Holy Conversations: Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for CongregationsPlanning can be challenging in the contemporary congregation, where people share a common faith and values but may have very different preferences and needs. Much of the literature on congregational planning presents it as a technical process: the leader serves as the chief problem solver, and the goal is finding “the solution to the problem.” Popular Alban consultants and authors Gil Rendle and Alice Mann cast planning as a “holy conversation,” a congregational discernment process about three critical questions:
Rendle and Mann equip congregational leaders with a broad and creative range of ideas, pathways, processes, and tools for planning. By choosing the resources that best suit their needs and context, congregations will shape their own strengthening, transforming, holy conversation. They will find a path that is faithful to their identity and their relationship with God. Resource materials are available to purchasers of the book. E-mail resources@rowman.com for more information. |
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Contents
| 1 | |
| 3 | |
Questions to Ask Before Planning | 17 |
The Full Planning Process | 35 |
Taking the Process Apart | 45 |
Phase One Getting Ready | 47 |
Phase Two Collecting Data | 71 |
Phase Three Shaping the Future | 83 |
Reading the Congregations Culture | 113 |
Reading the Community Context | 127 |
Spiritual Discernment and Planning | 139 |
Key Roles in the Planning Process | 153 |
Involving the Congregation | 163 |
What Planning Looks Like in Practice | 179 |
Planning in Congregations of Different Sizes | 181 |
Common Driving Issues | 189 |
Issues in Strategic Planning | 91 |
Energy to Plan | 93 |
Where Does Vision Come From? | 103 |
Annual Planning Retreats | 197 |
Resources | 205 |
Other editions - View all
Holy Conversations: Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations Gilbert R. Rendle,Alice Mann No preview available - 2003 |
Common terms and phrases
Abilene Paradox Alban Institute appropriate assumptions attention begin Bethesda biblical story called Carl Dudley centering prayer chapter church clergy congre congregation’s culture context decision demographic denominational develop developmental planning discernment discussion energy example exploration faith community feel focus formation questions frame-bending planning future gap theory gathering gation goals God’s governing board gregation Here’s holy conversation hymn identify identity important individual invite issues leaders leadership Lectio Divina listening live located look meeting Ministry Area mission statement move ning offer one’s organizational Pareto Principle participants pastor path people’s percent person planning committee planning conversation planning process planning team practice prayer problem psychographic religious response retreat role sense shared spiritual staff steps strategic planning structured conversation SWOT analysis talk task things tion tradition value system vision voice Walter Wink wider William McKinney worship
Bibliographic information
| Title | Holy Conversations: Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations |
| Authors | Gil Rendle, Alice Mann |
| Publisher | Rowman & Littlefield, 2003 |
| ISBN | 1566995469, 9781566995467 |
| Length | 289 pages |
| Subjects | › › Religion / Christian Church / Administration |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |