Church Self Study - What is our Unique Potential for Ministry

Activity: Church Self-Study

What it is: A church self-study takes stock of how your church is now reaching out beyond itself with good news and good works, identifies strengths and weaknesses for community ministry, and discovers barriers and bridges to a more meaningful connection between church and community. A study also takes the pulse of your church's commitment to outreach, and openness to change.

Why it is helpful:The church self-study helps to ensure that your ministry journey is grounded in your church's unique identity and gifts. A study can help the ministry team to organize, enhance and expand existing outreach, or to identify a strategy for developing support for new ministry ventures.

Your church might benefit from this activity if ... is inward-focused (focuses exclusively on the needs of the congregation) or one-sided (focuses exclusively on either evangelism or social service); questions whether it has assets or aptitude for external ministry; wants to improve relations with its community; sponsors many scattered ministry efforts but would like to develop a more coordinated and intentional ministry strategy.