END VISIONING

REVERSE PROBLEM SOLVING

The task of a strategically saturating a nation / region with churches is far too large to do everything that could be done. It is necessary to concentrate your effort on factors which would be decisive in accomplishing the job.

End visioning/Reverse problem solving will help you to focus your efforts on the true purpose of your ministry. It helps to prioritize effort.

I. Consider what your vision would look like if fulfilled.

A. Imagine what the complete evangelization of your people group would look like: it would mean having a church in every village and every city neighborhood for each language group/dialect represented.
B. Learn (map) the location of every village and city neighborhood.
C. Learn (map) locales by language/dialect group.
D. Learn (map) location of all Christians and ministries.
E. Determine the number of new churches needed.

II. Consider what it would take to get there.

A. Must have multitudes of local churches.
B. Churches must take it upon themselves to plant other churches in villages or neighborhoods which have no church.

1. Churches must have a burning desire to plant new churches where there are none.
2. Churches must have the ability to fulfill that desire.
(a) Need to do demographics and understand how influence flows in society in order to discover the necessary initial church base locations.
(b) Distribute the information to actual and potential ministry partners.
(c) Establish a measurable goal - so you will know when you have reached the goal.

III. Work backward to your present situation.

A. This helps you by:

1. Giving you a long-range, panoramic view.
2. Increasing your awareness of decisive factors and forces at work.
3. Ensuring as direct a path as possible to the solution.

B. The essentials of a church planting movement:

1. Churches have a plurality of leadership (so that a leadership shortage is never a limiting factor)
2. All church members are active in ministry.
3. Leadership training must be

-conducted within local congregations
-appropriate even for poorly educated individuals
-accessible: not protracted or professional in nature (e.g.: apprenticeships, "shadow" pastors, mentoring, audio cassette resources, et. al)

4. A mutually aware network of believers is essential in order to know where churches are needed or to cooperate to reach new areas.
5. A common vision for and commitment to the total evangelization of their people and beyond is necessary and is the constant theme of all activity at every level, leading to intentional outreach.
6. A corp of committed church planters is necessary to initiate the process. These church planters need to be able to speak the language and blend in to a degree.

IV. Take the necessary actions to retrace the steps forward through time to your goal.

A. Sometimes the ideal is not possible. Compromise is better than procrastination.
B. It is imperative to know where you are headed from the beginning.