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

~ (Author), Rick Warren (Foreword)
Key Phrases: tactical planning, missional thinkers, missional plans, Innovative Planning, Home Helps, Strategic Planning (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Innovative Planning: Your Church in 4-D gives the reader insight into planning effectively for his/her church. Many leaders want to be innovative and make changes in the church but are unsure how. This book shows that organizational planning should be a systematic process with distinct phases and organizational members should be involved in the process. Anecdotal illustrations are provided.

About the Author

Bud Wrenn is the founding director of the Innovative Church Community, a leadership development organizations for church leaders in and around North Carolina. He is also the lead pastor at the Integrity Community Church in Burlington, North Carolina.

Bud Wrenn is the founding director of the Innovative Church Community, a leadership development organization for church leaders in and around North Carolina. He is also the lead pastor at the Integrity Community Church in Burlington, North Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chalice Press (December 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827216505
• ISBN-13: 978-0827216501
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #615,141 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This item is part of The Columbia Partnership (TCP) Leadership Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally the right terms, January 28, 2009

By	Thomas F. Bartlett (NOrth Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Real World Planning for Church Leaders, January 27, 2009

By	Robert Felts - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hit the nail on the head!, January 28, 2009

By	D. Talley (Raleigh, NC United States) - See all my reviews

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!