Why Tailored Mission Strategies?

This blog is about Christian mission but the concept is best illustrated if we start by thinking about how we choose and purchase clothes.

You can find lots of choice in stores these days and if you shop at supermarkets you should be able to find something that is right for you at a good price.  It might even fit fairly well.  Of course if you went down the route of bespoke tailoring someone would work with you to produce something that you feel good in and something that is a perfect fit everywhere.  The downside of that is that it will cost more.  But if you are someone who goes for bespoke tailoring you know how much better that is.

Let's get back to the subject of Christian mission.  There are a whole range of mission programmes on the shelves including social action programmes and evangelistic programmes.  Shop around and you will find something that will seem helpful for your church at this time.  I would be happy to give you some pointers if that's the route you want to take.  But imagine if you could develop a mission programme specifically tailored to your church and location.  Now imagine that this can be achieved for a very modest outlay.

What are the main advantages?

Here are just a few of the benefits...

• It maximises the engagement of the whole core congregation;
• It creates a strong sense of local "ownership" so your members will not feel that something has been imposed on them;
• It enables confidence in mission engagement;
• It works in any Christian tradition;
• It can be developed whatever the theological position;
• It can be tailored to fit a church of any size;
• A stress-free way to become more missional;
• It develops Christian discipleship and a sense of awareness of each member sharing in God's mission;
• It will be relevant for your local community.

Take a look around this blog to find out more about taking a tailored approach to developing localised mission strategies.

Taking the First Step

Even where the theology and principles of tailored mission strategies are understood, making it happen is something else.  This is where some specialist and experienced outside help will be required.  Tailored Mission Strategies has been developed by Rural Mission Solutions led by Barry Osborne.  Barry is an ordained minister within the Congregational Federation and has a life time of working with rural churches of all kinds of denominations in all kinds of settlements across Britain.

In addition to his theological training and many years of pastoral leadership he also has secular management qualifications and experience, having been a director of a number of small companies and charities.  He has taught rural mission modules in a number of theological colleges and is the author of books on rural mission.  He is part of the Churches Rural Group (part of Churches Together in England), administers the national Rural Evangelism Network and is a regular contributor to Country Way magazine.  Within the Congregational Federation he heads up the Inter-Church Board responsible for ecumenical relations.

Any church that is interested in developing tailored mission strategies has the opportunity of either having Barry's help or that of someone trained by him.

Barry says that working with local churches to develop tailored mission strategies is also like teaching someone to ride a bicycle.  They need to get on the bike or they will never learn.  They might need advice on ensuring that the structures are right (saddle and handlebar height), they might need advice on where to set their vision and how to maintain balance.  Most of all they need support to start off with so running alongside for a while might be helpful.  But as soon as possible they should manage on their own, while prepared for the odd  hiccup!

Incidentally, Rural Mission Solutions do not charge for any of their resources and time.  Travel costs and accommodation (if necessary) do need to be covered.

To get started give Barry a call on 01858-414930 or emailbarry@ruralmissions.org.uk.  He will arrange a no-obligation initial visit to you.  If you are happy to proceed beyond that the next step will probably be an away day for as many of your core congregation as possible.