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Church Long-Range Planning
Strategy preceeds a long range plan. A strategy is the process that determines how you will accomplish your ministry mission. It sets the stage for both accomplishing the mission and reaching the vision.
Why is a strategy important:
- It is the blueprint for accomplishing the mission of your ministry.
- It facilitates understanding among the ministry participants.
- It provides a means of measurement and a sense of momentum.
- It makes the work of the ministry intentional rather than haphazard.
- It unifies all of the various ministries of a local church.
- It lays out a clear path to follow.
The test of an effective strategy is seen in the following points:
- Is your strategy flexible enough to allow you to adapt to changing community needs?
- Does your strategy flow out of a clear Biblical mission?
- Is it a process that moves people from where they are to a closer relationship with Christ?
- Does it clearly state how the ministry will accomplish its mission?
- Do the ministry participants understand the strategy?
- Is the strategy measurable?
Definition of a long range plan:
A long range plan is a document which puts feet to the strategy. Typically, it covers a period of from three-to-five years in the future. It outlines the step-by-step progress that the ministry makes toward completing its mission and reaching its vision. It also identifies who is responsible for carrying out what piece of the plan and when it is to be accomplished.
- Effective Long-Range Planning is diagnostic in its focus. Prior to developing the long-range plan, the church must first understand which ministries, or areas need the most focus. A church-wide assessment should be conducted to ascertain the views and needs of the customers of the church (the church members themselves) .
- Effective Long-Range Planning is strategic in its direction. There are three activity key words in long-range planning. They are: a. Improve -- Improve the problem areas as identified in the assessment. b. Build -- Build on the church strengths. c. Expand -- Expand the church and ministry areas as God leads.
- Effective Long-Range Planning is change-focused. To become all that it can be, the church’s long-range plan must show clear and substantial change from where it is today to where it must be tomorrow.
- Effective Long-RangePlanning is hopeful. This type of planning builds on a God-given hope that is prayerful and powerful.
The 10 Key Steps to Building a Long-Range Plan
- Identify critical performance areas of the ministry.
- Evaluate the current strengths and weaknesses of the ministry.
- Review the Core Values, Mission and Vision of the ministry.
- Develop a high-level 3-to-5 year plan and assign accountability.
- Identify critical resources which will be needed to accomplish the plan.
- Develop a detailed 90-day plan and again, assign accountability.
- Begin implementation as soon as the 90-day plan is completed.
- Review progress monthly and hold people responsible for actions.
- Update the 90-day plan anytime something changes in the plan.
- Be willing to change the plan, but only as God leads you.
Key Benefits
- Planning brings the maximum strength of your church to bear in accomplishing the mission.
- Planning creates an environment for motivation.
- Planning lowers the chance for conflict in your church.
