By Timothy Peoples
You may remember Vision 20/20, Wilshire’s strategic planning initiative that started in 2013, or even our previous strategic plan that began in 2001. Many aspects of our present Wilshire experience came from Vision 20/20, with 94 initiatives carried out over six years, fostering different values and strategic elements throughout our congregation.
As I mentioned in our recent Annual Church Conference, Wilshire will be entering a season of visioning and strategic planning in the months ahead. I’d like to share a bit about what that means — and why it matters.
Visioning is not simply about creating a new document or setting organizational goals. At its heart, visioning is a spiritual practice. It is our shared commitment to pause, listen, pray and discern together where God is leading us next. Vision planning then becomes the faithful work of aligning our ministries, resources and energy with that discerned direction.
We recognize that every season brings new opportunities and new challenges. Who are we, today? Who is our neighbor? Where are the needs around us? What gifts has God uniquely placed within this congregation for such a time as this? These are the kinds of questions we will be asking.
This visioning process will involve conversations, listening sessions and opportunities for your voice to be heard and your hands to shape. A healthy vision is not handed down; it is discovered together. Your experiences, hopes and prayers are an essential part of that discernment.
Our steering committee members for this visioning process come from all different walks of life and tenures at Wilshire: Mary Carver, David Colmenero, Christina Evans, Judith Guthrie, Mary Kay Jackman, Keri Mitchell, Sue McElveen, Rachel Murphy, Gina Ortegon, Paige Pendery, Max Post, Barry Preston, Emma Roden and Collin Yarbrough.
We ask for your prayers as, together, we discover new possibilities and identify our values for Wilshire Baptist Church. The future is not something we manufacture; it is something we walk into — trusting God, who has always been faithful to guide us.