Involving the “Unusual Suspects” in your Planning Process

Often when I work with a congregation on planning, church leaders fill the planning task force with people from the congregation who do planning for a living–corporate leaders or consultants, for example.  It makes sense to let the “experts” put together the plan, right?

Well, I have a different point-of-view.  When planning for your congregation, invite the widest range of people possible, even those who you would never imagine would contribute much to the process.  I am now working on a very long-range vision (40 years) with one of my clients, and we have found that the diversity of the task force has made the process much more successful.  The group is very intergenerational, including everyone from a 6th grader to an 85-year-old, and everyone in between.  Having so many generations represented within the group has made the process rich, inclusive of many, diverse perspectives.

So when it’s time to put together your planning committee, consider what a 3rd grader might add to the process, or a teen from the confirmation class, or a young adult in college.  Look at the other end of the age spectrum as well.

I think sometimes it’s the “unusual suspects” who can have the most to offer:  a fresh perspective we don’t usually hear, new ideas, and a different view of what church ought to be.

*                   *                    *

Joy Skjegstad is the author of Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry. Learn more about her upcoming Webinar on June 9th 1PM Eastern: Discern, Participate, Act: Putting Planning in Motion.