Greensboro United Church of Christ
2018-2019 Strategic Plan

The Church Board of the Greensboro United Church of Christ is pleased to present this proposed 2018-2019 Strategic Plan. The plan outlines the direction we would like to pursue over the next two years, recognizing that the church is in a time of transition as we seek to welcome a new Pastor into our midst. The plan identifies three high level goals and associated objectives designed to help us achieve our mission. Without prescribing specific activities, the document identifies the strategies we intend to employ in pursuit of our goals, as well as the long-term outcomes we expect. At the end of each year, we will review what we have done in pursuit of our goals and provide a progress report on our achievements.

This plan represents a deliberative process based on surveys, small group meetings and congregation-wide conversations.

If there are terms you feel need clarification, you may find them defined in the Attachment appended to the plan.

Mission: Our mission is to love as Jesus loved, caring for others and joyfully serving God, our community, and the world.


Goal 1: Make a real difference in the lives of our members and the wider community.

We understand that our church makes a difference in the lives of our members through our worship services, the musical expression of our faith, the development of our spiritual literacy and practice, and community service that helps those in need.  We recognize that we are part of a wider community whose needs are our concern.  We are committed to developing a comprehensive communications strategy to publicize our church’s mission and programs.

Outcome:  Being a part of our congregation enriches and transforms the lives of our members and provides opportunities for outreach to the wider community.

Measurement:  Stories from members about how GUCC makes a difference in their lives and feedback on our initiatives in the community.

Objective 1.1: Provide a worship experience that is refreshing, inspiring, thought-provoking, and welcoming to all.

Strategy 1.1.1:  Promote a worship culture that honors our Christian tradition while encouraging the critical, questioning study of scripture and our beliefs.

Strategy 1.1.2:  Extend a warm and inclusive welcome to all who join us in worship.

Objective 1.2: Sustain the excellence of our music program.

Strategy 1.2.1:  Explore the occasional use of music from other genres in our worship services.

Objective 1.3: Provide opportunities to increase understanding of the faith tradition in which we stand.

Strategy 1.3.1: Continue to create and enhance opportunities for study, discussion and non-judgmental, supportive sharing of our faith journeys.

Objective 1.4: Provide opportunities for service in the Greensboro and surrounding communities.

Strategy 1.4.1:  Continue to support and expand our volunteer program in the Lakeview school.

Strategy 1.4.2:  Honor and provide information about the many ways in which members serve in our communities.

Strategy 1.4.3: Continue to reflect on our mission statement in identifying and prioritizing  our congregation’s outreach initiatives.

Objective 1.5: Communicate our mission as a congregation by making the community aware of the variety and richness of our programs and offerings.

Strategy 1.5.1:  Continue to improve and expand our efforts to inform the community of who we are and what we are doing.


Goal 2:  Work for social justice.

We understand that the God shown to us in scripture cares deeply about justice and that this concern is most fully expressed in the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.  Seeking to love as Jesus loves and to care for others includes addressing the causes, as well as the results, of poverty and oppression.  We seek to strengthen our witness for justice, to educate our members about justice issues, and to empower each other to take action on those issues that concern us individually.

Outcome:  Church members are aware of social justice issues and are empowered to work for justice both as a congregation and as individuals.

Measurement:  An ongoing record of justice issues addressed and actions taken by the church.  Stories from members of actions taken in response to awareness gained in church.

Objective 2.1:  Provide information and education on justice issues, including problems in our own community, and on the theological basis of our concern.

Strategy 2.1.1:  Encourage the inclusion of justice issues in our worship services.

Strategy 2.1.2:  Explore other avenues for helping members to become aware of justice issues.

Objective 2.2:  Provide opportunities to work for justice, both as a congregation and as individuals.

Strategy 2.2.1:  Promote corporate action on issues that concern us as a congregation.

Strategy 2.2.2:  Provide information about opportunities available to those who wish to work for justice individually, or as part of a wider movement.


Goal 3:  Demonstrate fellowship and love for one another.

We recognize that mutual support for one another depends upon cohesiveness between and among people but that this cohesiveness does not just happen. The ability to better support one another comes from knowing each other more fully.  Cohesiveness results from sharing meals, laughing, singing, playing and praying together beyond what occurs on Sundays.  We seek to determine the capacity of our congregants to contribute their energy to the work of the church and recognize the need to nurture those in leadership roles, including our Pastor.

Outcome: The congregational culture fosters a sense of belonging and mutual care and empowers individuals to initiate activities that strengthen our congregational life.

Measurement: Stories of ways in which members of the congregation experience their sense of belonging and love for one another.

Objective 3.1: Increase opportunities to engage with each other as part of a caring and supportive community that is open to all.

Strategy 3.1.1: Identify the strengths and weaknesses of our congregation as a caring and supportive community.

Strategy 3.1.2: Create a church culture that enables individuals to feel empowered to initiate activities that will strengthen congregational life.

Objective 3.2: Strengthen effectiveness of volunteer recruitment in support of our church and its programs.

Strategy 3.2.1 Approach volunteer recruitment as an opportunity to let members share their particular gifts.


Attachment: Definitions

▪  Mission: A statement that defines why an organization exists (i.e., its purpose).  Often also broadly identifies how, and for whom, the purpose will be achieved.

▪  Goal: A statement of what the organization seeks to achieve in order to meet its mission and vision, and to address key challenges. Goals should be aligned to the mission, appropriate to the organizational level, and results oriented.

▪  Objective: A statement that defines a discrete component of a goal.  Objectives are still focused on what the organization seeks to achieve.

▪  Strategy: A broad statement of how the objectives and goals will be achieved. Strategies are implemented through discrete activities, tasks and projects. These lower level activities will be identified as part of our ongoing program planning.

▪  Outcome: Intended result or consequence of activities conducted in support of the plan.
▪  Measurement: How we will gauge performance.