Strategic Planning Process
Overview
By: T. Doug Dale
Chairman Strategic Planning Committee
Approach
The Session approved the Strategic Planning initiative in the spring, and this
summer the Strategic Planning Committee has been busy planning the project. The
output of this process will be the strategic, policy level plan that identifies
FPC’s ministry priorities for the next generation and allocates resources
accordingly. Most of the work will be completed about a year from now, in time
for the 2010 budget.
We understand that as a church much of our strategic purpose is well defined for us in Scripture and does not change from generation to generation. Yet we also understand that in each generation there are fresh challenges and opportunities that demand proper responses. FPC currently has a Mission Statement and goals, which provide focus for both generational and timeless aspects of church life. While these will be reviewed in the process, the session views this project primarily as a generation-specific effort that will focus on developing strategies that promote the most effective ways to carry out our vision in the coming generation.
This understanding drives our approach to planning. The Session will consider the information from this process and by God’s grace and the leading of the Holy Spirit will develop consensus around the future direction for First Presbyterian Church.
Specific Steps
This fall we will be conducting the following surveys and analysis to develop a
view of First Presbyterian Church as it exists today.
1. Membership Survey- This survey will be available
between September 28 and October 5 for all church members to complete. It will
provide insight into the beliefs, values, and concerns of the members.
2. Ministries Self-Evaluation- This evaluation will be
given to certain leaders of church ministries. It will help assess future
opportunities, areas that FPC and the Session can assist the ministries,
ministry goals and values, and other issues.
3. Labor Poll- This survey will be given to the
session, the diaconate, and staff to assess how they spend their time at FPC and
to what degree the allocation of effort supports the church’s priorities.
4. External Analysis- An analysis of the local trends,
denominational trends, and world trends affecting the present and/or future of
FPC will be conducted to better understand external factors that will influence
our decisions.
5. Internal Analysis- An internal analysis will assess
the current workings of FPC including areas such as the budget and organization
to assess any issues or opportunities for improvement.
After analyzing the above information, we will begin
the following steps:
1. Interim Report- This report will provide
a snapshot of FPC and the factors affecting the future of FPC both internally
and externally so that issues can be addressed and a future strategic plan can
be realized.
2. Issue Prioritization Survey- At the beginning of
2009, we will develop a survey of the identified issues from the as-is analysis
to decide which issues are the most important to the Session, the Diaconate, the
committees, and the congregation.
3. Vision- We will assess the current vision and
mission statement and make changes as needed.
4. Final report and recommendations- After assessing
the most important issues and opportunities, implementation of the agreed upon
recommendations will begin and a final report will be written and made
available.
Key Milestones involving the
Congregation
9/28/08 – 10/5/08 The Membership Survey will
be available for all members and regular attendees. (Further instructions and
explanations
will be given through The First Epistle, FPC’s website, and pulpit
announcements.)
11/2008
Membership Survey results available to the congregation.
1/12/09
Issue Prioritization Survey available for the Session, Diaconate, committees,
and interested congregation members.
1/15/09
The Interim Report available to the congregation.
By 9/2009
The Final Report will be completed.
For more information
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) handout under Recent Updates on
FPC’s website (www.fpcjackson.org).
For additional questions or comments, please contact our Strategic Planning
Project Manager: Ms. Lauren Smith
(601) 973-9128 (office)
(601) 720-2084 (cell)
laurens@fpcjackson.org