Equipping and Mobilizing the Congregation For Mission

Equipping and mobilizing the congregation for mission:

Why this step is important: Carl Dudley puts it bluntly: "In my experience the absence of broad participation and support is the single most frequent cause of project failure." In order for holistic ministry to take long-term root in a church, the congregation must take ownership of the holistic ministry vision. Training builds the congregation's understanding of, capacity for, and commitment to holistic ministry, so that they are prepared to do the good works which God has planned for them (Eph.2:10). Members need to be mobilized for mission by having the opportunity to connect personally with outreach. Experiential "taste tests" such as ministry field trips may energize members in a way that book learning often cannot.

Why it is helpful: Holistic ministry is not just the work of a pastor, committee or community development corporation. The whole congregation is called to share the Good News of Christ, to show compassion to those who suffer, and to work for justice. However, not everyone in the congregation may be ready to embrace the vision for outreach. Intentional efforts are needed to prepare the congregation for support and involvement in the church's outreach, and to connect the resources and energy of the congregation with a ministry program.

Your church might benefit from this step if ... The congregation does not understand or have "ownership" of the holistic vision; you are introducing a ministry program that is new to the congregation or does not have the congregation's support; members need a specific type of training, such as in crossing racial and class boundaries, in order to engage effectively in a particular ministry vision; members are not ready to support a major commitment and need to "get their feet wet" through introductory experiences; the congregation has studied and talked about holistic ministry for some time, and now needs to move from ideas to action.