Customer Reviews

Innovative Planning: Your Church in 4-D. (TCP Leadership Series)

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Ok look, someone has finally put the planning on the table and defined the meaning of the words. Now at least we can all talk about the same thing and know what we're talking about. I hear people throw around vision, mission, strategy and such but within minutes I can clearly see we're not discussing the same thing. Thanks Bud Wrenn for clearing this up! And thanks for a process that I can understand and use right away.

As a pastor who has studied both business and church planning for over 30 years I was very interested in Bud Wrenn's approach to planning. While fully acknowledging his corporate background, Wrenn's approach is much less corporate sounding than many guides such as Bobb Biehl's "Master-planning." Wrenn also offers far more practical guidelines than Aubrey Malphurs' "Advanced Strategic Planning."

While I may not agree with his definitions of vision, mission, and purpose, he gives churches some clear language to make communication of these concepts understandable. I once was a member of a long range planning committee that spent one year arguing over the definitions of the terms "goal" and "objective." I realize how important it is to have shared language and definitions. Wrenn's honest assessment that being a good pastor is a different skill from being a visionary leader may make some pastors uncomfortable, but it may also set them free.

His breakdown of each dimension of planning, (visionary, missional, strategic, and tactical) is clear enough for even non planning leaders to grasp. Chapter 7 on "Where does everyone fit" is worth the price of the book. Churches often allow anyone who is willing and loves the church to be involved in visionary and missional planning because we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Wrenn points out trying to have tactical doers attempt visionary planning will frustrate everyone involved. He gives practical advice on how to get the right people in the right spot so everyone is using his or her gifts and personality.

Having worked with Bud Wrenn in the Innovative Church Community for eight years I have seen him apply this model with numerous churches, both large and small. I know it works. I believe his model is especially effective in flexible and innovative churches and organizations. Large bureaucratic organizations may be uncomfortable with Wrenn's streamlined approach because it may lead to too much change. For the rest of us, however, it is exactly what we are looking for.

As the pastor of a new church, one of my biggest concerns is "How can we create an organizational culture that constantly pushes us to be all we can be for God?" Bud Wrenn's book is an attempt to help churches answer that challenge.
Before I get too far, I probably should include a disclaimer. Bud Wrenn is a good friend of mine. That's one reason I put off reading and reviewing my advanced copy. I mean, what if it stinks?
Well, I shouldn't have worried. The book is fantastic. And any lingering concerns were eliminated in chapter 3: "Visional Planning." I'm a visionary leader. This chapter is the best treatment of visionary leadership and planning I have ever read. And the four-step approach to planning (Visional, Missional, Strategic and Tactical) is both an excellent approach and a great way to understand where different people can best fit into the planning process.
Bud's years of experience, both in the corporate world and church environments provides a wealth of illustrations and a workable strategy for leading a church to capture and fulfill its God-given vision. And while many non-fiction books have enough good ideas for about eighty pages (then pad and repeat information to make it long enough to merit a cover instead of a staple), this book is packed with great info and insight throughout its nearly 200 pages.
The book is not without its weaknesses. The author likes dictionary definitions a little much for my taste and his prose style indicates he's a speaker first, then a writer. Sometimes in his zest he goes a little too deep into planning specifics. It wouldn't be hard to imagine a church with a certain style leadership getting so caught up in the details of planning they never get around to ministry.
But compared to the wealth of solid, practical information available in its pages, the quibbles are inconsequential. As our church works to create an organization that can fulfill our vision, Bud Wrenn's book is about to become our church's textbook.

As a "big picture" pastor, I needed a perspective on planning that would break things down into bite-sized pieces. What blew me away was this book was written for detailed pastors who need to see the broader vision, too. Bud Wrenn has hit a home run that covers all dimensions of planning. This will apply to both the unorganized or organized. It is a great tool for leaders in church (or business) to pass on to their staff or volunteers. If your pastor and church leaders haven't read it, do them a favor and put this book in their hands!

I just finished reading a book entitled, "Innovative Planning: Your Church in 4-D," written by my good friend, Bud Wrenn. Bud is the founding pastor of Integrity Community Church, the Director of the Innovative Church Community and a former corporate executive. His book reflects the wealth of experience that he has gained in all those positions. Whether you work in the sacred or the secular world, If you are a student of leadership, you'll find this book a must read.

I consider myself a student of leadership truths and principles. And as others have said, "All truth is God's truth," so, I believe that the principles taught in Bud's book are applicable in all types of organizations.

The real help I've received from this book is the understanding of how to "land the plane." This book helps dreamers like myself come down from the clouds, get our bearings, lower the landing gear, and land the plane in the desired destination. For those of us who love having conversations at "35,000 feet," this book offers us steps to bring our dreams to earth.

After all dreams are only dreams, unless we take steps to accomplish them. Bud Wrenn's book helps us discover and take those steps.

I am a geek for Church stuff and this is a geek book for pastors and other church leaders. Most of our folks in the pews may yawn about leadership topics but this book deserves a look by the visionary leaders from congregations of all sizes. There are a lot of planning, how-to books out there. Most are either marketplace language with a smear of scripture or a list of verses with little structure. Wrenn and Warren bring us a book that is short, thoughtful, quotable and flexible. This is written for the church but can be applied to a family, a ministry within a local congregation, or for that matter Little League or Boy Scouting.

The "4-Dimensions" are: Visionary, asking "Where are we going?", Missional, asking "What will we do on the way?", Strategic, asking "How will it get done?" and Tactical, asking "Who will make our dreams become action?". The beauty of the process is the integration of the spiritual gifts of the participants into these group dimensions. These D's form a visual for the church family, with its unique individual gifts into a mission unique to the group. Everything moves toward doing something that invites the congregation to be both flexible and innovative. Our medium sized congregation used the process in a one evening retreat with follow up break out groups. The results are exciting.

This book is not a 40-Days style rigid process and must be interpreted and applied to your situation. The philosophy and theology are very sound. Innovative Planning: Your Church in 4-D. (TCP Leadership Series) goes on my essential's shelf with the Leadership books.

Thanks for Reading. -Alan Van Hooser, The Thoughtful Pastor Blog