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By Mary C. Frances, Senior Associate Consultant

Process: a set of steps or actions taken to achieve a particular outcome or objective

One of the features of our Vitality Improvement Program 2.0 (coming to you in January 2025) is that it is centered around process or, as defined above, a set of steps taken to achieve a particular outcome.  Many of the churches we work with would like to engage the community more deeply, see increased attendance on Sunday morning or experience growth in their stewardship.  Each of these outcomes tends to be what we would call Big Goals – not something that can be accomplished in one fell swoop.  But, if we break down the steps and address all the elements needed to reach their goal, we might get somewhere. This is where process comes in.  Process provides a framework to break bigger problems or goals into smaller, more manageable parts.

Last week Ken Howard wrote to you about Vision-Guided Rapid Experimentation and referenced the steps needed to work through several experiments.  Today let’s talk about why that process works.

Creating a process or series of repeatable steps provides several benefits for congregations and other organizations.  At McDonalds there is a process for making burgers and French fries. There is a process for taking your order and getting it onto a tray and into your hands.  In congregations, we often eschew process for innovation, creativity and reactivity; however, process can provide space for all of that and more.

First and foremost, process is based in consistency, and consistency creates space for many other things to happen.  If we don’t have to stop every 90 days to create a process, we can use that time and energy for creativity and innovation. Why not try something new for 90 days? Why not experiment with something your congregation has never done before? Your process will provide a way to identify, implement and assess your plans.

Second, process provides a way to make your plans scalable. If you have tried something and found it worked well for you, the next step is to try it again on a larger scale.  Fortunately, process provides you with all the steps you need to navigate your next round – just bigger.

And, last but not least, process provides you with a framework to be empowering and inclusive in your plans. One of the questions you might ask is, “who will be involved?” or “who can be a part of this experiment?” Process provides ways for more people to be involved, to bring their ideas, to share implementation and to be part of the assessment and reiteration process.

I realize this all sounds rather technical and that we are not in the business of making widgets or French fries.  We are in the business of sharing the gospel, but even that holy work is grounded in process. Sure, we call it worship, but there are steps or rubrics that lay out how it is done and who can do what. Maybe we just need to apply some of that good process work to our vitality improvement efforts!  Questions about process? Connect with us at info@faithx.net