Strategic planning

Brett Warren Self

The purpose of this project in ministry was to develop an assimilation strategy for Stone Ridge Baptist Church, Alexander City, Alabama. The project director conducted an internal assessment of the congregation of Stone Ridge Baptist Church including new members, regular attenders, and guests and identified assimilation deficiencies among the congregation of Stone Ridge Baptist Church. The project director researched three churches that possess effective assimilation strategies to identify best practices of assimilation. The project director recruited a strategy planning team, which consisted of seven members that assisted him in the development of an assimilation strategy using the assimilation deficiencies discovered and the best practices of assimilation identified. He presented the completed assimilation strategy to the leadership team of Stone Ridge Baptist Church for approval. The project director sought to increase his knowledge in assimilation and his skill in strategy development.

James Allen Ross

The purpose of this project was to develop a strategy of intergenerational discipleship for Church on Bayshore, Niceville, Florida. The primary goals for this project were to explore existing models of intergenerational discipleship, assess Church on Bayshore’s potential receptivity to intergenerational discipleship methods, lead a team to develop a strategy of intergenerational discipleship for Church on Bayshore, and present the strategy for approval. To accomplish the goals of this project, the project director utilized various methods to measure achievement. This included evaluations, tests, expert evaluators, and designated groups within the church. The strategy was developed and approved for implementation. The implementation of the strategy is beyond the scope of this project.

Chad Aaron Ramsey

The purpose of this project was to develop a multigenerational mission engagement strategy for First Baptist Church, Smithville, Tennessee. The project director used the strategy model to fulfill the purpose of this project. The project director conducted an internal audit on selected small groups at First Baptist Church, Smithville, Tennessee, to evaluate their level of mission engagement. The project director created an annotated bibliography of current mission resources. Upon completing the annotated bibliography, the project director compiled a report of best practices based on the annotated bibliography and interviews of mission leaders in local churches, the state convention, and the denomination. The project director recruited and led a strategy team through a series of mission trainings and strategy sessions to create a multigenerational mission engagement strategy. Finally, the project director presented the finished multigenerational mission engagement strategy to the mission team at First Baptist Church, Smithville, Tennessee, for approval and implementation.

Robert Alan Pinkston

Quebec has over 508,000 college and university students, of whom over ninety-nine percent do not know Jesus Christ as their savior. There are several good collegiate ministries operating in Quebec; however, all their numbers combined show only a 0.2 percent engagement of the university student population. To reach collegiate students for Christ in Quebec, there must be a concerted effort by the local church to engage college students with the Gospel. The project in ministry was to develop a strategy for the local church to use the University Impact House model to evangelize and disciple college students in Quebec.

The Impact House is a rented house or apartment in proximity to a university campus. It houses Christian students who live on mission for God to impact their fellow students with the Gospel. The Impact House typically serves a free weekly meal to attract and connect with lost students. The Impact House also has weekly Bible studies, worship nights and prayer meetings for those that have responded and need to be discipled. The Impact House model, in existence since 2009 in Quebec, has proved effective in connecting with unchurched college students. The project in ministry adapted the strategy to implement in the local church context.

Wes Anthony Hinote

The purpose of this project was to develop a strategy for implementing covenant membership at Old River Baptist Church, Old River-Winfree, Texas. The project director identified the dominant understanding of Old River Baptist Church members to determine the current membership profile. The project director researched existing models and methods of churches utilizing covenant membership to understand best practices of implementation. To construct an applicable strategy, the project director explored the local demographics to determine the area profile. The project director developed a covenant membership implementation strategy for Old River Baptist Church in Old River-Winfree, Texas, with the community demographic in mind. Finally, the project director presented the covenant membership implementation strategy to a group of selected leaders of Old River Baptist Church for approval.

Jeffrey M. Luchun

The purpose of this project in ministry report was to develop a strategic plan for St. Andrew's United Methodist Church (SAUMC) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to reach millennials in their surroundings community through the implementation of these methodologies and the developed strategic plan. During the past decade, at SAUMC, the need to reach the next generation has reached a critical point. The community around the church holds multiple mosaic identities which identifies which were utilized in developing the strategy to reach this narrowed demographic. Current literature on the topic and strategic planning assist in identifying key methodologies St. Andrew's can implement. The millennial generation desires a church that reflects ancient aspects while blending contemporary distinctiveness. This change in ministry thinking, style, and context provides the church with the perfect opportunity to evolve. This project identifies strategies utilized by churches that are successfully reaching the largest and most unchurched population in the United States. These strategies inform the future planning of SAUMC as it seeks to reach millennials in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Thomas Allen Dawson

The purpose of this project is to develop a senior adult ministry revitalization strategy for First Baptist Church O'Fallon, (FBCO) in O'Fallon, Illinois, using the strategy planning model. Project development began by appointing a Senior Adult Ministry Strategy Team (SAMST) of twelve seniors from FBCO. The process of strategy development employed multiple steps using the SAMST. The project's first step explored senior adult demographic data of the church and the surrounding community.

The findings from the demographic studies, extensive research of current literature, and exploration of best practices in selected churches, the planning team helped the director evaluate the overall health and effectiveness of FBCO's present ministry to senior adults. Using the findings of this evaluation the director, along with the SAMST, formulated a three-year strategic plan for ministry with older adults at FBCO. Finally, the director presented the plan to FBCO's senior pastor and associate pastor for their feedback and approval.

MIchael David Blue

The purpose of this project was to develop a strategy for engaging people in ministries at Woodland Park Baptist Church, Hammond, Louisiana. The project's director researched various engagement strategies and surveyed the church laypeople to determine their value for ministry engagements. Next, the director created a ministry engagement team to develop the best strategy for the church with the obtained research. The ministry leadership team submitted the completed strategy to the church leadership team and obtained their approval. The desired result was to have a clear strategy the church could use to improve church ministry engagement for the current congregation, as well as to create a pathway for ministry involvement of future members.

David Brady Beigle

The project director sought to solve what was a crucial issue for Blue Creek Baptist Church in Perry, Florida, by utilizing the strategy planning model. The leadership structure at Blue Creek Baptist Church was distorted, undefined, and unbiblical. Therefore, Blue Creek Baptist Church found itself at a pivotal moment. Will the church adopt a new leadership structure that works for Blue Creek Baptist Church both now and in the future, or will the church refuse to adopt a new leadership structure and continue in a state of apathy and mediocrity? The purpose of this project was to develop a leadership organizational strategy for Blue Creek Baptist Church, Perry, Florida, by completing research, conducting interviews, and enlisting input from key individuals in the area of leadership structures. The project director believed that implementing this strategy would help Blue Creek Baptist Church establish a new and more effective leadership structure that would serve Blue Creek Baptist Church for years to come. As a result, a new leadership team structure was developed and presented to Blue Creek Baptist Church by the project director and the strategy planning team, but the implementation of the new leadership structure was beyond the scope of this project.

Randy Allen Harp D.Min.

The Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI) was birthed in 1950 and rapidly grew to become the country's largest network of independent Baptists. Beginning shortly after the deaths of many of its key founders, the BBFI has been in a state of decline for decades. This project presents a strategic plan for the future effectiveness of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International.

Chapter 1 introduces the thesis and explains the methodology. The methodology includes research, interviews, surveys, a comparative study of a like organization, and work with a strategic planning task force. This chapter also addresses some theological issues and the practical application of the project for the BBFI. Finally, it highlights the goals of the project.

Chapter 2 explains the process of implementation. A generational study of the BBFI, along with key events and key leaders, is documented. The purpose, design, and participation of the survey and interviews are explained. The General Conference of Swedish Baptists, now known as Converge, is examined. The formation and execution of the BBFI Strategic Planning Task Force are outlined.

Chapter 3 provides an assessment of the entire project. The survey distributed for this project is directly compared to surveys distributed in the early 1990s by BBFI leaders. Insights are summarized from interviewing elected leaders and an outside expert on the BBFI, Elmer Towns. This chapter also assesses the stated goals of the project, specifically the strategic plan presented to BBFI leaders.

Chapter 4 summarizes the conclusions of the project. It evaluates the project's purpose and goals. It shares the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of the project. It reflects on theological insights gained and shows how the project can be applied to the BBFI. This chapter also includes some personal reflections and concludes with recommendations for further research.