Ripe for Harvest

S ESSION 1: S EEING THE B IG P ICTURE • 79

Seeing the Big Picture: Establishing Context Exercise Guidelines

I. Definition: grasping the big picture for the work of planting a church, in terms of theological vision and missional purpose and models, as well as defining core values and sketching out God’s vision for the work II. Purpose of the Exercise: to acquire perspective and discernment as to God’s call and leading in order to: A. Comprehend the role of the Church in God’s Kingdom building effort B. Draft a brief narrative of the history and origin of your church plant team and its call C. Map out what the target area, demographics, and resources available are for this work

D. Do a SWOT analysis on the internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats you will face in this effort

III. Relationship to Parent-Child metaphor: “We’re going to have a baby!”

IV. Question focus for your team’s dialogue in this exercise: A. Questions about each member’s life history, experience, self assessment, and call to this church plant effort B. Questions about the team’s formation, target area, church plant models (expressions), demographics, and resources C. Questions about the internal strengths and weaknesses of the team and its context D. Questions about the external opportunities and threats you will face in your mission

V. Cardinal virtue for this SEEING THE BIG PICTURE activity: willingness to be both open and honest regarding oneself, the team, its status, and the situation they inherit in the target area

Context Values/Vision

Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter