An analysis of a strategic planning process for renewal at American Baptist Church, Fort Collins, Colorado

Observation and research indicate that many churches in America are in decline and the same is true for American Baptist Church in Fort Collins, Colorado. An analysis of church worship attendance from 1986 to 2009 indicates that attendance has decreased from 144 persons in 1986 to seventy persons in 2009. To help reverse this trend, in 2005 the church established a Long Range Planning Committee. It's purpose being to formulate a strategic plan for transformational change.;This project is an analysis of the strategic planning process for renewal at the church. The process includes development of the plan and its implementation and analysis. The analysis shows the strengths and weaknesses of the plan and its implementation. As expected, the planning process and its analysis have also assisted the congregation in being better able to make decisions concerning its future. The strategic plan includes five elements regarding the life of the church. These elements of the plan and the entire planning process are designed to help the church renew and again be vital in ministry. The elements include communicating the church's identity in the community; enhancing the church's support of and commitment to Elderhaus, an adult day program established by the congregation in 1980; improving outreach efforts to the neighborhood and community; planning improvements to the church building to improve accessibility to all parts of the church and efficiently managing a bequest received in 2006.;In many ways, the thesis is a snapshot of the church's condition at the time of paper's completion. And to that point, the results are largely positive. A quantitative research instrument indicates that the church supports this plan for change and the congregation is healthier and more prepared for growth than before the project. The survey also provides congregational input on the progress of the plan and strengths and weaknesses in implementing the plan. The church has shown improvement in its support of the Elderhaus ministry, outreach efforts and attempts to improve the accessibility of the church building.