Seminary does strategic planning

One of the mandates given by the MB Biblical Seminary board to Jim Holm when he was appointed Seminary president in November 2003 was to lead development of a strategic plan for the Seminary with its three campuses in Fresno, Calif., Langley, B.C. and Winnipeg, Man.

The first step in the process was the reaffirmation of the Seminary’s primary mission to “inspire and equip men and women to be disciples of Christ, and to serve and lead in the church and the world.”

Over the past year, Holm has led board, faculty and staff members through the first five steps of a ten-step strategic planning process. At the April Board meetings, board members identified key stakeholders who have a vital interest in the Seminary, and determined what their interest is. Next, they suggested which values the Seminary must have as it develops ministries to meet the desire of the stakeholders. Third, the board identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that present themselves to the Seminary. The same process was undertaken in March and April by the Seminary’s faculty and staff, as well as the Seminary’s Regional Advisory Council in British Columbia.

While gaining this input was a lengthy task, president Holm believes it has been essential to the integrity of the process, saying, “It is vital that any vision for the Seminary is a community vision, owned by all of those who are to have a part in carrying it out.”

These early discussions among board, faculty, and staff produced a list of five primary issues the MBBS will address in a strategic plan. Listed in order of priority, they are: system-wide vision and strategizing; an academic plan; student enrollment, retention, placement and alumni relations; financial stability and viability; and strengthening denominational ties.

At a retreat in August, faculty and staff from all three Seminary campuses will provide input on strategies to manage these issues. President Holm will present the outcomes of this process to the board at its October 2005 meeting.

—Megan Richard, MBBS