What is strategic planning?
Strategic planning, is a term used to describe a rather wide range of activities in congregations. For our purposes, we'll use the term as a vehicle for following is a healthy path of discernment. It's a process of addressing a series of questions that helps leaders think through their goals for and expected outcomes from planning. It is particularly important for leaders to have a clear and appropriate set of expectations about the planning that will be done. It is, at times, equally important for leaders to be able to communicate with others what is intended by the planning effort and what can be expected as a result.
The following questions and responses are offered to help clarify such intentions and expectations. CHAPTER ONE The Basics What is planning? In part, this question has already been addressed in the introduction. Our operational definition of strategic planning is a structured conversation about what a group of people believe God calls them to be or to do. The goal of the planning process is to structure the conversation people need in order to shape agreement and enthusiasm to pursue what they believe God calls them to be or do. Three Questions of Congregational Formation There are three fundamental questions of congregational formation that rest at the heart of congregational planning. Who Are We? This is the identity question. Congregations are like people, or indeed, like fingerprints. There is a great deal of similarity among all, but each is curiously and wonderfully particular and unique. It makes a difference whether we are 150 years old with firmly established traditions or a new congregational start with little history. It makes a difference whether over the past years we have given most of our attention to educational programming for children or used our resources to advocate for hurting people in our neighborhood. Like people, congregations cannot approach a future that is not connected realistically to the past. It is not enough to find programs or resources for congregational growth if we have regularly lost members for the last 10 years. The question of identity in this case means we need to become more clear and honest about who we are and why we are not retaining the members that we already had. It is not enough to plan new directions for the next year if we cannot honestly describe who we currently are and who we have been in the past. When an individual clearly and honestly knows himself or herself, decision making—everything from choosing the next car to choosing a career path or a life partner—becomes much easier and more authentic. Clear and honest self-knowledge is a mark of personal maturity. For congregations as well, honest self-knowledge reflects a maturity that allows for clear and purposeful decisions to navigate the future. Who are we? Who are we now? Can we be honest with ourselves in order to be appropriate to our call for the future? What Has God Called Us to Do? This is the purpose question. Based on what we know about ourselves and our situation, what do we believe we are to do? How are we to develop or mature? Every faith tradition involves certain disciplines—disciplines of observing holy days and liturgical seasons, disciplines of personal prayer and corporate worship, disciplines of hospitality and forgiveness to guide our relationships, disciplines of daily life to guide our participation in the larger community. By definition, these disciplines invite us to be more authentic and more fully whole than we currently are. Such disciplines are the continuous reminder that God sees in us more than we see in ourselves. A much more modest statement of our larger potential completeness was expressed by a stand up comedian: “Someday I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am.” To submit to the discipline of the faith means to open ourselves to change and maturity in order to move into a fuller life—to follow a path drawing us closer to what God thinks we are capable of. Is this the time when we need to reach inside to address our fears and mature our spirits? Is this the moment when we need to reach out and serve others? To what are we now called? Two Canadian congregations in the same village in Ontario were involved in strategic-planning efforts. The two congregations were the by-products of an angry schism that divided the original congregation some 30 years earlier. Independently, as each congregation explored the scriptural base for its current planning, they came to the realization that it was time to heal the competitive relationship that had developed between the two congregations over the years. Independently, each congregation came to the realization that it was time to practice the Christian discipline of forgiveness as a way of redirecting the energy that they had invested in competing with one another. The planning process provided an honest assessment of who they were, which clarified their purpose for the next few years. It was time to heal their own spirits as a way of inviting new energy, new members, and new participation in the larger community life of the village as healthy congregations. Healing the history that kept them from full participation in the community would not be their task for all time. However, their planning clearly showed them that living as healthy, respectful, and noncompeting congregations was their purposeful call for their immediate future. Who Is Our Neighbor? This is the contextual question. Where do we live in time and space? It has been said that the secret of life is knowing what time it is. Is what we are doing, at either the personal or congregational level, appropriate for this historical moment or this personal moment? For example, congregations wrestle with this issue of time when they ask whether singing hymns from an old hymnal provides music understandable to a new generation. It is more common for younger people to have grown up in homes with stereos instead of pianos; for this generation, sing-a-long means lip-syncing the music of a pop star instead of singing hymns with a group. The issue of space is, in part, about where we are located, but it is also about the area of influence that we have developed. Are we connected, are we called to be connected, to the people who geographically surround our congregation or to another describable audience not defined by geography? To be a people of faith is both to search within ourselves for growth and also to reach out to others in service and invitation. Christian congregations may use the word evangelism to describe the work of invitation. Synagogues may speak of outreach to Jews without a congregational connection. Who are those others? How do we recognize and know them? How do we speak and relate to them in ways that can be heard and understood? While these three very basic and simple questions of congregational formation may be universal in application, the responses need to be honest and unique to the individual congregation. Planning provides an excellent means to structure conversations around these three formation questions to help congregations discern the responses that uniquely belong to them.
Rendle, Gil; Mann, Alice. Holy Conversations: Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations (pp. 2-6). (Function). Kindle Edition.
The following questions and responses are offered to help clarify such intentions and expectations. CHAPTER ONE The Basics What is planning? In part, this question has already been addressed in the introduction. Our operational definition of strategic planning is a structured conversation about what a group of people believe God calls them to be or to do. The goal of the planning process is to structure the conversation people need in order to shape agreement and enthusiasm to pursue what they believe God calls them to be or do. Three Questions of Congregational Formation There are three fundamental questions of congregational formation that rest at the heart of congregational planning. Who Are We? This is the identity question. Congregations are like people, or indeed, like fingerprints. There is a great deal of similarity among all, but each is curiously and wonderfully particular and unique. It makes a difference whether we are 150 years old with firmly established traditions or a new congregational start with little history. It makes a difference whether over the past years we have given most of our attention to educational programming for children or used our resources to advocate for hurting people in our neighborhood. Like people, congregations cannot approach a future that is not connected realistically to the past. It is not enough to find programs or resources for congregational growth if we have regularly lost members for the last 10 years. The question of identity in this case means we need to become more clear and honest about who we are and why we are not retaining the members that we already had. It is not enough to plan new directions for the next year if we cannot honestly describe who we currently are and who we have been in the past. When an individual clearly and honestly knows himself or herself, decision making—everything from choosing the next car to choosing a career path or a life partner—becomes much easier and more authentic. Clear and honest self-knowledge is a mark of personal maturity. For congregations as well, honest self-knowledge reflects a maturity that allows for clear and purposeful decisions to navigate the future. Who are we? Who are we now? Can we be honest with ourselves in order to be appropriate to our call for the future? What Has God Called Us to Do? This is the purpose question. Based on what we know about ourselves and our situation, what do we believe we are to do? How are we to develop or mature? Every faith tradition involves certain disciplines—disciplines of observing holy days and liturgical seasons, disciplines of personal prayer and corporate worship, disciplines of hospitality and forgiveness to guide our relationships, disciplines of daily life to guide our participation in the larger community. By definition, these disciplines invite us to be more authentic and more fully whole than we currently are. Such disciplines are the continuous reminder that God sees in us more than we see in ourselves. A much more modest statement of our larger potential completeness was expressed by a stand up comedian: “Someday I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am.” To submit to the discipline of the faith means to open ourselves to change and maturity in order to move into a fuller life—to follow a path drawing us closer to what God thinks we are capable of. Is this the time when we need to reach inside to address our fears and mature our spirits? Is this the moment when we need to reach out and serve others? To what are we now called? Two Canadian congregations in the same village in Ontario were involved in strategic-planning efforts. The two congregations were the by-products of an angry schism that divided the original congregation some 30 years earlier. Independently, as each congregation explored the scriptural base for its current planning, they came to the realization that it was time to heal the competitive relationship that had developed between the two congregations over the years. Independently, each congregation came to the realization that it was time to practice the Christian discipline of forgiveness as a way of redirecting the energy that they had invested in competing with one another. The planning process provided an honest assessment of who they were, which clarified their purpose for the next few years. It was time to heal their own spirits as a way of inviting new energy, new members, and new participation in the larger community life of the village as healthy congregations. Healing the history that kept them from full participation in the community would not be their task for all time. However, their planning clearly showed them that living as healthy, respectful, and noncompeting congregations was their purposeful call for their immediate future. Who Is Our Neighbor? This is the contextual question. Where do we live in time and space? It has been said that the secret of life is knowing what time it is. Is what we are doing, at either the personal or congregational level, appropriate for this historical moment or this personal moment? For example, congregations wrestle with this issue of time when they ask whether singing hymns from an old hymnal provides music understandable to a new generation. It is more common for younger people to have grown up in homes with stereos instead of pianos; for this generation, sing-a-long means lip-syncing the music of a pop star instead of singing hymns with a group. The issue of space is, in part, about where we are located, but it is also about the area of influence that we have developed. Are we connected, are we called to be connected, to the people who geographically surround our congregation or to another describable audience not defined by geography? To be a people of faith is both to search within ourselves for growth and also to reach out to others in service and invitation. Christian congregations may use the word evangelism to describe the work of invitation. Synagogues may speak of outreach to Jews without a congregational connection. Who are those others? How do we recognize and know them? How do we speak and relate to them in ways that can be heard and understood? While these three very basic and simple questions of congregational formation may be universal in application, the responses need to be honest and unique to the individual congregation. Planning provides an excellent means to structure conversations around these three formation questions to help congregations discern the responses that uniquely belong to them.
Rendle, Gil; Mann, Alice. Holy Conversations: Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations (pp. 2-6). (Function). Kindle Edition.
Title Goes Here
Here’s a comprehensive list of 120 questions to interview church leaders going through a strategic planning process. The questions are divided into five categories:
I. Reflection on the Church’s Past (Historical Perspective)
1.How and why was this church founded?
2.What were the key milestones in the church’s history?
3.How has the church changed over the years?
4.What were the church’s greatest moments of impact?
5.What past challenges has the church overcome?
6.How has the community around the church changed over time?
7.What leaders or members have significantly shaped the church’s direction?
8.What traditions have been most meaningful in the church’s history?
9.What past decisions had a lasting impact on the congregation?
10.How has the church historically responded to crises?
11.What are some of the most successful ministries the church has launched?
12.How has the church’s worship style evolved?
13.What role has the church played in the local community over the years?
14.What has been the biggest lesson learned from past successes?
15.What has been the biggest lesson learned from past failures?
16.How have past leaders influenced the church’s culture?
17.What historical values or principles have guided the church?
18.How has the church’s theology or doctrine developed over time?
19.How has the congregation’s demographics shifted over the years?
20.In what ways has the church remained consistent in its mission?
II. The Church’s Current Vitality
21.How would you describe the church’s current level of spiritual vitality?
22.What excites you most about the church right now?
23.What are the church’s greatest strengths today?
24.What are the church’s biggest challenges today?
25.How engaged are members in ministry and discipleship?
26.What is the current state of worship and preaching?
27.How is the church viewed in the wider community?
28.What is the current state of small groups or discipleship programs?
29.How strong is the sense of community and belonging among members?
30.What are the key demographics of the church’s congregation today?
31.How financially stable is the church?
32.How effectively does the church communicate internally and externally?
33.What is the church’s approach to outreach and evangelism?
34.How equipped are church leaders and volunteers?
35.What role does prayer play in the church’s life?
36.How effectively does the church utilize technology and digital ministry?
37.What is the church’s strategy for leadership development?
38.What social justice or mission initiatives is the church currently involved in?
39.How effective are the church’s children’s and youth ministries?
40.What barriers are preventing the church from thriving?
III. Areas of Pride and Celebration
41.What ministry or initiative makes you most proud?
42.What is a recent success story that reflects the church’s mission?
43.How have you seen God at work in the church?
44.What are some of the most impactful sermons or teachings in recent years?
45.How have church members grown in their faith?
46.What stories of transformation have emerged from the church?
47.How has the church served the community in meaningful ways?
48.What makes this church unique compared to others?
49.What traditions or events do members love the most?
50.How has the church successfully adapted to change?
51.What are the church’s most effective ministries?
52.How have volunteers and staff stepped up in significant ways?
53.What relationships with other churches or organizations have been fruitful?
54.What aspects of the church’s culture make you most proud?
55.How have young people engaged in church life?
56.What creative approaches has the church taken in ministry?
57.How has generosity (financial or otherwise) been demonstrated in the church?
58.What answered prayers have you witnessed in the church?
59.How do people describe their personal connection to the church?
60.What traditions would you never want to see disappear?
IV. Hopes and Concerns for the Future
61.What is your vision for the future of the church?
62.What are your biggest hopes for the church in the next five years?
63.What are your biggest concerns for the church’s future?
64.How do you hope the church will grow in its mission?
65.What changes do you think the church needs to make?
66.How do you see the church impacting future generations?
67.What new opportunities exist for the church?
68.What are the biggest threats to the church’s health and vitality?
69.How does the church need to adapt to cultural changes?
70.What ministries need to be strengthened or revitalized?
71.What risks should the church be willing to take?
72.How can the church be more inclusive and welcoming?
73.What steps need to be taken to ensure long-term financial sustainability?
74.How can the church better equip its leaders for the future?
75.How can the church engage younger generations?
76.What would need to happen for the church to double its impact?
77.How should the church prepare for leadership transitions?
78.What theological or doctrinal challenges might arise in the future?
79.How can the church become more resilient in times of crisis?
80.What dreams do you have for the church’s next major milestone?
V. Strategic Planning and Next Steps
81.What are the top three priorities the church should focus on?
82.How can the church better define its mission and vision?
83.What steps can be taken to improve discipleship and spiritual growth?
84.What does an ideal Sunday morning experience look like?
85.How can the church’s governance and leadership structures improve?
86.What strategies should the church use to reach new people?
87.How should the church balance tradition with innovation?
88.What new partnerships could strengthen the church’s ministry?
89.How can the church become more financially sustainable?
90.What are the biggest communication challenges in the church?
91.What tools or resources are needed for effective ministry?
92.How can the church improve its volunteer engagement?
93.What new technologies could enhance the church’s reach and impact?
94.How can the church be more intentional in developing future leaders?
95.What metrics should be used to measure success?
96.What barriers to growth need to be addressed?
97.How can the church improve its facilities and space usage?
98.What is one change that could make a significant difference?
99.What does an ideal community outreach strategy look like?
100.How can the church ensure unity during times of change?
101.What role should digital ministry play in the church’s future?
102.How can the church better support families?
103.What theological or doctrinal principles should guide decision-making?
104.What’s missing from the church’s current strategy?
105.What specific challenges does the leadership team need to address?
106.What bold moves could the church take to revitalize its mission?
107.How should the church handle conflict resolution?
108.What personal or spiritual development do church leaders need?
109.How can the church be more relevant to its surrounding community?
110.What role should mentorship play in church leadership?
111.How should the church prepare for external societal changes?
112.How can the church remain faithful to its mission amid uncertainty?
113.What financial strategies can help ensure long-term sustainability?
114.What new models of ministry should be explored?
115.How can the church inspire greater generosity among members?
116.What steps can be taken to foster deeper relationships among members?
117.What does long-term success look like for this church?
118.How can the church balance numerical growth with spiritual depth?
119.What is the most important thing leaders should focus on right now?
120.If you could leave a message for future generations of church leaders, what would it be?This is where the description goes.
I. Reflection on the Church’s Past (Historical Perspective)
1.How and why was this church founded?
2.What were the key milestones in the church’s history?
3.How has the church changed over the years?
4.What were the church’s greatest moments of impact?
5.What past challenges has the church overcome?
6.How has the community around the church changed over time?
7.What leaders or members have significantly shaped the church’s direction?
8.What traditions have been most meaningful in the church’s history?
9.What past decisions had a lasting impact on the congregation?
10.How has the church historically responded to crises?
11.What are some of the most successful ministries the church has launched?
12.How has the church’s worship style evolved?
13.What role has the church played in the local community over the years?
14.What has been the biggest lesson learned from past successes?
15.What has been the biggest lesson learned from past failures?
16.How have past leaders influenced the church’s culture?
17.What historical values or principles have guided the church?
18.How has the church’s theology or doctrine developed over time?
19.How has the congregation’s demographics shifted over the years?
20.In what ways has the church remained consistent in its mission?
II. The Church’s Current Vitality
21.How would you describe the church’s current level of spiritual vitality?
22.What excites you most about the church right now?
23.What are the church’s greatest strengths today?
24.What are the church’s biggest challenges today?
25.How engaged are members in ministry and discipleship?
26.What is the current state of worship and preaching?
27.How is the church viewed in the wider community?
28.What is the current state of small groups or discipleship programs?
29.How strong is the sense of community and belonging among members?
30.What are the key demographics of the church’s congregation today?
31.How financially stable is the church?
32.How effectively does the church communicate internally and externally?
33.What is the church’s approach to outreach and evangelism?
34.How equipped are church leaders and volunteers?
35.What role does prayer play in the church’s life?
36.How effectively does the church utilize technology and digital ministry?
37.What is the church’s strategy for leadership development?
38.What social justice or mission initiatives is the church currently involved in?
39.How effective are the church’s children’s and youth ministries?
40.What barriers are preventing the church from thriving?
III. Areas of Pride and Celebration
41.What ministry or initiative makes you most proud?
42.What is a recent success story that reflects the church’s mission?
43.How have you seen God at work in the church?
44.What are some of the most impactful sermons or teachings in recent years?
45.How have church members grown in their faith?
46.What stories of transformation have emerged from the church?
47.How has the church served the community in meaningful ways?
48.What makes this church unique compared to others?
49.What traditions or events do members love the most?
50.How has the church successfully adapted to change?
51.What are the church’s most effective ministries?
52.How have volunteers and staff stepped up in significant ways?
53.What relationships with other churches or organizations have been fruitful?
54.What aspects of the church’s culture make you most proud?
55.How have young people engaged in church life?
56.What creative approaches has the church taken in ministry?
57.How has generosity (financial or otherwise) been demonstrated in the church?
58.What answered prayers have you witnessed in the church?
59.How do people describe their personal connection to the church?
60.What traditions would you never want to see disappear?
IV. Hopes and Concerns for the Future
61.What is your vision for the future of the church?
62.What are your biggest hopes for the church in the next five years?
63.What are your biggest concerns for the church’s future?
64.How do you hope the church will grow in its mission?
65.What changes do you think the church needs to make?
66.How do you see the church impacting future generations?
67.What new opportunities exist for the church?
68.What are the biggest threats to the church’s health and vitality?
69.How does the church need to adapt to cultural changes?
70.What ministries need to be strengthened or revitalized?
71.What risks should the church be willing to take?
72.How can the church be more inclusive and welcoming?
73.What steps need to be taken to ensure long-term financial sustainability?
74.How can the church better equip its leaders for the future?
75.How can the church engage younger generations?
76.What would need to happen for the church to double its impact?
77.How should the church prepare for leadership transitions?
78.What theological or doctrinal challenges might arise in the future?
79.How can the church become more resilient in times of crisis?
80.What dreams do you have for the church’s next major milestone?
V. Strategic Planning and Next Steps
81.What are the top three priorities the church should focus on?
82.How can the church better define its mission and vision?
83.What steps can be taken to improve discipleship and spiritual growth?
84.What does an ideal Sunday morning experience look like?
85.How can the church’s governance and leadership structures improve?
86.What strategies should the church use to reach new people?
87.How should the church balance tradition with innovation?
88.What new partnerships could strengthen the church’s ministry?
89.How can the church become more financially sustainable?
90.What are the biggest communication challenges in the church?
91.What tools or resources are needed for effective ministry?
92.How can the church improve its volunteer engagement?
93.What new technologies could enhance the church’s reach and impact?
94.How can the church be more intentional in developing future leaders?
95.What metrics should be used to measure success?
96.What barriers to growth need to be addressed?
97.How can the church improve its facilities and space usage?
98.What is one change that could make a significant difference?
99.What does an ideal community outreach strategy look like?
100.How can the church ensure unity during times of change?
101.What role should digital ministry play in the church’s future?
102.How can the church better support families?
103.What theological or doctrinal principles should guide decision-making?
104.What’s missing from the church’s current strategy?
105.What specific challenges does the leadership team need to address?
106.What bold moves could the church take to revitalize its mission?
107.How should the church handle conflict resolution?
108.What personal or spiritual development do church leaders need?
109.How can the church be more relevant to its surrounding community?
110.What role should mentorship play in church leadership?
111.How should the church prepare for external societal changes?
112.How can the church remain faithful to its mission amid uncertainty?
113.What financial strategies can help ensure long-term sustainability?
114.What new models of ministry should be explored?
115.How can the church inspire greater generosity among members?
116.What steps can be taken to foster deeper relationships among members?
117.What does long-term success look like for this church?
118.How can the church balance numerical growth with spiritual depth?
119.What is the most important thing leaders should focus on right now?
120.If you could leave a message for future generations of church leaders, what would it be?This is where the description goes.
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TRAINING EVENT OUTCOMES
SESSION 1 | Rethink Hospitality: Moving Beyond Welcome
SESSION 2 | Assess Your Capacity to Welcome & Befriend
SESSION 3 | Create WOW & WIN Moments for Guests
- Introduce the concept of radical hospitality and inclusion.
- Design hospitality experiences from a guest's perspective.
- Explain the differences between welcoming & befriending.
- 10 thinks leaders do that help or hinder radical hospitality.
- Paint a picture of the hospitality experience you wish to create.
- View hospitality as a team sport & a spiritual discipline.
SESSION 2 | Assess Your Capacity to Welcome & Befriend
- Review tools for assessing your church's hospitality.
- Assessing hospitality before, during, and after a guest's visit.
- Assessing hospitality through the lens of entry points.
- Assessing hospitality through communication platforms.
- 20 things that impact a guest's experience of hospitality.
- List the names of your official and unofficial greeters.
- 10 things that increase the likelihood of a guest returning.
SESSION 3 | Create WOW & WIN Moments for Guests
- 5 elements that ensure WOW moments for guests
- 5 settings/touchpoints that guests will remember.
- 5 keys for creating safe space for guests and newcomers.
- 3 tips for increasing the likelihood that guests will return.
- Creating WOW and WIN moments for online guests.
- 4 steps for moving people from guests to ministry partners.
1 | Relate around a Shared Theme
Create a culture of extravagant hospitality.
Identify the gaps between what is and what might be.
Identify the gaps between what is and what might be.
2 | Review Your Results
Complete the Self-Assessment Hospitality Audit.
List potential WOWS and pressing issues.
List potential WOWS and pressing issues.
3 | Rethink What's Possible
Paint a picture of your preferred future.
List who you can enlist in the project.
List who you can enlist in the project.
4 | Reinvent Your Future
Create a road map with a few key strategies & many sprints.
List your first three "faithful next steps."
List your first three "faithful next steps."
A COVENANT for our COHORT GROUP | Our commitment to one another
- Attitude: We invite you to be positive, present, playful, proactive, open-minded, Spirit-driven.
- Actions: We invite you to be on time, ready to contribute, speak your truth, and share what you need from others.
- Assumptions: We invite you to question your assumptions, rethink norms, stretch your imaginations, and invent your futures.
COHORT COACHING OUTCOMES
SESSION 1 | Rethink Hospitality: Moving Beyond Welcome
SESSION 2 | Assess Your Capacity to Welcome & Befriend
SESSION 3 | Create WOW & WIN Moments for Guests
- Introduce the concept of radical hospitality and inclusion.
- Design hospitality experiences from a guest's perspective.
- Explain the differences between welcoming & befriending.
- 10 thinks leaders do that help or hinder radical hospitality.
- Paint a picture of the hospitality experience you wish to create.
- View hospitality as a team sport & a spiritual discipline.
SESSION 2 | Assess Your Capacity to Welcome & Befriend
- Review tools for assessing your church's hospitality.
- Assessing hospitality before, during, and after a guest's visit.
- Assessing hospitality through the lens of entry points.
- Assessing hospitality through communication platforms.
- 20 things that impact a guest's experience of hospitality.
- List the names of your official and unofficial greeters.
- 10 things that increase the likelihood of a guest returning.
SESSION 3 | Create WOW & WIN Moments for Guests
- 5 elements that ensure WOW moments for guests
- 5 settings/touchpoints that guests will remember.
- 5 keys for creating safe space for guests and newcomers.
- 3 tips for increasing the likelihood that guests will return.
- Creating WOW and WIN moments for online guests.
- 4 steps for moving people from guests to ministry partners.
1 | Assess your hospitality
How would you describe your congregation’s hospitality norms and practices?
- What does your church do well when welcoming and befriending people?
- What are two “growth areas” for your church-related to welcoming and befriending people?
- Who is charged with overseeing this important ministry
- How do they measure their success?
- What would like to be different six months from now?
What do new staff need in the first 90 days to start strong?
- What’s stirring from last week
- What learnings arose when completing the Church Hospitality Audit?
- In what ways do you welcome people before they show up for worship or an event?
- Do your voice messages, website ,and social media sites engage and inspire newcomers?
- What are the four touch points you wish to pay particular attention to?
.
2 | Identify touch points
3 | ALIGNMENT
Setting and reviewing goals
Are people’s goals connected to your purpose and priorities?
- What’s your history/ norms for setting staff goals?
- Do staff share their goals with each other?
- Do you have a staff/leadership covenant? How often is it referred to?
- What happens if a staff member’s goals are not reached?
- What criteria is used to evaluate staff?
- Are these criteria related to the church’s goals or mission?
- How might you make staff members work more transparent?
- What prevents staff from collaborating with each other?
SPRINTER TASK: List 3 ways staff are "out of alignment" based on what's needed.
Are your staff working as a team? What gets in the way?
- What do you need to start or stop doing?
- What are staff doing that brings out the best in each other?
- What are staff doing that hinders each other’s best efforts?
- When and how do staff celebrate with each other?
- Do you have staff members that are NOT team players
- If so, what impact does this have on the team?
SPRINTER TASK: List 3 ways you will recognize/celebrate people's contributions.
4 | ENGAGEMENT
Increasing engagement & collaboration
5 | REVIEWS
Helping staff review, reflect & refocus
What’s the purpose of annual reviews? What if people looked forward to them?
- Who is responsible for leading the check-ins and/or annual reviews?
- What is the purpose of reviews? What are the benefits of performing reviews?
- What course corrections typically occur as a result of annual review conversations?
- Who is part of the annual review process and what is their role?
- If you could change one element of your review process, what would it be?
Participants will be invited to share their next steps for "staffing and supervision."