACCOUNTABLE.

Prayer provides a clear sense of direction for the congregation/group. When this is articulated you have your VISION STATEMENT.

Acts1.4 Waiting for the promise1.14 Devoting themselves to prayer1.24 Praying to choose next leader2.1 Pentecost - centered in prayer2.42 Devoting themselves to prayer3.1 Going to the Temple to pray (healing)6.4 Leaders devoting themselves to prayer...22.17-21 Paul’s direction came through prayer

We will now spend some time praying over a passage of scripture. Scriptural options include: 1Chronicles 28.19-20 and Revelations 3.1-6...

Luke 12:32-4832“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; 36be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. 37Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. 38If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. 39“But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

… continued next page

41Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?” 42And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? 43Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. 44Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. 45But if that slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. 47That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. 48But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

Step 1. Prayer and Bible Study

In small groups:• Have one person read aloud and slowly• Recall the word or phrase that catches your attention (1

min)• Each person shares the word or phrase with the group• Read the passage again aloud and slowly (different

reader)• Think/write: “How does this passage speak to my life,

my community, my nation, my world today?” Think about the people you encounter, not just in your own circle of friends. (3-5 min)

Step 1. Prayer and Bible Study cont…

• Each person shares the above: “I hear...”• Read the passage again aloud and slowly (different

reader)• Think/write: “From what I have heard and shared,

what does God want me to do or be this week? How does God invite me to change? How does this passage speak to my role as a steward for the Lord?” (3-5 min)

• Each person shares the above: “I ...”• Each person prays for the person on their right, lifting

up what was shared.

Step 2

Nature and Mission of the

Church

Step 2. Discerning the Nature and Mission of the Church

In small groups: Brainstorm a list of Biblical images used to

describe the nature and mission of the church (approx. 8 images)

(10 min) Tape your images to the wall - walk around and

browse at the other groups’ lists, return and list additional images you consider important

(10 min)

Step 2. Discerning the Nature and Mission of the Church cont…

Each person in the group puts a sticker by the two images they most meaningful.

Select the top two images and write them out on newsprint.

What do they say to you about the church’s mission? Note the answer below.

(10 min)

Pathways that go out from here:

•Exploring God’s vision of creation in scripture (Vision and the Church)

2. NATURE

&

MIS

SION

Step 3Needs & Issues

of Today’s World

Step 3. Needs & Issues of Today’s World

In your group, brainstorm (don’t discuss) responses to each of the following questions:

(approx 15 min.)1. What are some of the needs and issues of today’s

world about which Christ’s disciples (us) should be responding?

2. What are some of the needs and issues of this community about which Christ’s disciples (us) should be responding?

3. What are some of the needs and issues of this church family about which Christ’s disciples (us) should be responding?

Step 3. Needs & Issues of Today’s World cont…

Tape your 3 lists to the wall and scan the other groups’ lists

(5 min)

Complete your three lists and identify the top two items on each list (using stickers), and write them out on newsprint

(10 min.)

Pathways that go out from here: 3. N

EEDS

AND

ISSUES

Getting international spokespeople to share with a mission team and/or congregation

Community consultations (beginning with a storyteller from the community)

Your leadership team may wish to do a time line for the congregation (timeline should be visible during visioning process/day)

Pathways that go out from here cont… 3. N

EEDS

AND

ISSUES

Exploring your faith community in terms of:– Worship– Evangelism– Membership development– Children’s programs– Youth– Seniors– Pastoral Care– Adult education– Community and fellowship

Step 4

An Image of the Future

A magic carpet ride over your church/parish ... What do you see happening inside? What do you hear?

A magic carpet ride over your community ... What do you see happening in the community? What do you hear?

A magic carpet ride over your world ... What do you see happening? What do you hear?

Step 4. An Image of the Future

Work with your newsprint from steps 2 and 3 (top 2 images and top 6 items). Review the material and draft a clear, brief statement of no more than 25 words beginning: “The vision of our congregation is to ...”

(20 min)

Elect one or two persons from your group to work (over lunch) in a collaboration with members from the other groups. This session will create a single vision statement for the parish/congregation.

Pathways that go out from here4. IM

AGE

OF THE

FUTURE

This may be the occasion when images/examples of transformation are shared, both in study and preaching!

WORSHIP

LUNCH/FELLOWSHIP

In the large group:

Present the VISION STATEMENT and get feedback on how it might be FINE-TUNED, not SCRAPPED!

(10 min)

Step 5

Goals

Step 5. Goals to Meet Your Vision Statement

• Goals should be viewed as a means of achieving the Vision.

• Goals are long-range in nature and should be stated in general terms.

• Keeping the above in mind, please answer the following question:

IF RESOURCES WERE UNLIMITED, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR CHURCH DOING OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS?

Developing Goals

List on newsprint (approx. 8 answers) (15 min.)

Tape your list to the wall - walk around and browse at the other lists. Return to your table and list additional goals you consider important.

(10 min)

Developing Goals cont…

Select six Goals which your group finds most meaningful (try to have at least one goal for each point in the Vision Statement) and write them out on the newsprint.

(10 min)Each group then takes their top 6 list and

tapes it to the wall. From all the top lists, you select your top six goals. (use stickers)

(10 min)

Pathways that go out from here5. G

OALS

Presentations from community leaders who can offer expertise

BREAK/FELLOWSHIP 15 min

Example:

Goal - To be fully accessibleQuestion - How can we make (your parish name) accessible?

Note: During the break a leader will have to write/type up “How” questions relating to each goal.

Step 6

Objectives

Step 6. Objectives to Meet the Goals

• Objectives are clearly defined stages for moving the congregation/parish toward its goals.

• They should be stated in such a way that their achievement is measurable.

• Also, a time frame should be established for achieving each, so that at given points progress can be assessed.

Vision, Goals, Objectives!!!What does it all mean?

• Vision: We will reach out both locally and globally beyond the church: to help others know Christ; and to meet social and economic needs.

• Goal: help improve the lives of children in third world countries

• Objective: provide cleaner water for children … let’s build some wells – at least one each year.

Developing objectives

Have the Goals visible. On a sheet of paper labeled, “Your Ideas,” Answer

the questions found on the screen. These are the “How” questions that arise directly from

the goals listed. Remind all that they need to be very specific about

what they think needs to be accomplished and how their answer will meet the goal that has been stated!

Tape your list to the wall- walk around and browse at the other lists. Return to your table and list additional points you consider important. (10 min)

Pathways that go out from here

6.

OBJECTIVES

– Gifts inventory/program should be offered, eg . Network, by Bill Hybels

– Measurement and evaluation team needs to be formed

– COMMUNICATE to your parish what you have accomplished. Let them be part of living the vision!!!

Go out praising God!

Communication and Follow-up

It is very empowering if you have the Vision Statement and Goals as a bulletin insert the following Sunday (sometimes this means the next day). Following the Vision and Goals you might want to note that ideas/objectives are being gathered by the various groups within the parish to meet those Goals and fulfill the vision!

Have I got everything???

• A lot of information is generated in just one day. Try to capture as much of it as you can – COLLECT all the flipcharts/notes, and record the information. You can use it when you hold planning sessions with your Parish Council.

• Some of the “gems” of information are the ideas each participant came up with for achieving the goals and objectives. This information should be collected and distributed to the various ministries or groups in your parish.

1. PRAYER

2. NATURE &

MISSION of

the CHURCH

3. NEEDS

& ISSUES

of the W

ORLD

4. IMAGE of th

e

FUTURE

5. GOALS

6. OBJE

CTIVES

Once again… the pathways

Any questions?

Comments on the process?

For more information…

• Mentorship, Facilitators– Contact Jim Stevenson (see your last letter)

• Resource materials– Diocesan website (Program: Stewardship)