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This process has 4 phases, each with clear steps. You can walk through it with a leadership team, elders, staff, and key congregants over 6–12 weeks, depending on your pace.
PHASE 1: DISCOVER (Weeks 1–2)
Goal: Listen to the church—past and present—to uncover who you are and what God is already doing.
Step 1: Listen to the Congregation
- Conduct a Churchwide Survey
Ask open-ended questions like: - What do you love about our church?
- What makes our church different?
- What do you believe God is calling us to focus on?
- What stories best represent who we are?
- Facilitate Listening Circles or Focus Groups
Gather 6–10 diverse voices per group (age, background, ministry involvement). - Use the same questions as the survey.
- Allow storytelling and open dialogue.
Step 2: Capture Leadership Reflection
- Invite elders, staff, and key leaders to write down:
- Their understanding of the church’s DNA.
- What the church has always cared about.
- Where they sense the Spirit leading next.
PHASE 2: DISTILL (Weeks 3–5)
Goal: Identify themes, language, and repeated convictions from all input.
Step 3: Analyze the Data
- Highlight words, themes, and ideas that show up frequently across groups.
- Note tensions (e.g., “outreach focus” vs. “deep discipleship”)—both are valuable.
- Collect direct quotes that feel powerful, honest, or representative.
Step 4: Create Drafts
Form a Vision Team (5–8 people from different roles and backgrounds) to draft:
- Mission Statement: What are we here to do? (1 sentence)
- Vision Statement: What kind of church are we becoming? (1–2 sentences)
- Values: What convictions shape how we do ministry? (5–8 values max)
Tips:
- Use language from the people, not just leadership lingo.
- Keep it real, not lofty.
- Make it memorable and meaningful.
PHASE 3: DISCERN (Weeks 6–7)
Goal: Test the language with the broader body and refine through prayer and feedback.
Step 5: Test with Groups
- Share drafts in small groups, classes, or town halls.
- Ask:
- Does this sound like us?
- What feels true?
- What feels off or unclear?
- What would make this more compelling?
Step 6: Refine in Prayer
- Gather the Vision Team to pray over the feedback.
- Make revisions based on insight, not just consensus.
- Ensure alignment with Scripture and the church’s biblical purpose.
PHASE 4: DECLARE (Week 8+)
Goal: Communicate the final mission, vision, and values to the church and live them out.
Step 7: Public Launch
- Share in a Sunday service with stories and visuals.
- Use a short sermon series to unpack each statement.
- Print materials, social media graphics, banners, etc.
Step 8: Keep It Alive
- Incorporate statements into:
- Membership class
- Staff and volunteer onboarding
- Ministry goals and evaluation
- Sermon applications and celebrations
Sample Timeline (Flexible)
| Week | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Survey, Listening Circles, Leader Reflection |
| 3–5 | Theme Analysis + Drafting |
| 6–7 | Congregational Testing + Prayer Refinement |
| 8 | Final Presentation + Launch |
| Ongoing | Integration into Church Life |
Involving your people creates ownership. When your mission, vision, and values reflect the voice of the church—not just the top—they’re received with joy, not resistance. This isn’t just a strategic process; it’s a spiritual one. It gives your church language to say, “This is who God made us to be. And this is where He’s taking us.”