Laying the Foundation for a Visioning Process

Although the term “strategic planning” is still a key emphasis for most businesses and organizations, I have found more churches embracing the idea of “visioning” -- defining a path forward but one that is responsive to the role of the Spirt in its execution.

Several things are necessary for a successful visioning process. Let me identify four essentials.

First, spiritual and relational preparation. If we are doing God’s work, a good beginning point is calling people closer to God. Through prayer, Bible study, and sharing, the disciples in a congregation come to understand that God speaks in many ways, including the experience and learning of fellow parishioners. Forty Days of Prayer: Preparing Ourselves for God’s Calling by Mark Tidsworth is a good resource for this preparation.

Second, assemble a team. The pastor and the ministerial staff should not do this by themselves. The vision is not handed down from “on high” but arises from the people. A strong team should be inclusive (men and women), multi-generational, and diverse in experience and service. Although long-term parishioners bring wisdom to the process, newcomers bring a fresh perspective. I have found it helpful to include some persons who are relatively new to the church but have already shown a high level of commitment.

Third, involve those in the church in real conversations. Alan Roxburgh writes that “the Spirit of God is among the people of God.” The Spirit speaks most often through face-to-face conversations rather than surveys. Surveys have their place in obtaining information, but transformation comes through dialogue among people in small groups.

Fourth, engage with your larger community. Visioning should not be done in a vacuum. In church planning, we tend to talk among ourselves rather than engaging in conversation with our neighbors and fellow citizens. What is God doing outside the walls of our congregation? How should we be involved?

If you are interested in learning more about visioning, feel free to contact me at ircelharrison@gmail.com or check out the Pinnacle Leadership Associates website.

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