Planning is the process by which you anticipate future actions that will produce a

desired result. In the planning process you can prepare for potential problems

and possible solutions. You can also determine your needs in advance based on

the measure of how your plan progresses.

Proverbs 16:9 NIV - In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his

steps.

By having a plan you give the Lord something significant to interact with you.

"The dream comes first. Reality chases after the dream, to make it happen.

To create a future, the dream must become a plan, as the dreamer becomes

a planner." - Fredric Hudson

Listed below is an outline for the common elements of a two year plan. Some or

all of these elements should be in your plan based on your specific situation.

By identifying the elements that are most useful for you and answering the

questions in that section you should have at least a basic outline that will allow

you to complete a simple two year plan.

• What is your dream or desired out come for the church God has called you to plant?
• Is your vision statement inspiring to you?
• Have you stated the vision in a way that others can understand it?
• Do you understand it well enough to help others buy in?

• How will you accomplish your vision?

• What will be the values of your church?
• Will you simply adopt someone else's?
• Will you write your own?
• Will you decide in community with your planting team?

• What is the population of the area you planting in?
• What are the major employers?
• What is the growth rate?
• What % of the population is in your target group?
• What is the avg. income in your area?
• What are the %'s of ethnic mix in your area?

• How will you gather the first few people to you to start the church?
• What will you be gathering others to? (Home groups, information meetings, events or other activities)
• As you gather what types of events will you have to help people connect?
• How often will you have events for others?
• How will people know you are there?
• How will they know what you are about?
• What do you want the church to be known for?
• How will you become known for that?
• How will your personality and giftings help you or hurt you in gathering?
• How will you overcome your weakness in gathering?
• What % of the people you gather will be children vs. adults?

• How will you share your Vision, Values and Purpose with others?
• Can you teach others what they need to do to help the church fulfill it's Vision?
• What classes will you use to enfold and assimilate others?
• Do you have a new believers training now? (Example: Alpha Classes)
• Do you have a Vineyard 101 type class prepared now?

• Describe what your primary focus will be for each 6 month segment of your first two years and what you expect the desired results to be? (Results should be expressed in quantity and quality)
• I.e. 1^st 6 months - Gathering and Partying
• I.e. 2^nd 6 months - Gathering and Training
• I.e. 3^rd 6 months - Gathering and ???
• I.e. 4^th 6 months - Gathering and ???

• If your desired results are realized at each six month segment, what equipment, resources, and positions will you need?
• What will the cost of these needs be?

9. Finances.

• What software or other materials will you use for the church accounting. [i.e. MS Money, Quicken, Membership Plus, Quick Books Pro, Servant Keeper]
• Who will do the accounting?
• How will you build in accountability for you and others handling the money?
• What will your budget be for the first 12 months?
• What will your budget be for the next l2months?
• Who will make the decisions on spending?

9. Corporate issues.

• When will you apply for your state non profit status?
• When will you get your EIN # from the IRS
• When will you apply for your 501c3
• You need to apply for both "non-profit" and "tax exempt" status, so that you do not pay property tax.
• Have you written your by laws or adopted them from someone else?

• What are the potential problems you might encounter in each of the areas listed above and what will some possible solutions be for those problems?

• What areas as a pastor will I need to grow and seek help and input?
• Who will I look to for coaching and mentoring in these areas?
• Who can help me grow spiritually, and professionally?

• Do I know what burn out looks like for me?
• Do I know how to get out of it when I see it coming?
• How often will you take a break with your family to "get away"? [i.e.Three days every Quarter?]
• When you have time what does your family do for fun that you all like doing together.
• If money is an issue what kinds of things can you do with little or no cost?

S. - Specific: define what is to be accomplished

M. - Measurable: develop objective criteria for defining progress and accomplishment

A. - Action-oriented: describe the activities to be done to achieve the goal

R. - Realistic: making sure the goal can be accomplished according to one's resources and capacities

T. - Timely: developing appropriate time-frame for accomplishing the goal

In conclusion, your two year plan should be simple enough to be a tool. Complete

enough for you to refer back to it and see if you have forgotten something that may need to be completed.

Spend more time planning in the areas of your weakness and less

time planning were you are strong. "Its about growing you, not growing the church" - Rick McDaniels.