Claiming God's Vision

A Guide For Congregations Seeking God's Guidance for Future Direction in Ministry.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Claiming God's Vision is a process developed by Disciples Home Missions and Church Extension following the leadership and wisdom of Disciples congregations through the years.  It is designed to assist congregations as they pray and seek God's guidance for future in ministry.

What Is It?

Claiming God's Vision is a planning process that emphasizes prayer, the use of scripture,and the importance of discerning God's will for a congregation in setting ministry priorities and goals. Claiming God's vision is offered as a tool with many facets. It is understood that there is no one way to approach strategic ministry planning. This tool, however, offers guidance and direction in a variety of areas related to ministry planning. The material provided is designed to be used by a congregation on its own.

What Will It Help Your Congregation To Accomplish?

This strategic ministry planning tool helps congregations:

• Assess their current ministry situation
• Determine priorities and goals
• Develop a plan of action

Using Claiming God's Vision, a congregation can:

• Seek God's specific purpose for the congregation
• Use skills and individual gifts given by God
• Explore the community and its characteristic
• Learn about congregational strengths and resources
• Create a specific Vision/Mission or Statement of Calling
• Set ministry priorities
• Develop a ministry plan that provides clear direction

Who Should Be Involved?

The first step is for the Chairperson of the local church Board, in consultation with the minister, to appoint a Planning Leadership Team and a Convener of the Team. From there the process broadens out to include a larger portion of the congregation. The complete process is detailed in the Claiming God's Vision resource.

Resources available in English and Spanish:

Claiming God's Vision in English

Reclamando la Visión de Dios en Español

Contact: Brenda Rossy
Congregational Services Manager
(800) 274-1883
(317) 713-2538