| Book Reviews - Strategic & Annual Plans - Church [SCROLL down to read more reviews] |
Review
As a Pastor and consultant, Bud Wrenn walks the difficult line of corporate planning
translated into the faith-based world of the church. Wrenn outlines four dimensions of
organizational planning (4D) including:
He is quick to note that planning language can be very confusing. His book clearly
defines each dimension of planning, while offering practical examples of how they
apply to the typical church. Using the insights of well-known authors like Jim Collins
(Good to Great) and Patrick Lencioni (The Five Dysfunctions of a Team), Wrenn
provides a road map for effective church planning while leaving lots of room for the
innovative creativity of the planning team.
Selected Brief Quotes
“That's the point - planning, and planning terms, mean different things to different people.
This is especially significant in congregations where most of the members spend as much as
half of their waking time working professionally in non-congregational organizations - nearly
all of which have differing ideas of what planning is all about. Their perceptions about
planning, then, are most naturally shaped by those organizations in which they spend so
much of their time ... Congregations, then, must work doubly hard to bring clarity to their
corporate language with regard to planning simply because of the diversity of views among
their people.” (pg. 15)
“Organizations need translators to help dreamers and doers understand each other. I like to
refer to these translators as 'developers.' The developers are those who work between the
dreamers and the doers, helping to shift the dream, or vision, from the realm of the dreamer
... into the realm of the doer ... where things can actually get done!" (pg. 86)
As a Pastor and consultant, Bud Wrenn walks the difficult line of corporate planning
translated into the faith-based world of the church. Wrenn outlines four dimensions of
organizational planning (4D) including:
- visionary planning (where are we going?)
- strategic planning (how will we do it?)
- tactical planning (who will do what & when?)
He is quick to note that planning language can be very confusing. His book clearly
defines each dimension of planning, while offering practical examples of how they
apply to the typical church. Using the insights of well-known authors like Jim Collins
(Good to Great) and Patrick Lencioni (The Five Dysfunctions of a Team), Wrenn
provides a road map for effective church planning while leaving lots of room for the
innovative creativity of the planning team.
Selected Brief Quotes
“That's the point - planning, and planning terms, mean different things to different people.
This is especially significant in congregations where most of the members spend as much as
half of their waking time working professionally in non-congregational organizations - nearly
all of which have differing ideas of what planning is all about. Their perceptions about
planning, then, are most naturally shaped by those organizations in which they spend so
much of their time ... Congregations, then, must work doubly hard to bring clarity to their
corporate language with regard to planning simply because of the diversity of views among
their people.” (pg. 15)
“Organizations need translators to help dreamers and doers understand each other. I like to
refer to these translators as 'developers.' The developers are those who work between the
dreamers and the doers, helping to shift the dream, or vision, from the realm of the dreamer
... into the realm of the doer ... where things can actually get done!" (pg. 86)
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Review
If you are a leader of a parish (pastor, staff or ministry leader) who needs to understand
the basics of church finance, this book is for you. In an easy to read and understand
format, Berkley presents a wide range of best-practice accounting and financial
management principles.
Themes range through a variety of important topics. Examples include
It serves as a great primer for a parish leader who needs to understand and participate
in financial activities of the parish. In just a couple of hours the reader will have
received a great overview of the world of church accounting and finance.
Selected Brief Quotes
“The term internal control is accounting jargon for a number of practices shrewdly designed to
safeguard church income and resources, regulate the disbursement of funds, and protect the
integrity and reputation of those charged with handling church money.” (pg. 23)
“A budget says what's important to a church and how it will be supported. Thus the first step
in planning and budgeting is for a church to decide what it considers important. ... Too often
churches plow ahead without going through this process. If there was a budget the previous
year, it gets tinkered with a little for inflation and program changes and is sent on down as
the next year's budget." (pgs. 40-41)
If you are a leader of a parish (pastor, staff or ministry leader) who needs to understand
the basics of church finance, this book is for you. In an easy to read and understand
format, Berkley presents a wide range of best-practice accounting and financial
management principles.
Themes range through a variety of important topics. Examples include
- the Theology of Stewardship
- planning & budgeting
- receiving & recording money
- financial development
- legal and tax matters
It serves as a great primer for a parish leader who needs to understand and participate
in financial activities of the parish. In just a couple of hours the reader will have
received a great overview of the world of church accounting and finance.
Selected Brief Quotes
“The term internal control is accounting jargon for a number of practices shrewdly designed to
safeguard church income and resources, regulate the disbursement of funds, and protect the
integrity and reputation of those charged with handling church money.” (pg. 23)
“A budget says what's important to a church and how it will be supported. Thus the first step
in planning and budgeting is for a church to decide what it considers important. ... Too often
churches plow ahead without going through this process. If there was a budget the previous
year, it gets tinkered with a little for inflation and program changes and is sent on down as
the next year's budget." (pgs. 40-41)
The Center for Parish Leadership
Equipping Catholic Leaders ~
Believing in Strong Parishes
Believing in Strong Parishes
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