Mission-Centered Leadership:
“Translating Vision into Reality”

Throughout several decades of Christian ministry, I have been shaped by converging influences leading to this SkillTrack text workbook on mission-centered leadership:

• My home church pastor, Rev. Bill James Bell, in every part of his ministry, displayed
  a passion for the church’s mission.
• With humorous candor, a favorite college professor would often lament: “He’s so
  heavenly minded about everything, he’s no earthly good for anything!”
• Stephen R. Covey, author of the popular book, Principle-Centered Leadership,
  wrote: “A mission statement that results from broad-based involvement and that is
  based on principles [is like] a compass needed in the hands of every associate.”
• Still another noted author, Warren Bennis, distills my maturing conviction:
  o’Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”

That’s it! That’s what we want to present–thoroughly, but as simply as possible.

2.0 Series Introduction

Series Objective and Learning Goals:

The objective of this course and the definition of mission-centered leadership can be stated in this single expression:

Mission-centered leadership is the capacity to lead the congregation
     – to establish a kingdom-size mission as its true center;
     – to establish its actual situation, opportunities, and challenges;
     – to cast vision, objectives, and goals toward the future; and
     – to empower the members to translate vision into reality.

What is at the very core–the center of your church? You have options, and too often a
church may choose to function with something other than a God-given mission at its
center. Churches that are built on other forces do not last; all of our plans for the
church are worthless without God’s empowerment. But God’s ordained purposes for
the church last forever.

Never forget: Healthy, New Testament churches are built on divine purposes. Jesus
said, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). The church is His, not ours. But, miraculously,
churches grow by the power of God working in and through the skilled efforts of
His people. He expects us to use the very best principles and methods. He blesses and
empowers human endeavor when it is done in His name and led by His Spirit.

Mission-Centered Leadership “Translating Vision Into Reality.” 

Course Objective and Content:

Mission-centered leadership is the capacity lo lead the congregation
 – to establish a kingdom-size mission as its true center;
 – to assess its actual situation, opportunities, and challenges;
 – to cast vision, objectives, and goals toward the future; and
 – to empower the members to translate vision into reality.

2.1 – Defining Mission and Casting Vision

• Unit 1. Mission: Purposes of the Church
• Unit 2. A Mission-Centered Planning Model
• Unit 3. Developing a Mission Statement
• Unit 4. Casting and Communicating Vision
• Unit 5. Examples: Mission and Vision Statements

2.2 – Assessing the Situation

• Unit 1. Mission-Centered Planning Principles: Tools for Leadership
• Unit 2. Congregation and Community Assessment
• Unit 3. Statistical Information Team
• Unit 4. Church Member Survey
• Unit 5. Compiling and Analyzing Information

2.3 – Direction: Action Planning

• Unit 1. Establishing Clear Direction
• Unit 2. Taking Timely Action
• Unit 3. Formatting Ministry Action Plans
• Unit 4. Integrating Plans from Year to Year

2.4 – Implementing Toward Reality

• Unit 1. Steps in Implementation
• Unit 2. Establishing a Sound Financial System
• Unit 3. Providing Adequate Facilities
• Unit 4. Measuring Results Against Plans

Course Conclusion

Note: You can click on each Unit to jump  directly to the corresponding Unit page.

Back to 1.3 Course Conclusiong / Next to 2.1 Defining Mission and Casting Vision