Strategic Planning Template
Elements of a Strategic Plan
(These elements of a strategic plan are to be taken in order beginning with the mission)
Determine your Mission
Determine your Core Values
Determine your Vision (Short-term, then Long-term Vision) – what can and will your church, organization and community look like if God helps you to accomplish your Mission guided by your Core Values?
Determine a Disciple-making Pathway for your church or organization
Identify Essential Ministries (Level 1 – ministries absolutely needed for the life of the church or organization)
Discern Level 2 and 3 Ministries (Level 2 -ministries that contribute to the life and health of the church or organization that would be missed if eliminated but are not essential; Level 3 – ministries that may or may not add some life and health to the church or organization but if eliminated would only be missed by a few people or not missed at all)
Determine or review Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
Identify the top 3 Issues/Problems/Opportunities that need to be addressed given the church or organization's resources (e.g., spiritual, people, financial, property/facilities and other resources)
Determine objectives and SMART goals (Goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Related to the mission and vision, and Time-related)
Determine metrics of success (how do you know if you accomplish your mission, vision and goals)
Evaluate your ministry using the above elements of a strategic plan
Jer. 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Prov. 16:3 "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
Luke 14:28-30 "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'"