This is a committee that reports up to Council so it could be accessible only from the Council page.
At Our Savior Lutheran Church (OSLC) we hold to the belief that “God’s work done God’s way will receive God’s supply”. We also recognize that as God’s servants, we have a responsibility to produce, in God’s eyes, a desirable outcome in His service, even while we can’t yet know future events or fully control their impacts. Instead, we must plan to be flexible in our search for ways to best fulfill our Christian mission on this earth.
In OSLC’s long range planning, we follow a formal planning process and annually update the plan. The process involves:
1. Fully understanding OSLC statistics (membership, attendance, giving, etc.) over time, with trends identified
2. Listing our perceived OSLC Strengths
3. Listing our perceived OSLC weaknesses
4. Listing OSLC Opportunities
5. Listing OSLC Risks and, in each case, ways to mitigate these risks
6. With consideration of the above, drafting an OSLC “Vision Statement”. Currently, our Vision Statement reads: “To be a congregation of friendly members who set an example for this community in the witnessing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ”
7. From the Vision Statement, developing a “Mission Statement”. Currently, our Mission Statement reads: “To be a joyous Christian fellowship gathered around word and sacrament where all people may find acceptance, grow in Christ and participate in all the ways we are able – to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ so others may come to know him and his salvation”.
8. With consideration of the above, developing individual goals under the following goal sets:
a. External Stewardship/Outreach (beyond the South Lincoln County Community)
b. Local Stewardship/Outreach (OSLC and Lincoln County Community)
c. Stewardship of Physical Assets
d. Growth Planning and Accommodation
9. Each goal is assigned to a specifically identified/appropriate person and a completion date/schedule is developed and monitored.
Implementation of goals is then graphically presented in a form that considers alternative responses to potential future events. The resulting “either this or that” response to anticipated future decision points becomes a key long range planning product.
The planning process uses multiple feedback tools to obtain full OSLC membership feedback and suggestions.
Once completed, the long range plan is then subject to annual update/revision to bring it in conformance with knowledge gained over the past year.
