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Ministry Mapping Inventory (MMI)
Process Steps
For Congregational Stewardship
STEP ONE
Complete the
Gospel Impact Survey
The Gospel Impact Survey assesses your core ministries (6-8) through four organizational disciplines: mission alignment, community building, leverage, and execution excellence. As congregations adopt these healthy practices, they become shared "spiritual disciplines." ministry has a specific mission that describes how it promotes the Gospel of Jesus Christ, aiming to clarify core activities and values in line with the congregation's mission to seek the lost. Member responses provide a comparative evaluation of ministries based on these disciplines, giving members a voice in the process. The survey does not measure Gospel impact directly, which is left to the Holy Spirit, and results contribute to a qualitative analysis of "Gospel Impact."
Spiritual Discipline #1
Aligning with Core Mission
Ministries can drift from their mission, leading to varying levels of alignment in Gospel impact. While most ministries have some impact on individual participants, there is room to discuss whether they are aligned with the congregation's core mission to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Discipline #2
Applying Leverage
Ministry programs are interconnected. Leverage reflects how one program enhances the impact of others, potentially boosting evangelism, member assimilation, youth engagement, volunteer participation, worship attendance, or offerings.
Spiritual Discipline #3
Building Community (Teaming)
One measure of impact relates to strengthening the community— care ministries, spiritual growth, and missions—while also developing the ministry itself. Does the program enhance the community around the church? Universal grace requires transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this with his multi-team approach in various churches. Community leaders may offer insights into community building.
Spiritual Discipline #4
Executing with Excellence
Ministry programs often focus more on planning than execution. Excellence in execution is crucial. (Ecc. 9:10; 1 Cor. 10:31.) Does the church, school or other ministry offer this program competently or exceptionally? Sources for evaluating excellence include program data, customer feedback, direct observation, staff evaluations, and turnover interviews.
STEP TWO
Complete the Stewardship Calculator
Get ready to supercharge your ministry's impact! By completing the Stewardship Calculator, your congregation will dive into an exciting evaluation of each ministry team's use of the "True Cost" calculation. Whether formally or informally, you're investing precious human capital (both staff and volunteer hours) and financial resources (your approved budget) into each ministry. The results will empower you to visualize your journey on the "X" axis of Financial Viability through dynamic quantitative analysis!
STEP THREE
Evaluate and Discuss
"Gospel Imperatives"
Get ready for an exciting journey! Depending on where a ministry is positioned in the quadrant, a Gospel Imperative comes to! We can identify which ministries to nurture and manage costs ("The Heart"), which ones to invest in and watch flourish ("The Star"), which to support and reap the benefits fromThe Money Tree"), and which to refresh, revitalize, or guide through a transformative transition ("The Intervention"). This sparks dynamic new conversations about aligning our mission, collaborating in ministry, executing effectively, and ensuring our financial sustainability. Let's embrace this thrilling opportunity for growth!
STEP FOUR
Consult the "Decision Table" for Action Teams to Prayerfully Consider Gospel Imperatives
Strategic Analysis: Evaluate, Prioritize & Select Ideas
Now, a clear picture of your congregation's ministry status is presented, allowing for a meaningful discussion to commence. Depending on the positioning of an activity on the map, strategic priorities will surface and be added to the Gospel Impact Decision Table. This table will encourage your congregation's leaders or action team members to consider each ministry into the bigger picture. At this stage, decisions will be made regarding how each ministry should advance in terms of Gospel impact and financial sustainability, outlining what stewardship should encompass for your congregation. The team should start eliminating impractical ideas that won't enhance the ministry. Additionally, the mapping and analysis process will help teams explore opportunities for internal and external partnerships, as well as merger and legacy planning