Long Range Planning - Preparing for Generations to Come
For years, long range planning has had a significant role in directing and guiding our First EFC ministry. Prayerfully considered plans have allowed this church family to address potential threats to long term fruitfulness and still maintain healthy ongoing momentum.
The scope ("long range") of this current planning cycle is the next ten years, or through the year 2020.
Looking ahead allows us to define and prioritize major decisions. Some threats to long term ministry health cannot be addressed in a one year or even a three year planning window. For example, our current initiative to pursue relocation (to the Carver Road campus) was prayerfully considered and established eight years ago in 2001. Long range planning was helpful for building clarity, unity and momentum within our body for the direction God was giving. Movement toward the Carver Road campus started with prayer in a long range planning cycle. We trust that God will use the current process to reveal new opportunities for Kingdom impact as we think about the decade before us.
Simply put, our planning will seek to complete this statement …”based on prayerful consideration of the opportunities, needs and resources of this ministry, First Evangelical Free Church has determined that we should address the following major issues over the next ten years or longer as appropriate....”
We trust God will use the current process to help us articulate a set of priorities that God lays on our minds for the coming decade that will guide the use of talent, time, and resources. The plan is expected to contain no more than five to seven initiatives. This process may also help us discern if we should re-purpose or stop putting effort behind any current initiatives.
Under the direction of the Missional Leadership Board, Mark Chidister (Church Chairman) has facilitated a series meetings by a 19 member long range planning group. This group met from January through May (2009) for prayer and discussion. Between meetings, team members gave themselves to prayer, study, and consideration of many issues.
This fall our church leadership teams and staff have added to the work of the long range planning group. The effort of these combined groups has yielded a draft Vision 2020 proposal. This proposal was unveiled in the October 25th Congregational Meeting. Congregational dialogue was continued at the November 15th Congregational Meeting. A copy of the proposal can be downloaded from this site.
Our body is currently in a season of review and revision. With a positive reception of the proposal, a final presentation and member vote on the proposal could be scheduled for the church's Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 31st.
Feedback and suggestions from members and attenders are welcomed at any time. If you have a long range planning question, contact Mark Chidister or call the church office (232-2765). A member of the team will be glad to follow up with a contact.
Please join in praying for God’s direction and wisdom in the months ahead!