STRATEGIC PLANNING IN THE CHURCH
1
This paper offers some questions to start with, comments of useful process, and some components that will be
helpful.
It is important to affirm that there are a number of different models for producing strategic plans.
Why use a strategic planning model at all?
Planning processes enable wide participation in setting priorities and development of ministry for
mission.
Planning helps keep the wider vision to the fore and allows longer-term aims to be developed without
being captured by the immediate.
Careful planning enhances the ability of the Church effectively to fulfil its mission and ministry mandate.
Good planning helps ensure that appropriate resources are made available to local ministry and
mission initiatives.
Planning should continually refer back to the local setting and specific needs.
Planning establishes manageable and achievable objectives.
Planning requires evaluation of outcomes.
Careful planning and decision-making processes make best use of resources.
Careful planning offers the opportunity for the co-ordination of activities, programmes and resources
across the local, regional, national and
ecumenical aspects of the church
Careful development planning helps the church respond to change and support people through change.
The Process
It will be use
ful to write the Context sections first.
The information needed is already available, Annual Report and Financial statements.
Council Reports on remits from the General Assembly (Blue book) and up to date operational plans.
This information describes and reveals much of the character of our church.
These descriptive sections should lead easily to defining vision, mission statement and strategies that are
based in reality rather than wishful thinking.
AN OUTLINE OF A STRATEGIC PLAN
2
Our Identity and Heritage
Who are we?
Where have
we come from?
What are our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats?
1
The Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
2
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand link http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/national-ministries/national-mission/strategic-
planning