Strategic Planning Roundtables

Roundtables held in 2003

The ELCA Church Council adopted in April 2003 an ELCA mission statement, an ELCA vision statement, five strategic directions, and four implementation commitments that will guide the work of the churchwide organization through 2012. Though the creation of these foundational statements was an important first step in the strategic planning process, there is still significant work to be done.

The next phase was to host six roundtables of approximately 35 people each for each of the five strategic directions as well as for the critical topic of mission funding. These roundtables have contributed to the churchwide organization’s work plan related to the strategic directions and mission funding for the next biennium and beyond.

The main tasks for the roundtables were to identify and develop specific outcome statements and measurement indicators for the strategic directions. As time allowed, the roundtables also began to examine what strategies and resources (existing or needed) are necessary in order to reach the stated outcomes.

To help prepare participants for the roundtables, the core team planners for each strategic direction suggested pre-meeting reading material. To find specific roundtable material, click the links in the sidebar that corresponds to each.

• Evangelism Strategy 
• Contextual Research 
• Form, Function, Funding 
• Chronology for Planning 
• Outcome Based Planning 
• Ministry Among People Living in Poverty 
• Theological Education Network 
• Strategic Planning Summary 
• Ethnic Strategies 

[Outcomes reports represent proposed outcomes from roundtables held in 2003. They were not officially adopted.]