Ministry Planning

Ministry planning:

Why this step is important: A vision does not become reality unless it is fleshed out with details and action steps, with a strategy for implementing new programs as well as working toward change in the church's missional paradigm. The Program Plan takes a general direction for ministry, based on the church's vision statement, and turns it into a detailed ministry plan for a specific program. More generally, a Next Steps Plan asks: "How can we rally the congregation around our ministry vision and continue to grow in response to God's call to holistic mission?" This plan includes steps that can be taken immediately, and recommendations for the future. One important aspect of this planning process is anticipating and addressing sources of resistance to change.

Why it is helpful: A detailed program proposal can help you think through what is needed in terms of funding, organization, etc; what the impact on the church might be; what potential obstacles to anticipate; and how to generate congregational support for the program. At the same time it is important to develop a strategy for helping the church as a whole become more holistic. Real transformation is a slow, ongoing process. Thus a follow-up strategy is essential. To sustain your mission momentum, you must think long-term, plan your next steps, and help the congregation take ownership of the emerging ministry vision. Without this strategic thinking, a ministry may simply remain a program without being incorporated into the congregation's mission paradigm. The impact of a program can be limited unless the church addresses obstacles to becoming more mission-centered.

Your church might benefit from this step if ...your vision discernment process has led to a sense of calling to a particular ministry, and you need to flesh out the details in order to put it into action; you sense that missional change is only skin deep; there is a need to help the congregation understand and take more ownership of the vision discerned by the leadership; the church's programs and organizational systems need realignment around a mission-centered focus; sustaining the vision will involve other major changes (such as new staff, partnerships, or funding priorities) requiring a long-term plan; there are challenges or resistance to implementing the ministry vision that necessitates strategic problem-solving.