As the year winds down, you might find yourself reflecting on all that’s transpired—some of it good, some of it not what you’d hoped for. Or perhaps it’s January or February, and you’re staring at a blank slate, wondering what will truly make this year different for your church. Maybe you’re stepping into a new role as senior pastor and feel the need to rally your leadership team to move forward with clarity and purpose.
No matter the scenario, the reality is this: alignment and strategy can transform how your church operates and ministers.
For over 16 years, I’ve served as a church leader, and for 20 years, I’ve worked in marketing and storytelling. My life’s work has been about helping people—and organizations—discover their purpose and tell their story. Through Boken, my agency, I’ve developed a framework to help churches not only strategize but thrive. It’s a process that brings alignment, clarity, and accountability to your leadership team so you can focus on the ministry work God has called you to.
Why Strategy and Alignment Matter
Imagine your team, staff, and volunteers casually shooting hoops. It’s lighthearted and fun—no pressure, no scorekeeping. Now, imagine someone says, “Let’s keep score and play a game.” Suddenly, everything changes. The energy shifts, the focus sharpens, and the players give their best.
This is what strategy and alignment do for a church. It takes well-meaning but often scattered efforts and focuses them. It aligns resources, goals, and people around a shared mission.
It’s not just helpful—it’s transformative.
What the Process Looks Like
This isn’t a half-hearted meeting or a vague brainstorming session. It’s a 1-2 day commitment, usually held in a neutral space away from the church office, where the environment encourages honest, even passionate conversations. It’s a time for healthy debate, reflection, and resolve.
Here’s the full scope of what we’ll accomplish together:
1. Celebrate Momentum
We’ll start by celebrating what God has done. What goals have you achieved? Where have you seen growth and transformation? What stories stand out? This isn’t just about numbers on a wall—it’s about recognizing God’s faithfulness and the dedication of your team.
We’ll also affirm your team members, ensuring they are in the right roles at the right time, maximizing their potential and joy in serving.
2. Vision and Planning with EOS
EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is a framework that helps organizations define their vision, culture, and goals, and then break them into actionable steps. We’ll map out your:
- Long-term vision: What is God calling your church to accomplish in the next 3-10 years?
- Short-term priorities: What are the most important objectives for this year?
- Accountability structures: How do you ensure follow-through at every level?
3. Talent Mapping
Using a 9-grid talent matrix, we’ll evaluate your team’s current strengths and identify areas for growth. Sometimes, this means helping individuals transition to roles that better fit their gifts—or even moving on when necessary.
This is about creating a culture of excellence, where every person thrives in their calling.
4. DISC Personality Insights
Understanding each other is key to working well together. The DISC assessment reveals how your team members communicate, make decisions, and approach challenges. We’ll use these insights to build stronger, more effective collaborations.
5. Persona Canvas
Yes, we’re called to make disciples of all nations, but are there specific groups in your community that your church is uniquely positioned to reach?
The Persona Canvas helps us define and understand these groups—their needs, motivations, and barriers—and ensure that your outreach strategies resonate with them.
6. Culture Mapping
Culture is the invisible force that shapes everything your church does.
We’ll examine:
- What you aspire to be as a church.
- What you actually are today.
- How to bridge the gaps between the two.
This includes a brief analysis of team dynamics using Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.
7. Event, Budget, and Personnel Alignment
Every event, budget line, and personnel decision should align with your church’s vision and goals.
We’ll create an event planner map to ensure:
- Each event has a clear purpose and leader.
- Resources are allocated wisely.
- Every activity ties back to your church’s overarching strategy.
8. Accountability and Meeting Cadence
Big ideas are great, but execution is everything.
We’ll establish a system to ensure that the big rocks identified during our EOS session are communicated clearly and tracked effectively. This includes setting up a regular cadence of meetings with structured agendas that keep your team on course.
Why It Works
This process is robust, yes—but it’s also life-giving. You’ll leave with a documented strategy, clear priorities, and a path forward. Your team will be energized, aligned, and ready to tackle the ministry challenges ahead.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
Ongoing Support
At Boken, we don’t just set you up and walk away. We can continue to support your church with:
- Quarterly check-ins to assess progress and make adjustments.
- Internal content and creative support to keep your messaging fresh and relevant.
- Outreach and marketing strategies to equip your members to invite others and grow your church.
- First-time visitor tactics to create exceptional first impressions and encourage next steps.
Let’s Work Together
Your church’s mission is too important to leave to chance. Strategy and alignment aren’t just about getting organized—they’re about ensuring that everything you do points back to Jesus and His calling for your church.
If you’re ready to see your team come alive, your vision come into focus, and your ministry make a greater impact, I’d love to help.
Reach out today to learn more about this process and how we can work together to make your church’s mission unstoppable.
email me [email protected]
Chris Loope
CEO and Founder, Boken
Helping churches and leaders thrive through strategy, creativity, and clarity.
