Shift Your Perspective - See the World Around You Differently
A missional approach to ministry is rooted in how we see the world around us. The average congregation needs a fundamental shift in perspective from a primarily instrumental view of the church (the church works in opposition to the context in which it lives) to an ontological view of the church (the church expresses the fullness of what others are missing in life thus become a transformational influence).
When congregations view theselves in an exclusively instrumental way a differentiation is built by exclusion i.e., those who are out and those who are in. On the other hand if the church's instrumentality (the fact it acts in relation to the world around it) is built on an ontological foundation then the church demonstrates its differentiation by relationship i.e., those who are moving toward God and those who are moving away. Starting from an ontological view engages relationship as a means to reconciliation. Starting from an instrumental view engages a description of perceived deficit to heighten the need for reconciliation.
Leadership Praxis™ encourages an engagement with the world in a relational approach that demonstrates the meaning of missio Dei (God's desire and work toward reconciliation with those who are estranged from God).
Leadership Praxis™ leads your staff, board and leadership teams through a process of refocusing toward a missional perspective.
Leadership Praxis™ uses a nine step refocusing process aimed at reinvigorating an incarnational missional impulse. This process is illustrated below in a way that attempts to illustrate that our linear process of discovery is built on the reality that clarity in mission is really clarity in identity (the ontological part of the equation).
The Leadership Praxis™ process:
The strength of the Leadership Praxis™ approach exhibits itself in several critical factors.
First, Leadership Praxis™ possesses a toolkit of assessmentsand processes that adapt to your congregation's needs and traditions. We do not follow a one size fits every situation approach. We utilize tools that are reliable and validated so that the data gathered is the best possible mirror of your congregation's perspective. Does this dismiss the work of the Holy Spirit? Clear assessment is a criteria to working in faith not a contradiction of faith. Assessments pave the way to a new work of renewal and insight.
Second Leadership Praxis™is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual team of leaders. Since the birth of the church in Acts 2 it has been a global entity. We live that global identity as a team and are uniquely qualified to help our global clients meet the diverse challenges presented by their context. Our team's depth in missiology, theology, business and leadership experience brings the benefit of multiple frames of reference to your team. This multifaceted approach not only means our work is understandable to your leadership team it means that they will discover facets of their own giftedness and ministry opportunities that they may have missed but exist for which they are uniquely qualified to address.
Third, Leadership Praxis™ is a team of leaders who practicea missional approach to ministry. We have experience in leading congregations, church planting movements, denominational programs and academic administration all with a missional view in mind. Experience means we "get it" and offer more than just theories we coach and mentor as leaders walking the same path.
Write info@leadership-praxis.com to set up a conversation with one of our team to discuss how we can help you live out your congregation's "DNA" in mission to your community.