How Your Church Benefits from Strategic Planning

June 2, 2016

In deciding whether or not to plan, there are often questions pastors have but seldom ask, at least not out loud. Do I really want to plan? Will a strategic planning process actually do any good? Do I want to spend all that energy in planning? My answer to all of those questions is a resounding yes! Why? Well, the benefits of planning far outweigh the alternative of not planning. Consider just a few :

Clarifies mission and core values

A successful process allows you to clarify your church’s mission, vision and core values. This then gives direction to the planning, operations and decision making of the church leadership. It also gives you a means by which you can evaluate current and new activities and build a plan for the future.

Identifies Priorities

Planning is not a process of prioritizing according to the tyranny of the urgent. Nor is it a random scheme of trying the latest best thing a pastor or elder read in a book. Certainly books can be helpful, but every church is different. What works in one setting may be far from appropriate in another setting. Through our process of due diligence, we work with churches to help clarify the critical planning issues and then begin to identify priorities. This helps to focus the staff and guide the planning process. In this way the eventual plans that come from the process fit the culture and are by no means random.

Establishes clear direction

Initially, we try to help the church create or clarify its mission, vision, critical issues and core values. This allows the church to move quickly through a process that establishes future direction by developing a road map of goals, strategies, action plans, timelines and budgets. I have had pastors and staff members complain about lay leaders inserting themselves into church operations. One of the great antidotes for this is to have a plan that the governing body has helped develop and ratify. Then if it’s not in the plan, you are not obliged to do it. Of course, if it’s a good idea that makes sense to most people, then you are also at liberty to revisit it. But having the plan gives you that flexibility.

Focuses decision making

Establishing goals, strategies and action plans allows the pastor along with the leadership team also to focus decision-making. That includes decision making not only for operations but also for important activities like ministry expansion, resource allocation, fundraising and church growth.

Enhances communication and teamwork

Once you have completed a planning process and are committed to implementing the plans, communication improves and teamwork grows. However, you have to be committed to the goals and manage to the plan. It’s not unusual during our planning processes with churches, to hear people share something like, “ I didn’t know you were doing that. I’m doing that as well!” Initially it’s funny, but the duplication of effort can also be quite costly.

Increases success

Ultimately, you want a process that leaves you with a plan that produces an increased level of success. Certainly that success can be measured in a variety of ways. However, the increased efficiency, effectiveness and commitment our process helps produce are primary factors that contribute to that success. Maybe our online products can help you.

“I really support The Covenant Group’s strategic planning process because their approach encourages staff-based support with board buy-in, and I felt that was important given what we were trying to achieve. The outcome is an effective plan that builds consensus and provides a clear sense of direction.”
- Jennifer Scott, Director of Development - The Cabbage Patch Settlement House

“The Covenant Group is highly competent, very experienced and knowledgeable. They provided a broad perspective by equipping us with useful data…and best practices in the field. All in all, they are excellent.”
- Dan Jones, CEO - 21st Century Parks

“The campaign has truly been a miracle. People were committed from the beginning, but…even raising $650,000 seemed like a stretch. To nearly double that amount is incredible! When the plan they developed allows you to hit a goal like that, it builds such a sense of community. The momentum built by the campaign is spilling outside the walls of our church and benefiting others in the process.”
-Father John Hollowell - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church

“For those of us who don’t do this everyday, The Covenant Group instilled confidence in us. They helped us get through the fear and apprehension by providing us with a process, training and motivation. They taught us and helped us plan in a way that was for the better. We have built lasting relationships with donors and we will continue to steward these relationships long into the future.”
- Sue Finke, Director of Institutional Advancement - Covington Catholic High School

“No one anticipated we could raise this amount. Even the Archdiocese is surprised. The funds raised represent about 15 times our annual giving. But it’s not just the financial results. People stand around talking more than they did before the campaign. There is also a renewed and energized spirit among the parishioners. It’s the most exciting thing to happen in our parish in the last 100 years.”
- Gary Libs, Campaign Co-Chair - St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church

“The Covenant Group’s process involved a lot of people in our congregation doing small tasks … that built ownership. They took our vision and put it into a concrete plan. They helped us understand the importance of making our vision clear and laid out the steps to make the vision a reality. Their process built consensus and showed people how they could help. Their methods are based on a solid theological foundation that includes key documents, prayer support, and requisite training … all of which were invaluable.”
- Daniel Montgomery, Pastor - Sojourn Community Church

“Everything The Covenant Group did to help us…in the initial stages was helpful…the development of the case statement; our materials; the training of our Board members; strategies; all these steps laid the foundation for eventual success. They brought such a high level of professionalism, a wealth of experience and a strong track record of integrity and success… just being associated with The Covenant Group helped us.”
- Nancy Doctor, Development Director - Wellspring

“The structure The Covenant Group provided was excellent. It allowed our members to use their God-given talents to benefit the church community They helped us develop a plan and identify key leadership candidates to chair the effort, as well as engaging between 80 to 100 people to carry out the work of the campaign. It was truly a whole congregation effort and The Covenant Group helped facilitate that. They helped us reach our full potential as a congregation.”
- Ron Poisel, Pastor - Christ Lutheran Church

How Your Church Benefits from Strategic Planning

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