Holy Conversations: Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations

by Gil Rendle, Alice Mann

Planning can be challenging in the contemporary congregation, where people share a common faith and values but may have very different preferences and needs. Much of the literature on congregational planning presents it as a technical the leader serves as the chief problem solver, and the goal is finding “the solution to the problem.”

Popular Alban consultants and authors Gil Rendle and Alice Mann cast planning as a “holy conversation,” a congregational discernment process about three critical
Rendle and Mann equip congregational leaders with a broad and creative range of ideas, pathways, processes, and tools for planning. By choosing the resources that best suit their needs and context, congregations will shape their own strengthening, transforming, holy conversation. They will find a path that is faithful to their identity and their relationship with God.

Resource materials are available to purchasers of the book. E-mail resourcematerial@rowman.com for more information.

Genres: Leadership, Church, Reference, Theology, Nonfiction, Religion

316 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide to effective strategic planning for churches. Effectiveness flows from "having the right conversations" - and from the planning process being undertaken as a group spiritual practice.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real basic.

[Deb Deboer · Rating 5 out of 5]

helpful book

[Monika Schrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books that you wish you had in seminary, but is now a foundational part of your library. A great resource for lay and ordained leaders.

[Victoria Venmore-Rowland]

Got this at the suggestion of another. Found it useful in planning for PCCs, especially when they seem to separate out business and religion so neatly.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my Strategic Planning Committee - I didn't like it in the beginning, but then I ended up really liking it. It had a lot of useful and helpful information.

[Will Waller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book for Licensing School, it was initially read with fervor and excitement. “I’m a new pastor so I should learn how to plan with a new congregation! I’m ready because I’ve read this book!” As time continued, this book languished on my counter, because I wanted to devote time to it, to pluck its hearty lessons for me as a new pastor. Instead, what I plucked were other books up when it came time for my nightly reading ceremony. This book really is a helpful guide for leading planning sessions and is jam packed. It has ways to lead retreats and committee meetings on planning change. The book’s biggest attribute is the appendix which contains worksheets for the aforementioned planning sessions.

Sadly, I can’t give this book much of a star rating. Why? Because I don’t remember much of it. That’s why if asked I would give 2nd grade a similar grade. The law of improving feeling from diminished memory doesn’t apply here. This book suffers from the dust that I allowed to accumulate on its cover. Sorry authors!

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

very helpful--variety of tools for congregational planning.

[Roderick Wolfson]

Excellent book for congregations planning a strategic planning process.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guide to leading change in a church with an emphasis on relationships