To be be vibrant and attractive, a congregation needs a shared sense of direction. A strategic plan answers the question, “In what new and different ways will we touch lives in the coming 3 to 5 years?” A short list of answers to this question, supported by key leaders and a strong majority of active members, will guide and enliven everything from program planning, and worship to decisions about staffing, buildings, budgets, and community outreach.
If you are interested in a planning consultation, you might take a look at this Timeline for an 12-month Holy Conversation, plus 6 months of implementation. It illustrates a “jumbo” Holy Conversation, appropriate for mid- to large-sized congregations that are taking on major adaptive challenges. In any case, it will give you an idea of the principles I follow. Then contact me so we can tailor something to your needs and resources
When I work with congregations on strategic planning, my key resource is Holy Conversations: Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations, by Gil Rendle and Alice Mann. What follows is a supplemental list of resources that may be of use in your specific situation:
— My articles, many of which have to do with strategic planning, can all be found by clicking PUBLICATIONS at the top of this page. I particularly suggest:
- What Kind of Planning Should We Do?
- Why SMART Goals Are Sometimes Dumb
- What’s Your Brand?
- Planning and the Budget
- What is the Mission of ‘Missions’?
- Fallacies of Planning
If you’d like to talk about a consultation, or would like some free advice about next steps for your congregation, be in touch with me on the contact or appointments page.