1. The Journey from Mission Project to Missional Congregation
With The Reverend Grayhame Bowcott
Founding Rector to the Regional Ministry of South Huron
Regional Dean of Huron and Perth in the Anglican Diocese of Huron
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2. PART ONE: WHERE TO START WHEN A CHURCH CLOSES
Evaluating and engaging the ministry needs of a rural community.
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Discussion Questions
Have you experienced the residual energy of a closed church? Was this energy directed towards new ministry possibilities or left untapped?
Does your Christian denomination have a process of re-evaluating ministry following a closed mission site?
Sometimes churches close for the wrong reasons. What might some examples be?
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PART TWO: FOSTERING A GOSPEL-CENTRED COMMUNITY OF HOSPITALITY AND GENEROSITY
WORSHIP, TALKING ABOUT CHRIST
AND WELCOMING THE WIDER COMMUNITY
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Discussion Questions
What are the number one priorities in your faith community? Where does evangelism and hospitality rank?
How often are new people coming through your doors? How often are your doors open to new people?
When people talk about your church in your community, what do they say? Are you known for being faithful? Welcoming? Generous? Or something else?
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6. PART THREE: CONTINUING TO GROW WHEN THE HONEYMOON IS OVER
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Discussion Questions
What disappointments might you have experienced in the transition of Mission Project to Missional Congregation?
Do you have any insights to share from a successful transition from Mission to Congregation?
How might we be able to extend the honeymoon period of Church Planting so that it lasts forever?
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8. PART FOUR: STUMBLING BLOCKS THAT CAN KILL YOUR MISSION CHURCH
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9. Avoiding the Stumbling Blocks
Have you ever had a conversation about potential stumbling blocks with your faith community? If so, do you have a mutually agreed upon plan to negotiate them?
Have you experienced have a mission project derailed by one of the stumbling blocks mentioned today? If so, what might you do differently in the future?
The most concerning disruptions for missional communities are any distractions or conflicts that take our focus away from serving Christ. What are ways to prevent these from happening?
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10. PART FIVE: ACHIEVING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE “DREAM BIG, THINK SMART”
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11. Achieving a Sustainable Future
Have you experienced a Mission Project (a Fresh Expression, Mission Plant or Reboot) that has transitioned to become a Missional Congregation? If so, what did that look like?
What insights from your own experience might you be able to share regarding the budgeting process for a Mission Church or Missional Project?
Does your faith community have a support network for Missional Projects? If so, how might they assist a newly-formed faith community from transitioning into a self-sustaining Missional Congregation?
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Closing Prayer Gracious and loving God, Lord of Resurrection and new beginnings, we give thanks for our calling to follow your Son Jesus in our worship, our outreach and our service to others. By your Spirit enable each Mission for Jesus to be a place of radical Christian generosity and hospitality. May our doors be as open as our hearts in sharing Your love with others. May we be bold in proclaiming the Gospel and living out our faith through action. Make us flexible in our outreach to a quickly changing world and may each step in our faith journey bring us one step closer to you. Together we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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