Advanced Strategic Planning Method

Dr. Aubrey Malphurs, The Malphurs Group

"What kind of church are we?" "Who are we? & “Why
Internal Audits: do we do what we do?"
• Life Cycle (growing, plateaued, declining) Values are passionate,
• Performance (strong, weak, limitations) biblical, shared, core beliefs.
• Direction (mission, vision) 9 Reasons Values are Imperative:
• Strategy (the "how") • Determine ministry distinctives
• Congregational (who are we? Demos & Psychodemos) • Dictate personal involvement
• Culture • Communicate what is important
• Obstacles External Audits: • Embrace good change
• Spirituality • Community • Influence overall behavior
• Energy • Threats • Inspire people to action
• Emotions • Opportunities • Enhance credible leadership
• Finances • Contribute to ministry success
• Influence mission & vision

"What are we to do?" Mission = a broad, brief, biblical statement of what the ministry is supposed to be doing.
9 Reasons Mission is Imperative: 1) dictates the ministry's direction; 2) formulates the ministry's function; 3) focuses
the ministry's future; 4) provides a guideline for decision making; 5) inspires ministry unity; 6) shapes the strategy; 7)
enhances ministry effectiveness; 8) ensures an enduring organization; 9) facilitates evaluation.

"What will it look like?" "How are we going to accomplish our

A vision is a clear, challenging picture mission?"
from the heart of what we must be (future). Strategy = the process that determines HOW your
7 Reasons Vision is Important: ministry will accomplish your mission.
• Encourages unity 12 Reasons Strategy is Important:
• Creates energy "See it
• Accomplishes mission
• Provides purpose clearly,
• Facilitates understanding
• Fosters risk taking say it
• Provides a sense of momentum
• Enhances leadership continually,
• Properly invests God's resources
• Promotes excellence share it
• Displays what God is blessing
• Sustains ministry creatively."
• Enables you to be proactive, not reactive
• Forces wrestling with purpose/values/mission/vision
• Identifies strengths, weaknesses and threats
• Faces the reality of change with a healthy process
The "What ifs…" • Fosters positive approach to ministry
Our crisis is God's curriculum! (crisis = • Reveals trends and their implications
opportunity) • Gets whole church on same page
Bad Events: Good Events:
• Church split • Large gift of $,
• Resignation of pastor land, facility
• Affair in life of leader • Sudden
Kinds of Values:
• Embezzlement incident growth/large • Conscious vs. Unconscious
• Church fire influx • Shared vs. Unshared
• Sudden economic • Celebrity • Personal vs. Organizational
downturn attendance • Actual vs. Aspirational
• Power play • Positive publicity
•
• Single vs. Multiple
Sexual harassment, • Revival/Spiritual
molestation, or rape • Congruent vs. Incongruent
awakening
• Kidnapping • Good vs. Bad
• Accident, injury, death at church
• Attendance of a problem person
The Impact of Prior Steps on the Strategy:
Steps Impact
1. Analysis Evaluates the strategy
Developing the Mission Statement: 2. Values Dictates contents of the
"How are we doing?" Step 1: What is your church supposed to be doing? strategy
Choose who, how, when and 1. Whom will you serve? 3. Mission Directs the strategy
design accordingly. 2. How will you serve these people? 4. Scan Informs the strategy
The Purposes of Evaluation: Step 2: Can you articulate your mission in a written 5. Vision Energizes the strategy
• Accomplishes ministry alignment statement?
• Prioritizes ministry accomplishment 1. What words communicate best with your
• Encourages ministry assessment target group?
• Coaxes ministry affirmation The Frequency of Evaluation
• Emboldens ministry correction
2. Do people understand what you've written?
Who/What Frequency
• Elicits ministry improvement 3. Does your format convey well your mission? Core values/mission/vision yearly
Step 3: Is your mission statement broad but clear? Board twice a year
1. Is the statement broad enough? Staff twice a year
2. Is the statement clear enough? Program leaders twice a year
Step 4: Is the mission statement brief but simple? Strategy twice a year
1. Does the mission pass the T-shirt test? SS Teachers/Small Grp leaders monthly
Pray without ceasing! 2. Is your mission memorable? Implementation review
Attendance/giving/esprit de corps
monthly
weekly
1 Th 5:17 Worship service(s) weekly

Compiled by Marcus Bieschke, Th.M. 2001