Building a Ministry Vision Team
What is a Ministry Vision Team?
The Ministry Vision Team works with the church's leadership body to discern the specific ministry direction that God is leading the church. Using their unique gifts in complementary ways, team members work to accomplish the ministry goals of the church. Team members also encourage one another's spiritual growth and provide mutual support throughout this process. Ideally, the Ministry Vision Team can develop into a close-knit group that is animated by common key theological beliefs, shaped by a similar set of ministry experiences, inspired by a shared dream, and equipped to implement the vision. Such a dedicated core group can serve as a solid foundation for whatever ministry project the church is led to develop. The best way to introduce the idea of a Ministry Vision Team is to quote at length from the book Leading Congregational Change, pages 41-43(the authors use a different term for this group, the "vision community"): Transforming an established congregation ... is a daunting undertaking. It cannot be accomplished without God and it should not be attempted as a solo enterprise of the pastor. The complexity of change and the need to mobilize the full giftedness of the body requires that a group of staff and lay leaders coalesce around the future direction of the church. ... The vision community is a diverse group of key members who become a committed and trusting community in order to discern and implement God's vision for the congregation. ... Its members must become personally prepared, understand and clearly feel the sense of urgency, and agree that change is needed. They will help in discerning and shaping the vision, in communicating with the broader congregation, and in carrying out the implementation of specific action plans. ... The group's central focus will be God's vision for their church. They should have a burning passion for seeking God's will and for helping the church become all God intends it to be. They should also have the capacity and willingness to experience community together — to develop care and trust that will sustain them through the change process. This is not a committee or task force. ... The right connection of individuals, knitted together by the Holy Spirit at a deep heart level, must invest heavily in each other and in the process from start to finish. Who are the right individuals? Ultimately, this is a matter of prayer, careful consideration, and church polity... Who should be on the Ministry Vision Team? In some churches, the church council or other governing body can provide a ready-made team. In other contexts, it is better to start from scratch. Ideally, the team should blend clergy/staff and lay/non-staff persons. Not every church leader needs to be part of the team, and not everyone on the team needs to be in church leadership. Prospective team members are more likely to join if they are personally invited, and told why their particular gifts or experiences are valued. Encourage people to pray about their participation, so they are not just saying yes to you but to God. Keep an ear out for people who say, "I have this idea for a ministry outreach ..." or "Why isn't the church doing more XYZ?" or "It's terrible to see so much such-and-such happening in the community." These are the people to whom you can say, "How would you like to be part of the solution?" What do Ministry Vision Team members do?
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