Building on the success of the parish mission action planning process, a new Mission Action Plan 2.0 resource has been developed and launched for use by parishes who have completed a Mission Action Plan (MAP) and are ready to take the dreams for ministry to the next level.
“MAP 2.0 is a shorter process (only one gathering) that is designed to focus on listening to the Holy Spirit and our neighbours as well as engaging the missional imagination,” explains Emily Hill, parish development missioner.
Hill notes that mission action planning is intended to be a living process that is undertaken every couple of years. “It is meant to adapt, change, and grow as the Holy Spirit inspires and guides our parishes to make new connections and find new opportunities to live into God’s mission locally.”
Most parishes completed their first Mission Action Plan (MAP) process in 2022 and 2023.
“The stories that have been emerging about the new ways parishes have been growing in discipleship, shifting culture, and connecting with neighbours since the first round of MAP have been truly inspiring,” said Hill. “It’s wonderful to see the ways we’re being called to life and compelled to love.”
For many parishes, the coming year will be a perfect time to reengage the MAP process. The new MAP 2.0 guide builds on what parishes have already done in MAP 1.0 and invites them to dream bigger about God’s mission.
Work is also underway to renew the current diocesan Mission Action Plan ahead of Synod in November.
In her charge to Synod last year, Bishop Susan Bell observed that the process has helped congregations to revitalize and surface their vision, “while also helping us to better understand why we’re here as a Church and what we’re supposed to be doing about that both now and in the near future.”
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