Outcome Based Ministry: intentions / priorities / outcomes

The potential in outcome based ministry is to move the church from generalized statements of mission and aspiration to clear, intentional and real-life changes that bring churches increasingly closer to fulfilling their purpose. It is a way of helping churches and church systems to move from intentions, to priorities, to real-life changes.

  • An intention is a mission or vision identifying a hoped for change. All non-profit organizations align themselves with an intent, a hoped for change, that gives them reason and purpose to exist. An example of such an intent in the UMC is to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to transform the world, i.e., our mission statement. While clear when stated as a mission, an intent offers little direction for actions to accomplish the mission.
  • A priority is an area of work or attention that has been identified because of its importance in helping the organization move toward its intended mission. While a priority identifies an area of work that needs attention, it does not give clarity to the exact difference needed. Examples of priorities that conferences and congregations follow in an effort to fulfill the intent of making disciples and changing the world are: vital congregations, clergy excellence, congregational transformation, and new church starts.
  • An outcome is a clear and measureable difference that, if accomplished, will align with the identified priority and produce an intentional change that will move the church another step closer to accomplishing the missional intention. An example of an outcome is a congregation that commits itself to increase the percent of high school students in their community who escape poverty by extending their education beyond 12th grade. While difficult to state, outcomes are actionable and align the church directly with its purpose.

Churches and church systems are quite good at stating their intentions – their vision or mission for which they exist. More difficult, but increasingly needful, is the identification of priorities. In an environment of shrinking resources where all interests and efforts cannot be supported, clear choices of what is most important must be made. Churches and conferences have gotten increasingly better at naming priorities and redirecting resources to address them. The work that is yet to do is to help leaders shape actual outcomes, which require clear strategies to move toward identifiable and measureable changes. The work of outcomes is “where the rubber finally meets the road.”

Gil Rendle, 09-24-2014