1. Advanced Strategic Planning by Aubrey Malphurs

2. 1. Strategic planning address three organizational questions: Who are we? Where are we going? How will we get there?  Defining Strategic Planning- The envisioning process that a point leader uses with a team of leaders on a regular basis to think and act so as to design and redesign a specific ministry model that accomplishes the Great Commission in their unique ministry context.

3. 1. A process - Ongoing 2. An envisioning process – Envision first, work Backward 3. Requires a strategic point leader – Someone must take charge, must navigate the ship. Someone must take responsibility to see implementation is done. 4. A team of leaders on a regular basis 5. Unique Great Commission Focused Ministry Model. (No Franchise, No McChurch)

4.  Ans: To discover what God wants us to “be” and “do” as a church.  John 15:4-8 (ESV) 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

5.  Consider an adventure without a map or one with an outdate map from the 1940s or 60s. He’s lost, what do you tell him?  Some say he needs to work harder. The same advice they give Leadership in the church.  We need an updated map!

6.  We are here to ask fundamental questions:  What does the Bible say about why we are here? Who are we?  What drives us?  What are we supposed to be doing?  What does it look like?  How will we accomplish what we are supposed to be doing?

7.  Strategic planning is about obeying Christ’s commands for the church. The major, overarching command is the Great Commission found in several passages, including Matthew 28:19-20, where in some last words, Christ said, “Make disciples.” the purpose of the church is to glorify Christ ( 1Cor. 10:31), and it accomplishes this through the Great Commission.  Thus a serious issue in planning must be, “How is the church accomplishing Christ’s commission?”