Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary

This speech, delivered by Cynthia L. Hale, D.Min. at the Pastors & Leaders 2021 event, urges church leaders to embrace vision and strategic planning for church growth and renewal. It emphasizes that dreams and visions for ministry require serious consideration, careful planning, and continuous renewal to avoid plateau and decline. Citing a cyclical pattern of growth and decline, the speaker asserts that strategic planning is critical for churches to adapt to significant changes. The process outlined includes developing core values, defining vision and mission statements, setting SMART goals, conducting SWOT analysis, and ensuring passionate implementation through leadership and prayer.

This document outlines AMBS's strategic initiative on Intercultural Competence and Undoing Racism (ICUR). The initiative aims to foster a learning community that is accessible and welcoming to diverse Christians, reflecting God's purposes of unity and justice. Key focus areas include developing intercultural competence through increased cultural self-awareness and adaptive behaviors, and actively undoing racism by challenging oppressive attitudes and systems. The approach is both interpersonal and institutional, advocating for policy changes and empowering individuals as agents of reconciliation. The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) assessment is used to guide and measure progress, with the ultimate vision of creating thriving, inclusive communities and promoting peacebuilding.