St. John the Forerunner Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church

Strategic Plan 2004 –2008

The Process

Strategic Planning Committee members identified

Existing plan reviewed for:

– Achieved objectives

– Objectives that should be revised (dates, responsible parties)

– Obsolete objectives to be removed

Goals, tactics and objectives developed for new/revised items

Plan presented to parish council for approval

Plan presented to parishioners

From Vision to Objectives

Objectives

Tactics

Goals

Strategies

Mission

Vision

Our Vision

Heaven on Earth

Our Mission

It is the will of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to join

Heaven and earth. In our worship, we praise the Most Holy

Trinity. In our disciplined lives, we follow in the footsteps

of the martyrs and all the saints made perfect. In our

fellowship, we seek to love one another as Christ loves us,

that all men may know we are His disciples. In our

evangelistic and other outreach work, we share the love of

the Most Holy Trinity with the people of Central Texas.

Through all these things, heaven and earth are united.

Holy Prophet and Forerunner John, our Patron and

Protector, pray for us.

Strategies, Goals, Tactics and

Objectives

Strategies produce goals, which have tactics, and one or more objectives

– Strategies are the direction we’re headed

– Goals are what we want to accomplish once we get there

– Tactics are the “how” of achieving the goal

– Objectives the “what”, and are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-limited

– Many goals, tactics and objectives have milestones

– Milestones help us to know when we’ve achieved the goal, tactic, or objective

Strategy: Our Worship

Strategy Goal Tactic Objective

1.0. In our worship, we praise

the Most Holy Trinity.

1.1. We offer on-going

celebrations of the divine services.

1.1.1. Opportunities for worship are

expanded 1.1.1.1. Latias are served on major saint's feast days

1.1.2. Worship space size is increased 1.1.2.1. Include plans for new temple in Master Site Plan

1.2. We foster full participation in

divine services by providing

education, resources and support.

Our goal is to enable all children,

youth, and adults to participate in

the services as fully as possible. 1.2.1. Worship resources are provided

1.2.1.1. Implement congregational texts for the Divine

Liturgy, Orthros, and Vespers.

1.2.2. Transportation to the Divine Liturgy

and other services is provided on a

regular schedule

1.2.2.1. Implement a church van for transportation to Divine

Liturgies and festal services

1.2.3. Educational opportunities to

enhance learning about the divine

services are implemented

1.2.3.1. Develop and present annual instructional services,

i.e., the Divine Liturgy, Vespers and Orthros.

1.3. We enhance the quality of

divine services by identifying

talented people and helping them to

use their gifts.

1.3.1. Those with vocations to holy orders

or those who have gifts for chanting or

music are identified and their gifts

developed

1.3.1.1. Foster individual development plans for potential

deacons and subdeacons, and report these plans to the

parish council twice annually.

1.3.1.2. Sponsor an annual chanting weekend workshop

that is mandatory continuing education for chanters.

1.3.1.3. Sponsor an annual choir weekend workshop that is

mandatory continuing education for choir members.

1.3.1.4. Develop a children's choir to sing at designated

services

Strategy: Our Disciplined Lives

Strategy Goal Tactic Objective

2.0. In our disciplined lives,

we follow in the steps of the

martyrs and all the saints

made perfect (Jn 17:20-25).

2.1. We embrace the fundamental

disciplines of Orthopraxis.

2.1.1. The discipline of prayer is taught

and encouraged in homilies, in Church

School, and in the newsletter. 2.1.1.1. Develop and make available a basic rule of prayer

2.1.1.2. Provide a printed version of the rule to be available

in the narthex.

2.2. We offer a comprehensive

educational program for all ages.

2.2.1. Age-appropriate educational

opportunities are offered 2.2.1.1. Expand church school to semester length

2.2.1.2. Offer one full week of Summer Vacation Church

School.

2.2.1.3. Foster participation in Parish Life Conferences

(e.g., Creative Arts and Oratorical Festivals)

2.2.1.4. Conduct semiannual gender-specific retreats for

spiritual growth

2.2.1.5. Provide scholarships to young adults (high school

juniors/seniors) for the purpose of missions, monastery

visits, and other Orthodox educational opportunities

2.2.1.6. Conduct classes on Orthodox traditions, e.g.,

prosphora-baking, Paschal eggs, making koliva.

2.2.1.7. Mentor young adults in the administrative life of the

parish, e.g., parish council activities

2.2.1.8. Implement St. John chapter of Teen SOYO

Strategy: Our Disciplined Lives (cont.)

Strategy Goal Tactic Objective

2.3. We support a lending library

so that materials are available for

inquirers and parishioners.

2.3.1. The parish supports lending library

activities

2.3.1.1. Develop a library improvement plan that includes

development through donations of funds and books, and a

budget.

2.3.1.2. Present the improvement plan and budget for

activities to the parish council.

2.4. We are good stewards of what

God has given us

2.4.1. The parish has an organized and

focused approach to financial

responsibilities and growth

2.4.1.1. Create and implement a financial strategy to move

current mortgage to a commercial financial institution

2.4.1.2. Plan and conduct capital campaign to implement

master site plan

2.4.2. A new temple is built, to His glory 2.4.2.1. Engage architect for building plans

2.4.2.2. Construct new temple and implement other elements

of master site plan

2.4.3. The Strategic Plan remains aligned

with our vision and mission 2.4.3.1. Review and revise the Strategic Plan annually

2.5. We furnish support to those

new in the faith

2.5.1. Godparents and sponsors know

their role and responsibilities to those new

in the faith. 2.5.1.1. Develop program for godparents and sponsors.

2.5.1.2. Offer program three weeks before any baptism or

chrismation.

2.5.2. We ensure the newly baptized and

chrismated souls have an Orthodox starter

set, to facilitate their prayer life.

2.5.2.1. Finalize package contents for adults and children

(age-appropriate, e.g., prayer rope, incense, censer,

charcoal, icon, subscription to Again or Word magazine,

Orthodox Bible).

2.5.3. We develop a First Year Program

to monitor progress and develop of newly

baptized and chrismated through their first

calendar year in parish. 2.5.3.1. Develop First Year Program.

Strategy: Our Fellowship

Strategy Goal Tactic Objective

3.0. In our fellowship, we

seek to love one another as

Christ loves us, that all men

may know that we are His

disciples (Jn 13:34-35).

3.1. We encourage fellowship

through a number of activities.

3.1.1. We celebrate our lives in the Most

Holy Trinity together.

3.1.1.1. Implement changes to coffee hour to minimize

parishioners' efforts and maximize time spent in Sunday

worship

3.1.1.2. Create opportunities for fundraising through

sponsored parish meals

3.1.1.3. Develop fellowship opportunities using the "Soup

and Saints" model, to encourage education and fellowship

3.1.1.4. Encourage fellowship and build up our community

through four dances and communal meals each year

(Theophany, Pascha, St. John, St Raphael).

3.1.1.5. Move our patronal feast day to June 24th (pending

blessing of Bishop).

3.1.1.6. Sponsor quarterly receptions for catechumens and

inquirers.

3.2. We build our community

through activities for specific

groups of parishioners

3.2.1. We support an active Women’s

group.

3.2.1.1. Develop a five-year plan and submit to the parish

council.

3.2.2. We implement a men's service

group. 3.2.2.1. Develop men’s service group.

3.2.3. We foster an active youth group.

3.2.3.1. Discuss plan for future youth group with the parents

of current youth and children who will one day be of an age

to participate in the youth group.

3.2.3.2. Develop a five-year plan and submit to the parish

council.

Strategy: Evangelistic & Other Outreach Strategy Goal Tactic Objective

4.0. In our evangelistic and

other outreach work, we

share the love of the Most

Holy Trinity with the people of

Central Texas.

4.1. We provide evangelistic

opportunities for Central Texas.

4.1.1. Evangelistic outreach events are

regularly offered to the community

4.1.1.1. Conduct at least one monthly outreach event

(through services in alternate locations, book tables,

speaking to various clubs and organizations, choir events,

the Center for the Study of Ancient Christianity, invitational

Suns, etc).

4.1.1.2. Develop the Center for the Study of Ancient

Christianity as an educational and outreach center

4.1.1.3. Form an Events Subcommittee of the Outreach

Committee, to plan and deploy semiannual community

events featuring nationally known Orthodox

speakers/musicians/monastics

4.1.1.4. Advertise "Soup and Saints" to the community

4.1.1.5. Consider sponsoring local broadcast of "Come

Receive the Light"

4.1.2. Our parishioners are equipped to

share their faith 4.1.2.1. Offer classes on sharing our faith; do's and don'ts

4.2. We maintain a vital Internet

presence

4.2.1. The parish web site is evolved with

evangelistic and other outreach goals

4.2.1.1. Develop a web site enhancement project plan that

includes, at a minimum, the following features and budget:

audio and video components; specific elements for seekers

and children; education; and a members-only section to

access phone lists, meeti

4.3. We improve parish

communication through more

efficient use of technology

4.3.1. Meet increasing information needs

through enhanced technology and

administrative tools

4.3.1.1. Form an information needs assessment team, to

assess and recommend enhanced technology and

administrative software. This group will:

4.3.1.1.(a). Survey parishioners to determine information

needs

4.3.1.1.(b). Assess current hardware configuration and

determine budget for enhancements

4.3.1.1.(c). Implement a web-based parish management

software system

Strategy: Evangelistic & Other Outreach

(cont.) Strategy Goal Tactic Objective

4.4. We welcome visitors and

inquirers in a planned and

organized way

4.4.1. Printed materials and opportunities

for interaction with visitors and inquirers

are improved. 4.4.1.1. Deploy a visitor’s informational packet.

4.4.1.2. Implement educational opportunities for early

inquirers

4.4.1.3. Create automated tracking and outreach solutions

to improve visitor/inquirer contacts

4.5. We support Christ the

Lightgiver Bookstore.

4.5.1. The parish supports bookstore

activities

4.5.1.1 Provide a detailed plan and schedule for bookstore

development and promotion

4.5.1.2 Present the bookstore advertising budget

4.6. We remove administrative

support duties from the priest,

parishioners, and bookstore

manager

4.6.1. Administrative support duties of the

parish are reassigned

4.6.1.1. Determine labor hours required for administrative

duties currently performed by priest, bookstore manager,

parishioners

4.6.1.2. Assess charisms of parishioners who may want to

volunteer their time and talent

4.6.1.3. Hire administrative support, either temporary

contract or permanent

4.7. We give back to the

community

4.7.1. Our parish is a good corporate

citizen

4.7.1.1. Conduct a community needs assessment with

Cedar Park officials and organizations

4.7.1.2. Determine parish contribution to the community

4.7.1.3. Implement program or activity

4.7.1.4. Evaluate community satisfaction with the parish's

contribution

4.7.1.5. Consider expanding parish services outside of

Cedar Park

Monitoring Our Progress

Worship

Number of Litias

Discipline

Percent of members attending

educational classes (by age

group)

Fellowship

Women’s group Strategic Plan

submitted

Evangelistic and Other

Outreach

Percent of months with

outreach activity

Next Steps

Present plan to the parish

Implement

Monitor

Evaluate monthly

Revise annually

Strategic Plan 2004-2008

Questions?