More about the FOCUSing Process and Material
Many churches with a commitment to global outreach find themselves in the 21st century with a reactive missions program that is scattered in a multitude of different directions. No wonder it lacks the capacity to sufficiently stimulate vision, motivate high levels of involvement, or draw younger generations into the excitement of what God is doing around the world. Yet today there is more opportunity for the local church to fulfill the Acts 1:8 mandate to impact the globe than in the past 20 centuries!
A proactive missions approach
The FOCUS manual is a new tool that walks the leaders of a local church through a process of considering who God has made them to be, how He has gifted and prepared them, and how they could strategically engage in one/several FOCUS initiatives through a proactive missions approach. Adopting a FOCUS does not mean that the church drops what it is already doing in missions. Rather, FOCUSing concentrates so that new energy develops to bless all facets of global outreach.
The FOCUS process introduces your team to a brief summary of the biblical foundation and global setting of missions today, then presents the FOCUS concept: F (first priority) O (objectives oriented) C (cooperative) U (unleashing potential) S (strategic) and the rationale for it. Then your group moves on to consider if your church is ready to FOCUS, deliberates on the four FOCUS gateways, and studies your unique DNA to see how God has designed your congregation.
You will evaluate the level of FOCUS commitment that works best for you. The process will then help you choose FOCUS partners, conduct a field survey, structure the FOCUS for maximum engagement, establish leadership, launch the effort, maintain a healthy FOCUS, and finish well. Throughout your study, you will be encouraged as you are introduced to local churches of various sizes, types, and backgrounds that God has used to make an impact through a FOCUS initiative.
The FOCUS process is designed so that it can be self-led. However, most churches will benefit from the assistance of a coach with missions mobilization expertise.
The manual is currently in the final development stages. Churches interested in beta testing should contact Catalyst at 215.579.4346 or info@catalystservices.org.
