The most crucial aspect of the intentional visitation program is the collection of data. The Cambodia Lutheran Church (CLC) wants to understand its member churches. J.P. helped them develop a basic survey for this purpose. In every location we visit, Pastor Bun Sopheap (head of the CLC) interviews the local pastor/leader on a variety of questions related to the congregation's membership, worship life, discipleship, stewardship, outreach, and challenges and opportunities.
When collected from so many churches, this aggregate data provides a snapshot of the CLC as a whole. The culmination of the visitation program will be a strategic planning retreat for the CLC's leaders, where the data from visitation will be analyzed to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This analysis will be the basis for strategizing on the CLC's priorities for the next several years.
The process starts with listening and learning, continues with analyzing and understanding, moves to strategizing and prioritizing, and then leads to targeted programming and action.
Since this is the second time J.P. is helping the CLC engage this process, we have a unique opportunity to compare new data to the data we gleaned several years ago. This will allow us to identify trends and track progress over time. What growth and development can we celebrate? What persistent obstacles do we need to address?
Please join us in praying for this process. It will take time, but it is well worth it!