1. DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC PLAN Adult Forum, May 21, 2017

2. THE TRANSITION FROM RESEARCH TO A STRATETIC PLAN
Nov-Dec 2016 Assemble team, plan process
Jan-Mar 2017 Research phase
parish survey
other input (forums, pew cards, comments in common area)
external market research
Episcopal church trends
Growing vs. declining churches
Review of experts on church growth/health
Apr-Jun 2017 Strategic plan formulation
Share research findings and generate ideas
Propose values, purpose, areas of focus
Draft strategic plan
Draft objectives, responsibilities and timing
June 2017 Approval of strategic plan by rector and vestry, which serves as guiding document going forward

3. WHAT WE KNOW FROM RESEARCH
INTERNALLY:
THE EXPERIENCE ON SUNDAY DOMINATES HOW MEMBERS VIEW THE CHURCH.
SERMONS, TONE AND STYLE OF THE SERVICE, AND MUSIC ARE THE TOP DRIVERS FOR MEMBERS.
CONNECTION TO CLERGY, EPISCOPAL FAITH, A SMALLER CONGREGATION AND THE BEAUTIFUL, HISTORIC SETTING FILL OUT THE TOP 6 DRIVERS.
CLEAR NEEDS: TWO FACTORS WOULD ENHANCE MEMBERS EXPERIENCES AND/OR ATTENDANCE:
A MORE UPLIFTING SERVICE
KNOWING MORE PEOPLE
St. Martin’s Experience: Grounded in the Gospel

4. We keep doing what we are doing.
SCENARIO #1
We keep doing what we are doing.
And we get the same results: our attendance and resources decrease.

5. St. Martin’s Experience: Grounded in the Gospel
SCENARIO #2
St. Martin’s by the lake is the most inspiring, intimate, and inviting church in Minnesota.
UPLIFTING SERVICE
UPLIFTING MUSIC
RELEVANT SERMON
CALL TO HELP CHURCH AND COMMUNITY
BELIEF IN FINANCIAL GIVING
ATTEMPT NEW WAYS TO WORSHIP-REMAINING EPSICOPAL
FORMATION FOR ALL AGES
INSPIRING
St. Martin’s Experience: Grounded in the Gospel
INVITING
INTIMATE
SMALLER CONGREGATION
KNOW OTHER MEMBERS
CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH CLERGY
OPENESS ABOUT FINANCES
CARING WHEN OTHERS ARE IN NEED
INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
FOCUS ON NEWCOMERS
WELCOMES FAMILIES
FOCUS ON BEFORE AND AFTER SERVICE FOR CONNECTING
FOCUS ON FACILITY BEING INVITING
FOCUS ON NEW WAYS TO INVITE NEWCOMERS

6. SCENARIO #3
St. Martin’s by the lake’s members impact our world through the direct action of daily good works.
OUR GOOD WORK INSPIRES OTHERS’ GOODWORK:
“FAITH MULTIPLIER”
UPLIFTING SERVICE
UPLIFTING MUSIC
RELEVANT SERMON
STM BECOMES A VIBRANT “CENTER” FOR GROWING FAITH OF ALL KINDS.
STM BECOMES A LEADER FOR WORSHIP INNOVATION—A MIX OF TRADITIONAL AND NEW.
UPLIFTING SERVICE
UPLIFTING MUSIC
RELEVANT SERMON
INSPIRING
INTIMACY TRANSLATES INTO GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF CHURCH’S PURPOSE AND ABILITY TO GROW MEMBERSHIP
St. Martin’s Experience: Grounded in the Gospel
ORGANIZATION AND INVESTMENT IN WELCOMING AND RECRUITING NEWCOMERS
INVITING
INTIMATE
KNOW OTHER MEMBERS
CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH CLERGY
DRIVE FOR INTERNAL CLARITY AND PURPOSE TO BE EXPRESSED OUTWARDLY.
DROP PAST BAGGAGE AND ORIENT TO THINKING ABOUT FUTURE.
FOCUS ON FACILITY BEING INVITING
FOCUS ON NEW WAYS TO INVITE NEWCOMERS: “PROJECT WELCOME”
BIG THINKING: PUBLIC BAPTISM FOR COMMUNITY-AT LAKE MTKA.

7. Scenarios for St. Martin’s—Decision Time
POSSIBLE?
SCENARIO #3
SIZE OF CHURCH
(Internal)
NEXT:
SCENARIO #2
NOW
NO:
SCENARIO #1
St. Martin’s Experience: Grounded in the Gospel
WHERE WE’VE BEEN IN RECENT YEARS
INFLUENCE ON FAITH IN COMMUNITY
(External)

8. STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
Purpose: (options)
We are the most inspiring, intimate and inviting church in Minnesota.
We impact people in the Western Suburbs through the direct action of our good works.
Our faith and good works inspire others’ good works and create a “faith multiplier.”
Others in consideration and discussed by vestry.
Our current Mission: Because we believe that the Gospel transforms, renews and changes lives, St. Martin’s by the Lake is a vibrant Christian community welcoming all to Worship our God, Grow our Faith and Love our World.

9. STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
Values:
Inspiring, Intimate, Inviting, Impactful (as a church, we will build this out over next year)
Our Current Values (A Rule of Life)
Loving and Holy God, we are a community growing in you.
We worship you, we declare Jesus as our Savior and Lord and seek renewal through your Holy Spirit.
We gather to Work our God. All in our community, without exception, are invited to hear and celebrate the Gospel of Jesus Christ with great joy.
We Grow our Faith as Disciples. As followers of Christ; we are invited to learn the Christian way by studying your Word and partaking of your Sacraments, relying on you for healing and renewal.
We go to love our World in Mission. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we put our faith into action as evangelists and doers of biblical justice, to the least, the last and the lost of your world. This is our common commitment in Jesus Name. Amen

10. STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
Potential Targets: (thrust for 3-5 years):
1) Shift mix to year old/ families; increase by 50 in 3-5 years (10-16 a year/~5 families a year) to maintain the ASA (stretch plan is to grow the ASA)
2) Show a return on investment so that our financial support/giving increases to benchmark church $4000 per ASA (from $2850)
3) Institute annual feedback process to shape future efforts/continuous improvement; Drive Net Promoter Score greater than 50 for all demographics
4) Institute integrated strategic planning/organization/management processes to execute the strategic plan
5) Communicate Foundation role and value such that 60’s/70’s increase their legacy gifts to Foundation

11. STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
Potential Goals: Next 6 months
Implement new service geared to attracting year old/families
Institute hospitality ministry (create structure, marketing, active engagement of all members—old and new)
Create a Fundraising Ministry to roll up all efforts to raise money (foundation, stewardship, fundraising i.e. Country Harvest, building fees) to improve our ROI (benchmarked against similar churches—$4k per ASA) and be aligned with our strategy.
Align the organization and accountable leadership with the strategy (including all ministries and the Foundation)
Make all ministries more “uplifting” as measured by survey/other feedback from the congregation

12. Next Steps 1) KEEP PROVIDING FEEDBACK! WRITE ON THE WALL
TALK TO A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE
2) THE COMMITTEE WILL TAKE THIS FEEDBACK AND DRAFT A PLAN FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE VESTRY IN JUNE
3) JUNE FORUM ON THE FINAL PLAN