Strategic planning is the systematic examination and critical evaluation of parish or institutional structure, organization and activity. It is the bold and humble attempt for a parish to see itself as it really is, an achievement which when applied to creatures, as St. Isaac of Syria has said, is a miracle greater than raising the dead. It is the deliberate effort to be delivered from what St. Gregory of Nyssa called "the tyranny of tradition" which prevents peoples and institutions from doing God's will in the actual conditions and circumstances of their real life and work.

No phrase in church development is more misused, misunderstood or misapplied than "strategic planning". For many, the most common planning tool - the annual operating budget - serves as the strategic plan. For others, an internal business development plan is called a strategic plan. Still others use the term to describe a wish list or a task list drafted by a committee of the parish council or governing board.

Simply stated, strategic planning is exercising a choice for a preferred future. Strategic planning in the church environment is more challenging than in the for-profit environment. It is difficult to measure how well a parish or church institution is accomplishing its mission. How does one define "success" in the church? The bottom line is not customarily measured in quantity or dollars but in the quality of service rendered.

The goal of a strategic plan is to give credible specificity to the vision of a church institution. The vision of a church institution is the tangible expression of its mission in future terms.

Strategic planning is a deliberate process. It includes a number of steps and broad constituency involvement. Stewardship Advocates can manage a strategic planning process for your parish or institution. Professional counsel brings necessary objectivity. At the end of the process a clear plan of action emerges, critical community consensus is created, credibility is built, and dollar figures and resource requirements are attached to goals and objectives. These are then scheduled on a calendar. A blueprint for the organization is fully realized and embraced, and the parish moves forward with a clear purpose.

The strategic planning process often leads to a capital campaign. The reason for this is simple. At any given time, at least 95% of the operating budget of a parish or church institution is earmarked for necessary, legitimate, ongoing expenses. Therefore, 5% or less of an operating budget may be available to initiate change. To substantially advance a parish or church institution after a strategic planning process has identified the long-term goals and short-term objectives, very often new funds must be raised.