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Strategic Planning rePortFirst congregational United church of christ river Falls, Wisconsin January 2013

Prepared by Facilitator: Connie Foster

Strategic Planning rePortFirst congregational United church of christ

Contents

toP® Participatory Strategic Planning ..............................................p. 3Strategic Plan Summary ....................................................................p. 4Understanding our church’s context today..................................p. 5-6What do we envision as god’s purpose for this congregation ... p. 7Practical Vision .......................................................................... ........p. 8Underlying contradictions.................................................................p. 9Strategic Directions.............................................................................p. 10Focused implementation...................................................................p. 11Year’s accomplishments for 2013.....................................................p. 12-13Keeping the Plan on track ...............................................................p. 14Planning Steering committee Members .........................................p. 15

Technology Of Participation®|Participatory Strategic Planning Process

Prepared by facilitator: Connie Foster

First congregational United church of christ Strategic Planning rePort

Over arching question for the strategic planning process: How can our church achieve its’ purpose to be courageous disciples of Jesus?

STraTEGIC PLan Summary

IMPLEMEnTaTIOn - What are our priority actions for the first quarter?

1. one new intergenerational activity (Women on a Mission)2. Different people involved on committees (nomination committee, council)3. new bulletin board (Bill Herris)4. Plan visual pieces of church life & costs involved (communication group/ad Hoc)5. two groups/people attend continuing education event & report to congregation (comma club & Vicky H.)6. Website platform redesign plan finished (Publicity & Ad Hoc)

unDErLyInG COnTraDICTIOnS

What blocks the realization of our practical vision …

a. insistence on staying comfortable – people, programs, practices

B. risk of involvement

c. time constraints & priorities – personal & programmatic

D. Unequal participation, involvement & influence

e. Disconnect between our purpose & our giving

STraTEGIC DIrECTIOnS

What will deal with underlying contra-dictions & move us toward our vision…

a. engaging everybody ► Involve more people ► Get to know each other ► Promote mentoring

B. envisioning generosity ► Visually represent life of church ► Connect budget to vision

c. expanding Worship in Daily life ► Emphasize worship and education ► Intersect faith and daily life

D. empowering new ideas ► Create a culture of on-going change ► Dream big

PraCTICaL VISIOn

What do we want to see in place in the next 3 – 5 years …

Actively Portray “Positive” Ideals of Being Christian

a. Spiritual resources & groups to support individuals’ life journeys

B. creating an environment that nurtures life-long learning in the christian faith

c. open doors, open hearts: our people, our faith, our building in service to our neighbors, our community & our world

D. encourage & build strong relationships & participation among all people in the church family

e. authentic, inspiring dynamic worship experiences that meet the needs of a spiritually growing community

F. active, visible engaging youth who reach out to the community

g. inspiring, creative, contagious music that unites the congregation in the celebration of its faith

Develop Budget that Sustains Variety of Programs



Which new ideas are pushing/needing to become accepted trends and practices?

Which trends and practices are picking up momentum and acceptance?

Which trends and practices are mainstream or standard operating procedures?

Which trends and practices are concepts whose viability is overly questioned?

• Preschool in our bldg.• Credit card donations• Open and affirming• “Cell” ministry• Lay visitation team• Social networking sites• Technology in relationships• Better use of web site for communication• Membership has a cost (challenge priorities)• Non-Sunday worship• Contemporary services• Open and affirming• Focus on what our community needs• “Connected” worship styles (trad./contemp) • Electronic/automated giving• Technology• Understanding, appreciation, acceptance of gay/lesbian individuals, couples w/in church community*• Move from traditional authority approach to shared, servant leadership• Accepting validity of other religions, esp. non-Christian. Adopt some of their practices• De-emphasis on atonement theologies• Recognizing that other faiths are just a valid as Christianity & Judaism• Acceptance of LGBT people & gay marriage

• Pledging• Diverse program needs & offered• Education - youth and adult• Communion style• Incorporation of more modern music• Contemporary worship• E-giving• Greater participation of youth in services (singing, ushering, welcoming)• Open to outside community• We are growing – not shrinking• Role of technology• Open & affirming• Open & affirming• Church interns• “Connected” worship styles• Activities (yoga, cribbage)• Family dinners• Gay marriage acceptance• Begin trend to treat all w/respect including conservative Christians• Become an open & affirming congregation; promote civil rights of all types• “DO” mission—operate a real ministry out of our church

• Importance of worship (sacraments, rites, baptism, funerals, confirmation)• Congregational mentality• Worship practice• Music/Special music• Business as usual• Committed few• Traditional programs• Sunday School is during services• Theology• Communion is only once per month• Affinity groups• Missions• Church interns• Wed. evening services & meals• Committees• Supporting people w/in the church**• Sacraments• Confirmation classes• Weekly worship• Prayer, praise, thanksgiving, fellowship, giving, education• Prayer chain• Create an emergency chain to share information

**Don’t know how much people reach out to those who do not look or behave like them

• Women’s traditional roles• Traditional Women’s fellowship• Traditional committee structure• Authoritative pastor• All member pastoral home visits• Adult forum• Rummage sales• Use of traditional prayer texts in worship• Traditional women’s fellowship as daytime group of women; need groups for other niches, e.g., stay at home mom’s, men’s group, working women’s group• Liturgy-type worship; rote practices• Beating ourselves up for being sinners• Apostle’s Creed• Atonement theory• Christian exclusivity• Visiting families in trouble (illness, financial, not attending church)

BOunDary

IDEaS

EMEr

GInG

ESTaBLIS

HED

DyInG

First congregational United church of christ Strategic Planning rePortunderstanding our Church’s

Context Today


WaVe results updated 5 11 2012 w/congregational input added in italics

understanding our Church’s Context Today continued...

Which new ideas are pushing/needing to become accepted trends and practices?

Which trends and practices are picking up momentum and acceptance?

Which trends and practices are mainstream or standard operating procedures?

Which trends and practices are concepts whose viability is overly questioned?BOunDary

IDEaS

EMEr

GInG

ESTaBLIS

HED

DyInG

• Advocating non-violent solutions to conflict• Responsible conservation of earth’s resources• Support groups of 5-6 families each (meet, share needs, share faith, share support in difficult times)

*Very white congregation –don’t know whether low income families or single adults feel welcome

WaVe results updated 5 11 2012 w/congregational input added in italics



WAVE Inventory of Trends, Paradigms & Approaches credited by Mirja Hansen

First congregational United church of christ Strategic Planning rePortWhat do we envision as God’s

purpose for this congregation?


Generous Service Within & Beyond Our Walls

• To serve others• Sharing our wealth - financial/talents• Reach out beyond our walls• Mission/charity – local and wider• Growing in mission• Generosity – how to utilize it• Service to others

• Provide empathy & stewardship through god’s word• Do not be afraid of possibilities• To risk being faithful to god• Challenge the status quo• To show grace• Compassion for all

Courageous Disciples of Jesus

Enabling Life Long Spiritual Growth

Faithful Worship

• Fellowship – Spiritual support: death, food delivery, togetherness• Fellowship connection/ community/Body of christ• Fellowship for all affinity groups• Social Activities i.e. cribbage, spring fling• To provide fellowship, family, friendship

• Open & affirming (4x)• Bridge building• To welcome into god’s family

• To worship together• A place to worship & renew our faith

Caring & Connected Community

Welcoming & Valuing

• Spiritual Growth – along our personal life’s journey• Education: teaching & learning• Provide meaning direction & contentment• To learn & grow spiritually• Help us explore our spirituality• Education/Faith development

This data was created in response to the above focus question by members of the UCC River Falls church council and committee chairs. The facilitated process used was a ToP Consensus Brainstorm, a method of the Institute of Cultural Affairs. For more information go to www.ica-usa.org Facilitator: Connie Foster May 1, 2012

Purpose Statement: as Jesus’ courageous disciples, living god’s grace, we strive to: Worship faithfully, welcome openly, grow spiritually, care passionately, serve generously

Spiritual resources & Groups to Support

Individuals’ Life Journeys

• More small group ministries to support play & pray• Spiritual resource for individuals

• Help “needy” persons toward self-sufficiency• Educational leader in a life of faith• Recognized as center for leadership development• Recognized as center for education

Creating an Environment that nurtures Life-long

Learning in the Christian Faith

Open Doors, Open Hearts: our People,

our Faith, our building in Service to our neighbors, our community & our

World

active, Visible, Engaging youth

Who reach Out to the Community

Inspiring, Creative, Contagious Music

that unites the Congregation in the

Celebration of Its Faith

• Work with other churches to serve community• Find a way to use our new building to reach out to the community• Energetic building & organization• Committed to service beyond our walls – local & global• Community resource• Increase participation of church members out in community (food shelf, Simpson, new ideas)

• Active, engaged learners of all ages• Intergenerational options for learning & serving• Opportunities for interaction• Reaching out into the community to show that we accept all people• Fellowship & relationships across ages, interests, etc.• Getting more men involved: Bible study, help serve youth, interact together• Thriving activities for all ages, including in-house & regional, national (trip)

• Authentic, inspiring worship• Larger membership• Global partner (worship, education, mission)• Variety of worship services & times• Worship that meets needs of congregation

• Youth involvement within the community – serving generously present experiences• Active youth groups being “cornerstone” of our church

• Recognized as center for great music• Inclusive participation in music program & beyond

Develop Budget That Sustains Variety of Programs

This data was created in response to the above question by members of the First Congregational United Church of Christ River Falls Church Council & Committee Chairs on September 13, 2012The facilitated process utilized was a ToP Consensus Brainstorm, a method of the Institute of Cultural Affairs. For more information go to www.ica-usa.org

Encourage & Build Strong relationships

& Participation among all People in the Church Family

authentic, Inspiring, Dynamic Worship Experiences that

Meet the needs of a Spiritually Growing

Community

What do we want to see in place in 3-5 years as a result of our actions?

Practical Vision: First congregational United church of christ

Strategic Planning rePort


actively Portray “Positive” Ideals of Being Christian

This data was created in response to the above question by members of the First Congregational United Church of Christ

River Falls Church Council & Committee Chairs on October 22, 2012. The facilitated process utilized was a ToP® Consensus Brainstorm, a method

of the Institute for Cultural Affairs. For more information go to www.ica- usa.org

What is blocking us from moving toward our vision?

Disconnect Betweenour Purpose& our Giving

• Insecure budget outlook• Perceived limited collective resources• Unmotivated to give• Confusing information about finances

unequal Participation,Involvement & Influence

• Power/control issues• Burnt out – debilitating• Unmotivated to participate• Unmotivated waning passion• I have already done all I can do – discouraged• Limited ideas of how to utilize our building• Divisive & disjointed participation• Motivated but confused

Time Constraints & Priorities

Personal & Programmatic

• Conflicting schedules among participants• Narrow time constraints – Sunday morning/Wed• Limited staff time• Excessive time commitments• Too busy, no time – conflicting• Inflexible times – worship, classes, small groups• Competing opportunities both in & outside the church• Resistance to time commitments for participation in music programs

risk of Involvement

• Reluctant to lead or participate & commit• Unmotivated at beginning & or to continue• Members who are unmotivated to participate in adult ed.• Someone else will do it – reluctant• Not a priority –inflexible• Unmotivated to participate in music programs (not a priority)• Reluctance to join, to commit• Insecurity about spiritual growth – own & others• Insecurity for leading, for joining, for spiritual discussion• Reluctance to act (fear)

• Narrow minded preferences• Fear of difference in others• Can’t or won’t change – inflexible• Divisive opinions (resist change)• Insecurity, reluctance, & ignorance to others• Conflicting thoughts & visions• Resistance to doing things differently• Obsolete traditions (traditions for traditions sake)• Devalued (music) as a need for worship• Confusion of what the priority is• Outdated programs & ideas• Disjointed community 9 vs. 10:30• Conflicting generational interests

Insistence on Staying Comfortable

People, Programs, Practices

underlying Contradictions: First congregational United church of christ

Strategic Planning rePort


This data was created in response to the above focus question by members of the First Congregational United Church of Christ River Falls Church Council & Committee Chairs on October 23, 2012. The facilitated process utilized was a ToP® Consensus Brainstorm, a method of the Institute of Cultural Affairs. For more information go to www.ica-usa.org

What innovative, substantial actions will deal with the underlying contradictions and move us toward our vision?

Involve more people• Survey peoples’ interests/talents• Rotate people around events (e.g. new cooks for thanksgiving)• Utilize interactive electronics programs/people• “Open House” for Choir, Sunday School, Church Council, Deacon, etc.• New ideas open house (Person with an idea & like minded shape idea)• Have co-leaders to take the pressure off of the 1st leader (motivation)• Involvement event – rewarding time commitment• Stress “don’t need to know” – just join & learn (motivation)

Visually represent life of church• Bring a program to life – pictures of events will excite & motivate others• Produce video of life of church

Emphasize worship and education• Offer different worship time (3rd service?)• Advocate for people/families to stay longer than 1 hour on Sundays• Expand Wednesday programming• Sermon discussion (time to debrief)

Create a culture of on-going change• Initiative – small groups visit other churches• Add some change to the traditional service• Have a creative “shake-things-up” event• Intentionally introduce something new every 6 months• Intentionally stop something every 6 months (permission to let go)• Overtly grieve change• Model of full church year – who does what• $100 challenge - $100 to members to start a mission• Passion moments during worship – get a fire going

Get to know each other• Social event with a variety of foods (ethnic/cultural)• Social groups (theater, games, service project, progressive dinners)• Fun events that bring generations together (newlywed, family feud)• Plan an outing for all ages

Promote mentoring• Buddy system with new members• Develop a model of successful membership (responsibilities)• Bring older college students to advise younger to be college students

Connect budget to vision• Increase staff support• Explain budget like a household so people can relate to it• Updates throughout year tying $ to outcomes• Graphic to show where your offering $ goes

Intersect faith and daily life• Somehow integrate our church life into everyday life• Training for discussing challenging issues• Community-wide program on financial management for young families• Discussion groups (defined period of time, various topics)• “Simplify your life” support groups

Dream big• Find an artist-in-residence for congregation• Develop center for lay education (local lay academy)• Drive thru service for busy families

Strategic Direction

Strategic Direction

Strategic Direction

Strategic Directions:

towards...Envisioning Generosity →

Strategic Direction

towards...Expanding Faith and Worship in Daily Life →

towards...Engaging Everyone →

Empowering new Ideas →

towards...



FocusedImplementation|1st Year accomplishments

Focus Question: What are the specific, measurable accomplishments for each Strategic Direction, January 2013- December 2013?

STraTEGIC DIrECTIOn CurrEnT rEaLITy 1st yEar aCCOMPLISHMEnTS SuCCESS InDICaTOrS

• Education• Time and talent sheet• Liturgist/coffee• All church events• Thanksgiving dinner• Worship• Youth program• Nomination• Committees

• Advent Marketplace• 5 for 5 missions• Pictures in newsletter• Stewardship campaign• Organ fund• Bldg. campaign• Local outreach giving• Difficulty in meeting annual operating budget

• 1st Congregational reads• Weekly worship newsletter• Worship services & broadcasts• Women on a Mission• Advent/Lent marketplace• Cribbage• Holy week• Music program

• 10 new people/different people on committees• 5 new small groups formed• Small group fair• 1 new intergenerational activity• Youth minister in place• 2 events with community connection

• New bulletin board• Raise for staff members (5%)• Budget surplus (+$1,000)• Work on organ completed• Take a leadership role (sponsor) a new community project• Increase in % of people pledging

• Create a podcast of sermons• Lay academy survey completed• Offer one Lay academy• Hold follow- up discussion on “series” sermons• Write a book on baptism for kids• Have a mid-week (evening) bible study

• Too many volunteers (wait list)• New members on volunteer list• More bldg. use every evening• Cash reserve• Bigger/more choir• Everybody connected/personal commitment

• Different people taking advantage of different giving opportunities• Staff received a 5% raise• A budget surplus of =$1,000• Know in community as generous (reputation)

• Church is booked 2 months ahead• 3rd service on Sunday• Easy web access• Mid- week bible study

Engaging Everyone

Envisioning Generosity

Expanding Faith and Worship in Daily Life



STraTEGIC DIrECTIOn CurrEnT rEaLITy 1st yEar aCCOMPLISHMEnTS SuCCESS InDICaTOrS

• Wednesday school• Bible 101• Adult forum & adult offerings• Sunday school• VBS • Confirmation• Summer musicals• Mission services

• Strategic planning• Family meals• Wednesday worship• Cribbage/family nights• Women on a Mission• 9:00am Sunday School• Trips/Youth & Adults

Empowering new Ideas

• Youth director• Increased opportunities for spiritual growth• Enhanced participation of children & youth in worship• Lay academy classes locally

• Explosion of small groups• Artist in residence• Local lay academy• Alternate worship forms• Other music groups• Service available on-line• Graphic design support• Maintain & grow membership• Interactive website

Expanding Faith and Worship in Daily Life

First congregational United church of christ Strategic Planning rePortFocused

Implementation|1st Year accomplishments continued...

Focus Question: What are the specific, measurable accomplishments for each Strategic Direction, January 2013- December 2013?

• Lay academy experience• 2 groups/people attend continuing education event & report to congregation• $5,000 set aside for graphic design• Website redesign plan finished• 2 new music worship groups (teen & adult)• Outreach program to university students established

See previous page

Engaging Everyone → → →

Envisioning Generosity → → →

Expanding Faith and Worship in Daily Life → → →

year’s accomplishments for 2013STraTEGIC DIrECTIOn Jan - MarCH aPrIL - JunE JuLy - SEPT OCT - nOV

one new intergenerational activity (Women on a Mission)

Different people involved on committees (Nominating Committee Council)

new bulletin board(Bill Herris)

Plan visual pieces of church life & costs involved (Communication Group/Ad Hoc)

two groups/people attend continuing ed. event & report to congregation (Comma Club & Vicky H.)

Website platform redesign plan finished(Publicity & Ad Hoc)

create movie preview for rF movie theater(Publ. Com./Graphic Art.)

Start work to form 5 new groups (Small group team)

create the visual pieces of church life & costs

take a leadership role/sponsor a new community project (Mission Ed)

Have mid-week evening bible study in place (Christian Ed)

one lay academy experience (Christian Ed.)

Hire a graphic artist (Personnel & Trustees)

two new music worship groups (adult & youth) (Music Committee)

a youth minister in place (Personnel, CE, Youth)

Work on organ completed (Music Committee)

Present visual pieces to membership

create a podcast of sermons (dependent on new website & finances & training)

outreach program to University students established (Chris & Christian Ed.)

one intergenerational project w/ artists (Christian Ed.? Or Mission Ed.?)

Hold follow-up discussion on sermon series (person/group ?)

Write a book on baptism for kids (Christian Ed)

(Year 2: lay academy survey completed & offer a lay academy experience – Stacy & already trained lay people)

Budget surplus of $1,000 (Discipleship & Trustees)

Raise for staff members (5%)

Increase % of people pledging

Small group fair w. information about committees, socials, worship opportunities(Council+All+?)

two events with community connection(Mission Committee)

Empowering new Ideas → → →


Prepared by facilitator: Connie Foster Prepared by facilitator: Connie Foster

Keeping the Plan on TrackStrategic planning bears the most fruit when seen as both a planning retreat or event and a continuous process in which the plan is regularly reviewed, evaluated and refined. The following Quarterly Evaluation flow will be crucial in keeping the UCC –River Falls plan “on track” for monitoring and evaluation purposes.

Quarterly Evaluation & Refinement Sessions:• 2 - 3 hour events to affirm accomplishments, acknowledge struggles, capture learnings, make adjustments, build anticipation, and establish commitment for the next quarter. • The face-to-face nature of this event is very important. Memos, emails, and other forms of communication do not allow for adequate team building and consensus building.• These Quarterly Evaluation events work best if everyone who is involved in the implementation attends. at minimum, those responsible for the accomplishments should attend quarterly evaluation and refinement sessions• Invisible benefits often include strengthening the organization’s learning process and allows for system-wide adjustment to unforeseen influences that must be taken into account.

annual Planning: The 4th Quarter evaluation is the time to do a new 12-month plan and requires approximately 4 hours. • Review the whole year• Develop plan for the next year• Celebrate celebrate celebrate!

Proposed Planning rhythm:Objectives: Assess accomplishments, plan for the next period; affirm and re-energize individuals and teams Product/Outcome: clear tasks and roles for the next period.

aPrIL 2013QuarTErLy Planning Event

2-3 hours

JunE 2013QuarTErLy Planning Event

2-3 hours

SEPTEMBEr 2013QuarTErLy Planning Event

2-3 hours

DECEMBEr 2013annuaL Planning Event

Half day

QuarTErLy Planning event agenda:• Review Vision, Obstacles, Strategic Directions• Evaluation of 90-Day Plans – accomplishments? What didn’t get done, blocks, learning, implications• Plan for the next 90 Days – Measurable accomplishments on quarterly timeline, 90 day action plan for each accomplishment

annuaL Planning event agenda• Review Vision, Obstacles, Strategic Directions• Evaluation of 90-Day Plans – accomplishments? What didn’t get done, blocks, learning, implications• Development of measurable accomplishments for next 12 months on quarterly calendar• Plan for next 90 Days (first quarter, new year)


page 14Prepared by facilitator: Connie Foster

connie Fosterconnie Foster Facilitation and consulting [email protected] office651-894-2747 cell

Facilitator:

Strategic Planning Steering Committee


Suzanne Hagenchris Myerslarry Bauer

Committee Members:

strategic planning reportfirstchurchrf.org/wp-content/uploads/first...e. authentic, inspiring...

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