Many businesses – profit and non-profit (namely churches) are doing the “title”. And most are wishing it is the first – growing. This is the cycle of “business”.
To stay relevant, it is incumbent upon leaders and decision-makers to always revisit the core values, mission, vision and purpose (MVP) of the organization. When was the last time you did an inventory of your beliefs to ensure that all the various units, auxiliaries and missions are aligned with “the reason the organization” was formed? Are you hiring with intent? Or hiring to fill your reqs before Finance closes out the positions because it has been opened for too long? Are your various ministries being headed by the properly “gifted” individual?
In my time away from corporate America and working at GiG Foundation, three years and counting, I have been blessed to research Church Growth and Development. I am presently working with a church on a project to become purposeful in why they exist. The task is daunting, the 20% are burned out and money is being wasted. In order to get the church on the growth path away from the plateau or the dive of death, one has to be intentional.
From research and observation and years in the business world, there are key steps to ensure steady growth. It all builds upon the Core Values of the church. Upon the Core Values, the Mission, Vision and Purpose (MVP) lie. Following the research and development of the MVP, an environmental analysis has to be performed to know who you are serving and how you will serve. In order to serve at a peak level, a strength, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis has to be done for all resources within the organization. You have to operate in your core competence – your Core Values and the MVP ensures that you know what your core competence is. Attempting to perform a job that is not your core competence is costly. Thereafter the SWOT analysis, the following activities: Assumptions, Objectives, Strategy, Operational Plans and Evaluation needs to be created along with the deliverables for each . Each activity has to be completed with an output, which opens the gate as an input for the next activity.
Growth is hard work – “growing pains” entail focus, digging deep and depending upon the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Growing, Plateauing or Dying?
Research: R. Henry Migliore’s Strategic Planning for Ministry and Church Growth and Aubrey Malphurs’ Advanced Strategic Planning – A New Model for Church and Ministry Leaders 2nd Edition
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