I was glad to share the information on the Spiritual Strategic Journey with around 90 people in Evansville and Indianapolis on Wednesday and Thursday. I indicated that some of the information shared can be downloaded from my blog at www.BullardJournal.org. Feel free to go to that site and look down the left side for the link to Spiritual Strategic Journeys. Click on this link and go to the page where some of the material can be downloaded.

Also, pose any follow-up questions you have on this forum so all can benefit from the answers as they seek to pursue their full kingdom potential.

This morning I have posted to my blog at www.BullardJournal.org the PowerPoint presentation used in the Spiritual Strategic Journey education event. You may dowenload it for your personal and congregational use.

Greetings,

I attended the Indpls. event and gleaned much from it, so thanks to all who made it happen. I would like to hear more about "too much data," a phrase you used yesterday George. Admittedly, we have tons of data---Percept, Congregational Life Survey, interviews with community leaders, chats with the congregation, and more.  :)  What cautions, ideas about using the data, etc. might you have?

I am also interested in hearing you talk about the role of the pastor throughout this strategic process.

Lastly, our church, Emerson Avenue Baptist, is nearing the end of our "planning" phase of the Life Together Grant with the Center. (I admit that I am hoping you are familiar with the entire grant project.) We are in the Visioning stage, and I am wondering what intersections/connections you see between your book and the LT Grant process, if there are any particular pieces you might want to highlight, emphasize, caution, etc. this is a broad question, I know---sorry.

Thanks again and blessings,
Janet Hoover

Janet:

I can provide some information on your first two inquiries, but on the Life Together Grant, I would need to refer you to the Center staff. I do not know enough about it to respond.

1. Too Much Data: Too much data confuses people rather than brings clarity unless a congregation has unusually good interpretation in an executive summary form. Too much data can result in people majoring on minor aspects of the data that affirms their preconceived notions. Too much data puts too much power in a few people who can spot the trends in the data. Too much data upfront "boxes" in the dialogue about the future toward which God is pulling the church. The right amount of data when a congregation is ready to plan specific strategies is much better.
2. Role of Pastor: I do strongly affirm the pastor as the initiating leader of the SSJ process. The pastor should be the primary voice of vision. The pastor should be part--perhaps even co-lead with a layperson--the work of the Enduring Vision Leadership Community. The pastor should regularly speak theologically about the process and the issues being addressed.

Certainly I can go into more detail on both of these, but let me pause and let you and others think about these aspects.

George

Janet

I'd like to address your question related to the intersection/connection between the Life together process and George's book.    Since Emerson is currently at the vision stage of the Life Together process, chapter 8 -- Future Storytelling for Your Congregation -- provides a helpful process for discovering and articulating your church's vision.  

Have fun!

Nancy DeMott