Roxburgh Missional Network

The ChurchReadiness 360 is designed for local churches.  Its a tool to to initiate a process of dialogue across the church about how people see their church in terms of readiness to create some fresh expressions of mission in their communities and neighborhoods.  Transformation begins where people are not where we want them to be.  Our conviction that the Spirit of God is among the people of God means we need ways to invite our people into holy conversations about how they are viewing the their church's readiness.  The 360 is one of the first tools we use to assist them discerning potential experiments in fresh expressions of mission.

Those wanting a more detailed background in terms of theology and rationale for this approach might want to read our book Introducing the Missional Church by Roxburgh and Boren (Baker Books, October 2009).

What is the the ChurchReadiness 360?

• A tool for creating listening conversations across the church about how people view its readiness for missional life.
• Not a standard evaluation survey comparing and measuring your church to a standard set of best practices.
• A  ‘photograph’ of your church taken at one moment in time.  Imagine a group standing together as a photographer takes a picture.  Pictures create conversations, tell stories, recall memories and cultivate dialogue.  A photograph is a wonderful resource for conversations about how we see ourselves.  This is what the 360 does.
• A resource to initiate dialogue about who you are as a church right now.

The 360 invites people to self identify in a series of five or six different 'rater groups' (for example: Staff, Board, Members of X years, Non-Members, Male-Female etc).  What people discover is that different rater groups respond in varying ways to questions about the church's readiness for missional life.  This creates a wonderful space for dialogue that always results in new energy across the church and becomes the doorway to talking with one another about fresh experiments they might develop in their neighborhoods and communities.

Who does the 360?

Everyone is invited to complete it. This creates an environment of interest and ownership across the church.  People become invested in wanting to know how others responded and this, in turn, creates a space where people feel free to talk with one another about the church deepening each others awareness and understanding of who they are as a people.

What other Churches have used the ChurchReadiness 360?

Sample of denominational groups from which local churches have participated in the ChurchReadiness 360:

• Episcopal Church USA
• Christian Reformed Church
• Disciples of Christ
• Mennonite Church USA
• Presbyterian Church USA
• Vineyard Churches
• Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
• Mennonite Brethren
• Church of England
• Anglican church in Canada
• Episcopal Church of Australia
• Seventh Day Adventist
• Churches of Christ - Australia
• Baptists
• Christian and Missionary Alliance

What does the 360 offer a congregation?

• A snapshot of the local church showing how different groups are reading its readiness for mission and change.
• A way of learning how to listen to the Spirit among the people.
• Church-wide conversations about how God is inviting people to imagine missional life in your context.
• The basis for discerning the places to initiate 'experiments" in missional transformation.

Church 360 FAQs

How do you take the survey?

After completing your purchase, you will be sent a link to the on-line survey with all the necessary instructions for inviting others to participate in the 360.  Our staff are available for any questions you have.

Who completes the survey?

As many people from the church as possible.  We would suggest a minimum of 30% participation.

How long does it take for someone to complete the survey?

35-40 minutes.

What do you receive from this survey?

A 45-50 page 360 Report uniquely for your church with color charts and graphics.