Strategic Plan for U.S. Church Engagement for Wycliffe Bible Translators

Strategic Plan for U.S. Church Engagement for Wycliffe Bible Translators

Jennifer Holloran | 2021

Abstract

This manuscript provides a strategic plan for a large U.S. missions organization, addressing its U.S. church engagement efforts. Like many missions organizations, The Organization has historically wrestled with engaging U.S. churches effectively outside of the networks that its missionaries develop in support of their individual ministries. This manuscript explores The Organization’s history relating to U.S. churches and cultural and relational issues between U.S. churches and parachurch organizations that have encouraged competition instead of partnership.It provides an exegetical study of Acts 15:1-35, resulting in principles for overcoming obstacles and working toward unity across differences.

The manuscript then uses a design thinking approach to investigate various stakeholders’ perspectives, including those from other organizations, church pastors and leaders, and The Organization’s staff. This input provides insight into healthy church-parachurch partnerships and opportunities specific to The Organization. Data analysis also provides The Organization with additional insight into areas for growth.

Based on the knowledge gained from the areas of study, the manuscript provides The Organization with an operational definition for engaging with the U.S. Church, guiding principles for engagement, and a strategic plan to help The Organization achieve its goals in U.S. church engagement. While tailored for The Organization, the manuscript’s strategic elements provide guidance for any organization seeking to engage with U.S. churches. For effective church-parachurch partnerships, organizations must replace the traditional transactional methodology of the past with practices that encourage mutuality in partnership and demonstrate the organization’s readiness to serve the Church.