Strategic Planning for Mission Rick McEdward

Why Plan? Alice: Which way should I go? Cheshire Cat: That depends on where you are going. Alice: I don’t know where I am going. Cheshire Cat: Then it doesn’t matter which way you go. Lewis Carol Through the Looking Glass 1872

Objectives Speak about planning in a prayerful and missional context Define a strategic plan Learn together about planning Provide keys for the planning process Give a basic framework for how to do it Have fun together in the process

You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going because you might not get there. -Yogi Berra

Define: A strategic plan is a tool that provides guidance in fulfilling a mission with maximum efficiency and impact. If it is to be effective and useful, it should articulate specific goals and describe the action steps and resources needed to accomplish them. As a rule, most strategic plans should be reviewed and revamped every three to five years. Richard A Mittenthal. Ten Keys to Successful Strategic Planning for Nonprofit and Foudation Leaders. TCC Group briefing paper. 2002

Define: A strategic plan is a tool that provides guidance in fulfilling a mission with maximum efficiency and impact. If it is to be effective and useful, it should articulate specific goals and describe the action steps and resources needed to accomplish them. As a rule, most strategic plans should be reviewed and revamped every three to five years. Richard A Mittenthal. Ten Keys to Successful Strategic Planning for Nonprofit and Foudation Leaders. TCC Group briefing paper. 2002

Does the Church have a plan?

The 2015–2020 World Church Strategic Plan

Reach Up to God Reach In with God Reach Out with God Result: Reach the World

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity” ― Sun Tzu, A Arte da GuerraSun Tzu, A Arte da Guerra

What is your experience? Turn to a colleague and share with them your experience with Strategic Planning in the church setting. 2 minutes Setting: global, regional, local Positive or negative and why? What would you do different?

Common Objections

No Budget Domineering leader Lack of inclusion Perception that planning is meaningless No change We don’t need one around here

Hidden Reasons Holding Power Disorganization Too much work Misunderstanding the process Fear of failure

Keys Prayer and spiritual processing of God’s ideal

Keys Information gathering An inclusive approach Empowered planning committee Involvement of Senior Leadership Shared responsibility by board and staff Learning from best practices Clear priorities and implementation plan Patience Commitment to change (Richard A Mettenthal tcc group)

Roger MartinHarvard Business Review It is one integrated set of choices: 1.What is our winning aspiration? 2.Where will we play? 3.How will we win? 4.What capabilities need to be in place? 5.What management systems must be instituted?

Where have we been? Where are we? What do we have to work with? Where do we want to be? How do we get there? How do we know when we have arrived?

Process- Understanding the Setting “Study the past if you would define the future.” ― ConfuciusConfucius Where have we been? Collection of history that includes the original purpose and vision of the group, any significant waymarks, and a nod to those who have been important in the process. History Data Research Capturing original vision

Process- Understanding the Setting Where have we been? KeyQuestions: What have we learned from the past? What hidden mission opportunities are present? Are there needs or gaps in the culture that the church could be meeting? Does the history create biases in certain functions or ministries? What has helped or impeded growth in the past?

Process- Current Situation Where are we? Where is the organization now. Deals with us, not the organizations above or below us. Present tense. As much data as possible on the table (membership, churches, cities, mission challenged areas, attitudes, growth trends) SWOT

Process

Process- Current Situation Where are we? Questions: What is hopeful? What is missing? Any recognizable trends? What can help the organization move from NOW to THEN? What are the unrecognized opportunities in growth?

Process- Resources What do we have to work with? Human and Financial Resources Specialties and Strengths Important ingredients Spiritual resources

Process-Purpose Where do we want to be? Activity: In pairs share your vision for your division or organization. (5 minutes)

Process- Purpose Where do we want to be? Mission– Who we are and want to achieve Vision—Who we want to become Describing a preferred future Anyone who has a stake in carrying out the vision must be present. Broad comprehensive statement of where we want to be

Process- Purpose Where do we want to be Key Questions: What are we trying to do? What would we dream of becoming? What are the core values of the organization? Is the mission statement memorable and short? Is the mission statement inside or outside? Can an external mission statement be used?

Process- Framework and Goal Achievement How do we get there? Goals Strategies Action Plans Logical Framework Benchmarks Processes

Process- Framework and Goal Achievement How do we get there? Implementation of a Logical Framework for implementation of steps for each goals, measurable indicators, person responsible, and benchmarks. SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time- Bound Identify the next 2 steps for each goal and date for reporting

Process- Framework and Goal Achievement How do we get there? How do we identify resources Will training be needed to achieve goals? What human resources are important? What financial resources are available, are they adequate?

Process- Framework and Goal Achievement How do we get there? Key Questions: What are broad goals that are achievable of the next 3-5 years? Can they be broken down into steps that are attainable in 1-3 years? Who is responsible? What resources are available?

Process- Monitoring and Evaluation How do we know when we have arrived? “If you don’t know exactly where you’re going, how will you know when you get there?” Steve Maraboli Life, the Truth, and Being Free

Process- Monitoring and Evaluation How do we know when we have arrived? System of self-reporting Encourage assessment (self monitoring) Provide mechanism for measurement (Log Frame) Structure bi-annual evaluations for big picture goals, shorter times as needed for items on lists. Reporting may be formal (forms and log frame) or informal (photos, videos, stories for sharing or for publication) Site visits needed for monitoring (planned and unplanned visits)

Process- Monitoring and Evaluation How do we know when we have arrived? Key Questions: What is the purpose of evaluating each item? What are you looking for quality or quantity? What metrics or benchmarks should be included for each item? What types of goal setting and self assessment may be used with annual evaluations? What stories may be told and what stories must not be told?

Process -Historical Analysis from a leader -Key Stories and waymarks from past -Why are we here today? -Growth and decline issues -Gather and share data -SWOT -Present situation -Internal -External -Positive -Negative -Strategic Issues facing organization -Questions -Mission -Vision -Core values -Describe a better future -Stake holders present -Human Resources -Financial Resource -Important ingredients -Spiritual resources -Goals -Strategies -Actions -Plans -Logical Framework -What processes need to be initiated for goals to be realized? -Assessment -Evaluation -Honesty -Are we telling stories that only make us feel good?

Strategic Planning for Mission 1.Who is unreached?

Strategic Planning for Mission 1.Who is unreached? 2.Unreached Nations, Cities, Languages, Ethnic groups in the Unions of your division (Joshua Project, Ethnologue, ASR)

Strategic Planning for Mission 1.Who is unreached? 2.Unreached Nations, Cities, Languages, Ethnic groups in the Unions of your division (Joshua Project, Ethnologue, ASR) 3.What Human and Financial resources do you have to reach them? (Local groups, Global Mission and organizational funding, Volunteers)

Strategic Planning for Mission 1.Who is unreached? 2.Unreached Nations, Cities, Languages, Ethnic groups in the Unions of your division (Joshua Project, Ethnologue, ASR) 3.What Human and Financial resources do you have to reach them? (Local groups, Global Mission and organizational funding, Volunteers) 4.What are SMART and faith-based goals can Unions and Conferences make in order to reach them? What support can divisions provide?

Strategic Planning for Mission 1.Who is unreached? 2.Unreached Nations, Cities, Languages, Ethnic groups in the Unions of your division (Joshua Project, Ethnologue, ASR) 3.What Human and Financial resources do you have to reach them? (Local groups, Global Mission and organizational funding, Volunteers) 4.What are SMART and faith-based goals can Unions and Conferences make in order to reach them? What support can divisions provide? 5.What processes need to be initiated in order to proceed (Administrative, Financial as well as Training, Selecting, Locating)

Strategic Planning for Mission 1.Who is unreached? 2.Unreached Nations, Cities, Languages, Ethnic groups in the Unions of your division (Joshua Project, Ethnologue, ASR) 3.What Human and Financial resources do you have to reach them? (Local groups, Global Mission and organizational funding, Volunteers) 4.What are SMART and faith-based goals can Unions and Conferences make in order to reach them? What support can divisions provide? 5.What processes need to be initiated in order to proceed (Administrative, Financial as well as Training, Selecting, Locating) 6.How will you measure success? (Establishment of group, church, movement?) (Measuring and reporting mechanisms)

Strategic Planning for Mission 1.Who is unreached? 2.Unreached Nations, Cities, Languages, Ethnic groups in the Unions of your division (Joshua Project, Ethnologue, ASR) 3.What Human and Financial resources do you have to reach them? (Local groups, Global Mission and organizational funding, Volunteers) 4.What are SMART and faith-based goals can Unions and Conferences make in order to reach them? What support can divisions provide? 5.What processes need to be initiated in order to proceed (Administrative, Financial as well as Training, Selecting, Locating) 6.How will you measure success? (Establishment of group, church, movement?) (Measuring and reporting mechanisms) 7.What else? Is there a story there?