Strategy
Go with your strengths:
Biblical Reference: David
David his skills, strengths and experiences throughout his life. His victory over the giant Goliath stemmed from his experience gained in the fields protecting the flocks from predators. When Saul was suffering from nightmares, David used his musical skills to help Saul. Through the use of his gifts he became a successful leader for Israel.
What are our strengths as individuals? As congregations?
How can those strengths be used within a broader community to help members of the church be more visible in the community?
Play into your weaknesses:
Biblical Reference: Moses (and Aaron)
When called by God, Moses claimed he could not speak to Pharaoh. His protestations did not get him off the hook; ratherinstead, he got a partner in Aaron. Aaron did the majority of the speaking in Egypt, while much of the message was conveyed through signs (the plagues). Within this story we see not only the importance of playing into our weaknesses, but also the importance of partnership.
What are our weaknesses?
How do we compensate for those weaknesses?
Is it possible to connect with others through shared weaknesses?
Who are some people or organizations, both in and outside the church, that can be partnered with?
Putting it into Practice:
Find out what the needs of the community are and what issue your congregation is being called to address. Determine how your gifts and graces can be best used to meet these needs, as well as areas in which your congregation will struggle. Who might you partner with to overcome those weaknesses? Work together to create the change that has been envisioned for the community.
Example: Area with lower income families, parents working, kids left unattended because childcare is too expensive.
Vision: An after-school program sponsored by the church during the week, providing a safe place for the students to do homework, receive tutoring, have consistency, positive role-models, etc.
Strengths: space, resources, volunteers,etc.
Weaknesses: lack of knowledge about curriculum, volunteers, transportation
Partnership: speak to the Board of Education (or at least the principal of the school you wish to partner with) to brainstorm ways in which the two institutions can form a partnership
Benefits: children will have a safe place to be (church and school, and parents may eventually wish to explore what else goes on in the church (church)
Reading Reference:
