Churches aim to expand and reach more people. However, achieving growth is not that easy. Without a sound strategic plan, it will be difficult for your church to attain growth. Strategies can help you determine where you need to allocate your efforts and resources.
About Auxano
When it comes to strategic plans geared toward your church’s growth, you and your team should rely on professionals. For more than 15 years, Auxano has been helping various pastors and ministry leaders create strategies for their churches to grow. We also assist church leaders in developing various strategic plans. Our clients include churches around the globe.
How to Get Started on Developing Strategic Plans for Your Church’s Growth
We can help you come up with strategies for your church. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Contact us to learn about church strategic planning.
Get in touch with us via our website if your church needs help with strategic plans. Prepare your contact details and other information about your church. Don’t forget to indicate the services you need. One of our team members will reach out to you to schedule an appointment so all of us can talk about strategic plans.
- Discuss your church and share your plans and strategies.
On your scheduled date and time, we will talk about church strategic planning and recommend any related services that may be helpful. We can also discuss different strategies to help you accomplish your goals. For many churches, this is a process that continues over several months and most likely includes onsite visits from one of our Navigators.
- Finalize your strategic plan.
After our discussion, we will come up with a strategic plan for you. Our goal is to design a plan to meet your specific needs for your church. Once you are happy with the proposed strategies and everything is on paper, the documents are approved. After that, we will get right to work in implementing your strategic plan.
Tips for Church Strategic Planning
Are you seeking ways to make your church grow? Are you planning to make your church grow? Here are some strategies you may consider for your church:
Write your church’s vision, mission, and values statements.
The vision, mission, and values statements of your church are important to determine where you will focus your efforts and resources. These statements serve as your guide for strategic plans.
For your mission statement, declare the reason why your church exists. After that, write down where your church is heading as your vision statement. Auxano has proven tools and a unique approach to articulating mission and vision. We would love to help you craft these powerful statements for your church.
Lastly, revisit your church’s core values, which guide every member’s behavior, and make sure your goals are aligned with them.
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your church before creating strategic plans.
Gather your team to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your church. On a white board or a computer, list the things the church has been doing well and the reasons that you attend this church. Utilize these strengths as part of your strategic plans.
After that, discuss your weaknesses. Be as honest as possible in answering questions, such as the needs in your congregation and the community that the church hasn’t met. Once you figure your strengths and weaknesses, you can come up with a sound strategic plan for your church.
Learn about possible hindrances that will keep you from fulfilling your strategic plans.
Identify all the things that may get in the way of your church strategic planning. For instance, are there internal problems that can keep you from accomplishing your goals? Do you lack the manpower or the budget to execute your strategic plans?
You need to identify the problems with your strategies and find ways to resolve them. By knowing your problems, you can better execute your strategies for your church.
Think about possible problems in the future.
Sometimes, even carefully made strategies may not succeed as planned. Issues can get in the way of your strategies. During your meeting with your team, pinpoint possible problems that may happen with church strategic planning. Problems may occur along the way, which is why it is better to anticipate them. Develop back up plans just in case your primary strategies don’t work.
Write your goals for church strategic planning.
After doing analysis, write your goals for your church. Be more specific when you write your goals. Organizations typically utilize the SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) goal-setting process. For instance, you want strategies on how to increase your church volunteers. Set a timeline, such as three to six months, to be more specific with your objective.
Create a website as part of your church strategic planning.
In today’s digital age, you should keep up with the times and utilize technology for church strategic planning. For instance, creating a website can be part of your church strategic planning. On your website, you can post the services you offer, the schedule of your church, and other related details. You can even utilize your website to interact with your regular visitors.
You can also use social media platforms as part of your church strategic planning. Social media platforms can improve your church’s visibility. Your members can share your posts, such as schedules or activities, with their family and friends.
Map out programs for younger generations under church strategic planning.
The young generations play a crucial role in church strategic planning. They are the ones that will keep your church going for years to come. As part of your church strategic planning, you need to develop programs that will appeal to children and other young church members. These programs should compel them to spend their free time or weekends at the church.
Use your best assets for your church strategic planning.
Your church may have various assets that you can utilize for church strategic planning. For instance, you may have a great singer, a competent financial manager, or a talented pianist. Identify the assets in your church and find out how they can take part in your church strategic planning.
Get different inputs for church strategic planning.
Schedule a meeting for church strategic planning. During the gathering, allow everyone to share ideas for church strategic planning. Avoid shooting down an idea right away, and let everyone speak. One person should not be dominating the conversation about strategies.
If possible, invite some regular visitors to hear about your strategic plans. An ordinary churchgoer can give you an outside-in perspective. You can also learn what church visitors think about your church. Fresh input from outsiders can help you devise better strategic plans.
Find ways to constantly update and improve your church strategic planning.
You may have accomplished your goal for your church. With your well-planned strategies, you are able to make your church grow.
However, that shouldn’t stop you from finding new strategies to attract new families and individuals. The strategies that may have worked today may no longer be effective in the future. That is why you should constantly seek different strategic plans for further growth.
Determine your budget for church strategic planning.
Church strategic planning requires resources to accomplish your goals. You need to determine your budget for strategic plans and make sure you don’t overspend. For example, you can set aside money for your initial strategic plan for growth as well as for other plans for your church.
Find a good partner for church strategic planning.
You and your team may get overwhelmed with church strategic planning. In case you need help, do not hesitate to contact professionals that focus on strategic plans and other related services. Make sure you approach only people with a proven track record, a positive reputation, and solid experience with strategies.
Need Help With Church Strategic Planning? Contact Us!
Are you looking for a team that can help you with church strategic planning? Turn to Auxano. We are here to help you map out with strategies for church growth. Get in touch with us today to learn about our services, such as church strategic planning.