This document provides guidance on developing a strategic plan for a church's mission through creating a vision and mission statement. It discusses that vision comes from studying God's instructions in scripture and understanding community needs, and should glorify God rather than oneself. The vision statement should be short, memorable, and easily understood. The mission makes the vision a reality by outlining specific goals and plans. Goals should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Specific). Developing a vision and mission allows a church to effectively serve its community for Jesus and prepare for His return.

1. “Counting the Cost” Strategic Planning for Mission in the Church and the Community

2. God Plans I know the thoughts I have toward you. Plans to give you Hope and a Future. – Jeremiah Creation – Salvation – I go to prepare a place for you… Jesus

3. Called to Plan The Exodus and Possessing the Promised Land Building the Sanctuary & the Temple Rebuilding Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s Day The Life and Mission of Jesus Called to preach – Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the ends of the Earth Paul’s Mission Trips

4. Strategic Planning in the Christian Context Bible Study Prayer Spirit of Prophecy Seventh-day Adventist Church (Division, Union, Conference, District) Local Community Needs Local Congregation’s Talents / Spiritual Gifts

5. Vision Blind Guides Leading the Blind – Without Vision the People Perish – Vision Leads to Mission Mission Leads to Spiritual Growth

6. Christian Vision A Picture of What Can Be with the Holy Spirit’s Leading and Power It is Bigger than Our own Abilities It is to Glorify God not Ourselves

7. Visioning Process By God’s grace and power who and what will we be for Jesus in the community we serve? Who are we called to be? What are we called to do?

8. Visioning Process Reflect on God’s Instructions we already know (Scripture, Spirit of Prophecy)

9. Visioning Process Who is God Shaping Us to Be as a Congregation?

10. Visioning Process What do we know about the surrounding community and their needs?

11. Vision Statement Who are you? Where are you? What do you do? Who do you do it for? Why do you do it?

12. Vision Statement Short Memorable Easily Understood

13. Mission Makes Vision a Reality Vision = What Mission = How

14. How Do You Eat an Elephant? ONE BITE AT A TIME!

15. SMART Goals Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant to Vision Time Specific

16. MISSION STATEMENT Specific ways that you plan to make the Church’s Vision a Reality:

17. Anatomy of a Vision and Mission Statement Our Name: The name Seventh-day Adventist includes vital beliefs for us as a Church. 'Adventist' reflects our passionate conviction in the nearness of the soon return ('advent') of Jesus. 'Seventh-day' refers to the Biblical Sabbath which from Creation has always been the seventh day of the week, or Saturday. Our Mission: The mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is to proclaim to all peoples the everlasting gospel in the context of the Three Angels' messages of Revelation 14:6-12, leading them to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and to unite with His church, and nurturing them in preparation for His soon return. Our Method: We pursue this mission under the guidance of the Holy Spirit through: Preaching: Accepting Christ's commission (Matthew 28:18-20), we proclaim to all the world the message of a loving God, most fully revealed in His Son's reconciling ministry and atoning death. Recognizing the Bible to be God's Revelation of His will, we present its full message, including the second advent of Christ and the continuing authority of His Ten Commandment law. Teaching: Acknowledging that development of mind and character is essential to God's redemptive plan, we promote the growth of a mature understanding of and relationship to God, His Word, and the created universe. Healing: Affirming the biblical emphasis on the well-being of the whole person, we make the preservation of health and the healing of the sick a priority and through our ministry to the poor and oppressed, cooperate with the Creator in His compassionate work of restoration. Our Vision: In harmony with the prophecies of the Scriptures, we see as the climax of God's plan the restoration of all His creation to full harmony with His perfect will and righteousness.

18. Anatomy of Your Vision and Mission Statement Vision Mission