Mid-January - it's that time work looms larger in our thinking.

Whether our 'work' in our communities is in a paid or volunteer capacity, now, at the beginning of a new year, is a good opportunity for reflection, evaluation and contemplation of the challenges ahead in 2012.

If we don't take time to reflect, evaluate, dream and analyse what we are doing in our community ministries, how will we know we are getting the best return on the investment of time, resources and energy? This activity shouldn't be regarded as a luxury or abstraction. In these days of rapid change, if we are doing the same things we did a couple of years ago, it's highly likely we are missing the mark of what God intends for the people amongst whom we are seeking to be 'salt and light'.

While many organisations aim to spend time on strategic planning, this tends to be 'one off' activity, usually involving only the organisational leaders. It needs to be integral to what we do, and on-going.

We need to keep asking, “What's changed and changing (because of what we are /do)? What's the reality of people's daily contexts of living? Are we doing things right and are we doing the right things? Are we truly in sync with the times, issues and God's mission for these people? Are we missing the obvious? How adaptable are we? Is our organisation dynamic? Is it time to start something new? Have we the capacity to be innovative and responsive? Do our systems and institutions aid or hinder the mission?”

Possibly the most important question we can ask ourselves is, “Am I personally in step with God's mission in my community?” Since all of us as Jesus-followers are called to be involved in God's mission to an unbelieving and apathetic world, it seems important that the person and work of Jesus directly informs our way of doing ministry.

Another important personal question to reflect on: “Is my community really being transformed by my influence as a Christian? What has God called me to be and to do?”

One thing is certain. For those who choose to 'see', there will be many open doors and opportunities in the year ahead. From my experience, one needs to take time to look for open doors. This time of the year is a good opportunity for us as individuals, and also as teams involved in community ministries, to identify those open doors which lead to opportunities for action. We may find that there are existing doors we need to close because they are not in sync with what God is doing in these times and contexts.

Does your community initiative value social innovators? Such people often 'see' many doors of possibilities, which others may not have imagined. All around are possibilities of stepping over thresholds.

If you want assistance in facilitating conversations around these questions, please contact us. We would love to help.

May you and your community be blessed you partner with God in mission.

Lyn

Please contact Lyn if you would welcome assistance and if you have brilliant innovative ideas which you want to progress into initiatives which will transform our communities. You can contact her by cell phone 027-528 7725 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .