Comments on: Strategic Planning in the UMC

By: Andrew Conard

Andrew Conard — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:43:28 +0000

David – Thanks for the link to the book. I’ve added it to my reading list. Also, I appreciate the openness and honesty in approaching the introductory. Good stuff!

By: David Livingston

David Livingston — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:33:25 +0000

The book “The FIrst 90 Days” is an excellent resource (not church specific) for anyone preparing to make a transition. My hope at the congregation I serve is to be able to lead the congregation into their own understanding of God’s vision for them. When I leave and a new pastor is preparing to come, at or before the introductory the congregation can say, “This is who we are. If you would like to lead a church like this as pastor we’d like to have you. If this isn’t compatible with your vision of church then you may not be the right pastor for us.”

By: Andrew Conard

Andrew Conard — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:59:50 +0000

Craig – You are right. I do make that assumption. It is an assumption that I think has to be reality for the denomination to experience renewal.

Wesley – Thanks for sharing the concept of a plan for the first 90 days. I think that this is a good one. The more collaborative the planning process can become the more people will be able to own it. I will make sure that Church Unique is on my list. Sounds like good stuff!

By: Wesley Duncan

Wesley Duncan — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:58:30 +0000

I think it is interesting that in Bishop Willimon’s conference that set forth a plan for every pastor moving to a new church to come up with a plan for their first ninety days.

“Every full time pastor who may be involved in a possible move is interviewed by a panel of three District Superintendents who get a clear picture of that pastor’s productivity and strengths. Every congregation submits a statement of goals and objectives in ministry before consideration for a change in appointment. Every full time pastor who moves to a new appointment in our Conference is trained to devise a “First Ninety Day Plan” that outlines what the pastor will do in his or her first three months in a new parish. Working with the District Superintendent and the lay leadership of the congregation, the pastor will work through the Plan so a tone of transformative leadership will be engendered in the congregation.”

Wouldn’t it be amazing if this was taken a step further and each new pastor was aligned with a church whose strategic plan fit their gifts and skills. The only inherent problem is, their needs to be leadership to discern a unique future for every church. How does the pastor lead the process and allow the church to own the outcome.

I invite you to read Will Mancini’s Church Unique. He would argue that if a vision were broad, clear, and distinct for that congregation, it could handle the leadership adjustment. Then the new pastor could align his creativity and ideas under the larger umbrella of the churches direction.

By: Craig L. Adams

Craig L. Adams — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:00:04 +0000

This will only work if pastor’s agree to it. I know many colleagues who would not. They change everything right at the beginning (as if to say “that other pastor is gone now”) or are actually threatened by assertive & confident lay leadership. Your idea assumes that pastors are mature enough to refrain from seeing “power” as the primary issue.