Introduction & Background – Vision Discernment Process
During 2024, BCEC’s Board of Elders reached a decision to embark on a year-long strategic planning journey to prayerfully seek God’s direction for BCEC. We are a complex church with two campuses, 6 congregations. It is very important that BCEC has a unified church-wide Vision to provide future direction for both campuses. It will help guide us as we explore future new ministries and physical expansion in and beyond Boston.
This Vision Discernment Process information site provides general information about this initiative. For the most up-to-date information and prayer requests related to this process, please read the Vision section in the weekly BCEC newsletter. If you have any questions, please send an email to bcecvision@bcec.net.
Background
In January 2025, the Vision Team (composed of the Board of Elders, Deacons and lay leaders) began the year-long process of seeking God’s Mission, Values and Vision for our church. As we minister and serve those in the greater Boston area and surrounding communities, this process and its outcomes will help to anchor and guide the church in Who we ARE and all that we Do for God’s Kingdom. The church has engaged Auxano Consulting (www.auxano.com) to help BCEC with this year-long initiative. This strategic planning process consists of 5 stages which are described in greater detail below.
What are the 5 stages and timeline of the Vision Discernment Process?
The five stages and timeline are:
• Stage 1 (Rethink) (January-February 2025) – To identify current challenges and daring to dream God-sized “What if…” possibilities.
• Stage 2 (Uncover) (March- May 2025) – To discern BCEC’s unique contribution to God’s Kingdom.
• Stage 3 (Talk Up) (Summer – Fall 2025) – To articulate BCEC’s Mission, core unified Values, strategies, and discipleship markers.
• Stage 4 (Go Ahead) (Fall 2025 – early 2026) – To paint a clear picture of the mountaintops that we are called to reach and the milestones along the journey.
• Stage 5 (Live Out) (Early 2026 and Beyond) – To integrate the Vision through discipleship, leadership development, intentional communication, reproducible processes, compelling ministry environments, and a God-honoring culture.
The Vision Team
The Vision Team is composed of the following BCEC leaders:
Sr. Pastor Thomas Lee; Pastor Kenneth Kwong; Pastor Barry Lam; Pastor Enoch Liao; Pastor Ken Liu; Pastor Steve Liu; Pastor Andy Su; Minister Jia Bing Wang; T.Jack Lee (Elder); Bak Fun Wong (Elder); Chuk Lam Yuen (Elder); Brian Hui (Elder); Robert Huie (Deacon); Theresa Mock (Deacon); James Lam (Deacon); Katarina Ng (College Ministry).
The Current Progress
What has been accomplished?
Stage 1
(Rethink)
In stage 1 (Rethink), The Vision Team began its monthly meetings (facilitated by Auxano Consulting) to lay the groundwork by identifying BCEC’s current state, its present challenges and dreaming God-sized possibilities for BCEC.
Gathering data and input from the congregation and church leaders was also a major focus of activities. A survey was sent out to the congregation (208 people participated). The Vision Team leadership also held 10 in-person Vision Gathering listening sessions (283 people participated). The Board of Elders and Pastoral staff also participated in an activity that examined the church’s Strengths, Weaknesses, potential Opportunities, and Threats (S.W.O.T).
Stage 2
(Uncover)
The Vision Team held monthly meetings to discern and identify BCEC’s unique contribution to God’s Kingdom. They examined three key areas:
- The characteristics of BCEC’s local communities (Boston and Newton)
- The unique gifts of BCEC’s congregation members
- The passions and convictions of BCEC’s leaders
The Vision Viewpoint Key Learnings Summary Report – From the input that was gathered in early 2025, the Vision Viewpoint Key Learnings Summary Report provides 12 Key Learnings. In early July 2025, BCEC’s Leadership and congregation members were provided a copy of this summary report.
What stage of the Vision Discernment Process are we currently at and what are the expected outcomes?
The Vision Discernment Process is currently in Stage 3 (Talk Up) – The Vision Team is currently working in unity and prayerfully seeking God’s wisdom and guidance to define BCEC’s Mission, to solidify the church’s unified core Values, and establish BCEC’s longer-term Vision. They are utilizing the 12 Key Learnings from the Vision Viewpoint Key Learnings Summary Report. Once the Vision Team completes establishing the Mission, Values, and Vision for BCEC, it will begin to discuss practical strategies to move the church forward into the future.
How are we asking our congregation members to continue to support the Vision Discernment Process?
1. Pray – We deeply need your prayers. Please ask God to fill our leaders with His Spirit and wisdom. Pray that God would guide this entire process; to help us to discern His kingdom Vision — and not merely our own preferences and wishes. Pray also that God would use this journey to unify our church for greater harmony, synergy, and kingdom effectiveness.
2. Participate – Your voice matters. We invite all brothers and sisters in Christ to actively engage in all activities by: completing surveys, joining gatherings, and staying informed through updates. Your input will shape our collective understanding of God’s calling for BCEC.
3. Be Patient – While many of us share and honor our Chinese heritage, BCEC is extraordinarily diverse — We span over 3 languages, multiple cultures and 2 campus locations. BCEC is made up of a wide range of life stages (from newborns to centenarians), multiple immigrant generations, and differing socio-economic, ethnic and geopolitical perspectives. To discern a unified vision across such diversity will have its challenges and will take time. We ask for your gracious patience and understanding as we walk this road together.
4. Persevere – Not everyone will agree with every part of the process or the final Vision statement this developed. It’s unlikely that any of us will see 100% of our personal hopes reflected in the outcomes of the Vision Discernment Process and what the church will do in the future. Yet, we call upon our faithful sisters and brothers in Christ… to persevere with joy for the sake of the greater whole and the greater kingdom mission. Let us echo the prayer of Jesus: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth (and especially at BCEC) as it is in heaven.” ~ Matthew 6:10
How can you keep up on the latest updates and prayer requests for this Vision process?
To stay current on our latest updates and prayer requests, please read BCEC’s weekly newsletter.
Have additional questions?
Please send your questions or feedback to: bcecvision@bcec.net