How Should Churches Plan for a Post-COVID World? - Part 2
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“Too many of us are waiting for the solution to come from somewhere else.” - Michael Ramsden, President of RZIM
Part 2: Planning for a “New Normal”
If you didn’t catch Part 1: A Lesson from the Marketplace, go back and read it. We’ve included a synopsis of the Boston Consulting Group’s findings after working with businesses navigating the changing COVID-19 landscape. While churches and ministries have some unique circumstances, much of what they have discovered is directly applicable to any organization.
There are 3 phases of this crisis and LA, along with most of the country, is attempting to safely enter the “Fight” phase. Given what the Boston Consulting Group has found, how should churches and ministries be planning for the future?
1. Consider which questions still need to be asked
• Who needs to be lending a voice to these decisions?
• How do smaller churches gain equal access to strategic thinkers and policy-makers?
• What responsibility do larger and more resourced churches have to providing smaller churches a seat with strategic thinkers?
• Who should we be partnering with in this new environment?
• What changes should we anticipate in coming weeks, months and years and how can we create contingency plans for the situations that may arise?
• Do we need to consider a major change to our organization, including the possibility of combining with another church or ministry?
• How much time are we spending in prayer over these decisions?
• To be the best stewards of our resources, do we need to change where we were headed and reallocate staff and resources to new endeavors?
• Do we need to reconsider what is doing via paid staff and what is accomplished via volunteers?
2. Generate trust
• The volatility and uncertainty during the “Fight” phase will undoubtedly bring with it a lot of fear. Create a clear and consistent communication plan for your staff, congregation, neighborhood and partners.
• Be transparent about your process and planning.
3. Plan to restart safely and strategically
• Safeguard your workers, staff, volunteers, congregation and visitors.
• Update internal policies, equipment and processes
4. Access tools for the long “fight” ahead
• Determine how to understand national and local laws and policies
• Establish emergency funding, and explore innovative ways to generate new funds
• Ask questions to understanding both the needs of the church organization and its members
• Create community with other like-minded churches or organizations to avoid isolation moving forward
• Consider long-term changes for the “Future” phase, like virtual access, at-home attendance, new ways of doing small groups, outreach, etc.
Some organizations have already had these difficult conversations. They’ve asked the hard questions. They have shaped a number of scenarios. And they feel ready for what may come next. But if you haven’t done so, get your team together and use this as a basic roadmap.
We can’t predict the future, but we can proactively prepare for what may come. There is no time like the present to reach across aisles and industries to learn what others are doing, and ask God what He may have you enfold into your plan. And while you’re at it, there’s no better time to grow new partnerships, listen to new voices and consider what new opportunities may be before you.
View the full report from the Boston Consulting Group here: https://www.bcg.com/en-us/publications/2020/covid-scenario-planning-winning-the-future-series.aspx