MVS Unit Discernment Tool
The purpose of this
tool is to assist the Mennonite Voluntary Service program and your congregation
in assessing the “state” of your local MVS ministry. We believe it is prudent
to periodically reconsider if the program continues to fit your congregation’s
vision for local mission.
We ask that the
“Congregational Vision” and “Congregational Relationship” sections be processed
with the entire (or a significant portion of) host congregations. Feel free to
respond with short or incomplete sentences. We ask that response to the
“Support Committee” section be evaluated among support committee members.
Hopefully this
helps guide conversation helping you think not only about what your
congregation enjoys from having an MVS unit but more importantly and crucially,
how having an MVS unit strengthens the ministry of your congregation.
Congregational Vision
1.
What is
your congregations’ vision for mission in your community?
2.
How does
partnering with Mennonite Voluntary Service assist your congregation in
carrying out their vision?
3.
Has there been a sense of ownership of the MVS
unit by the entire host congregation?
Does the congregation’s budget continue to reflect a commitment to MVS?
4.
Do church members’ involvements in the community
reflect a commitment to this ministry?
Congregational
Relationship
1. Do
the congregation and the participants have a clear understanding about the
relationship between the MVS unit and the congregation? Is this relationship a
positive one? What changes are
desired?
2. Are
the members of the host congregation aware of and involved with the objectives
of MVS as a program and as a part of the congregation’s ministry?
3. Has
MVS become an unhealthy strain/drain on the host congregation?
4. How
has the host congregation benefited from having MVS as an extension of its
ministry in the community? How has
the local community benefited?
5. Does
the host congregation believe that MVS should continue to be an extension of
its ministry in the community?
Support Committee
1. Has
the support committee had a clear understanding of its role in the MVS
program? How would you describe
the role of the support committee?
2. Has
the support committee had a clear understanding of its role in the life of the
unit? How would you describe the role of the support committee?
3. What
functions should the support committee add or discontinue?
4. Has
there been a healthy balance of “old” and “new” experiences and ideas on the
committee? How has your committee
worked to ensure that?
