SEED PROJECTS PLANNING and REPORTING

Seed Projects Planning

Overview Statement:
Planning is biblical. Seed Project planning is a simple model for identifying, planning and carrying out small-scale Kingdom projects in local communities.

Main ideas:
1. Planning reflects our Creator. He is a God of order.
2. Seed Projects reflect God’s concern for a specific area of brokenness in our communities. Seed Project planning identifies one small step we will take toward that concern.
3. Good planning helps us to identify the sequence of steps and responsibilities needed to achieve the final goal.
4. The plan must intentionally consider all Seed Project characteristics.

Outcomes:
1. Now:
a. To grasp and express the main ideas of the lesson in their own words.
b. To identify an area of God’s concern in their communities outside the church and plan one Seed Project during the lesson.
2. Beyond:
a. To recognize the need for ongoing, balanced and focused seed projects being done in their communities, and to commit to plan additional Seed Projects as a form of wholistic evangelism.
b. To work as leaders to complete one Seed Project with a group in their local churches in the next month.

Seed Projects Reporting

Overview statement:
Seed Project reporting enables local churches to learn from their completed Seed Projects, plan future projects that demonstrate God’s love and concern for the communities needs, and grow in a lifestyle of wholistic service.

Main ideas:
1. Reporting and reflecting on completed Seed Projects helps us learn how to better honor and glorify the Lord and help others see His love and grace.
2. Evaluation of completed Seed Projects includes what was beneficial, what was problematic, what could be improved.
3. After reporting and evaluation, plan the nature and timing of future Seed Projects so that they will be ongoing, balanced and focused on the same people over a period of time.

Outcomes:
1. Now:
a. To grasp and express the main ideas of the lesson in their own words.
b. To talk with one person in the next week about the importance of doing Seed Projects that minister God’s full intentions to the same people over a period of time.
2. Beyond:
a. To recognize the importance of, ongoing, balanced demonstrations of God’s love, and to commit to plan, carry out and evaluate all Seed Projects done in their communities.
b. To commit as leaders to make time to report, reflect and evaluate their first Seed Project within the following three months.

SEED PROJECTS PLANNING and REPORTING
Participant Outline

I. Introduction








II. Key Verse - Luke 14:28-30

Write out the main idea of this verse in your own words.






III. Seed Project Planning Guide

A. Heading Section

1. Problem: ___________________________________________________

2. God’s Intention: _____________________________________________

3. Scripture: ___________________________________________________

4. Seed Project Title: _____________________________________________

5. Primary Impact: _____________________________________________

6. Secondary Impact(s): __________________________________________


B. The Plan Section (see the Handouts at the end of the outline)

Project Steps People to Consult Resource Needed Person Resp. Finish Day
Project Steps People to Consult Resource Needed Person Resp. Finish Day
1.
Prayer & decision
God
Time, reflection
Church leaders
Day 1
12.
Build Urinal
Church/ Community
Free weekend
Project Committee
Day
16-17

IV. Checking the Plan

A. Impact Areas

1. Wisdom

2. Physical

3. Spiritual

4. Social


B. Characteristics

1. Motivated by God’s Intentions


2. Covered in Prayer


3. Simple and Short


4. Well Planned


5. Local Resources


6. Does Not Manipulate


7. Done for those Outside the Church
8. Beneficiaries Participate


9. Intentionally Plan Wholistic Impact


10. God is Praised


IV. Adjust and Do the Seed Project - (Don’t forget to take pictures)


V. Evaluating the Project

A. Narrative description


B. What worked


C. Problems


D. Lessons learned


VI. Seed Project Reporting

A. Celebrate with your Church


B. Report to Harvest
 Please tell us about your completed Seed Projects. See our website for details: www.harvestfoundation.org
 Take pictures


VII. Long-Range Planning

A. Review of Three Principles for Long-Term Effectiveness

1. Balanced

2. Focused

3. Ongoing
B. Planning the next Seed Project

1. Pray


2. Select problem


3. Choose and plan the next project


4. Compare with Seed Project characteristics


5. Adjust and do the plan


6. Evaluate and report


7. Plan the next Seed Project, and so on


VIII. Kingdom Multiplication of your Seed Projects

A. Share/teach Seed Project principles and methodology to another small group and/or local church.



B. Share your Seed Project Reports with others – with pictures!!
1. Harvest
2. Community Leaders
3. Other local churches


Handout

Sample Plan #1
Heading
1. Problem: Public urination at the market
2. God’s Intention: To live in a clean environment. 3. Scripture: Lev. 11:36
4. Seed Project Title: Building of a public urinal
5. Primary Impact: Physical 6. Secondary Impact(s): Social + Spiritual
The Plan

Project Steps
Persons/Inst. We Need to Consult
Resources Needed
Person(s) Responsible
Completion Day
1. Prayer & decision
God
Time, reflection
Church leadership
Day 1
2. Community leaders opinion Mayor and/or assemblymen
Appointment
Project Committee
Day 2-4
3. Develop questionnaire Project Committee Ideas Project Committee
Day 5
4.
Prayer
Church
---
Project Committee
Day 5
5. Survey of interest Community & Assemblymen
Questionnaire Project Committee
Day 6
6.
Develop construction design & plan *Engineer for plans
*Assemblyman for urinal location
Expertise

Permission
Project leader and engineer

Day 8
7. Raise funds from church and community
Pastor and assemblymen
Time
Project Committee
Day 9-10
8.
Procure materials
Project Committee Cement blocks, sand, stones, cement, tools
Project Committee
Day 11-12
9. Announce date of construction
Project Committee
Posters
Project Committee
Day 15


Handout


10.
Arrange for food
Church and community women
Menu and
Volunteers
Project Committee

Day 15
11.
Prayer
Church
Time
Pastor
Day 15
12.
Construction
Church and community
Free weekend
Project Committee
Day 16-17
13. Celebration and thanksgiving
Pastor and Mayor
---
Project Committee
Day 17
14. Evaluation and report Project Committee
Reflection Project Committee
Day 18
15. Prayer and planning for next Seed Project
Project Committee

Reflection
Project Committee

Day 25
.

Footnotes


Impact Areas Planned (for project recipients or church):
List the steps where the following
Impact Areas are reflected.

• __5___ Wisdom
• ______ Physical
• ______ Spiritual
• ______ Social
Seed Project Characteristics in the Plan:
List the steps where the following Characteristics are reflected.

• ______ Motivated by God’s Intentions
• 1,4,11,15 Covered in Prayer
• ______ Simple and Short
• ______ Well Planned
• ______ Done with Local Resources
• ______ Does not manipulate
• ______ To those Outside the Church
• ______ Those Who Benefit Participate
• ______ Wholistic impact
• ______ God is praised


Handout
Seed Project Planning Guide

Heading
1. Problem: ________________________________________________________________
2. God’s Intention: __________________________________________________________
3. Scripture: _______________________________________________________________
4. Seed Project Title: _________________________________________________________
5. Primary Impact: __________________ 6. Secondary Impacts: ____________________

The Plan

Project Steps
Persons/Inst. We Need to Consult
Resources Needed
Person(s) Responsible
Completion Day
1.

2.

3.

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.



Project Steps
Persons/Inst. We Need to Consult
Resources Needed
Person(s) Responsible
Completion Day
16.

17.

18.

19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
Add additional rows as needed
Footnotes


Impact Areas Planned:
List the steps where the following
Impact Areas are reflected.

• ______ Wisdom
• ______ Physical
• ______ Spiritual
• ______ Social
Seed Project Characteristics in the Plan:
List the steps where the following Characteristics are reflected.

• ______ Motivated by God’s Intentions
• ______ Covered in Prayer
• ______ Simple and Short
• ______ Well Planned
• ______ Done with Local Resources
• ______ Does not manipulate
• ______ To those Outside the Church
• ______ Those Who Benefit Participate
• ______ Wholistic impact
• ______ God is praised

SEED PROJECT PLANNING and REPORTING
Lesson Narrative

The Importance of Planning: It is wise to make plans, implied Jesus, to complete a tower or win a war. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?” (Luke 14:28-31)

Scripture is filled with examples of planning. The ant prepares for winter by gathering food. The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt by careful plans. Even God has plans! “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11 NIVA) A Seed Project is simple and small, but its success also requires planning. “Thoughtfully planned” is, in fact, one of the characteristics of Seed Projects. Churches that carefully plan Seed Projects greatly increase their potential to do them well, honor the Lord, and grow in the ability and grace to serve.

Some local churches need to be convinced of the benefit of planning. Some fear that planning eliminates the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Some want to make plans, but do not know how to begin. For many, planning is simply not a part of their culture. Some need to be reminded that planning is only the beginning—and that the end goal is a demonstration of God’s love. Because planning has been difficult for many churches, we have developed a Seed Project Planning Guide. It has been used for more than twenty years, in many cultural contexts. Churches have appreciated it because it keeps them focused on God’s focus. They have also appreciated the tool’s step-by-step format. It helps them think about details, delegate work, and check responsibilities and progress quickly. Other unexpected benefits from planning were recently expressed by an African pastor.

Planning is not culturally African. Culturally, we do things as they come. But planning has become valuable to our cell leaders. They have seen that Seed Projects that are thoroughly planned bear tremendous results and leave great community impact. Planning has become extremely relevant to us. Not only is it helping us to bear good fruit with Seed Projects, but it is also helping our leaders plan their own lives. Leaders have seen that planning is important for fruitful ministry and productive lives.

Steps in Seed Project Planning, Implementation, Reporting, and Evaluation: Seed Projects are best done by small groups—in fact, any small group of believers can plan and carry out a project that reflects God’s love and concern for community people. Here are suggested steps to help your small group members plan and implement a Seed Project:

1. Pray for guidance. Together, ask the Holy Spirit’s direction.

2. Choose a need. Choose an area of need that you think reflects the area where God would want you to do your Seed Project.
3. Plan your project. Together, complete the Seed Project Planning Guide. Be in a spirit of prayer during the entire planning and doing of the Seed Project.

• Describe the problem or need.
• Summarize God’s intentions concerning that problem/need (with Scripture).
• Describe a ministry activity/project (in the form of a project title) your group can realistically do with local resources that expresses what you believe represents God’s intentions.
• State the area needs that will be met by the project - both primary and secondary
• List project steps.
• For each step, then list the people you needed to consult, resources needed, the persons responsible for that step, and completion date for each step.
• Check the plan to see where each Seed Project characteristic is reflected—or have a good reason to exclude the characteristic.

4. Present the plan. Meet with others for review, input, improvement, and encouragement.

5. Implement. Together, prayerfully, carry out the Seed Project plan.

6. Report. A basic report gives group data, project data, and key information. It can be done in a report format or a narrative format. To make a report format, write the three sections on paper and provide the following information:
• Group data: What is the name of the group or the church? Where is it? Who is the contact person for the project?
• Project data: What is the project’s name or title? What city or area was served? What Scripture informed you of God’s intentions? What were the project’s dates? What were the primary and secondary impact areas?
• Key information: What was done in this project, in summary? Whose idea was the project? How many days did it take to organize the project? How much time did it take to do the project? Who participated in doing the project? Who were the primary beneficiaries of the project? How did the beneficiaries participate? What resources were needed? Where did you get them? What resources were contributed by the people who were being helped? What indication was there that God blessed the project?

The information can also be put in a narrative, or story, format. Here is a real example:

A middle-class church had served its neighbors in a nearby slum for several years, encountering every kind of need. The terrible condition of a small outdoor restroom sensitized them to the living conditions of the slum-dwellers. The church members wondered, “What will their lives be like in the winter? How will they stay healthy, especially the children?” Hebrews 13:3 inspired them: “Remember those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” They donated their time and resources to rebuild the restroom. Construction workers offered one workday. Merchants provided discounts on materials. Enthusiastic community residents helped. Approximately fifteen adults and six children were beneficiaries. Another benefit was that church members better understood that God was using them to reconcile their neighbors with the environment, part of God’s big agenda. Through it all, God was glorified.

When a small group prepares a report, it can help the group evaluate its service and plan for the future. It can keep small groups accountable to the church for service. It can be used to encourage the whole church—to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Finally, reports can be used for celebration! This is not to celebrate people’s goodness—but that God has empowered people by His Spirit to be the kind of ambassadors He wants. Reports can be shared in the worship services, small groups, or communication tools of the church. A church can display mementos of service activities—something to help the church rejoice and remember what God has done through its efforts.
.
7. Seed Project Evaluation: Here are several suggestions to help a church or small group evaluate a recently completed Seed Project:
• In what ways were God’s intentions for the community furthered? How did God work in the lives of the participants? How did God work in the community?
• What lessons did you learn through the process of planning and implementing the Seed Project? About God? About yourselves? About the community? About God’s Kingdom?
• What follow-up steps are necessary after the Seed Project? What are some areas where participants need further training? What do you think God wants you to do next?

“Evaluated by Kingdom standards” is another one of the characteristics of Seed Projects. This is critically important if our Seed Projects are to be more than well-intended human efforts. Here are some “Kingdom-standard” questions to explore after a Seed Project:

 Was God seen as “author” of this act of service?
 Did God receive honor and praise from the observers? Did He receive more credit than the people who did the project?
 Did God multiply the resources? Did Kingdom Mathematics take place?
 Have people—other than those who are serving—been blessed or favorably impacted by the project?
 Was God’s love evident? Were His intentions demonstrated?

What is the purpose of evaluation? Some of it is to see how to move ahead and continue to serve. Some of it is to help us see if we are being led by God in our service. Some of it is to change our course, if necessary. Much of it is to measure our own faithfulness and obedience. We may or may not see big results from our faithful acts of loving service. The writer of Hebrews said many of God’s people did not see the results of their faithfulness. Yet, God honored those steadfast people. He brings results in His time, not ours. Like the heroes whose faith is catalogued in Hebrews 11, we are called to be faithful, whether we see fruit or not.

There are a variety of report and evaluation methods. Choose a report style that is good for your group, and work on it together. Share it with the church, if appropriate. Pray, evaluate, and plan ways to continue to tangibly express God’s love.

Please share your project report with Harvest www.harvestfoundaiton.org. Send pictures of your project. We would like to share your experiences with churches around the world.

One final question: Can this be said of your service? “The service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” (2 Corinthians 9:12-13)

Remember, demonstrations of God’s great agenda and love should be part of the ongoing lifestyle, or the way of ministry, for every local church.


By Bob Moffitt, Harvest Foundation
Last edited by Nadia Chandler and Karla Tesch, August, 2007.
Copyright 2007 by the Disciple Nations Alliance
701 N. 1st Street Phoenix, AZ 85004
email: bmoffitt@harvestfoundation.org
www.harvestfoundation.org and www.disciplenations.org

Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided you do NOT alter the wording in any way, you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproducing, and you do not make more than 1,000 physical copies. Any exceptions to the above must be explicitly approved by the Disciple Nations Alliance.


Suggested Resources:

Moffitt, Bob, If Jesus Were Mayor. Monarch Books, 2006, chapters 12 and 13.

Disciple Nations Alliance website: www.disciplenations.org/resources/course. Section: Wholistic Ministry