MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES BRAINSTORMING TOOL
By Heidi Unruh
This chart can help spark creative thinking about ministry opportunities. It is best undertaken by a group of people who are passionate about the church’s participation in transformational outreach ministry and familiar with the community context. If desired, reproduce the chart on a board, paper, or projected computer screen large enough for everyone to see. The first two rows on this page are examples.
1.Have people call out responses to the first four columns. Start with column 1, listing as many responses as people can generate. When people run out of ideas, move on to column 2. Items listed in previous columns may spark ideas for other columns, but don't try to match up the rows -- each column is an independent list. After going through all four columns, ask if there are any additions to be made. Record the responses.
2.In column 5, brainstorm a list of possible ministry options that connect items in two or more of the columns (not necessarily in the same rows). Again, quickly try to come up with as many ideas as possible, without evaluating their merits at this time.
3.Ask everyone to identify the top one or two items in each of the first four columns that are most significant to them, putting a star next to the selected items. Do the items with the most stars suggest any new ministry possibilities to add to column 5?
4.Ask everyone to identify the top one or two ministry ideas in column 5 that they find most compelling, putting a star next to the selected items. Then circle or highlight the three items in this column that have the most stars.
5.For each of these selected ministry prospects, go back through the first four columns and identify any new linkages of needs, assets or partners that can be added to round out your ministry ideas. Using colored highlighters can help you identify connections between the various items in your lists and the ministry ideas.
1. Ministry focus(specific groups in the community that the church might serve) / 2. Needs
(needs or issues affecting special groups or the community as a whole) / 3. Assets
(special abilities, interests, or skills represented in the congregation or community) / 4. Partners
(organizations or individuals that the church might collaborate with in ministry) / 5. Ministry opportunities
(possible connections between people, needs, assets and partners)
elderly / high divorce rate / lots of kids / school principal / work with principal to recruit at-risk kids for after-school sports program in church gym
public elementary school / affordable housing / church gym / X Church / partner with X Church to provide senior housing
1. Ministry focus
(specific groups in the community that the church might serve) / 2. Needs
(needs or issues affecting special groups or the community as a whole) / 3. Assets
(special abilities, interests, or skills represented in the congregation or community) / 4. Partners
(organizations or individuals that the church might collaborate with in ministry) / 5. Ministry opportunities
(possible connections between people, needs, assets and partners)