Your Congregation's Future

The future.  It=s always right before you, yet just out of your reach. You may wonder about the future or even worry about it. You hold out hope for the future and probably pray about it. You may feel the future is out of your control, yet you have a great influence in creating it. When you are clear about your purposes, open to God=s leading, and conscientious in your planning, the future can hold great promise!

• Get to the heart of your congregation=s purpose

• Create opportunities to discern God=s calling through Bible study, reflection, and prayer

• Gather information on your congregation=s heritage and identify

• Create a renewed sense of purpose and mission

• Integrate the planning process into all areas of congregational life, including worship, education, and service

• Learn what your members= perceptions are of congregational life

• Understand the trends in your community by examining demographic data

• Revisit or create your congregation=s mission statement

• Refine the vision

• Establish a clear sense of direction

• Develop an overall action plan

• Contact a Congregational Services staff for specific information on congregational planning.

• Review the material with the appropriate boards, committees, and congregational leaders. Your congregational services staff would be happy to meet with you to clarify details of the planning process.

• DECISION.  The church council, along with the pastor and staff, agree to enter an intentional congregational planning process.

• A Planning Leadership Team is appointed to guide the planning process. 

• Planning retreat is held.

• Follow up plan is developed which includes scheduling “check-up” meetings.