Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
It’s hard to believe, but we’re already in the 4th quarter of 2025.
As we move closer to the end of the year, it might be a good time to think about your 2026 church planning and what you should be doing now.
There is an old saying, “If you fail to plan – you plan to fail.”
No words have ever had more meaning. It is important to plan.
The World Needs The Church
The world has become increasingly dark. We are experiencing a time like no other, and witnessing the eruption and rumors of wars.
These events should fuel church leaders to do the work of the ministry and focus on its mission.
The world needs the body of Christ to stand up, take its place, and do the work of the ministry by fulfilling each calling.
The church has work to do and a mission to fulfill, and we need to continually look forward to what God has in store!
Planning helps us focus on church priorities that move us closer to achieving our mission.
Focused priorities ensure that the necessary resources will be available in the next 12 months to support the church’s strategy.
If you haven’t already, now might be a good time to start scheduling those church leadership meetings to discuss plans for 2026.
2026 Church Planning – 10 Things to Consider
1. The New Normal – Online Church
The pandemic created a need for an online church experience, and churches did a great job scrambling to provide that service to their members.
The expectation for an online church experience continues—even though we are long out of the pandemic.
Church leaders are frustrated that a small number of members continue to prefer to experience church from home.
After all, fellowship is an essential part of the church.
Embrace this new trend and work to create systems, processes, and support for the online community.
For instance, create a Bible study for people who prefer to study at home. Or create prayer walls, Facebook groups, and volunteers to help manage this population.
Work with this community where they are. This personalized support may be what is needed to get those folks back in the physical church.
2. Church Strategy
The fourth quarter of the year is a great time to revisit your church’s strategy, plans, and current direction.
A written church strategic plan systematically takes steps to achieve the church’s mission, develop members, and enhance church programs.
Focused discussions should include planning for the predictable – as well as the unpredictable.
For instance, if you have an aging staff, include succession planning in your 2026 conversations.
Devote some time to doing a SWOT analysis and discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing your church.
Brainstorm ways your church can build on its strengths and address its weaknesses.
For example, look at those things that might be standing in the way of your church fulfilling its mission. And then make a plan to remove those obstacles.
3. Set 2026 Church Goals
Goals can be a tool for translating strategy into actionable steps and, ultimately, getting things done.
Church Goals should be written, managed, and achieved to support the strategy and plan.
Spend the time to write church goals for 2026. Put them on paper and assign responsibility to get them done.
For instance, if your church’s goal is to increase volunteer participation, assign that responsibility to someone and hold them accountable for completing it.
Monitor goals monthly and manage them through a performance management process.
For instance, department managers should meet regularly with staff to monitor progress toward goal completion.
4. Create A Church Budget
Budgeting ensures responsible stewardship of church financial resources.
Take the time to go through a formal church budgeting process that allocates funds to support the strategy for achieving the mission.
This process should include examining how the ministry spends its resources and plans to invest in activities that further its mission.
Look also at those capital equipment needs and put a plan and budget in place to ensure the funds are available when needed.
For example, if your soundboard is on its last leg, reserve some resources for next year now so you don’t end up having a Sunday to remember!
5. Review Policies And Procedures
Written policies and procedures provide direction for how work gets done.
Take the time to add, review, and update policies and procedures.
For instance, if your church has a process for recruiting, screening, and training volunteers, capture every step and write a policy for it.
Document lessons learned from training events and write policy, process, and accountability standards.
Take what you learn and work to improve what you do systematically.
Don’t rely on memory. Write them down!
6. Learn From Church Volunteers
Volunteers are the church’s labor engine; without them, most churches would have to close their doors.
Develop a volunteer strategy and solicit feedback from your volunteers.
The goal is to implement a plan to improve the volunteer experience.
Volunteers bring a valuable perspective and can offer insights to improve operational efficiency.
For instance, a volunteer in the Children’s Ministry may have creative ideas for improving the experience for a mother dropping off young children.
Take advantage of this collective knowledge and spend the time and resources to support volunteer efforts!
7. Write Goals For Church Employees
Church employees facilitate the church experience and have special needs.
This is also the perfect time of year to write employee goals for 2026 and update church job descriptions to reflect them.
Talk to your employees and look for ways to keep them engaged and committed.
Burned-out employees simply go through the motions, so spend time finding ways to keep them focused!
Church volunteers and members rely heavily on church employees, so be sure to take care of them!
For example, now might be a good time to revisit your compensation strategy and add budget dollars for merit increases.
8. Talk To Church Members
Members have a vested interest in the church. Invest time in understanding the member experience so you can incorporate their needs into your strategy.
Members are the financial engine of the church, so talk to them and ensure the church is meeting their needs – within the boundaries of the church’s mission.
Spend some time focusing on church members and identifying their spiritual and social needs.
For example, if the church body has an aging demographic, make a plan and budget resources to start a program for people over 60.
Investing in these groups can pay off big time through donations. Pay attention to all demographics in your church.
9. Update Emergency Preparedness Plan
It seems like it is almost weekly, there are disasters, mass shootings, and unexpected crises erupting.
Every church should have a plan to activate in an emergency.
Now is an excellent time to review and update the emergency preparedness plan to ensure your church is ready for the unexpected.
It is only wise to have a plan and know how to respond in an emergency. Who more than the church should be prepared?
10. 2026 Church Events
Events and churches go hand in hand. Churches use events to offer fellowship opportunities for members and to engage in community outreach.
Summer Vacation Bible School, Church Picnics, Sunday Pancake Breakfasts, and Mission trips are common events.
Take the time now to determine which church events you will host in 2026 and start developing a plan.
The World Needs The Church!
Churches are the light in this very dark world, providing hope for us all. Take the time to plan now for next year so your church can continue to reach your community.
There is no secret formula, but good planning, fiscal responsibility, and a well-structured performance management process are great ways to start!
Have you mapped out a plan for 2026?
We Can Help With Your Planning!
Did you know that our library includes many of the documents needed for planning? Check out our library of church forms, documents, and job descriptions!
