Church And Ministry Strategic Planning

Spiritual management is required for spiritual organization, and yet a ministry’s master plan should be the Master’s plan for that ministry. Church and Ministry Strategic Planning assists readers in developing a Biblically based blueprint for carrying out the many activities in which the church or ministry is involved. The authors show clearly how careful planning is inspired by the Scriptures (“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?”--Luke 14:28) and how it improves making decisions today which ultimately affect the ministry’s effectiveness tomorrow. Church and Ministry Strategic Planning covers all areas of this type of planning and can be read and reviewed quickly. Through the use of a model of the strategic planning process, the authors show how to develop mission statements, define strategic objectives, develop strategy options and operating strategies, appraise performance, and monitor strategic planning. Readers are led step-by-step through these key areas of creating a strategic plan. Examples and worksheets at the end of each chapter enable pastors, administrators, and lay leaders to develop a strategic plan fitting to their specific ministry or church. The appendixes provide tools used in planning as well as a complete sample strategic plan for a large church. Put these concepts to immediate use in decisionmaking and pursue God’s purpose and vision for the church or ministry. If readers take the time and effort to study this book, apply its format, and prayerfully keep God in every step of the plan, here is what the authors believe plan administrators can expect: 1. A sense of enthusiasm in the church or ministry 2. A 5-year plan in writing to which everyone is committed 3. A sense of commitment by the entire church to its overall direction 4. Time for the leaders to do what they have been called to do 5. Clear job duties and responsibilities 6. Clear and evident improvement in the health and vitality of every member of the church staff 7. Measurable improvement in the personal lives of all those in responsible positions with time for vacations, family, and personal pursuits 8.The ability to measure very specifically, the growth and contribution made by senior pastors or evangelists at the close of their careers 9. Guaranteed leadership of the church or ministry because a plan is in place--in writing--and is understood. Even more importantly, a management team and philosophy will be in place to guide the church or ministry into its next era of growth Explore this Biblical perspective on planning and develop a strategic plan that is systematic and continuous and allows the church or ministry to assess its market position, establish goals, objectives, priorities, and strategies to be completed within specified time periods, achieve greater staff and member commitment and teamwork aimed at meeting challenges and solving problems, and muster its resources to meet these changes through anticipation.

Spiritual management is required for spiritual organization, and yet a ministry’s master plan should be the Master’s plan for that ministry. Church and Ministry Strategic Planning assists readers in developing a Biblically based blueprint for carrying out the many activities in which the church or ministry is involved. The authors show clearly how careful planning is inspired by the Scriptures (“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?”--Luke 14:28) and how it improves making decisions today which ultimately affect the ministry’s effectiveness tomorrow. Church and Ministry Strategic Planning covers all areas of this type of planning and can be read and reviewed quickly. Through the use of a model of the strategic planning process, the authors show how to develop mission statements, define strategic objectives, develop strategy options and operating strategies, appraise performance, and monitor strategic planning. Readers are led step-by-step through these key areas of creating a strategic plan. Examples and worksheets at the end of each chapter enable pastors, administrators, and lay leaders to develop a strategic plan fitting to their specific ministry or church. The appendixes provide tools used in planning as well as a complete sample strategic plan for a large church. Put these concepts to immediate use in decisionmaking and pursue God’s purpose and vision for the church or ministry. If readers take the time and effort to study this book, apply its format, and prayerfully keep God in every step of the plan, here is what the authors believe plan administrators can expect: 1. A sense of enthusiasm in the church or ministry 2. A 5-year plan in writing to which everyone is committed 3. A sense of commitment by the entire church to its overall direction 4. Time for the leaders to do what they have been called to do 5. Clear job duties and responsibilities 6. Clear and evident improvement in the health and vitality of every member of the church staff 7. Measurable improvement in the personal lives of all those in responsible positions with time for vacations, family, and personal pursuits 8.The ability to measure very specifically, the growth and contribution made by senior pastors or evangelists at the close of their careers 9. Guaranteed leadership of the church or ministry because a plan is in place--in writing--and is understood. Even more importantly, a management team and philosophy will be in place to guide the church or ministry into its next era of growth Explore this Biblical perspective on planning and develop a strategic plan that is systematic and continuous and allows the church or ministry to assess its market position, establish goals, objectives, priorities, and strategies to be completed within specified time periods, achieve greater staff and member commitment and teamwork aimed at meeting challenges and solving problems, and muster its resources to meet these changes through anticipation.

Now it its second edition, this helpful guide offers a nine-step strategic thinking and acting model and numerous useful ideas for equipping a church to carry out its mission.

First published in 1999, Advanced Strategic Planning explains why planning is so important to carrying out the church's mission. Now in its third edition, this classic resource offers •a nine-step strategic thinking and acting model •useful ideas for developing a ministry strategy •diagrams to help illustrate concepts •a new section on spiritual formation The methods in this book are proven to work, having already helped many churches articulate their vision and implement their mission.

Many churches do a good job at planning activities, but this is often not producing the effective and fruitful ministries churches had hoped for or expected. Instead, churches must go beyond planning activities to intentional and strategic planning for the church to be faithful to its mission.As Lisa Greenwood writes, "Kay and Ken are challenging leaders to take time to pay attention to what God is doing and saying in their community and in their own lives, so the church can focus on the difference God is calling them to make." This detailed and practical resource provides the step by step process for preparing, conducting, and following up for strategic ministry planning retreats that will lead your church into more effective, focused, and fruitful ministry.

Twelve Keys to an Effective Church is regarded as the most useful and comprehensive long-range planning resource available. This groundbreaking program for church renewal identifies the twelve essential characteristics of successful, growing churches and offers all congregations a way to unlock their inherent potential for effective ministry.Tested with thousands of users, this invaluable study guide discusses in depth new and useful ways to interpret and work through the main book. After a brief introduction that suggests ways to organize and lead a Twelve Keys study group, the guide presents material for twelve sessions--one for each of the characteristics of effective churches. The sessions include an examination of the topic under discussion, along with helpful questions and biblical resources. The materials in this book are designed to get all participants involved in discussion at a personal level.Twelve Keys to an Effective Church balances practical planning with theological understanding to help churches function more effectively as they seek to grow and better serve their members. Since it was first published in 1983, this dynamic program has been used by hundreds of thousands of churches to strengthen and enrich their congregations--and the numbers continue to grow. In combination with Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, The Study Guide is an ideal resource for launching the Twelve Keys program in any congregation.

Leaders know they should plan for the future but are often uncertain of how to do it. Strategic planning can seem too "corporate." Is it right to use a technique from the business world in ministry?God is a master planner whose plans extend from one end of time to the other. We are created in his image to be like him including in our capacity to discern his will and to formulate plans to follow him. Dr. Saffold draws on the Bible to show that planning strategically is a thoroughly biblical discipline that when rooted in faith, prayer and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit can help a ministry realize God's direction and future.By reading this book you will learn how to:*Orient your planning team to think about the future from God's perspective and to work through the process from a perspective of faith and prayer.*Think flexibly and strategically about leadership with a clear plan for the future but also sensitivity to the Spirit's leading at every step. Clarify an inspiring mission for your organization and use it to shape every aspect of your organization. *Discern a compelling vision for the future that can motivate action for progress toward the goal. *Assess your organization's current internal and external environment as the basis for determining next steps. *Develop high level initiatives and strategies to focus your efforts and resources on what really matters. *Manage results, evaluating progress against goals and adjusting plans and strategies as the future unfolds.The book is filled with examples of how planning can be done. Exercises and forms are included that will help you move from a desire to plan to effective leadership of your planning team.Ultimately, strategic planning is about putting into effective practice a biblical philosophy of leadership and action, the true end goal of this book.The book includes a complete sample strategic plan that illustrates how the process fits together."To read Guy Saffold's book is to read his mind. Strategic thinking is his trademark: strategic planning a natural outcome. Born out of the dynamics that shaped Trinity Western University, Strategic Planning for Christian Organizations illustrates clearly how the power of vision can be turned into effective ministry. The illustrations are factually accurate; the conclusions convincing. But basic to the whole thesis is the underlying assumption that intervention by a sovereign God provides both the anticipation and sense of reward for planners dependent on him and sensitive to his leading." -- R. Neil Snider, President, Trinity Western University

Strategic Planning for Church and Ministry is a unique contribution to the strategic management literature. Dr. Migliore expertly addresses issues of strategic planning and implementation in the context of religious institutions. His book accounts for the specialized culture and internal environment of churches and ministries. He brilliantly adapts strategic concepts of planning, evaluation, management, and control to the unique needs and challenges of churches and ministries. Thisbook also offers cases designed to elicit examples of the application of strategic principles within the religious institution. This book is a must read for church leaders, and it should occupy a permanent and enhanced place on their shelf of required textbooks on management and leadership.