Churches long to know better how to reach unchurched and unredeemed people. Sometimes leaders in local congregations wish to have a method to discover where they may better direct their attention, train the people and focus ministry efforts. Here is a list of topics aimed toward improving an outreach strategy with corresponding analytical questions.

Evaluation:
Vision/Purpose:
* What is God specifically calling you to do?
* What is your current purpose, or vision, statement?
* Do your people know your purpose/vision statement?
* How does that statement reflect what you are doing?
* Does it indicate the what, who, and how of your church's ministries?
* Does it reflect a scriptural, prayerful calling of God?
* Do you evaluate new ministries based on your purpose?

Leadership:
* What are the strengths/weaknesses of your leaders?
* In what ways do your ministry leaders use their time?
* Is this use of time reflective of your purpose/vision?
* Are your leaders focused on maintaining the status quo or do they have a vision for the future?
*How willing are they to make changes?
* Does your leadership team participate in pastoral care?
* What is the morale of your leaders?
* How strong is the prayer life of your leaders?
* Describe the spiritual health of your leaders?
* How many of your ministry leaders have been at the church less than two years?
* What do you do to get new people involved in leadership positions?
* What does a leader in your church look like?

Mission Field:
* Can you describe the "ideal" person you are trying to minister to?
* Describe the demographics within a twenty minute's drive of your church?
* Is your "ideal" person a part of the demographics in your area?
* Are these the people your vision/purpose is trying to reach?
* Are these the type of people you are already reaching?
* Does your church meet the needs of people outside your church?
* Are there new ministries that would meet needs of your community that you have qualified people to operate?

Re-envision:
* If the previous answers are incongruent with your purpose/vision, what does that indicate to you?
• How can you revamp/recreate your purpose statement based on the information you now have?

Implementation:
Structures:
* What are the ministries and functions that your church performs?
* Do these ministries agree with your vision/purpose?
* What are the results of each of these ministries and functions?
* What programs do the best job of meeting your purpose?
* Which of these ministries and functions are not producing results?
* Why are these ministries and functions not producing results (e.g. lack of leadership, interest, relevance,)?
* How might your church benefit by removing some or all of these non-producing ministries from its responsibility list (e.g. increased resources for effective ministries)?
* What needs to be done to get a higher percentage of your regular attendees involved in meaningful ministry?
* Do you have leaders trained and ready to begin new Sunday School classes when they are needed?
* How can you get uninvolved people ministering?

Worship:
* Is your worship service directed toward evangelism?
* Does your worship service reach the "ideal person" you've identified in your purpose/vision?
* Is your worship service inspiring?
* Does your style of worship attract your "ideal person"?
* Does the music in your service sound familiar to your "ideal person"?
* Is your message relevant to your "ideal person"?
* Are your worship prayers comprehendible by your "ideal person"?
* Is the atmosphere of your services conducive to making people feel comfortable even though they may never have been there before?
* Do you need to begin a new service to attract new people?
* Is Christ preached?
* Is everything done with quality?

Discipleship:
* Do you have a clear pathway leading to spiritual maturity?
* How do you approach personal spiritual growth, as a church?
* What needs are you fulfilling for the people of your church?
* How many people in your church are participating in ministries?
* How might more be encouraged and equipped for ministry roles?
* How do you incorporate guests into what you are doing?
* In what ways do you include newcomers in your ministry teams?
* How often do you start new Sunday School classes or small groups?
* Do you encourage those not in a small group to get involved in one?
* How do you get a guest to attend Sunday School?
* What does your church do to get people to commit to the church?
* Do you ask people to join your church?

Evangelism:
* How many of your people are involved in some form of evangelism?
* How do you train members for outreach ministry?
* What improvements could be made in your training?
* What are the greatest needs of your community?
* Who in your church is equipped (or could be equipped) to lead ministries to fulfill those needs?
* How well do members welcome guests?
* What percentage of your people invites friends to attend church?
* Why do people invite friends?
* Why don't other people invite friends?
* What would it take to get them to invite guests (e.g. a different style or time of service; type of small group; evangelism training?)
* Is the church schedule so full your people do not have time to be in the world?

--Developed by Aaron Lynn, Mark Massey, Jamie Roach and James Strickland

1. Cast a vision with your people birthed in prayer and time.
2. Build a congregational mindset of mission (not just program).
3. Identify and develop potential leaders.
4. Challenge your people to listen for the call of God.
5. Make sure you are willing to release those who are called.
6. Identify the potential resources that can be applied.
7. Address the fears associated with starting new works.

Perhaps most important, don't try to do this alone. Work with your core leaders. Work together with the pastors in your Mission Area. Targeting some areas may require two or more congregations to partner. Let?s trust God and work hard to see the fruit of this expansive vision.

---excerpt from weekly e-newsletter by Jeren Rowell, Kansas City District Superintendent

Twenty Ways to Show
Appreciation for your Pastor

1. Have a card shower

2. Give them a gift certificate for a restaurant, book store, etc.

3. Provide them with a night(s) away at a hotel/resort

4. Give them a money tree

5. Have a "This is Your Life" Day

6. Have an All Church Dinner to honor them

7. Give them flowers and/or candy

8. Do something small each Sunday for the whole month of October

9. Give a special gift you know they've always wanted

10. Have a food pounding

11. Have families sign up to take them out each week during the month

12. Provide child care for an evening out

13. Provide tickets for a concert, ballgame, etc.

14. Have public testimonies of appreciation

15. Give them a "3 Day" weekend (Monday-Wednesday) off

16. Make up a photo album of the church with events through the year and all the people

17. Have a reception in their honor

18. Buy them new clothes

19. Dedicate special music to them

20. Make up a scrap book of appreciation letters