Vision Frame
The Vision Frame is a concept of Auxano which is articulated in the book Church Unique by Will Mancini.

The Vision Frame is a framework for missional vision. The Vision Frame contains five components that define Christ Memorial’s DNA and creates the platform for all vision casting. No leader should lead, no team should meet, and no initiative should start without a clear understanding of the Vision Frame. Just like putting together a puzzle; no puzzle should be completed without starting first with the outer edge or frame. The primary components of the vision frame are best captured in the diagram below.

Mission answers the question What are we doing?
Values answers the question Why are we doing it?
Strategy answers the question How are we doing it?
Life Marks answers the question When are we successful?
Vision answers the question Where is God taking us?
Vision is also known a vision proper. Our vision includes both missional mountaintop (qualitative statement) + milestone (quantitative statement). Vision proper is the living language that anticipates and illustrates God’s better intermediate future.

 

Mission
WHAT are we doing?
The mission is also called our missional mandate. It is a clear and concise statement that describes what the Church is ultimately supposed to be doing.

"Connect People to Life in Jesus"

Values
WHY are we doing it?
Our values are also called our missional motives. Missional motives are shared convictions that guide the actions and reveal the strengths of the Church.

Growth
We value a lifelong journey with Jesus that results in individual growth and kingdom expansion. (Colossians 1:3-6; 9-14)
Demonstrated by:
• Pursuing answers to God-sized questions
• Searching for powerful questions that release understanding
• Celebrating life-transforming stories both individual and corporate

Relational Service
We value people and the opportunities to meet their individual needs as an expression of the Gospel. (Philippians 2:1-8; Luke 10:25-37)
Demonstrated by:
• Discovering individual needs
• Investing time, energy, emotion, and money to serve others
• Deliberately focusing on our neighbors (serving, serving with, and being served)

Authenticity
We value genuine relationships and a sincere Christian lifestyle/ behavior. (Ephesians 4:20-5:2)
Demonstrated by:
• Leadership transparency (leaders go first!)
• Nurturing a coaching culture.
• Investing in the pursuit of true biblical community.

Creativity
We value innovation in ministry. (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
Demonstrated by:
• Willingness to risk the unknown.
• Encouraging a culture that embraces change.
• Pursuing fresh ways to clearly (simply, understandably, and exactly) communicate the irresistible Jesus!

Every Person a Missionary
We treasure the personal ministry of each person. (1 Corinthians 12:13-31)
Demonstrated by:
• Coaching Jesus-followers as they discover their unique PLACE to serve.
• Actively resisting an over-dependence on professional clergy.
• Acknowledge the stories of missional service as they are uncovered.

Strategy
HOW are we doing it?
Strategy is also called our missional map. The missional map is the process or picture that demonstrates how Christ Memorial will accomplish our mandate on the broadest level.

As a church, our purpose is not just to meet together with those who are a part of the church. Our purpose is to connect others to life in Jesus by sharing the love of God and the message of Jesus Christ. That’s what we mean by “connecting lifestyles.” It’s not a program or an event; it’s a way of life!

Come to lifeWorship! We join together to focus on Jesus, offer Him praise, and allow Him the space to speak to us. lifeWorship is an exciting part of the the Church experience. Join us in lifeWorship every week and experience one of the greatest blessings God offers to you.

Connect to lifeGroup! At the Church we live life together in lifeGroup. We meet weekly in each others’ homes to share a meal and share our lives as we grow in Jesus. Our connection to other people is at the heart of our Christian experience. Authentic connections happen most effectively in smaller groups where there is opportunity for dialogue and relationships. Our primary place for these authentic connections is called lifeGroup.

Commit to lifeServe! At the Church we offer our talents, gifts, and abilities to serve God, serve His church and serve others. It’s easy to come to church only for what we can get out of it. But the Bible says that each of us has something to give back. Each of us has a need to serve. We want you to experience Life in Jesus and encourage you to take time to give yourself away in ministry.

Life Marks
WHEN are we successful?
Our missional life marks are a set of attributes in an individual’s life that define or reflect accomplishments of the Church's mandate.   As a result of “connecting people to life in Jesus” we expect that followers of Jesus actively engaged in our strategy (lifeWorship, lifeGroup, lifeServe) at the Church will be able to say:

I AM sustained by the Word.
Bible:  Am I reading, reflecting on, and responding to God’s Word daily?

Grow:  Would people closest to me recognize that I have a growing relationship with Jesus?

Worship:  Does personal and public worship hold a sacred place in my life?

Community:  Am I being sharpened by God’s Word in relationship with other Christians? 

I AM dependent on Christ.
Grace:  Have I received Jesus by faith and do I allow Him to love and accept me in spite of who I am?  (Galatians 2:21)

Surrender:  Am I giving up my idols to give Jesus center stage in my life?

Focus:  Do my calendar, relationships, and checkbook display that I am fully relying on God?

Prayer:  Am I pursuing a more intimate relationship with God by allowing time for conversation with Him?

I AM a visible reflection of Jesus.
Love:  Am I intentionally blessing neighbors and friends with a compassionate heart?

Obey:  Am I listening for what God wants me to do and following through?

Purpose:  Can I complete this statement:  “I am making disciples and glorifying God by _____________________.”?

Team:  Am I playing my part well alongside others to make a Kingdom impact?  (Ephesians 4:16 & Nehemiah 2:18b)

I AM the missional heartbeat of God.
Discern:  Who is God placing on my impact list?

Friend:  Do I delight in sharing my life with others?  (1 Thess. 2:8)

Proclaim:  Am I prepared and willing to speak the truth about Jesus when given the opportunity?  (1 Peter 3:15)

Teach:  Am I helping another believer live life with Jesus?  (2 Timothy 2:2)
 

Vision
WHERE is God taking us?

Missional mountaintop (qualitative statement)
God is leading us to see a multi-location church emerge that will transform the spiritual landscape of Madison. This church will convene in hundreds of lifeGroups with lifeWorship Centers strategically located in geographical regions throughout Greater Madison.

Missional milestone (quantitative statement)
We have identified the following impact regions based on where God has placed us:
Fitchburg
Oregon
Verona
West Madison / Middleton
Downtown / Campus
Northeast / Cottage Grove
Waunakee

We feel that God has prepared the field in Verona as the first site to be raised up. We will trust in God's direction and timing to see where we may be led beyond the first site.