Strategic Visioning and Planning

Ten resources that offer a step-by-step guide through the Strategic Visioning and Planning process to develop a mission-driven and sustainable plan.

Strategic visioning and planning are critical today as congregations and Episcopal entities prayerfully discern the future needs of The Episcopal Church. TEC’s new Presiding Bishop-Elect - the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe - invites us into this process “because as the world around us changes and continues to change – it changes all the time – and God is calling us more deeply into the unknown.” How can we reimagine what we are called to do and reposition ourselves with faithful conviction.

Below the reader will find ten resources that offer a step-by-step guide through the Strategic Visioning and Planning process to develop a mission-driven and sustainable plan.

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Read
  • Strategic Planning for Your Church by Tools for Congregations (45 mins)

    The best place to start is to read this overview that describes the components and steps in developing a master plan, such as Purpose, Process, and Strategic Planning.

  • Five Questions at the Heart of Strategic Planning by Linda Buskirk (10 mins)

    In this article Linda Buskirk shows how to keep it simple by setting aside business-like terminology and by focusing on basic questions underlying strategic planning.

  • Five Pitfalls of Strategic Thinking by Susan Erdey (10 mins)

    In this article Susan Erdey describes five common pitfalls in the strategic thinking process to be aware of, such as … Thinking you know the answer before you start.

  • Financial Visioning in Seven Steps by James B. Jordan, CPA, CFE (30 mins)

    In this comprehensive article James B. Jordan, noted author, speaker and independent auditor, describes how to establish and maintain financial stability through “financial” visioning in developing the strategic congregational plan.

  • Ministry Tip of the Week -- Three first steps in financial visioning by ECF Vital Practices (10 mins)

    This ECF “Tip of the Week” describes how to gather data, analyze giving data, and assess the physical facility in order to proceed with reality-based financial visioning.

  • Visioning and Planning at ECF’s First Spanish Bootcamp by Sandra T. Montes (15 mins)

    In this article Sandra T. Montes, ECF’s Multicultural Resources Consultant, describes the outcome of conducting a Financial Literacy Bootcamp in Spanish and how participants learned to bring visioning and planning for their stewardship campaigns.

Watch
  • Strategic Visioning and Planning for Congregations Presented by Donald V. Romanik (60 mins)

    This webinar is a must watch! Presented by ECF’s President Donald V. Romanik he provides an overview of the strategic visioning and planning process for congregations by providing techniques for having relevant, meaningful, and vital conversations and effectively plan for the future.

Do
  • Congregational Vitality Assessment (CVA) by FaithX, in collaborative partnership with ECF (60 mins)

    Take this free diagnostic tool created by FaithX to assess congregational Vitality (Health), Sustainability (Resources to Survive), and strengths and weaknesses in order to move towards opportunities.

  • The Church in 2050 by Jay Sidebotham (30 mins)

    Priest and cartoonist Jay Sidebotham helps us to see in his cartoon that when it comes to the future there are lots of questions and no idea of what is coming. Draw your own cartoon or graphic inserting questions and comments pertaining to your congregation.

  • How to Select a Professional Resource by Tools for Congregations (30 mins)

    This tool helps in assessing if you need to hire a professional resource person to guide the congregation in the strategic planning process. The checklist for selecting a consultant includes Scope of Work, Selection Process, Service Agreement, and Evaluation.