If you’re a pastor, chances are you’ve been called upon to engage in strategic planning at some point or another. Perhaps your church is experiencing rapid growth and you need to start thinking about how best to accommodate all of the new members. Or maybe your congregation has been plateaued for years and you’re looking for ways to breath new life into the church. Whatever the case may be, strategic planning is a essential part of a pastor’s job.

But what does it take to engage in successful strategic planning? Who should you include in the process? And when is the right time to get started? Below, we’ll answer all of those questions and more so that you can hit the ground running the next time your church needs to engage in strategic planning.

Who Should You Include in the Process?

The answer to this question will vary depending on the size of your church. For smaller churches, it may be enough to involve just the pastors and a few key lay leaders. But for larger churches, you may want to consider involving everyone from the deacons to the Sunday School teachers. The key is to include as many people as possible without sacrificing efficiency.

When Is the Right Time to Get Started?

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to this question–it all depends on what’s going on in your church at any given moment. That said, it’s generally a good idea to start thinking about strategic planning well in advance of when you actually need to put any plans into action. That way, you’ll have time to really think through all of the different options and figure out what’s best for your church.

What Does It Take To Be Successful?

Strategic planning requires both left-brain and right-brain thinking. On the one hand, you need to be able to analyze data and make rational decisions based on that data. But on the other hand, you also need to be able to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions that will address the unique needs of your congregation. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s one that can be mastered with practice.

Strategic planning is an essential part of a pastor’s job description. But it can be difficult to know where to start, especially if you’ve never done it before. By following the tips above, you can set yourself up for success the next time your church needs to engage in strategic planning.