BBC Mission & Vision

Friday, July 14, 2006

Vision

Defintion:
The vision describes the desired future state of the organisation. Simply put, the vision describes what the organisation "wants to be".

(The vision statement should, by definition, be aspirational and will invariably be a stretch for the organisation.)
See also a definition on the Evangelism Blog (no retired)

Purpose:
The purpose of the vision statement is to convey to the relevant stakeholders where the organisation is heading. This is to create a sense of direction, and in turn be motivational for the various stakeholders.

Vision for BBC by 2011:

Irresistable programs that draw people in. Christians and seekers coming because BBC is an exciting place to be.

  • 1 000 people (including children) at Sunday services each week
  • 400 young people involved in weekly youth programs

Individuals committed to a growing relationship with Jesus and acting on this by committing to our discipleship and evangelism process and getting involved in church ministries and outreach programs.

  • 400 people committed to the discipleship process
  • 300 people committed the core evangelism process of which 50% have lead 1 person to Christ
  • 200 people serving God through BBC - this could be in church ministries or outreach programs.


Intimacy characterises the relationships within BBC. People feel supported and loved because they have made real friendships with other members in BBC.

  • 600 people linked to a small group

Influence in the community is a given because committed members are living lives of influence and because targeted ourreach programs are making a difference in the community.

  • At least 1 church planted in an underprivileged community

Vision Summarised:

To fill the existing BBC facilities with unchurched people

  • 1000 People Attending Irresistible weekly programs including youth & kids
  • 400 Individuals committed to being formally discipled
  • 600 Individuals commited to leading 1 person to Christ
  • 200 Individuals serving in support ministries
  • 600 People developing intimate fellowship through small group activities
  • 1 Or more churches planted in an underprivileged area

posted by Roger at 6:00 pm

19 Comments:

  • In response to Craig's comment.

    I agree leadership is the real problem and I think that the Elders acknoledged this when they agreed that we need some kind of leadership forum going forward. We might find we need one person who takes the lead but I'm still not convinced that this is the way to go.

    In terms of the "right"/authority to determine where the org is going surely that responsibiliy ultimately lies with the Elders. This doesn't necessarily mean the Elders have to set the vision or present it to the church but they have to buy into it and agree that it is the direction that God wants the church to take.

    By Blogger Atholl, at 10:36 pm  

  • I think our Vision should focus on the quality of the people who are committed to BBC as their church rather than the impact of the churches programs. By quality I mean people who are living lives worthy of their calling.

    One of the reaons that I feel we should hold off on the membership model is that I feel the membership model should support the vision. For example our goals could be 50% of people committed to growing to spiritual maturity and 50% of people committed to evangelism their community etc. Instead of asking people to commit to membership of BBC we could ask them to commit to a Spiritual Maturity process or Evangelism drive.

    By Blogger Atholl, at 10:44 pm  

  • Vision:

    Here is the vision that the envangelism working group developed:

    For each believer at BBC, to commit and prepare themselves to lead at least 1 unchurched person to the Lord over the next 3 years, and also oversee the discipleship of that person in the basics of our faith.

    By Blogger Roger, at 10:10 am  

  • Vision:

    Here is an idea:

    To become a chruch of 100 (lay)pastors and 100 (Lay) envangelists

    By Blogger Roger, at 10:11 am  

  • Vision:

    Here is an idea:

    To become a church of 100 (lay)pastors and 100 (Lay) envangelists

    By Blogger Roger, at 10:11 am  

  • Vision:

    To establish a "Family Wellness Centre" (that has credibility in the community)and where:
    1)Unchurched people (with no major problems) are taught christian lifestyle principles for better living (eg bringing up boys, how to drug-proof your child, how to make good decisions etc)
    2) Hurting people are provided resources as part of a healing program eg divorce, depression,
    3) People are presented the gospel and introduced to an appropriate church where they can be discipled

    By Blogger Roger, at 10:18 am  

  • Hi Rog
    I like you Evangelism Vision and you 100 pastors, 100 evangelsists becuase they are both something where each congregation member can see exactly how they fit in to the overall vision.
    I'm not convinced about the Family wellness centre, it might be biting off more than we can chew and it is not as easy for an individual congregation member to buy into.

    By Blogger Atholl, at 11:01 pm  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger Atholl, at 8:44 am  

  • Focus on 5 year vision

    Measures:
    1) # Participation
    2) # Baptisms
    3) # Attendees @ Sunday services
    4) # Commitments to spiritual growth / evangelism
    5) Average tithe per member

    Exclusions:
    1) New church building
    2) Planting a new church by splitting our congregation

    By Blogger Atholl, at 8:48 am  

  • Evangelism
    For each believer at BBC, to commit and prepare themselves to lead at least 1 unchurched person to the Lord over the next 3 years
    Discipleship
    Committed to growth
    Identified gifts
    Exercising gifts
    Understanding of calling
    People discipling people
    End state is people living lives worthy of their calling - once they are there they don't need process for disciplship they need encouragement and accountability.
    Outreach
    Fewer focused outreach initiatives

    By Blogger Atholl, at 8:59 am  

  • Saddleback Vision
    1) 15000 members committed to maturity covenant
    2) Network of 1000 small groups
    3) Life development institute - (teaching institue) 7500 members get basic diploma by 2020
    4) 5000 believers at midweek believers service who aren't involved in small groups
    5) 250 gifted lay teachers to feed the flock
    6) Age appropriate life development process that leads children & youth to love Jesus & His church

    By Blogger Atholl, at 7:12 am  

  • History of
    North Point Community Church
    Alpharetta, Georgia

    In the Beginning
    In November of 1995, Andy Stanley stood in front of a gathering of believers at a North Atlanta convention center and cast the vision for a new church. He said, "Atlanta does not need another church. What Atlanta does need is a safe environment where the unchurched can come and hear the life-changing truth that Jesus Christ cares for them and died for their sin." So began North Point Community Church.

    For the first 3 years of its existence, North Point met every other Sunday night in rented facilities. When the Olympics came to town, the church was unable to meet for nine weeks. "Those were our pioneering days," says Julie Arnold, Director of Service Programming. "Everybody had to pitch in and do whatever needed to be done. It was difficult to attend North Point back then, especially for families with kids. Only those who were truly committed to our mission and strategy stayed with us through those defining years."

    When Andy talks about those early years, he focuses on the unique opportunity the unusual schedule afforded them. "We made a strategic decision not to focus on growth, but instead to focus on leadership development. As a result, when we moved to our own facility and began regular Sunday morning services, we had a core of leaders who knew exactly what we were trying to do and exactly where they fit in."

    Outposts In the Community
    In addition to the Sunday evening services, NPCC started three ministries designed to capture the attention of their three target audiences.

    KidStuf
    Under the leadership of Reggie Joiner, KidStuf was established in an elementary school cafeteria. KidStuf targeted families with elementary school-aged children. KidStuf is a one-hour program where children participate with their parents in a highly interactive, values-driven learning environment. As Reggie is fond of saying, "KidStuf is where kids bring their parents to church." This was North Point's first presence in the community they would later call home.

    InsideOut
    While families gathered for KidStuf, the student ministry team was setting up five miles away in a rented recreation center for InsideOut. InsideOut is an environment designed for high school students. Under the leadership of Kevin Ragsdale, the InsideOut volunteers made the church's presence known among teenagers in the area.

    7:22
    After participating in a conference together, Bill Willits, Director of Group Life, and Louie Giglio of Passion Conferences, felt led to create a weekly worship and teaching environment for single adults. As a result, 7:22 was born. Under the leadership of North Point's Singles Ministry, 7:22 quickly became a gathering point for hundreds and later thousands of singles and college students from all over the state. Bill's exceptional organizational skills, combined with Louie's passion to communicate, enabled North Point to make its mark in the young adult population of North Atlanta.

    Opening Day
    In December of 1996, North Point completed the purchase of an 83-acre site in the middle of Alpharetta, a small town fifteen miles north of Atlanta. Six months later, construction began on what was to be the first of three building phases. The first phase of construction included a 2,700-seat auditorium, along with a small theater, offices, and education space for preschoolers and children.

    On September 24, 1998, the congregation of North Point Community Church moved into their new home. That first Sunday, over 2,000 adults attended two morning worship services. By Christmas, attendance had grown to 3,000. By the end of the first year, North Point was averaging over 4,000 in worship. They immediately began making plans for a second phase of construction.

    "It was difficult to determine what to build," says Rick Holliday, the church Director of Administration. "We were growing so fast that we didn't feel we had time for a three-year building campaign. Also, we had no idea how large an auditorium we would need in three years."

    As a result of this dilemma, the church leadership decided to experiment with the idea of developing multiple worship environments, rather than one large auditorium. This was a faster and less costly way to meet the growing demand.

    By spring of 2001, North Point completed the second phase of construction. A second auditorium was completed directly behind the original one. With the additional seating, North Point is able to accommodate 5,000 worshippers at one time.

    Additional Campuses
    A group of people in the Buckhead area wanted a relevant church similar to NPCC where they could safely bring their friends who did not go to church. In the spring of 2001, they began meeting every other Sunday night, much like the early days of North Point. Andy Stanley and the leadership team encouraged and advised Buckhead Fellowship and in August of 2001, asked them to become the first satellite campus of North Point Ministries. And so, Buckhead Fellowship became Buckhead Church. They continued meeting every other Sunday night until they moved into a renovated grocery store on Roswell Road on Easter of 2003. Most of the same environments of NPCC are represented at Buckhead Church with live worship, drama, and announcements. Most Sundays the message is shown on a large center screen and is a prerecording from the previous week at NPCC. Construction has begun on the permanent home for Buckhead Church in the Tower Place area.

    A third campus, 20 miles north of the Alpharetta location, is under construction with a target opening date of Fall 2006. This campus will be a fully programmed environment and will show NPCC prerecorded messages with the same technology that Buckhead Church currently uses. When asked to comment on the amazing growth at North Point Community Church, Reggie Joiner, the Director of Family Ministries, says, "We can't explain it. We don't try to explain it. We just pray that God will keep us from getting in the way of what He's up to."

    Beyond the Numbers
    Currently, North Point Community Church has over 10,000 adults participating in three morning worship services, of which about 4,600 are members. Additionally, over 3,000 children and middle school students meet in small groups while their parents attend worship. Over 3,800 adults attend three morning worship services and one evening service at our Buckhead Campus. As you might imagine, however, the numbers don't tell the whole story. Changed lives are what drive the leadership at North Point. Lane Jones, the Director of Membership Development, put it this way, "Our real mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. That's not just a slogan on our wall. We have measured our success by that standard from the beginning. If we ever stop hearing stories of life
    change, I guarantee we will stop what we are doing and regroup, no matter how many people are attending."

    By Blogger Atholl, at 7:26 am  

  • Vision must include:
    "Simply irresistible" in the way we do things so that we attract people both seekers and Chirstians.

    Programs must pull people in.

    By Blogger Atholl, at 7:52 am  

  • Evangelism
    For each believer at BBC, to commit and prepare themselves to lead at least 1 unchurched person to the Lord over the next 3 years
    Discipleship
    The majority of members committed to a spiritual growth process that is core to how the church works and changes the way that people live their daily lives (songs not music theory) because they know the divine purpose.
    Committed to spiritual growth
    Identified gifts
    Exercising gifts
    Understanding of calling
    People discipling people
    End state is people living lives worthy of their calling - once they are there they don't need process for disciplship they need encouragement and accountability.
    Outreach
    Fewer focused outreach initiatives

    By Blogger Atholl, at 8:23 am  

  • Irresistible - Laugh;Compelling
    >Targeted & intentional services
    Individual - Learn;Committment
    Intimacy - Loving;Connecting
    Influence - Living out;Community

    By Blogger Atholl, at 8:24 am  

  • My suggestion on Vision for BBC by 2011. Note the measures are guestimates for the sake of putting down a number

    Irresistable programs that draw people in. Christians and seekers coming because BBC is an exciting place to be.
    >>>1 000 people (including children) at Sunday services each week
    >>>400 young people involved in weekly youth programs

    Individuals committed to a growing relationship with Jesus and acting on this by committing to our discipleship and evangelism process and getting involved in church ministries and outreach programs.
    >>>400 people committed to the discipleship process
    >>>300 people committed the core evangelism process of which 50% have lead 1 person to Christ
    >>>200 people serving God through BBC - this could be in church ministries or outreach programs.

    Intimacy characterises the relationships within BBC. People feel supported and loved because they have made real friendships with other members in BBC.
    >>>600 people linked to a small group

    Influence in the community is a given because committed members are living lives of influence and because targeted ourreach programs are making a difference in the community.
    >>>A Church planted in an underprivileged community

    By Blogger Atholl, at 10:12 pm  

  • Quote from www.teal.org.uk/vl/vl3vlead.htm

    "It is not surprising if many churches have very similar mission statements. However, the vision statement expresses the desired destination of the church within a certain time-frame. Given the number of different elements to the faith, the many ways of growing the Kingdom, and the diverse ways of serving those in need, vision statements may well differ between churches, as God's specific calling to different churches at any point in time differs. They are likely to be specific without being comprehensive."

    By Blogger Atholl, at 10:00 pm  

  • Vision

    I have added Atholl's last comments to the post:

    Click here t see Vision post

    By Blogger Roger, at 9:24 pm  

  • I've attached an extract of an email from Ruth you don't have to read everything. The thing that really struck me is the line: "Christ, the head, does the convincing in His time – no individual needs to do that. Then the whole body follows the head. This may take time and we may need to be patient as the head works in the hearts of everyone to bring them to understand what His will is for that body of believers."

    It was very encouraging for me who tends to look from a human perspective and wonder how on earth are we going to get all the people on the same page.

    Here's the email=================
    Dear Outreach Committee

    Several years ago I worked through Henry Blackaby's Book: Experiencing God. These were some notes that I made from a section that particularly struck me. I think these thoughts are relevant to what we will be discussing in our workshop.

    I noted what Ewan said on Sunday about BBC equipping leaders in Black churches. Is that something that we need to be thinking/praying about?

    Ruth

    From Experiencing God:
    God is always at work in and around a church
    God pursues a continuing love relationship with His church that is real and personal
    God invites the Church to become involved in His work
    When a church sees where God is at work, that is their invitation to join Him in what He is doing
    God speaks by the Holy Spirit, through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church.
    A church will face a crisis of belief when God invites them to become involved in a work only He can accomplish. Faith and action are required.
    A church will have to make major adjustments in order to join God in His work
    A church is totally dependent on God for accomplishing tasks of Kingdom value.
    As a church obeys God, they will come to know Him by experience as He does wonderful things through them.

    Something is different about the way a church comes to know God’s will and the way an individual knows God’s will. A church is the body of Christ. A body functions as one unit with spiritual leaders and members. All are interdependent – they need each other. Each leader and member of the body needs the others in order to fully know God’s will. Each member has a role in the body (Gal 6:1-5) and each leader has a responsibility to the body to equip the members (Eph 4:11-13).

    Because the church is a body it functions best when spiritual leaders and members share what they sense God wants the church to do. A church needs to hear the whole counsel of God through its spiritual leaders and members. Then it can proceed in confidence and unity to do God’s will.

    All the members should be encouraged to share what they feel God is saying. God dwells in every believer by the Holy Spirit. He created the church, His body so that every member needs every other member. Every believer has direct access to God. God can speak to any and every member of the body. He can work through the whole body in revealing His will.
    Acts 6:1-7; Acts 11:1-18; Acts 13:1-3; Acts 15:1-35

    As each member shares what he senses God is saying the whole body goes to God in prayer to discern His will for the body. Christ, the head, does the convincing in His time – no individual needs to do that. Then the whole body follows the head. This may take time and we may need to be patient as the head works in the hearts of everyone to bring them to understand what His will is for that body of believers.

    By Blogger Atholl, at 8:49 pm  

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