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about entering into a strategic planning process I would encourage you to not rush through this first and critical step of your strategic planning process in developing an effective “plan for planning.”
The planning process must continue no matter what obstacles may come.
One of the most important steps in your “plan for planning” should be to seek a WRITTEN and SIGNED commitment from your church leaders to the planning process. You may say they have already agreed to the planning process so why the need for a signed commitment? The answer is found in the word “commitment.” Commitment can be illustrated in the chicken and the pig that were invited to participate in a breakfast of ham and eggs. The chicken was a participant but the pig was totally committed. Many church leaders may think a planning process sounds like a good idea but may not be totally committed to the process.
The function of the written and signed commitment to planning says that the planning process will continue no matter what obstacles may come. And obstacles will come. Obstacles from both the natural problems and difficulties that come from entering into a comprehensive planning process, and obstacles thrown at you by Satan. I have seen the latter derail too many good planning processes.
You may say, “Archie, what do you mean by Satan throwing obstacles at us? Do you really think that he has that much control today?” My response is ABSOLUTELY! Let me ask you a question. Do you really think Satan wants you to make great plans for the Lord? To challenge every member to be personally involved in ministry? To begin to focus all of your congregation’s talent, energy and available resources in a focused direction with the goal of saving lost souls with the Good News of Jesus Christ, while seeking to meet the spiritual and physical needs of your community? Absolutely not! And I can guarantee you he will do what he can to stop it. Not normally by major events and difficulties, but by the little difficulties that come your way that lead you to ponder the question, “Is this process really worthwhile?” You need a written and signed commitment to planning to remind yourself that “Yes, this process is worthwhile, and yes, we have committed to this and will see it through.”
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN A WRITTEN
COMMITMENT TO PLANNING
What are some of the essential elements of a written commitment to planning? Let me share several with you:
It must be preceded by a thorough understanding of what the planning process is all about and what you seek to accomplish. Many church leaders are not comfortable with the idea of strategic planning in a congregational setting because they do not understand the process. By using the word “strategic” we simply mean “focused,” “deliberate” and “comprehensive.” A process that is undergirded by study and discussion and questioning about where your church is headed in light of the purpose that God has called you to.
It must specific. The language should include a commitment to the planning process itself and other aspects of the initial planning activities. These might include the designation a planning committee and who will be responsible for the planning process in general. I would suggest someone be chosen to lead the planning process that has been a part of a planning process in a business, industry, educational, or congregational setting. The members of the planning committee should be chosen from a cross-section of the congregation, who are known to be “visionary” in terms of making great plans for the Lord, and who can commit to the time necessary to undertake a project such as this. In the fifteen hundred member church where I served as the coordinator of the strategic planning process, the senior minister and I put together a list of names of people we felt would do a great job on the planning committee. This list was given to the elders for their choices in the final selection. We ultimately selected five couples who were passionate about where the church was heading, some who had previous congregational planning experience, and who represented a cross-section of the church by their age.
It should designate a specific time frame. A written commitment to planning should include a date set for the final congregational planning document to be prepared and presented to the congregation. This is vital to keep the process moving ahead towards a set date for its completion.
Planning is an ongoing process.
It should state what the planning committee’s and planning coordinator’s responsibilities will be. This is important in gaining both the support of each church leader and also in gaining support of the entire church family. Church leaders and members alike need to know that the planning committee will function as facilitators only and have no decision making authority other than what is needed to secure the data necessary to carry out the planning process. In addition, they will also make recommendations to the leadership as to what decisions they believe should be made in light of the data and information available to them.
It should clarify other issues of importance to the leadership. One issue we dealt with in our local congregation was the development of the vision and mission statement for the church. Several leaders were concerned about the whole concept of the mission statement so we clarified it in the commitment document with the following language:
“The Vision and Mission Statement will be defined in a way that is specific to what our congregation can do in light of the resources available to us. The Mission Statement will not function as a creed, but as a roadmap to show where we are, and the road by which we will use to facilitate our growth in the future.”
It should commit the leaders not only to a comprehensive planning process, but also to an ongoing planning ministry in the church. An effective planning process is not a one time only event, but an ongoing process that is evaluated and revised as needed each year.
It must be unanimous. It should include the commitment and signature of each leader. In short, if you don’t have the signed commitment of each leader, don’t start the process.
A written commitment to the planning process is essential to your planning efforts. Next month we’ll continue to share additional ideas with you as you undertake a strategic planning process in your local church.
For more information or seminars on church planning contact Archie Luper, Jr., Executive Director at ALuperJr@churchplanning.com.
