Ripe for Harvest

S ESSION 1: S EEING THE B IG P ICTURE • 95

Seeing the Big Picture: Defining Values/Vision Exercise Guidelines

I. Definition: drafting and discerning our shared values and vision statement regarding what we believe God’s desire for us to be, do, and create in our church planting work

II. Purpose of the Exercise: to define together what will serve as our values and vision for our ministry, enabling us to:

A. Dialogue about possible pictures of what we believe God has put on our hearts to achieve

B. Discuss the various alternative values openly and carefully together

C. Reaching consensus together on our shared values, bringing them together clearly and concisely

D. Craft a vision statement that describes what we hope to see God do in our effort

III. Relationship to Parent-Child metaphor: “We’re going to have a baby – okay then, where and when?”

IV. Question focus for your team’s dialogue in this exercise:

A. Questions about the values each member believes are most important

B. Questions about how to discern which values will reflect our shared desire

C. Questions about the wording, substance, and rationale of our vision statement

D. Questions about the specific considerations connected to the vision of your church planting effort, including how long, geographical boundaries, people groups, etc.

Context Values/Vision Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter