Not just another management tool
Steve Aisthorpe ofers an overview of Future Focus, which aims to help congregations to develop vision, priorities and work together.
THROUGH a process of reflecting and praying together, sharing their experiences, learning about their communities, and honestly evaluating their congregational life, churches up and down the country are being encouraged and inspired.
Future Focus sessions
From the Northern Isles to Dumfries and Galloway, from Benbecula to Aberdeenshire, in small villages and large cities, congregations have found a resource called Future Focus to be of significant benefit. It is a process of envisioning and refocusing.
Usually someone from outside the congregation guides the process and, typically, it takes place over three or four evenings or a day.
As it involves the whole congregation, the outcomes – future directions and plans – have broad ownership and support from the beginning.
Having experienced Future Focus at Portland Parish Church in Troon, the Rev Jamie Milliken is impressed by the way it draws people together: “The process enabled the whole congregation of all ages and stages to share together. Newcomers and old timers, office bearers and friends all turned up for a day exploring our past, our present and prayerfully planning towards our future.”