Developing and implementing the Nehemiah model of strategic planning to rebuild Light in the Desert Baptist Church, Mesa, Arizona

The purpose of this project was to develop and implement the Nehemiah model of strategic planning to rebuild Light in the Desert Baptist Church. Chapter 1 explains the ministerial context of Light in the Desert Baptist Church. In addition to a historical overview of the church, there is an analysis of the community demographics gathered from within a five-mile radius surrounding the church. The rationale for the project is also explained in this chapter. In addition to addressing the limitations and delimitations of the project, this chapter also explains key definitions, which are necessary for understanding the methodology of the project. Finally, the project's intended goals are specified, along with an overview of the methodology that was used to obtain those goals.;Chapter 2 explains the biblical and theological basis for the project. This section consists of a detailed study and exegesis from Nehemiah's text. Six passages were examined: Nehemiah 1:4-11; 2:1-20; 3; 4:1-9; 8-10; and 12:27-47. The focus of this chapter is to provide a biblical and theological foundation from the book of Nehemiah for the purpose of strategic planning.;Chapter 3 considers how current marketplace strategic planning concepts and principles bring unquestionable value to strategic planning in the church. Principles of understanding strategic context, teamwork and collaboration, formulating strategy, strategic intent and stretch, and gaining buy-in and accepting ownership of the plan were examined in this section.;Chapter 4 provides a detailed step-by-step process along with the methodology utilized for the project's implementation. In essence, this section contains a weekly analysis of the project's development with the goal in mind that it be used for future replication.;Chapter 5 is an evaluation of the project. In this section, the project is evaluated based upon the goals set forth in chapter 1. This chapter determines if the development and implementation of the Nehemiah model of strategic planning is an effective resource for rebuilding Light in the Desert Baptist Church.