This is a part of a series of posts responding to the question: Is the church a business? Today the focus is on strategic planning.
Strategic planning is a part of the culture at Resurrection. From strategic objectives for the entire congregation for the year to goal setting and a review process for each employee it is an important way that ministry is done.
Setting a measurable goal with a date attached to it is one of the key components to strategic planning. Making a goal measurable allows you to determine if it has been completed. Adding a date gives a clear deadline of when it is to be completed. Strategically planning goals and keeping track of completion provides direction and motivation. It can force the congregation to be intentional about what it hopes to accomplish.
While goals are important, what is perhaps more important is the intentionality that comes out of the goal setting process.
Do you see strategic planning as a part of the church? If so, in what way? If not, why not?
Rev. Andrew Conard 
2 replies on “Business of the Church: Strategic Planning (5 of 5)”
Andrew, last year I wrote a hurried post on the importance I see in strategic planning within the church. In my mind, it is one of a few top priorities for any church leader:
1. Leading with prayer and God’s guidance
2. Effective leadership
3. Effective strategic planning
4. Attracting staff that love excellence
If you plan for nothing, anything will happen to you. 😉
Andrew,
I just blogged on this from the perspective of our people being ready to hear/receive our message. How are we planting seeds? In what ways are we cultivating soil? I got the idea of Seth Godin’s blog.
IMHO, worship schedules should be one of the more planned and intentional aspects of church ministry. Yet, so often its haphazard with no themes, aesthetics, etc.