MENS CHRISTIAN GUILD 3 rd DENOMINATIONAL COUNCIL MCG VISION 2017 TOWARDS A VIBRANT, RELEVANT, RESPONSIVE, SUSTAINABLE AND PRAYERFUL GUILD. The MCG : An

MENS CHRISTIAN GUILD3rd DENOMINATIONAL COUNCIL

MCG VISION 2017

TOWARDS A VIBRANT, RELEVANT, RESPONSIVE, SUSTAINABLE AND PRAYERFUL GUILD.

The MCG : An Evangelist

MCG VISION 2017Doable, Achievable, Practical

AllBy God’s Grace

THE AIMS OF THE MCG RESTATED, * to present Jesus as Lord and Saviour and to engage them in the

promotion and extension of the Kingdom. * to extend the Kingdom of God, in our Church, in the churches to

which we are related and in the entire world.. * to build up Christian character by encouraging attendance of

public worship, the reading of scripture and witness to Christ. To inculcate a sense of moral discipline, especially in the members

of the Guild. To promote programs of intellectual, social and physical growth. To inculcate a spirit of obedience and humility both in our church

and the entire church of God. To bind members to resist all unchristian customs and to follow the

life which is the fruit of the spirit. To encourage a sense of responsibility for all men, especially those

who need either practical help or spiritual assistance

OUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Reclaiming the agenda of union – dialogue for unity trans-nationality.

Refocussing the MCG to Evangelism agenda. Preparing the young evangeslists :Young Men Mutual

Improvement Program. Training and development – Leadership development

and foundation Advancing the Social and Justice agenda : HIV,

Funerals, etc. Strengthening our relations with the church. A self sustainable and focussed Guild Building a strong Guild, ready to to preach the Word.

KEY PROGRAMS OF THE LAST DECADE

HUMBLE BEGINNING, TOUGH RIDE, FINDING OUR FOOTThe MCG Road Map

WHERE DO WE COME FROM

1999Conceptualizatio

n and Engagement

2000 – 2001Formative stage

2002-2004Mobilization

And Positioning

2005-2006Finding ourselves

2005 stratplanEvangelism

2007-2009Maturing stage Recommitment

to union

2010-2012On the cruise

2012Evaluate / Refocus MCG vision 2017

ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN

MENS CHRISTIAN GUILD

STRENGHTS WEAKNESS

i. Rich history of Umanyanoii. Broad support by members of the organisationiii. Organisational vibrancy and appealiv. Sustained evangelism

i. Lack of commitment and disciplineii. Lack of stewardshipiii. Guild not able to sustain itself iv. No inroads into white congregation

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

i. Growing presence of young men in the church.ii. Growing number of professional men in the

churchiii. Changing perceptions about the role of the

MCG

i. Disunity amongst men in the UPCSA

ii. Unsupportive Ministersiii. Ageing membershipiv. Spiritual Apathy

MISSION STATEMENT

To preach the word and be the center of evangelism in our church

and society

OUR VISION FOR 2017

A vibrant, relevant, responsive, sustainable and prayerful Guild whose core business is Evangelism


OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Based on the above scan, mission and vision statements, our strategic objectives will centre around the following: Building a Guild which has at its centre and core, evangelism, while responding to societal

needs Growing our membership three fold by 2017 Establishing branches in 75% of our congregations. Universal presence in 100% of our presbyteries. Building an inclusive and representative Guild, relevant to the demographics of our

denomination in terms of race, culture, traditions, geography, age and class. Building a self sustainable Guild, in terms of financial, human and material resources.


ORGANISATIONAL VALUES

In order to pursue these objectives and realize our Vision for 2017, the following will be our values:

Humility – remain humble at all times as we invite all men into the MCG. Love- approach our disaffiliated brothers with love, and also treat each other with love as we

do God’s work. Trust – develop a sense of trust amongst all men by being fair, transparent and objective in

dealing with each other.


WHAT DRIVES US/WHAT SHOULD CONCERN US

High number of unbelieving men in our societies High intake of alcohol and other substances by men. Declining moral standards in our societies. Abuse of women and children The absence of Christ in the lives of men


THE VISION 2017 MATRIX


GROWTH

Presbyteries Membership Branches

A VIBRANT, RELEVANT, RESPONSIVE,PRAYERFUL AND SUSTAINABLE ASSOCIATION

Substainance

Evangelism

Demographics Cultural Diversity Age Profile

Representative and Inclusivity

Unity of men

Trans Nationality

Unio

nRa

tiona

le

Drive

r and

an

Enab

ler

OBJECTIVE I : TRIPLE OUR MEMBERSHIP BY 2017


Where are we Current membership : 2055

What is the problem No substantial growth in the past three years – disaffiliated by some members

Where do we go: Vision 2017 Triple membership to 6000 by 2017

How do we get there i. Ensure every member renew subscriptionii. Conduct audit of membership for accurate statisticsiii. Strengthen the YMMIPiv. Start campaign – every man an MCG memberv. Reach out to disaffiliated members and other racesvi. Appoint membership officer in each branch and

presbytery and set targets

OBJECTIVE II: ESTABLISH BRANCHES IN 75% OF OUR CONGREGATIONS


Where are we Current number of branches in 130, representing about ¼ of potential branches

What is the problem i. Some congregations, especially former white congregations have not branches

ii. Men almost divided between PCSA and RPCSAWhere do we go: Vision 2017 Bring the number of branches to ± 300 by 2017

How do we get there i. Make audit of congregations without MCG and analyze them.ii. Identify contact person in each congregation to facilitate

recruitment.iii. Assign nearby launched branch to assist iv. Set up Interim Committees by 2012 to prepare for launch

OBJECTIVE III: UNIVERSAL PRESENCE IN 100% OF PRESBYTERIES


Where are we i. Currently active in 14 presbyteries ii. Zambia and Zimbabwe active in their own right

What is the problem i. Division amongst men and the emergence of the MF affected presbyteries like Tshwane and Lekoa

Where do we go: Vision 2017 i. Existence of MCG at Presbyterial level in all presbyteries

How do we get there i. Conduct audit and analyse each presbytery and define solution for it.

ii. Set up Interim structures supported by nearby presbyteries where do not exist.

iii. Ensure launch of at least three branches

OBJECTIVE IV: INJECT YOUNG BLOOD INTO THE MCG


Where are we Our membership is ageing, at an average of between 45 -55 year old

What is the problem i. Our inability to appeal to, and recruit young men into the Guild.

Where do we go: Vision 2017 i. Ensure that the bulk of young men in the YF, do join the MCGii. An age profile with a fair mix of young, middle and old men

How do we get there i. Find out why young men join the MCG through the YMMIPii. Develop evangelical programs which appeals to the youth.iii. Local strategies developed to initiate young men into the MCG

OBJECTIVE V: EMBRACE AND CELEBRATE OUR CULTURAL DIVERSITY


Where are you An association which is divided, rather that united by culture

What is the problem i. Inability to blend original cultures into a rich heritageii. Cultural difference misused to divide the church and

the GuildWhere do we want to go: Vision 2017

i. An association which celebrate its diversity to show the wonders of creation.

How do we get there i. Invoke dialogue to celebrate our culture diversity.ii. The beauty of a thousand flowers flourish when they

blossom together.

OBJECTIVE VI: AN ASSOCIATION WHICH REFLECTS THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF OUR CHURCH AND SOCIETY


Where are we i. The MCG largely reflects a association of African men

What is the problem i. White brothers see no value in the MCGii. Inability to make inroads into white congregations

Where do we want to go : Vision 2017

i. A non racial association which represents the racial composition of our church and society

How do we get there i. Get a deeper understanding why our white congregants have no interest in associations.

ii. Develop high level program to persuade them to affiliate to the MCG

OBJECTIVE VIII: AN ASSOCIATION ABLE TO SUSTAIN ITSELF


Where are we i. The MCG thrives on a shoe string budget, unable to sustain itself .

ii. The MCG is empowered with an abundance of human resources

What is the problem i. Very limited sources of income, only during conferences.ii. Membership fees at their barest minimum.iii. Skills of members not adequately utilized.

Where do we go: Vision 2017 i. Financial reserves of R1 million by 2017, which translates to R200 – 000 per annum.

ii. Conduct skills audit of members iii. Utilize members skills to grow the Guildiv. Each presbytery is fully resourced with adequate working tools.

OBJECTIVE VIII: MCG THE EVANGELIST


Where are we A defocused association due to disunity amongst menDecision in place to refocus the MCG to evangelism as its core business

What is the problem Investing too much energy on union issues

Where do we go: Vision 2017 An MCG which put at its centre, the preaching of the word – every MCG member an Evangelist.

How do we get there Every activity of the MCG to be dominated by the preaching of the word.Every MCG member to be trained an evangelist.MCG programs to be outward looking

OBJECTIVE IX: LIVING UP TO OUR TRANS-NATIONAL CHARACTER


Where are we MCG still along the three countries and operate as three

What is the problem No sufficient effort made to integrate the GuildFinancial challenges for Zambia and Zimbabwe

Where do we go: Vision 2017 A one united MCG, which knows no boundaries

How do we get there Develop joint programs and visitations amongst the countries to support each other.The DEC to have two ( 2 ) ex officio sets for Zambia and Zimbabwe to enhance communication.Financially support the two countries till 2017 to strengthen them

OBJECTIVE X: UNITY OF MEN: A SURE HOPE FOR OUR PRESENT TRIALS


Where we are Men still divided largely along former denominations

What is the problem Prolonged unity dialogueShifting of foal posts by our disaffiliated brothers.The seeming shelving and undermining of the basis of union documents.

Where do we go: Vision 2017

One united, non racial and vibrant association of men in the UPCSA

How do we get there Identify and mitigate against obstacles to unity of men.Commitment by MCG to the Unity of men, and willingness to find solutions to the unity challenges.

Looking ahead, what consideration should council put to ensure a growing, sustained and strong build

ENABLERS TO BUILDING A STRONG GUILD REMOVING THE OBSTACLES

Build a strong financial muscle New do we raise church internally to sustain our programs

Quality of membership Strong emphasis on evangelism and leadership

Role of Ministers What does their role as Presidents mean.

Issues of uniform Is our insistence on Gabardine material not a constrainer-consider using only colour

How do we strengthen our trans-national character

Consideration of the high costs of travelling for our brothers in Zambia and Zimbabwe

How do we ensure that we become a model Guild in the UPCSA-non racial and multi-cultural

What are the things we should do/ not do to extend a welcome gesture to them preaching the word with us.

God bless and thank you

Documents

MENS CHRISTIAN GUILD 3 rd DENOMINATIONAL COUNCIL MCG VISION 2017 TOWARDS A VIBRANT, RELEVANT, RESPONSIVE, SUSTAINABLE AND PRAYERFUL GUILD. The MCG : An