Abstract

This study is an evaluation of a process of strategic planning in the Missionary Society of St. Columban. Four Regions of the Society, Korea, Fiji, Chile and Britain were taken as a representative sample. The documentation from their planning processes was analysed and 108 members were surveyed by questionnaire. The study found that strategic planning could be profitably used by an international missionary organization and that it could help the Society improve: its sense of direction and unity; communication; participation; and morale. It also proved a valuable instrument for renewal, long-term change and leadership training. The study identifies a number of conditions for successful planning processes in missionary congregations and concludes that different planning approaches are valuable at different times in the life cycle of the organization. In the earlier stages the more rational and formal approach to planning seemed the best approach for the Columbans. Once the members had begun to think systematically about the future, it was clear more attention needed to be given to process, leadership, vision, managing cultural change, building learning communities and increasing the organization's capability to become more responsive and relevant.