“Silverwood Vision Statements and Goals”

Why do organizations create vision statements? What are vision statements? Should a church have goals? Wouldn't it be easier if the pastors decided all this? (And then did all the work!)

A vision statement is a vivid, idealized description of a desired outcome that inspires, energizes, and helps an organization create a mental picture of its future target. The vision statement is not about what the organization currently is, but what it hopes to become. Goals are created with the intention that, when achieved, the organization is moved forward toward the desired future condition described in the vision statement.

As part of our transition process with Gary Martin, Silverwood set goals and action steps for the approximately 3 year period that ended with 2009. In planning for 2010 and beyond, the Silverwood Board has embarked on a visioning process to attempt to articulate, in a series of statements, what our desired future state or target would look like. After creating a draft of these vision statements, they were shared with each of the five Commissions for comments and feedback. The Commissions were also asked to draft goals for the next 1 - 3 years that would move Silverwood toward achievement of these vision statements. These draft vision statements and Commission goals are included on the following pages (attached).

Now it's time to invite comments and feedback from the entire Congregation. Please review, contemplate, and pray about the draft vision statements and goals that are attached. We will have a combined Christian Education period together on March 7 to discuss these draft items, and to receive comments, suggested improvements, and overall reaction to this draft. The Board will then incorporate this feedback into the vision statements and goals, and bring the document back to the Congregation for final review and approval at a future date.

Once approved, these vision statements and goals will set the framework from which the Board and Commissions will direct and carry out their work over the next three years. We look forward to receiving your comments and feedback as we discuss these items.

~ Randy Christophel, Vice Chairman of Board