ADAPT
Step One: Learning and Assessing
Facilitator’s Guide
2018-2019
ADAPT Session 1
Mission, Vision and Core Values
Shift: From Maintenance to Mission
Session Time: 90-120 minutes
Preparation:
Read Introduction and chapter one
Have participants sign in on the attendance sheet
Loving: 20 minutes
Prayer
Scripture Focus: Matthew 28 & Nehemiah 2
Matthew 28 – our mission, as set forth by Jesus
Nehemiah Chapters 1 & 2: Four “R” process
- Reality Check – get real about the current state of things
- Repent – pray and fast and humble yourselves before the Lord
- Return – ask for God’s favor to return to the Lord and/or to the place/state before
- Rebuild – be ready with a plan to rebuild rather than expect it to happen randomly
Accountability Check-In
Set up group expectations and sign a group covenant. Did everyone come prepared? Read their assignment? Arrive on time?
Learning: 60-80 minutes
Topic Introduction: 20-30 minutes
Today’s session takes us back to basics. Mission is the very purpose for which we exist – to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Vision provides the energy and momentum to live into our preferred future. Core values are the boundaries that direct our playing field.
Observations from the book and facilitator notes: Chapter 1
- If structure and programs drive the church just because we have always done things that way, vision and relationships suffer and the church is in decline
- Mission helps leaders to make decisions, evaluate programs, and provide accountability
- Mission: why; Vision: how (unique for your church in your context)
- New vision every 3 years at the latest because of fulfilling the former vision (we hope)
- Making NEW disciples – key to keeping people from being complacent and focusing only on themselves
- Prayer walking helps change people’s hearts for their communities
- Vision must be confirmed in community or it belongs only to the pastor and goes nowhere
Ask the group what they learned from their reading assignment. Is there a case study from the reading that relates to your current situation? If so, ask the group to discuss this.
Discussion and Discovery: 20-30 minutes
Answer the questions at the end of Chapter One:
- Are we clear about our mission and vision of this church?
- Do we, as leaders, understand our mission and vision?
- Does our congregation know and understand our mission and vision?
- Do we align our staff with our mission and vision?
- Do we have goals that are aligned with our mission and vision?
Video: (5- 7 minutes)
Play the video provided for Session 1.
Additional Questions as Time Allows:
- How would the life of the congregation change if we moved from a maintenance model to more of a missionally aligned model?
- What possible obstacles might the leaders need to overcome in order to be more missionally focused?
- How does a church being missionally focused make a church more faithful and effective?
Shift Analysis: Maintenance to Mission (10 minutes)
Ask each participant to complete the provided analysis worksheet. Compare one
another’s perspective on their analysis. What prompted their score? What would it take to move the church to a higher score?
Leading: 10-20 minutes
Key questions:
- What usually drives your church: Vision, Relationships, Programs or Structure?
- What is the picture you see for your church in a few years if things don’t change?
- What new disciples has your church formed in the past few years?
- What dreams and hopes do you have for your church?
- What helps you stay focused on the mission of the church (“To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”)?
Key Learning
What is the key insight for our church in its current context?
What do we need to remember to help us move forward?
Action Steps
There are no action stepsto take as a group at this time. However, take some time to focus on what God may be calling you to develop or do in your personal life.
For next time
Read Chapters Two and Six
Assign Group Leader, assign devotion and prayer leaders for next session
Closing Prayer
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