Twelve Keys to an Effective Church: Strategic Planning for Mission The Planning Workbook

Twelve Keys to an Effective Church is regarded as the most useful and comprehensive long–range planning resource available. This groundbreaking program for church renewal identifies the twelve essential characteristics of successful, growing churches and offers all congregations a way to unlock their potential for effective ministry. The Planning Workbook is an indispensable companion volume, designed specifically for pastors, key leaders, and church members interested in shaping the future of their church. It is designed to help each person participate significantly in developing the congregation’s long–range plan. The workbook offers clear, practical instructions for working through the four stages of effective long–range planning. Its thought–provoking worksheets include charts, graphs, and rating guides to help assess and evaluate the congregation’s strengths and weaknesses for each of the twelve keys. The workbook facilitates the planning process and gives each participant a personal copy of the plan as it emerges. It creates a permanent record of the planning process, which becomes a useful reference as the long–range plan is revisited and extended in future years. The Twelve Keys program balances practical planning with theological understanding to help churches function more effectively as they seek to grow and better serve their community. Since it was first published in 1983, this dynamic program has been used by hundreds of thousands of churches around the world to strengthen and enrich their congregations––and the numbers continue to grow.

An Invitation. Stage One: Develop a Realistic Assessment of Your Church′s Present Standing and Stature. Stage Two: Choose the Primary Direction for Your Future. Stage Three: Assess Your Strengths in Light of the Twelve Central Characteristics of an Effective Church. Stage Four: Select the Central Characteristics, the Key Objectives, and Timelines That Will Advance Your Church′s Future. Building on the Four Stages of Planning.

KENNON L. CALLAHAN ––researcher, professor, and pastor––is one of today′s most sought–after church consultants. He has worked with thousands of congregations around the world and has helped tens of thousands of church leaders and pastors through his dynamic workshops and seminars. Author of many books, he is best known for his groundbreaking study Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, which has formed the basis for the Mission Growth Movement, a widely acclaimed program for church renewal. Callahan has earned the B.A., M.Div., S.T.M., and Ph.D. degrees. His doctorate is in Systematic Theology. He has served both rural and urban congregations in Ohio, Texas, and Georgia and taught for many years at Emory University. Ken and his wife of over forty years, Julie, have two children, Ken and Mike, and three grandchildren, Blake, Mason, and Brice. They enjoy the outdoors, hiking, horseback riding, and camping.