Help for Communicating a Change in your Missions Vision

If you begin to see the importance and value of ecclesiology as central to Great Commission missions, it would be wise to review your written documents and current way of communicating missions in your church. It is always easier to adjust your documents to your practice if you have changed your practice due to biblical study and convictions. So, begin with developing in writing a clear and doable plan of communicating the priority of the church and church planting in your local church. Consistency of your message is essential. Initiate your vision and match your message to reflect the terms of your mission. Gather your leadership and help them embrace the new way of speaking about missions. Lead your leaders and then your congregation to buy into the messages' priority in the way you are pursuing it. Be sure to include key verses and passages of Scripture as the basis for the change. You may then begin the process of revising your missions philosophy, guidelines, and principles to align with the vision you are pursuing.

Communicating your vision is more than getting people excited or motivated about missions. Your message should lead to specific ways of increasing awareness and educating your church from the cradle to the grave to learn about the country, culture, and people group in which your mission seeks to plant a church. Keep the focus on Gospel advance, discipleship, and leadership development to plant and strengthen the new church. As it develops, be precise in how you pray specifically for the people and leaders of the church plant. One caution to consider is the need for protecting the identity and location (especially online) if the church plant is in a location that may bring about persecution or hardship upon the people and your missionary. Your missionary will be helpful with whether there is a need for caution. Communicate clearly, concisely, and with conviction.
 
Your missionary will be a helpful resource providing insight into the cultural understanding of God, Jesus Christ, and the Gospel message, and the best avenues of Gospel proclamation and outreach. Your specific prayers with an understanding of the challenges to Gospel proclamation are essential for your participation in seeing Gospel fruitfulness. There is always room for evaluation and improvement in the communication of missions to plant local churches in foreign cultures. Gather feedback from your people and be flexible and teachable in your communication. You want your congregation to understand clearly and well what you are trying to say. Remember that God is the original source of communication, and you can trust in him to accomplish his purpose through your efforts that may feel as if they have fallen short. Communicate, communicate, communicate!