Cities Church

In this session, we reviewed the Kingdom Concept Summary work that the Cities church had worked on, making a few suggestions. 

• Disciples’s Journey – We reviewed the disciple’s journey and our own experience in moving from unconscious incompetence to conscious competence in order to draw out known principles from personal experience. 
• Red Letters Exercise: We identified the top 5 character and competency traits we saw in Jesus through the Gospels and the disciples through Acts.
• Top 10 Saints: We identified 10 individuals/couples from Cities that depicted some of our best disciples, and identified common character/competency traits. 
• Character/Competency Traits Top 5 List – We synthesized that work to identify the top character/competency traits Cities Church will intentionally develop in their people.
• Dream Disciples- 4 Roles – We moved the C & C work forward to identify four roles we want to see disciples increasingly grow in living out as a better indication of success on mission. 

ACTION ITEMS:

Kingdom Concept Summary – Land final language and nuance to your kingdom concept (click the “download button to the left and see p. 6-7 in slide deck pdf)

Character/Competency Final  – Land the final language for Top 5 character and Top 5 competencies.  Draft a simple definition for each so that when looked back on later, anyone would know what you were referring to. The definitions need only to provide intended understanding. While only an internal document, these traits will and can inform teaching, training, practices and resources developed in the future (click the “download button to the left and see see p 14 in slide deck pdf). 

Dream Disciple Roles, Definitions & Questions – 

• Write a definition for each role using a “One who…” or “I am …” as a repeated template. Create or curate two discipling questions for each role. 
• This document will provide instructions and examples  of the what, why, and how since we wrapped that piece up quickly and some of you were absent. 
• I’ve attached a list of 95 curated questions that you can borrow, adapt or use as a jumping-off point. 

NEXT SESSION: Thursday, February 15 – 7:00-9:00 PM
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Additional Resources:

• FFP-Handouts-Cities Church–You can download this pdf to your preferred tablet if you prefer digital.
• 95  Discipling Questions Instructions & Examples
• Session 1 – Flip Charts

In this session we reviewed your Dream Disciple definitions and questions. We stacked hands on the definitions after some conversation. A few suggestions were advised on the discipling questions.

We then named that three of Jesus’ favorite tools were making disciples were: Tables, Questions and Parables. We identified that adding simple parabolic tools to our Dream Disciple roles no only helps staff have a tools to help lay a foundation for each role but also empowers everyday people to use the tools in their relationships (in the home, the church and the world).

Finally, Jonathan and Shane provided some more context to why I am advising that you at least take the time in this process to review your mission statement. The last thing we’d want doing out of this process is more language we have to pack into your mission statement (i.e. new roles) or a duplication of language that creates more confusion and redundancy than clarity.  We’re after an all-play, everyday mission. You’re not looking for a “tag line” I think you already have that in “Worshipping Jesus. Loving One another. Seeking the good of the Cities.” There is no desire to change the mission merely sharpen it in light of the other work on your vision frame we are doing.

ACTION ITEMS:
1. Dream Disciple Questions – We stacked hands on 70% of the questions but we did identify that Jesus Worshiper and Joyful Servant needed the questions refined. I’ve made several suggestions in the comments section. I’ve asked Jonathan (or whoever he assigns) to dial the last few in. One assignment would be to print that page and start using it over the next 30 days in your own times with the Lord and conversations with those you are investing in. I’d love to start our next session with some fresh stories of how God used the questions in your life and with others. 
2. Baseline Discipling Toolbox – I’d encourage you to begin curating some transferable tools that could be used to help train people into your Dream Disciple roles. Follow the link to find an explanation and examples of a baseline toolbox. I recommend seeing if there are tools some of you already use or have used in the past, determine if there are ones you want to create and where might you borrow/curate from other ministries. I’ve created a place in our shared Google Doc that you could start hanging/recommending some possible tools.
3. Mission Statement –  It was determined that in your next Pastor’s meeting, Jonathan will carve some time to see if now with your Dream Disciple landed, there would be value in sharpening your mission statement into an “all-play, everyday mission”. Documentation of what makes a good mission statement and work Jonathan and Shane were working on can be found by following the the link above.

SUMMARY:

In this session we moved from our Dream Disciple (outcome measures) to our Disciple-making pathway (a.k.a. strategy). Strategy answers the question: How do we accomplish the mission. It provides a picture at the broadest level of how we accomplish the mission. It functions more like a map rather than a ministry menu. It helps Joe and Joanna know where to go. 

SIX PATHWAY FILTERING QUESTIONS:

• How does your dream disciple inform your pathway?
• What time expectation does our pathway assume for our people?
• What are the core environments of each step of our process?
• What is your primary multiplication vehicle?
• How does our pathway empower people to reach their relational spheres of influence?
• Where is your training center and does it move beyondteaching/content to training/competency development?

TEAM TAKE AWAYS:

•  There is real opportunity with thinking about how our LGs and/or CGs could move into more intentional multiplication.
• We would benefit from a simple, broad level picture of our strategy map that is easy to communicate, demonstrates what is core and how they relate.
• This is a season we need to/get to re-engage evangelistic training and intentionality.
• Our Dream Disciple must inform our pathway, both in what may need to be continued, added or adjusted.

ACTION ITEMS:

1. Draft a simple, broad level diagram ofDisciple-making pathway.

2. Determine what you’re more/less multiplication vehicle is/will be. Give freedom to do some experimenting.

3. Be sure your pathway answers the sixq uestions on previous slide.

As a next step, to assure synergy among the team, we hosted a Wet Cement session at the Pastors and Spouses retreat focused specifically on the updated mission statement  and “target disciple”.

Most of the questions revolved more around the Mission than around the Target Disciple. The biggest questions around mission were:
1) Is there any unintended consequences in making this change?

2) Is emphasizing “joyful disciples” putting undo pressure on our leadership or congregation?

3) How will mission be used and how do we keep it from being truncated or shifting into a “tag line” like statement that ultimately has little meaning?

4) What will be our process for rolling out these changes to mission and disciple–especially of your covenant membership and those who have been with us the last 5-10 years?

Next session, Thursday, April 11 we’ll pick up our focus on Strategy and Pathway.

[NOTE: Click download to see flip charts. Session slides can be found here.]

Strategy answers the question “HOW do we accomplish the mission?”. It functions like a multiplication map rather than a ministry menu. It provides a picture at the broadest level of the the team’s operational logic. It helps Joe and Johanna know where to go where as the mission measures speak to who they will become.

In our session we did a SWOTx analysis of Cities life groups and community groups which make up a core of Cities disciple-making pathway. The following insights came to the surface which the team will need to address over the next months:
1.  Community Groups currently have a Trellis & Vine tension. They’ve lost clarity of vision and have regressed to being typical small groups. There is little to no vision for missional engagement or multiplication.

2. Leadership Development: There seems to be an overall leadership development gap greater intentionality on this area now and the process of development could make one of the greatest differences not just for CGs but for cities as a whole. The team is intuiting the right moves but high accountability with low control seems to be lacking or at least inconsistent. See resource recommendation below. 

3. Community Group Oversight: The CG huddle structure with pastor oversight is not providing consistent coaching. While there is vision on paper it’s not transferring well through the people development process. This is linked to #1 and #2 above.

4. Life Groups – Life groups are great in theory, but there is a lack of confidence among the pastors that the pastors that the goal of LifeGroups are being met or if they have devolved to friendship (which is good) rather than Disciple-making friendships (which is great).  It was also noted a special emphasis on men may serve significantly. It’s recommended LGs  are “relaunched” once CGs are clarified. This will then clarify the best purpose they serve and desired outcome.

Further recommendations can be given as desired, but overall, clarity around the core purpose and then the needed support must be addressed.

We did not get to discuss a broad level strategy map, but Jonathan and Shane have worked on one which is being proposed to the group outside of these meetings. The core components of the disciple-making pathway are:
• Behold Jesus in Worship
• Belong to a Community Group
• Build depth in a Life Group
• Become equipped thru TCI
• BLESS the City.
Jonathan has created a simple napkin sketch picture.

Suggested Resources:
1.  B.L.E.S.S. – this focus on simple, missional practices that individuals, families and groups can embrace and practice together as a way of life.
2. The Multiplication Effect by Mac Lake – this ties to a leadership pipeline.
3. Free video Series Embracing Your Kingdom Platform by Shane Stacey & Dave Rhodes

To Consider: Coaching from Missional Made Simple. Shane can introduce Mike and/or Jonathan to Tod Moor as desired.

SESSION PREPARATION WORK:

3 Big Preparation Items

1. Watch These Two Videos & Engage the Prayer & Vision Focusing Exercise  
   • Session 6 Part 1 – Biblical Grounding + 6 Common Vision Problems
   • Session 6 Part 2 – Overview of Horizon Storyline + Prayer and Vision Focusing
   • Correlating Handouts for Session 6 can be downloaded or found in your 3 ring binder.
2. 25 Day Prayer Journey: Vision is born in prayer sessions before it is realized in planning sessions. We’re asking the Lord, WHERE he is taking Cities Church in this next chapter (from now through 2030, year 15 as a church). The videos and handouts will clarify the prayer focus I’m asking you to embark on:
   • Pray daily over the next 25 days, asking the Lord what he want to do through Cities Church.
   • Spend a little time when you gather as pastors all together or staff meetings to pray together. 
   • Mobilize intercessors (and your spouses?) to pray with you, send any words they have from the Lord (scripture, impressions, etc)  to one of you to weigh.
3. Vision Focusing Exercise: Secondly, in the Preparation Video Part 2, it will also ask you to identify what you believe needs to be the leading edge of the vision for this next 5 years. What I mean by this is explained in the video. I’ll be asking you to send that to me two days prior to our time together AND to bring that with you into the May 22 time. 

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SESSION SUMMARY:
In this session, we took time to explore the question: Where is God taking us?  We sought to discern the leading edge of the vision for the next chapter. The newest thoughts were that beyond church planting in the twin cities, the unique mantle the Lord may be calling Cities to carry is a Vision of the all-consuming glory of God for the joy of all people. There was also a clear sense that while reaching to the metro, Cities cannot overlook the neighborhoods/people that live around and pass by Snelling and Summit daily.

We identified summary statements of the vision focus and dream markers. In this document, you’ll find a stawman draft of what Shane heard you all share. If there are any kernels in it you can use, feel free.

Action Items:
1. Polish the Beyond the Horizon vision.

2. Develop the four Background Vision Strategy Objectives. Step by step instructions can be found here.

3. Identify your Midground Horizon. I drafted a potential that I placed in Horizon Storyline Draft.

4. Set your 90 day action initiatives and identify who is responsible for each one. This video and handout can be helpful.

Additional Resources:

• Vision Frame Work. – One Page Summary
• Horizon Storyline Draft
• Developing background Vision Video + Step by Step Written Guide
• Developing Foreground Vision Video
• Polishing Your Vision Frame & Horizon Storyline