Strategic Planning Model-



Strategic Planning Model

In order to formulate a Strategic Planning model for a church, we have followed the advanced strategic planning method offered by the Malphurs Group. The model is being applied on First Congregational Church located in Boulder, Colorado.

Ministry Analysis

Background

Boulder is the 11th most populated city of Colorado. It is also the county seat. According to US Census Bureau, 97385 people reside in this city. According to Pew Forum, the state of Colorado has approx 64% Christians and rest belongs to other religions including Jewish and Islam. Out of this 64% people, 44% are Protestant, 19% are Roman Catholic, and remaining 3 percent belong to either Latter Day Saint or Orthodox. First Congregational Church of Boulder is affiliated with United Church of Christ.

Like any other religion of the world, Christianity also inherited supporters whose interpretation of the holy biblical varies. There are three schools of thoughts or groups in this religion, Roman Catholic, Protestantism and the eastern Orthodox churches. Protestantism is relatively new group which got separated from the Roman Catholic during 16tth century. Except for few small groups, all school of thoughts belief in creed that is statement of faith. All major groups also believed in Holy Trinity which states that God comprises of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit.

The term, 'Congregationalism', refers to the movement arose in late 16th century in England. It engaged divine position among between Presbyterianism and Protestantism. It advocated the right of autonomy for all churches to run its day to day affairs without taking consent of higher authorities like Bishop. According to this, each distinct church is regarded as autonomous and independent.

United Church of Christ (Protestant) was formed in 1957 and its constitution was formulated in 1961. The constitution guaranteed the autonomy to all local churches in their day to day affairs. Both congregationalism and Presbyterianism are part of its governing body. The purpose of the UCC is to engage people from all kinds of communities in church affairs and removed any conflict between science and religions. Science was something which was not encouraged much in Roman Catholics. UCC motivates the members coming to the church to employ both heart and brain in daily issues and make an optimal decision. After coming into being, First congregational Church also associated itself with United Church of Christ.

About the church

First Congregational Church is one of oldest church of its kind in the Boulder. Initially it started in 1964 with only 14 members who gathered in Valmont Butte but subsequently they shifted to Boulder keeping in view better growth prospects of the church. Although it started in 1964, but the foundation stone of the building of church was laid down in 1866. The location of new church was strategically selected on the hillside to ensure that people can see its tower from far away. In front of the church lays the stone base on which original bell is placed. As the church prospered, need for more room in the ...