Christian Formation Strategic Planning Team

At its planning retreat in January 2008, the Vestry, Clergy and Officers of St. James’ Parish committed their efforts to twenty initiatives which they rated from most important to least important. The first initiative, to hire an assistant rector, was accomplished in swift order. The second initiative, to conduct a review of all youth programs and develop a strategic plan for improvement, is now viewed as the most important initiative before the Vestry, the Christian Education and Formation Committee, and the Parish at large.

In the spring of 2008, the Christian Education and Formation Committee (CEC) was tasked by the Vestry to develop a strategic plan for all education programs under the aegis of the CEC, including youth group and adult classes. The CEC members considered whether they should prepare the plan themselves, or commission a team to independently develop a strategic forecast.

The Douglas Ellmore, Renee Wilson and Steve Dorsey from the CEC reviewed various approaches to preparing strategic plans and visited St. John's Norwood Parish in Chevy Chase, Maryland which had recently developed a strategic plan for their parish, see http://www.stjohnsnorwood.org/2007_Strategic_Plan.pdf. Although St. John’s focus was broader, the plan itself was identified as a model for understanding the purpose and focus of strategic planning. The meeting helped clarify how the strategic planning process could be used by the CEC at St. James’.

In April 2008, the Christian Education Committee recommended to the Vestry that Douglas Ellmore, Sr. chair an independent team to develop the CEC strategic plan. Mr. Ellmore, who has a professional background in strategic planning, felt a strong calling toward this project. Because he is not a Sunday school teacher but a parent leader on the CEC, it was hoped the team would seem empowered and independent from any specific agenda. The CEC hoped to get individuals who were not currently involved with Christian Education at the Parish, as well as those who are or have been in the past, in order to gather an independent Parish-wide view on the current programs. It was hoped they would be committed to analyzing what was in place and have the skills to make recommendations as to a path forward.

Douglas Ellmore put out a call to the Parish to form an independent team to solicit Parish input to develop the strategic plan based on all input. The scope of the plan was to address Christian Education of all ages, as well as youth group and young adult formation activities. The timeline outlined called for the group to be formalized by June, with a formal draft document, including recommendations by Thanksgiving 2008. The Vestry approved the Committee’s recommendation.

The members of the team are:

• Douglas Ellmore, Sr., Chair
• Rev. Amanda Finkenbinder, Asst. Rector
• Claire and George Pickart
• JoEllen Kelly
• Tricia Hurlbutt
• Diocesan Deacon Carl Rehling

The Christian Formation Strategic Planning Team began meeting Monday evenings in July. They have openly discussed a number of issues, the first was to suggest some short term suggestions to the Christian Education Committee. They are now working on plans for a fall set of focus groups to gather input from the Parish Community at large.

If you are interested in being a part of this team or would like to provide any feedback or input on current education programs under the aegis of the CEC, including youth group and adult classes and activities, please contact Douglas Ellmore via email at doug@ellmore.net.