The Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, is considering placing Evans/Davis on a list of vendors for professional planning and development for the churches in the Diocese. The firm, during a period from 2001 to 2003, acted as development staff providing direction to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for two years as well as providing planning studies and capital campaign management for a number of parishes.

Evans/Davis will again provide professional development services to those churches wishing to use the firm. Those selecting us will have the advantage of using a firm that has sufficient staff to direct and manage a development program, has experience in the Diocese, as well as being local to the area.

We ask that you contact us if you wish to talk further.

Evans/Davis was recently asked how long it should take to develop a long-range vision plan. Obviously, it depends on the church and the schedule they wish to develop. Most often, a plan can be developed inside of six months.

Be aware that a number of organizations and firms may suggest nearly a year to a year and a half to develop a long-range plan. We feel that timing much over a half of a year is too long and will tire volunteers and delay beginning the plan’s implementation.

Evans/Davis has developed a Vision Planning Program that is both cost effective and efficient and is designed to enhance both numerical and spiritual growth. And, above all else, it is centered on further developing both ministry and mission …not just the use of the building and grounds.

It is our mission to assist churches in setting hearts on fire for Christ. We want to help you with both numerical and spiritual growth. Please contact us to learn more. We will be happy to meet with you to discuss our services and make recommendations for next steps in the planning process.

As in past years, Evans/Davis will provide stewardship/visioning workshops to Dioceses, Synods, Conferences and other regional associations in late winter and spring this year. The firm does not charge for this service so it is recommended that, if you wish to provide churches/missions in your regional association with such a workshop, you contact our office soon. Every effort will be made to work within your calendar.

It is our mission to assist you in setting hearts on fire for Christ. Please let us know how we can help.

All Saints Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, OH, with the assistance from Evans/Davis, has recently completed a long-range vision plan. Their envisioned future will require some much-needed dollars to make the plan a reality.

The church leadership will decide on how best to fund the long-range vision plan in the near future.

As we enter the Easter season it is a time for joy and optimism for the future. The days are getting longer and brighter and, for many churches and other not-for-profits, it is time for long-term planning. This is a good time to review ministries, services and programs with an eye toward long-range growth and development.

Evans/Davis has a vision planning program for churches that is cost efficient and enhances both numerical as well as spiritual growth. Not-for-profits can also benefit with our Vision Planning Program as they develop a long-range strategic plan for improved and enhanced programs and services.

We suggest, as you look at your future during this uplifting time you contact us so that we can assist you in developing a plan for your future.

Evans/Davis is honored to be working with All Saints Episcopal Church, in Portsmouth, Ohio, to assist them in discerning God’s call for their future. Their Vision Planning Program will be conducted this spring and summer, which will allow them to make decisions on funding their vision in the near future.

The firm is scheduled to meet with Ashland Childhood Development and will be scheduling a meeting with Calvary Episcopal Church, Ashland, KY and Christ Episcopal Church in Ironton, Ohio, to discuss beginning discernment and long-range planning. They all need to develop their list of needs and costs so that an assessment can be conducted with a fund-raising program in the near future.

We look forward to working with all of these Ohio River projects and aiding them in growth and development.

The Ohio River begins in Pittsburgh, PA as a confluence of two other rivers. It winds and flows, carving out borders for many states as it moves majestically to the Mississippi river.

In the early years of this country the river was a focal point for trade and commerce.  By the late 19^th and early 20^th century it became a hub for manufacturing and industry. The cities and towns along its bank grew and prospered…capitalizing on the river’s ability to provide economic growth and prosperity.

Economic changes over the years eventually led to the closing of most manufacturing.  Cities and towns along the river found themselves having to redevelop and discern new strategies for economic growth and development.

Churches and many not-for-profit organizations were also having to discern their future based upon the ever-changing economic environment. Evans/Davis has been contacted by a number of churches and community organizations, along the river, that need to discern their future and to assist them in developing fund strategies for the times ahead. Churches, especially, are looking to discern God’s call for ministries and evangelism based upon changes in both economy and personal life styles.

The firm will begin working with churches and other organizations this spring, assisting them with development of a long-range vision plan. We will be meeting with a number of others in the weeks and months ahead. It is our mission to assist churches in setting hearts on fire for Christ. We look forward to the challenges that lie ahead and hope that we can play a role in the future of churches and other not-for profits along the Ohio River.

Evans/Davis wishes to ask you a tough question…is your church growing?

The firm has often heard this reply, “Yes, we are growing…spiritually.” Obviously, spiritual growth is very important in the life of the church but what is often ignored is numerical growth. As a result valuable and important ministries are discontinued or cut back because of declining stewardship revenues needed to support them.

Numerical growth happens when a long-range vision plan has been developed that determines key ministries, evangelism and other activities in the life of the church that need to be developed or enhanced to foster this church growth.

Evans/Davis has developed a Vision Planning Program that is both cost effective and efficient that is designed to enhance both numerical and spiritual growth. As we move into spring, we suggest that your leadership begin to discuss long-range planning. The firm can meet with you to discuss our services and make recommendations for next steps in the planning process.

It is our mission to assist churches in setting hearts on fire for Christ. We want to help you with both numerical and spiritual growth. Please contact us to learn more.