Planning
The following index lists all the resources (Articles, Training Notes and Health-checks) that have a planning theme. Most of these will be headed in this way, but some may have another heading with a cross-reference to Planning in the box at the end.
All are in pdf. Download the Adobe Acrobat Reader if you do not already have it.
Ask to come on my bimonthly e-letter mailing list to inform you of new resources as I add them to the site. This link also gives you access to my data privacy notice.
Click on any title in the list below to go to the item in question.
Copyright
Each item is copyright © John Truscott but you may download the file and/or print up to 30 copies for non-commercial use within your church or mission agency.
If you make multiple copies, please email me to let me know brief details so that I can monitor use. If you want to make more than 30 copies, or wish to use the item beyond your own church/organisation, I reserve the right to make a charge. Please contact me first in this case.
The planning process
Ref | Title |
A4 |
Twelve questions to help you plan A jargon-free toolkit |
A35 |
Mapping your church Practical planning tools |
A44 |
Making things happen Project management for churches |
A52 |
How to run a church vision day A DIY training aid |
TN17 | Suggested questions for an annual review |
TN25 | The radical values that Jesus taught |
TN32 | What do you mean by 'vision'? |
TN48 | Let's get purpose statements right |
TN54 | Creating space for a Planning Retreat |
TN64 | Help! I'm a consultant |
TN74 | Understanding values |
TN103 | How to encourage creative thinking |
TN108 | What do budgets actually tell us? |
TN114 | How to prepare a church profile |
TN124 | What's the point of church? |
TN133 | Planning the next step |
TN138 | Categories for church operations |
TN140 | A checklist for a business plan |
TN152 | Should a church set 'targets'? |
Change and decision-making
Ref | Title |
A5 |
How to chair meetings An orchestral approach |
A20 |
Annual meetings can be different Ideas to experiment with |
A24 |
Mission-shaped Church Councils Three ways forward |
A40 |
Going deeper into meetings 1: Planning issues |
TN3 | The bewildering world of change |
TN8 | Major decisions: a new approach |
TN12 | Twenty ideas to help people change |
TN34 | Closing down a church activity |
TN59 | Don't you dare change anything! |
TN70 | Do's and don'ts for a new leader |
TN81 | Changing the scenery |
TN121 | Making a case for change |
TN125 | How to take major decisions |
Practical applications
Ref | Title |
A16 |
Funding a capital project... ... by direct giving |
A30 |
Take your church away Organising a special weekend |
A43 |
Every member on active service How to mobilise your church |
A48 |
Organising your small groups Choices to be made |
A56 |
Organising pastoral care ... in an all-member culture |
TN26 | A checklist for an office move |
TN42 | A review of global mission strategy |
TN51 | A fresh approach to rural ministry |
TN83 | The service isn't over yet |
TN91 | An MOT for disciples of Jesus |
TN96 | Courtesy in church |
TN109 | A test for your church's welcome |
TN116 | Global mission giving |
TN134 | Integrate your newcomers |
TN135 | How to conduct a disability audit |
TN142 | Values create a culture |
All the above
Ref | Title |
HC4 |
Church Health Review Part 1: Explanation |
HC5 |
Church Health Review Part 2: Questions and tests |
HC6 |
Christian Effectiveness Model Part 1: Explanation |
HC7 |
Christian Effectiveness Model Part 2: Questions and tests |
You characteristically got to the heart of the issues and highlighted these with surgical precision. It is a very rare and invaluable gift you possess.
Card from a Church of England Bishop on a recent consultancy report - January 2024
Follow John on 'X' (formerly known as Twitter) for (mostly) daily items on church organisation. Several link to the Resources section of this website.