Abstract: Can ecclesial organizations better identify and respond to the needs of the people they serve through the application of social science research methods? In an effort to garner insight into this larger question, the project director evaluated the efficacy of focus group meetings as a tool for obtaining feedback on a model for systematic pastoral planning from a sampling of parish leaders in the Archdiocese of Washington. The director found that participants in the focus groups provided feedback on the pastoral planning model which enhanced its design and augmented the decision making process related to the implementation of the model. The use of inclusive methods of program development enhances cooperation among pastors, lay leaders and diocesan offices. The theological and spiritual foundation for the use of social science research tools in ecclesial organizations is the concept of subsidiarity and the role of the laity in the church as expressed in Christifideles Laici (1988). Resource materials came from Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization, 1994, and John Bryson, Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations, 1995. David Morgan, Focus Groups as Qualitative Research was instrumental for understanding the use and efficacy of focus group meetings.