EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Our mission at Peace Lutheran Church is to be a community of faith, vision, witness, service and prayer, accepting the grace of God in Jesus Christ.  In turn, our overriding purpose is to make disciples of Jesus Christ by sharing the gospel with others.  As we journey together a clear direction and plan are needed.  The purpose of this report is to provide the congregation guidance in preparing for the future by recommending programs and initiatives for the next five years (2004-2008). 

A series of steps were taken to assess the current status of PLC programs.  A strategic planning survey instrument was constructed covering issues such as church participation, program preferences, concerns, life satisfactions, background information, and congregation programs.  The written survey was completed by 306 individuals at the two worship services on Sunday, September 28, 2003.  Using the results of the written survey, questions were developed for three focus group meetings held on October 26, 2003.  Additional data were provided through a recent demographic analysis of Bryan/College Station [Population and Survey Analysts, College Station, TX].  Another database used by the Strategic Planning Committee was the ELCA Congregation Trend Report for Peace Lutheran Church, which contained substantial statistical information about our congregation for the years 1995-2002.  The Strategic Planning Committee reviewed all results of the congregational survey, the focus group meetings and the demographic and statistical data to determine what members of PLC valued most.  From the values, specific goals and some preliminary strategies were derived.  This forms the basis of the strategic plan proposed.

The Strategic Planning Committee offers the following goals for 2004-2008:

Value 1 A deep sense of mission and evangelism that compels us to be concerned for those outside our congregation

§         Maintain our current commitment and possibly increase our support of Campus Ministry

§         Establish new Lutheran missions

§         Continue to support individuals interested in pursuing careers in the ministry

§         Develop a focused response to a social concern

§         Increase efforts in evangelism

Value 2 Vital worship, Bible study and prayer, especially as it pertains to our Lutheran identity

§         Expand adult Bible study

§         Consider alternate worship service days, times and styles, including the addition of a third worship service

§         Enhance our prayer ministry

Value 3 The youth of our congregation and those responsible for the nurture and spiritual development of our young people

§         Prepare parents to be faith examples and teachers

§         Increase youth interaction with non-parent adults

§         Provide increased training for adult volunteers

§         Increase and improve availability of educational materials

§         Involve high school age youth in stewardship and service

§         Identify and train non-parent adults for high school ministry

§         Develop a strategy to care for families

Value 4 Growth, particularly in regard to strengthening the inner faith of our individual members, realizing that through positive inner growth, expansion of our ministry and programs and physical facilities becomes possible

§         Pursue co-ministry options with Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church

§         Establish an effective method of evaluating individual faith life

§         Achieve goals for existing membership regarding, worship attendance, financial giving, and participation and involvement

§         Increase the extent of contact with members and stay in touch more frequently and effectively

§         Develop a plan for growth of the Sunday School program

Value 5 Creative and innovative leadership, demonstrating sound management, directed at communicating with our members.  Through enhanced communication information is shared and relationships are developed

§         Consider possible reorganization of PLC Council and committees and redefinition of staff responsibilities

§         Evaluate the need to add staffing to PLC

§         Enhance use of volunteers

§         Improve communication

§         Strengthen PLC financial stature

§         Implement a continuous strategic planning process

Value 6 Active involvement of our members in our ministry to allow for effective discipleship and meeting the needs of others

§         Develop and implement follow up phase of new member program

§         Develop small group ministry program

§         Address the growth of active retirees in community

It is highly recommended that strategic planning be continued on an annual basis.  Beginning in 2005, several members of the Strategic Planning Committee (along with newly appointed members) should be reconvened to review progress and to assess accomplishments.  At that point, the plan should be modified, accordingly, rather than waiting an additional five years.  This will meet the aims of the original charge to the committee and allow a continuous process for planning.