St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wheaton, IL
Strategic Plan

Presented to Council for Approval
at the Oct. 16, 2006 Meeting

Vision

We at St. Paul Lutheran Church are a Christ-centered community that:

Draws people into lifelong spiritual growth, ministry, fellowship and service,
Provides an open, affirming and diverse environment,
Enables people to explore their faith with acceptance and understanding,
Encourages all people to apply their creativity and talents,

For the sake of the gospel of Christ.

I. Grow our worship community by at least 15% by the end of Dec, 2007.

A. Retain current members

a. Increase connections between members caring/cared for
b. Continue funding for Helping Hands Coordinator
c. Obtain data and deliver to council who is leaving congregation and why
d. Continue regular Coffee with Council to provide informal forum for suggestions and complaints.
e. Increase fellowship opportunities on Sundays Formalize small group ministry

B. Attract new members

a. Marketing Plan (See IV)
b. Increase enthusiasm for evangelism

1. Develop functioning Evangelizing committee/board

c. Establish new member integration plan for role within congregation

II. Increase percentage of participation in each education group by 15% by December, 2007.
(i.e. Sunday school, Roots, Connections, Adult ED)

A.   Finish and implement Sunday school/Youth plan
B.   Evaluate need, responsibilities and functionality of Youth Board and    recommend change or develop it
B.   Develop a small group for parents in SS age group
C.   Evaluate and recommend proposed changes to Adult Ed plan

III. Operational Organization - Process - Staff

                A. Chart - flowchart - Review and readout on existing organizational chart and job descriptions.
                B. Proposals to changes to A.
                      1. Create a streamlined communications process for St. Paul
                      2. Update all job descriptions
                      3. Update process/role of Ministry Boards
                      4. Includes Associate Pastor Decision

IV.   Communications / Image

        A.   Establish a “communication czar”
                - Efficient internal communication
                  - External communication
        B.   Formulate a plan to communicate the core value of discipleship.
        C.   “Marketing” (What We Have to Offer – and to Whom) Plan
                 - Review current Image
                   - In community - read out to council

V.   Determine Facility Needs

        A. Analyze Efficiency in Existing Facility
                   - Evaluate the proposed plan and finalize next steps.
                   - Needs to include Sunday morning needs
                   - Evaluate Sanctuary
                           - sound system
                           - wiring
                         - multimedia capability
                         - improving entire building aesthetics
                           - look at selling/replacing organ
                           - security of the building

VI.   Externally Focused Activities (Service)

        A. Evaluate our participation in service activities
                (Synod - Greater Chicago)
                   - Communicate the decision/direction (value) to the congregation

VII. Stewardship Plan

        A. Analyze & evaluate what it takes financially to sustain and grow
              St. Paul (5 yr.)
                   - Read out to council
                   - Evaluate investment choices
                   - Consider endowment
                   - Pastoral package calculation tutorial
        B. Stewardship
                   - Council needs to demonstrate leadership here
                   - Educate congregation on vision
                   - Witness why important
        C. Budget
                   - summarize revised budget process
                   - Review budget process