2015

The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory

Strategic Mission Plan

Forward Together

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4 Introduction

5 The Forward Together goals

6 Goal 1 – People transformed by Jesus

7 Goal 2 – Healthy faith communities

8 Goal 3 – Unified mission expressions

9 Goal 4 – Courageous stewards

10 About the Forward Together plan

11 Stay connected

Contents

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Dear friends,

Our purpose is to help people find freedom in Jesus Christ, and to meet human need in his name without discrimination. I am committed to us pursuing this mission to the very best of our ability.

It is this commitment that underpins our Forward Together plan for the Australia Eastern Territory.

Our Forward Together plan is the consolidation of much hard work over recent years. It is not a ‘new direction’ but is a vital step to continue building on the important work of the past.

“Save Souls, Grow Saints and Serve Suffering Humanity,” the 7 Mission Priorities and the Freedom language have been close to our hearts as we have been determining the way forward for the Australia Eastern Territory.

We have identified four key goals that are critical to us becoming more effective into the future. These are:

• people transformed by Jesus (soul saving)• healthy faith communities (growing saints)• unified mission expressions (serving suffering

humanity) • being courageous stewards (using our mission

resources effectively and efficiently)

I give you my assurance that our territory’s energy and resources will be aligned to the plan so that we see real, measurable results in response to each of the four Forward Together goals.

From its inception, The Salvation Army has carried a bold vision of seeing the whole world transformed by Jesus. It’s only as we all work together guided by the Holy Spirit in wisdom and unity that we will see this become a reality.

We need your help. We are not afraid to ask hard questions and make brave decisions in response to what we hear.

Our plan is a living document that will be developed and revised over coming years in response to progress that is made and new challenges that emerge.

I ask you to read through the document and discuss it with your colleagues. Later in this document you will discover ways to find out more and also how you can contribute to this important work that involves all of us.

This journey will not be simple or easy. Nothing that is truly significant ever is. But this is the right journey, and we are committed to it.

Let us move boldly forward with great love for one another, great compassion for the world we are called to, and an ever-deepening faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Your servant,

Commissioner James CondonTerritorial Commander

Introduction

It is not a ‘new direction’ but is a vital step to continue building on the important work of the past.

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GoalsHealthy faith communities

People transformed by Jesus

Courageous stewards

Unified mission

expressions

Growing saints

Using our mission resources e�ectively and e�ciently Serving su�ering humanity

Soul saving

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Forward Together to see people finding freedom in Jesus

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People transformed by Jesus Soul saving

Forward Together Goal #1

The purpose of The Salvation Army was inspired by Jesus, and he continues to be the foundation, inspiration and driving force of everything we do.

Our international mission statement calls us to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination. These two things are inseparable in our understanding of what it means to be The Salvation Army.

Our core conviction is that Jesus cares passionately about the physical, emotional and spiritual freedom of every person, and that when people meet Jesus he can bring ongoing healing and transformation in ways far beyond what we can achieve in our own strength.

We’ll know we are succeeding when:

• The number of people making a commitment to Jesus is increasing year-on-year.

• Stories of healing and transformation are heard continually in all parts of the territory.

• The declaration of God’s love is evident in all our expressions.

• People are able to begin or join a faith journey from any of our expressions.

• Our people are sharing regular, uninhibited testimony of the ongoing work of Jesus in their own lives.

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Healthy faith communities Growing saints

Forward Together Goal #2

We believe that true freedom encompasses body, mind and spirit.

We want every expression of The Salvation Army to be an environment that encourages the growth of the whole person.

We want to see more great leaders emerging as part of healthy, empowered teams.

Healthy Faith Communities is about more than just our corps. It’s about every gathering of staff, volunteers, officers and soldiers being a place of encouragement and growth. It’s about every centre being a place where conversations about spirituality and about Jesus are the norm, whilst being inclusive and respectful of our diversity.

We’ll know we are succeeding when:

• Our faith communities are growing and multiplying

• Passionate prayer and spirituality is embedded in culture throughout the territory

• Increasing numbers of highly competent and courageous people are entering leadership roles

• Empowered team work is the normal leadership model around the territory

• Our faith communities are financially sustainable through the generosity of local members

• Innovative and experimental expressions of The Salvation Army are emerging regularly

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Unified mission expressions Serving suffering humanity

Forward Together Goal #3

The need is great, and we’re better together.

The international mandate of The Salvation Army is ‘One Army, One Mission, One Message’. Our goal is to see a united and inspired Salvation Army that is moving forward strategically to impact the world in the name of Jesus.

The needs of the community we serve today are more diverse and complex than ever before. On their own, no single expression of The Salvation Army can do it all.

Our work across the territory is only at full strength if everyone is working in unity.

We’ll know we are succeeding when:

• There’s shared passion and understanding of mission and culture throughout THQ, DHQ and all frontline expressions.

• Local effectiveness is maximised through all expressions working together.

• Empowerment and accountability are embraced as core values at every level of the territory.

• Best-practice leadership and management models are in place to support every area of frontline mission.

• Communication is open, effective and collaborative.

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Courageous stewards Cultivating mission resources

Forward Together Goal #4

Courageous Stewardship is about seeing maximum impact through every available resource.

The resources under our care have been entrusted to us by God, and one day we will be held accountable for their wise and effective use.

Being a courageous steward is about boldly saying ‘yes’ to opportunities that are aligned to our strategic goals under the Holy Spirit’s leading, whilst also boldly saying ‘no’ to things that distract us from our core mission.

We’ll know we are succeeding when:

• Leaders at every level are empowered and accountable for the wise use of available resources

• Every component of the territory is aligned to the strategic plan

• Structures and processes are highly streamlined to better support mission

• Long-term sustainability is a core consideration for decision making at every level

• A commitment to innovation and creativity is embedded in every part of the organisation.

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In July 2014, a small group of strategic thinkers from across the territory gathered under the leadership of Territorial Commander Commissioner James Condon.

Their responsibility was an honest assessment of what was required to see maximum effectiveness in fulfilling our mission moving forward.

Of particular importance to the group was building upon the visionary and strategic initiatives that have played significant roles in our territory’s recent history.

This assessment became the basis for the Forward Together plan.

Working groups are now being established to spearhead the various initiatives that will be required to achieve the Forward Together goals. These workgroups will comprise of subject-matter experts and other representatives from across the territory.

Each workgroup will be tied to a specific outcome, and it will be their responsibility to research, decide and implement what is required to see progress made.

We also need your help, so if you have ideas on how we can move forward together then please visit salvos.org.au/forwardtogether and have your voice heard.

About the Forward Together plan

... building upon the visionary and strategic initiatives that have played important roles in our territory’s recent history.

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We can’t go forward together without your help.

Stay connected and have your say by heading to salvos.org.au/forwardtogether

There you’ll find a range of resources and ways to get connected to the initiatives happening as part of the Forward Together plan.

Cover artwork by Rachel Potter (2011)

Document version 1.0 (9 April 2015)

Stay connected