Can you picture Providence in 2031?
If you could envision the future, what would it look like? Our church is embarking on an exciting visioning process that involves our congregation’s support and participation. This is one of the most ambitious and important initiatives of our church, as it will impact every area of ministry and set our course for years to come.
IGNITE PROVIDENCE is PUMC’s collaborative visioning and strategic planning process. It invites every generation in our congregation to share feedback, engage in active conversation, and think creatively as we Reimagine Tomorrow for our church. Rooted in Faith, we will join together to seek God’s direction for our church’s bold and vibrant future.
The Ignite Providence logo visually represents this shared work - listening, praying, imagining, and responding to where God is leading next. It calls us to rekindle faith, purpose, and mission - fanning into flame what God has already planted among us. The logo gives our strategic plan a clear identity that honors our history, inspires imagination, and positions us forward together in Christ.
The Strategic Planning Process
Survey - January & February
In January, a survey was distributed to all members of Providence UMC. This was the crucial first step in Providence’s visioning and strategic planning process. Thanks to the 600+ individuals who completed the survey!
The results of the survey have been analyzed and we look forward to sharing the results with you as we prepare for Visioning Day!
Research - March
During March, our Research Team performed external research, diving into social, technological, environmental, economic, and political factors. Findings will be shared before Visioning Day.
Visioning Day - April 25
Visioning Day was an exciting opportunity to share your perspective and help reimagine tomorrow at Providence. Together, we aligned on a vision and strategic goals for the future. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Strategic Framework - May
After Visioning Day, a strategic framework of vision and goals was voted on by Church Council and communicated to congregation. Click HERE to download a summary of the vision, goals, and strategies.
Initiatives Drafting Workshop - May 17
On Sunday, May 17, all were invited to join an interactive workshop where we collaborated, created, and contributed specific ideas that turned our Visioning Day strategies into meaningful action.
Initiatives are Set - June
Early June, a group of approximately a dozen lay and staff leaders, along with consultant Christina Drouin, prayerfully reviewed all 324 initiatives submitted by our congregation. Each initiative was evaluated based on its potential impact and implementation feasibility. From this review, the team identified 39 overarching strategic initiatives. These initiatives reflect the collective voice of our congregation, combining similar ideas and incorporating others as action steps within broader initiatives.
Securing Goal Champions - July
The Rev. Brandon Dirks, Minister of Missions and Strategic Initiatives, is securing Goal Champions for each of our three strategic goals: Strengthening the Core, Building the Body, and Going Forth into the World. The identification of Goal Champions is the crucial next step and our top priority. They will work alongside leaders for each individual initiative to guide successful implementation.
Videos - IGNITE PROVIDENCE
Have a Question for the IGNITE PROVIDENCE Task Force?
Fill out the form below with your question(s) or comment(s) and we’ll get back to you!