CHURCH & COMMUNITY INSTITUTESTEP 1 · 1 Corinthians 12:12–27
Name the mission
What ministry are we strengthening? Who should benefit? Which gifts already exist?
Put it into practice
Write a one-sentence purpose, the people you serve, and the change you hope they experience.
READY TO USE · EIGHT STEPS
From gifts to a ministry plan.
A practical workbook for your leadership team. Read Scripture in context in the translation your church uses; these prompts are original Mosaic material.
Download editable templates
STEP 2 · James 1:19
Listen before choosing
Whose voice is missing? What do neighbors and participants say they need?
Put it into practice
Hold three listening conversations. Record themes without identifying people or recording sensitive pastoral details.
STEP 3 · Romans 12:4–8
Map resources and gaps
What people, funds, space, equipment, partnerships, and time do we have?
Put it into practice
Separate available resources from hoped-for resources. Identify one limiting gap and one underused gift.
STEP 4 · Ephesians 4:15–16
Define a practical outcome
What would meaningful progress look like in 90 days?
Put it into practice
Choose one outcome, a starting point, a way to measure progress, and a date to review with participants.
STEP 5 · Luke 14:28–30
Build a realistic budget
What does delivery cost? Who will carry the work?
Put it into practice
List setup and recurring costs, committed funding, volunteer hours, contingency, and the remaining gap. Obtain the approvals your church requires.
STEP 6 · Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
Choose your support pathway
Can we do this ourselves? Where would training help? What needs specialist implementation?
Put it into practice
Assign DIY, guided, or full implementation to each task. Name an owner, date, dependency, and deliverable.
STEP 7 · Matthew 5:14–16
Tell the story responsibly
How can we explain the public benefit and invite participation truthfully?
Put it into practice
Draft a 100-word case for support: need, response, outcome, cost, invitation. Use participant stories only with informed permission.
STEP 8 · 1 Peter 4:10
Launch, learn, and report
How will we care for participants, support volunteers, and report what happened?
Put it into practice
Set a launch date, participant feedback method, volunteer check-in, and donor update. Review whether to continue, adapt, or stop.
Your church may copy and adapt this resource for internal ministry use. Credit Mosaic; do not resell it.