2022-2026 Strategic Plan

Bethlehem's Strategic Plan came out of a process of listening to the Holy Spirit, to one another, and to the community, to determine what our ministry will be for the next five years.  The plan guides our staffing, budgeting, and planning, and enables us to determine and answer God's call to the congregation at this time in our history.  A Strategic Planning Team led our discernment, beginning with congregational listening sessions. We looked back at God's faithfulness and where we came from at a Day of Remembering.  We considered how it is we do what we do in a Night of Norms. Strategic Planning Team members interviewed community leaders, asking:  What does our community need? and How can a congregation like ours help provide what our community needs?  After prayer and conversation, the Strategic Plan Goals for 2022-26 were presented and approved by the congregation. 

Outlined below are the 5 strategic goals and supporting objectives and practices approved by the Council & congregation of Bethlehem Lutheran Church for 2022-26. Following each objective and practice is a designation of primary individuals and groups responsible for facilitating its implementation.

• ENGAGING YOUTH | We will implement creative and effective ways to better engage post-confirmation youth and their families, and young adults.

  Objectives & Practices:

  A.      Time & Talent Survey:  We will annually survey our post-confirmation youth, inviting them to tell us of their talents, gifts, and interests, and provide them opportunities to use their gifts.  Family Faith Formation Staff, Youth Board

  B.      Mental Health:  We will address the youth mental health crisis, creating spaces and gatherings that nurture mental health within our programs. We will create a list of mental health resources for youth in our community.  Family Faith Formation Staff, Youth Board

  C.      Outreach:  We will reach out to youth groups in other communities and identify how we can better engage youth after confirmation as we find a model that works with our staffing and volunteer structure. We will host consistent gatherings for post-confirmation youth. Family Faith Formation Staff, Youth Board

  D.     Annual Contacts:  Pastors and the Family Faith Formation Director will make at least one contact per year with each post-confirmation youth on our senior high school roster. Pastors & Family Faith Formation Director

  E.      New Member Orientation:  New member families with high school youth will receive an orientation to the high school program. Family Faith Formation Staff

  F.      New Youth Initiatives:  We will develop one new small group/program/event per year, addressing identified needs of young adults, and/or young adult families.  Family Faith Formation Staff, Youth Board

  G.      Intergenerational Activities:  We will promote an intergenerational activity twice a year in which all Bethlehem members will be invited to participate. Family Faith Formation Staff, Youth Board

  H.     Lutheran Campus Ministry:  We will support Lutheran Campus Ministry   financially, with volunteers, and by providing contact information for Bethlehem students enrolled at their university. Family Faith Formation Staff

  I.       Scholarships:  We will increase the percentage of eligible Bethlehem college students who receive scholarship support from the church through the Endowment Fund. Endowment Board

  J.       Choir Scholars:  We will continue to fund and support the choir scholars program. Music & Worship Director, Music & Worship Board

• SHARING GIFTS | We will empower our members to share the gifts God has given us.

  Objectives & Practices:

  A.      Annual Time & Talent Survey:  We will annually survey our members to invite them to use the gifts God has given them to make a difference in the church and the community.  Stewardship Board, Congregational Services Coordinator

  B.      Survey Update:  We will update our Time & Talent Survey annually to ensure opportunities are presented that reflect our mission, strategic goals, and where the Spirit is leading. Stewardship Board, Congregational Services Coordinator

  C.      Survey Response Rate:  We will annually increase the number and percentage of church members completing the Time & Talent Survey. Stewardship Board

  D.     Member Survey Participation:  Pastors and staff will, on a quarterly basis, review participation of church members who have completed the Time & Talent Survey. Pastors & Staff

  E.      Care Ministry Recognition:  We will recognize the gifts of our most senior members and honor these gifts through a care ministry team that will meet quarterly. Pastors, Care Ministry Team

  F.      Gift Recognition:  We will be responsible with the gifts of our members by telling the story of the impact being made on our social media feed and in worship, by keeping accurate records, and by sending giving statements in a timely manner. Stewardship Board

  G.      Financial Pledges:  We will increase the number and percentage of members who    make an annual financial pledge commitment. Stewardship Board

  H.      Mortgage Payoff Milestones:  We will celebrate milestones as we pay off the church mortgage. Stewardship Board

  I.        Legacy Giving:  We will annually promote legacy giving to our members and obtain one legacy commitment per year. Stewardship Board

• RESPECTFUL CLIMATE | We will foster a climate of respect and appreciation to nurture the differing perspectives among our members and the greater Mankato community.

  Objectives & Practices:

  A.      Thank-You Acknowledgements:  The Lead Pastor and Stewardship Board will send a minimum of ten written thank-you notes to Bethlehem members per month to acknowledge contributions and service to Bethlehem. Stewardship Board

  B.      Conflict Resolution Policy:  We will review and update our conflict resolution policy as appropriate.  Personnel Committee, Council

  C.      Diverse Perspectives:  We will invite one community member or organization each month to represent diverse voices and perspectives, and to present to our worship gathering, adult forums, and youth groups. Welcome & Inclusion Board, Adult Education Board            

• COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS | We will continue to work in partnerships to serve the needs of the community with relevant purpose and meaningful action.

  Objectives & Practices:

  A.      Refugee & Asylum Seeker Support:  With synod support, we will collaborate with other community churches to provide housing and assistance to families/individuals who are relocated to Mankato, and are seeking asylum. Community & Global Mission Board, Welcome & Inclusion Board

  B.      Connections Shelter:  We will continue to provide funding, meals, and volunteers to Connections Shelter. Community & Global Mission Board

  C.      Community Needs Assessment:  Council members will annually survey community leaders, asking what the greatest community needs are and how a church like ours can meet those needs.  Council

  D.     Lincoln Park Neighborhood Participation:  We will participate in Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association activities and events.  Community & Global Mission Board, Welcome & Inclusion Board

  E.      Community Use of Facilities:  We will actively promote, recruit, and invite groups   to use the Bethlehem facilities.  Welcome & Inclusion Board, Bethlehem Staff

  F.      Neighborhood Connections:  We will develop and implement a strategy to connect with neighborhood residents and businesses. Welcome & Inclusion Board

  G.      The REACH:  We will continue to support The REACH with funding and volunteers. Community & Global Mission Board

  H.      Tax Preparation:  We will host the VITA Tax Service to provide tax preparation services for the underserved members of the community.  Bethlehem Staff

  I.       Blood Drives:  We will host three Red Cross blood drives each year.  Bethlehem Staff, Congregation Volunteers

  J.       Community Meals:  We will provide a free meal, open to the community throughout the program year. Community & Global Mission Board, Welcome & Inclusion Board, Congregation Volunteers

• EMBRACING DIVERSITY | We will embrace diversity by demonstrating welcome and respect for differing identities; listening to develop growing relationships with diverse communities; and working for the good of all in the community.

  Objectives & Practices:

  A.      Community Celebration Presence:  We will have a visible congregational presence at the annual Mankato Pride, Mankato Juneteenth Celebration, and the Mahkato Pow Wow. Pastors, Welcome & Inclusion Board, Congregation

  B.      Diversity Council:  We will annually invite a speaker from the Mankato Area Diversity Council. Pastors, Adult Education Board, Welcome & Inclusion Board, Congregation

  C.      Reconciling in Christ:  We will annually observe Reconciling in Christ Sunday. Pastors, Welcome & Inclusion Board, Congregation

  D.     Reconciling Works Support:  We will annually make a financial contribution to Reconciling Works to support their work. Welcome & Inclusion Board, Congregation

  E.      Diverse Religious Instruction:  We will present a unit on our neighbors’ faith to our confirmation students to help them understand Islam, Judaism, and other religious traditions. Pastors, Youth Board, Family Faith Formation Staff

2022-2026  Strategic Planning Team: Jason Bruns, Shawn Clemenson, Pr. Jay Dahlvang, Bob Ihrig, Marian Mallory, Sarah Morgan, Molly Nelson, Marie Slotemaker, Pr. Kristen Venne