At the start of 2021 we launched the theme of Breathe Again. After the tremendous challenges of Covid 19 in 2020, we entered into 2021 with hope of return to “normal” life. Whilst the world at large has a better understanding of Covid 19, we still find ourselves in a holding pattern. The world at large is holding our breath.
At Frenchs Forest Baptist Church, we have begun a three year journey, with the conviction that it’s time for the church to no longer hold our breath and wait for “normal” to return. God has a habit of turning up at the most unexpected of times and works through seemingly ordinary people to reveal himself to our world.
In Acts 2, as people from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost, God took a rag tag group of people and made himself known through them. There is a miraculous aspect to this story, but there is also a human side. Whilst God allowed those gathered to understand one another in their own language, courageous people like Peter stood up, dared to believe God could make a difference through him and talked about his experience of and faith in Jesus.
It is our hope that this year and the years to come, that you will step up, and trust that God is wanting to do something extraordinary in your life, and in the lives of your family, friends, neighbours and coworkers.
On this page you will find a broad overview of our strategic goals for the next three years.
If you want to better understand where we are going and how you can be involved, grab a coffee, take a seat, and read about some of our plans for the next three years.
Our Strategic Plan 2021-2023
Things Change
We want to be upfront from the outset and acknowledge things change. If the onset of Covid has taught us anything, it’s that there are simply changes which can occur to communities, nations and even the world at large which are simply out of our control. Even the most meticulously constructed plans need to be revisited regularly and altered in response to changes both occurring around us, and those within the church.
It is anticipated that our strategy will change over time, as will our methodology, however our ethos is far more consistent. What we do as a church in the years to come is an outworking of this. It could be said, our ethos frames up what we do. It is “how”
(see Our Values) and “why” we do things the things we do.
Most important for us at Frenchs Forest Baptist Church (FFBC) is WHY. Why do we do what we do?
PEOPLE MATTER
All people matter to God, they matter to us as a church, and all of them matters (spiritually, physically, emotionally, relationally).
Our Strategy outlined here, is an outworking of our why and how, into what activities we will pursue as a church over the next three years, to edge ever closer to being a community which unapologetically engages with one another, our local community and world at large. We do this because People Matter.
ETHOS
Ethos is simply the character, beliefs, ideals and values which characterise a community.
At FFBC, some of these are understood tacitly by virtue of us being a church, for example the divinity of Jesus, the authority of Scripture, and the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Others are stated as values.
Our values are reflect how we approach what we do, and are driven by our desire to demonstrate that “people matter.”
OUR VALUES
Pioneering and Entrepreneurial
We will do whatever we can to communicate the love of God to all people, in word, sign and deed.Releasing Leadership; Releasing Ministry
We want people to find and experience their God-given potential.Holy Spirit
Empowered
We want everyone to discover and utilise their God-given gifts.
Missionally Driven
All people matter and we seek to make known to them that they are valued and loved by God.Relationally Oriented
We seek to create a safe place where authentic relationships can be enjoyed.Communicating a Culturally Relevant Gospel
All people matter and we seek to make known to them their value to God, by communicating the gospel as clearly as we can, in a culturally relevant way.Grace Oriented
We recognise that that everyone needs grace because no one is perfect. We believe grace creates room for transformation.CONTEXT
As FFBC and the rest of the world wrestle with the impact of Covid 19, in some ways it is difficult to gauge all the current strengths and challenges of the church. Like many other faith communities across the world, we have had to adapt to the Covid pandemic. This has provided many challenges, as well as opportunities which are reflected in our Strategic Plan.
STRENGTH
- Relational culture
- History of pioneering ministries
- Growing Digital Ministry Involvement in local schools
- Preaching / teaching Worship
KEY CHALLENGES
- Improve our Community Engagement
- Grow our church, with particular focus on Young Adults and Young Families
- Improve our church site for greater accessibility and better utilization
- Expand our digital/online ministry
- Grow our income base to support ministry
SIMPLE, RELATIONAL AND INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY
As we move forward into the new Covid normal, it is our desire to focus on:
• Processes / structures which spend more time investing in people.
• Developing our facilities so that they create greater opportunities for people to connect.
• Simplifying our structures and programs so that they are easy to access and simple to participate in.
SIMPLE
To be simple means, to be “easily understood or done.” We want to make ministry and mission easy to access, set-up and participate inRELATIONAL
We are relational beings, who are created with an innate desire to connect with, know and be known by others. As a ministry priority we are focussing on ways in which ministries and programs can connect people with one another and with God.INTENTIONAL
To be intentional is to have clarity about why any ministry or program exists. In particular, is this program helping people connect with God, with one another or with their purpose?
PRIORITIES
As we journey toward being a simple, relational and intentional community, we will pursue these five strategic priorities:
