FROM THE HEADMASTER

WE’RE LAUNCHING OUT INTO THE DEEP

It has been said that when the time to perform arrives, the time to plan has passed.

St. Philip’s is delighted and humbled to have completed its most extensive and ambitious strategic plan to date. Special gratitude is extended to John Kiser, Kathy Hubbard, Candance Conerly

...consistent with its genesis as a small church in the late 1940s, St. Philip’s continues to be responsive to the concerns and challenges of the community surrounding it.

and numerous other staff and volunteers who persevered through the pandemic to produce our guide into the future. In Luke 5:4, Jesus gave the instruction to thrust out a little. Then He commanded - “launch out into the deep.”

I am ecstatic to share with you the courageous initiative of our board leadership, faculty and staff to begin the work of executing our thoughtful and dynamic 10-year strategic plan. It is ambitious as well as uplifting and will require tremendous resources of talent, time, and treasure to implement. This 2022 summer edition of our 1600 magazine will touch on many of the initiatives that are already underway as we in typical St. Philip’s fashion, walk by FAITH. We are undeniably convinced that our passion to fulfill God‘s will, and His faithfulness will lead us victoriously through the execution of our bold plan that rests on six pillars, with numerous goals and objectives.

The pillars will ensure that ten years from now, St. Philip’s School and Community Center would have strengthened the school, deepened its relationship with alumni and neighbors, cultivated a broad base of donors and friends, attracted and secured exceptional and dynamic faculty/ staff and volunteer leadership, and ensured a revitalized, healthy, and thriving neighborhood and community.

The work has already begun in several areas of strategic focus. This includes creating more avenues of opportunity and access through our student pathways initiative and increased enrollment. In addition, our trustees are in the final stages of completing a comprehensive compensation study that will be used as a foundation for marching into what should be every school’s most important task which is to attract and maintain the highest level of talent to educate our brilliant students. Blessings

are extended to Ernst & Young for their innovation and resourcefulness to support this initiative.

As we execute our 10-year strategic roadmap, we are also strengthening our financial planning and processes. High compliments are extended to our finance committee, headed by Melissa Orth, for their work in ensuring our financial forethought and stewardship of this ministry.

Finally, consistent with its genesis as a small church in the late 1940s, St. Philip’s continues to be responsive to the concerns and challenges of the community surrounding it. In response to our recent equitable development plan, we have started the process of establishing additional services and programming as a part of our community advancement initiatives. In addition to the economic development, housing and public safety initiatives that are on the way, we are in the initial stages of a feasibility study that will examine the merits of a program that allows our neighbors to benefit from the inevitable revitalization of the neighborhood we call home.

St Philip’s continues to move boldly in God’s favor knowing that His word is true, and we are confident that He is covering His ministry. As Jeremiah 29:11 assures us, “I know the plans I have for you,” St. Philip’s marches forward with its strategic pathways reminding ourselves that it was not raining when Noah built the ark.

Blessings,

Dr. Terry J. Flowers