1 The Strategic Plan Annual Meeting Report January 25, 2004 Saint Episcopal Church M atthew’s

2 Outline What is a Strategic Plan? The Road to a Strategic Plan? What is the Balanced Scorecard methodology? Vision, Mission and Core Values Parishioners Survey The Strategic Plan Next Steps In Summary

3 What is a Strategic Plan Thinking and Acting A Long Range Plan A roadmap A means to achieve a goal and reach a target and avoid reactive management Reference Books: 1. Strategic Planning – a new model for church & ministry leaders - Aubrey Malphurs 2. Twelve Keys to an effective church – Kennon Callaghan 3. Master Planning – Bobb Biehl 4. Developing a Dynamic Mission for your Ministry – Aubrey Malphurs

4 Road to a Strategic Plan 1. Ministry Analysis 2. Values Discovery 3. Vision Development 4. Mission Development 5. Strategy/Objectives Development 6. Strategic Plan Implementation 7. Ministry Organization 8. Ministry evaluation

5 Road to a Strategic Plan Ministry Analysis What type of church are we SWOT analysis – Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats Congregation Analysis – What does the congregation feel/want/need Vestry Ministry Committee Analysis – What does the Vestry Committees want/need How do we perceive God’s plan for St. Matthew’s?

6 What is the Balanced Scorecard Methodology Developed as a balanced method of strategic planning Balances the following areas – Service, Financial, Processes and People

7 What is? – The Vision A clear challenging picture of the future Differences between mission and vision Mission Vision Planning Communication Informs Inspires Doing Seeing Head Heart Verbal Visual

8 What is? – The Mission Dictates the Direction Focus point for the future Guideline of decision making Shapes the strategy Enhances Ministry effectiveness Ensures an enduring organization Facilitates evaluation – Balanced Scorecard Its not the why, its the what – What are we supposed to be doing A broad biblical statement of what the church is supposed to be doing

9 What is? – Core Values Values are passionate and from the heart Determination of Core Values – Conscious versus Unconscious – Shared versus unshared – Personal versus organizational – Actual versus aspiration – Single versus multiple – Good versus bad Values are important – Determine ministry uniqueness – Dictate personal involvement – Communicate what is important – Embrace good change – Influence overall behavior – Inspire people to action – Enhance credible leadership – Contribute to ministry success – Influence ministry mission and vision

10 Results from the Parishioners Survey

11 10% 26% 38% Total Number of Responses = 70 Survey respondents

12 Which service do you usually attend? (By Age Group)

13 Which service do you usually attend? (By Service Time)

14 What reasons keep you returning to St Matthew’s?

15 Spiritual Growth Most felt their spiritual needs were met by St Matthews Areas for growth – More small groups – Acknowledge those who have come to the Lord – Consideration for others and their efforts

16 Values Congregation Values – God’s Love and a deep relationship with Him – Family – Honesty – Opportunities to share with others and the community – Fellowship St Matthews Values – Fellowship – Being a good Christian – Love – Family – Service – within the church and outside

17 Do you feel that your participation at St. Matthew’s is allowing you to fulfill God’s mission for you?

18 Strengths Father Rob Sermons Community/Congregation/Fellowship Christian Education/Devotion to Children Youth Group Music/Choir Good Leadership Caring

19 Weaknesses Outreach Cliques Number of volunteers The size and condition of the church Lack of focus on 8.00 service Lack of acolytes Money The pace of life for many in the congregation Advertising

20 Stewardship Do you participate in pledge funding today?

21 Stewardship Do you understand today’s financial needs of St. Matthew’s?

22 Stewardship - If God’s future vision for St. Matthew’s required additional financial resources, would/could you support that need?

23 Stewardship - If God’s future vision for St. Matthew’s required additional congregational time resources, would/could you support that need?

24 The Future? - Your focus for St Matthew’s Low to high order (Number 1 equals most important)

25 The future ? – What should we keep Father Rob Services that suit everyone Fellowship/community within St Matthews Youth Group God First

26 The future? – Challenges Opportunities for a better future – Larger congregation – Bigger/better church building – More children/larger Sunday school – Greater outreach – soup kitchen/worldwide/local – Dynamic Youth Group – Fellowship – small groups – Bilingual Issues for the future – Financial overextension – Need for a 2 nd clergy – Number of volunteers – Training for volunteers – Choir location

27 Stewardship – Challenges to involvement? Better communication on needs Would help with – Outreach for the community – Music Need for better training – time management – organizational

28 The future? – what we need to change Choir location Building and grounds Better planning Children’s sermons Youth group for teens Full time Youth Minister More money Less programs Parking paving/sidewalks/tile

29 Other comments Rearrange the music practice for 9.15 to allow 8am congregation fellowship time AA or other group sponsoring Charging more for use of the building Improve communication – website etc Revise parish profile Avoid negative comments instead show appreciation Avoid perceptions of Cliques/gossip Caring for God’s world needs to be a focus

30 Parishioner’s Survey - In Summary Church is growing and in a good way Most feel blessed to be part of this church Many see continued growth in the congregation Lots of love for God and the members of St. Matthews Challenges – Resources – building/financial/people Ideas are overflowing for the future

Strategic Plan Vision: To live life at it’s fullest in Christ I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 Mission: To Know and Share God’s Love Through the following actions --to do all in our power, and then some, to foster, nourish, and sustain authentic, living relationships with God in Christ --to build a community devoted to becoming one human family in pursuit of God’s dream for us --to promote personal growth so that, with God’s leading, help, and grace, we will more fully realize our God-given potential and purpose tomorrow than we have today --to embrace the highest standards, as individuals, families, and a church, of love, dedication, honesty, integrity, and service

32 St. Matthews Core Values The members of St. Matthew’s follow God and embrace his Word as reflected in our Core Values which we communicate to one and all Enthusiasm - to undertake God’s work using our energies, innovations, laughter and adaptability in the use of our resources Faithfulness – to God’s Word and all our relationships God’s Gifts to us – our personal talents and skills, our families and our building and grounds which we use to celebrate the Lord and God’s good earth that sustains us all Humility – and Grace in serving the Lord and his children Integrity – through truthfulness, sincerity and honesty in our thoughts, words and deeds. Kindness - to our families, friends our community of St Matthews and also every stranger Love – for God, our families, our community and the World Praise – through joyful song, spirited sermons and daily prayer People – whom we love, protect and lead to God through Christian teaching (especially our children) Spiritual Growth – for each member of St Matthew’s on their personal journey of faith

33 St. Matthew’s Strategic Plan Our service objectives form the word C.R.O.S.S. Community Reverence Outreach Spiritual Formation Stewardship Objective 1: Community. Create a community in which people experience vital, life giving connections with God and one another.

34 St. Matthew’s Strategic Plan Objective 2: Reverence. Craft services that honor God and powerfully bring people into His presence

35 St. Matthew’s Strategic Plan Objective 3: Outreach. Genuinely improve the quality of life for those less fortunate than ourselves in Sterling, the local community, and the world

36 St. Matthew’s Strategic Plan Objective 4: Spiritual Formation. To introduce and/or further the relationship individuals have with Jesus, as Lord and savior, by helping them grow in their faith, knowledge, worship, and services as His devoted followers.

37 St. Matthew’s Strategic Plan Objective 5: Stewardship. – Ensure St. Matthews has ample financial resources available to do the Lord’s work – Ensure St. Matthews has ample human resources available to do the Lord’s work. Create an environment where we can match the skills of the members of St. Matthews to the needs of the church and community in service to God’s and his children – Ensure that St. Matthew’s protects the Earth God has given us, uses the resources of the Earth wisely and with reverence, and celebrates the beauty of His creation.

38 St. Matthew’s Strategic Plan Objective 6: Building and Grounds. Ensure St. Matthews has takes care of the resources to maintain a healthy church

39 St. Matthew’s Strategic Plan Objective 7: Process Create an organization that provides the trained personnel and the organizational structure to support St. Matthews for the future

40 Next Steps Establishment of Ministries Finalize Initiatives/Targets/Measures Begin the work Continue Ministry evaluation Communicate, communicate, communicate

41 In Summary Accomplishments – SWOT Analysis – Parishioners Survey – Strategic Plan with draft initiatives Work has just begun Monthly Vestry review Newsletter and website communication Annual Report Any Questions?