Holy Conversations: Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations (Book)
Gilbert R. Rendle, Alice Mann, Authors.  Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2003.

Gil Rendle and Alice Mann define strategic planning as "a structured conversation about what a group of people believe God calls them to be or do." This book, loaded with planning tools, insists that it is not the tools—but the conversations evoked by the tools—that most benefit a congregation.

Rendle and Mann lay out a three-phase strategic planning process. Phase 1, "getting ready," includes enabling the board and congregation to recognize the value of the planning process, the selection of planning team members, and focusing the planning team’s task. Phase 2 discusses data collection (within and outside the congregation) and explains how to make sense of the data collected. Phase 3, "shaping the future," describes mission and vision statements as well as the objectives, goals, and recommendations of the planning process.

Each phase of the planning process is thoroughly described and planning tools are introduced. More is provided in this book than most congregations need; the authors suggest tailoring the process to the needs of the congregation and keeping it simple. They remind the reader that it is the conversation that comes as the process is followed that is of value to the congregation.

This will be especially useful to clergy and lay leaders in congregations that are ready to ask the questions: "Who are we?" and "What has God called us to do or be?"

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