Planning the Next Church Year

Paul Nickerson
May 26
2 min read

Updated: Jun 4

As we come to the end of the Spring, many churches start to plan what the next church year will look like. Below are some guidelines to help in making this next year fruitful and difference-making.

Calendar showing October 2022 beside a blank spiral notebook and a pen on an orange and yellow background.

Review the Central Purpose of your church. If this is not clear, spend some time clarifying why you exist as a church and what you are trying to “produce”. Your Purpose becomes the litmus test for what you will do and not do in the year ahead.

Review some demographics of the community around your church. Who are we trying to reach? What needs will we address?

Imagine or dream what you would like your church to look like and be doing 12 months from now. What will be the hallmarks of your faith community?

Then carefully articulate the concrete steps that will lead to your 12-month dream. Develop a specific strategic plan with goals and measurables.

Lay these steps out on a 12-month calendar.

Then analyze your results:

Is the plan doable based on your staffing and congregational resources?
Are there some events/activities that you need to take a “sabbatical” from for at least a year, to have the time and energy to address the most important pieces of your Plan?
Can you have an “early success” in the first 90 days of the Plan that you can celebrate with the congregation and build momentum?
Are there items in your Plan that might have to wait for Year Two or Three? It is better to do a few things well, rather than many things poorly.
Will your Council or other Leadership group oversee the Plan for the year ahead to build in accountability?
Will you recruit a couple of members of your church to pray you through this Plan?

My hope for your church is that by June of 2026 you can look back and see how you have helped people grow in faith, used their God-given gifts and that your Church has made great impact.

If you would like more details on how to lead a vision/discernment process in your church, reach out to Paul Nickerson at Nickersonp@comcast.net or visit Nickersoncoaching.com.