In this earlier post we established the importance of planning for your church / organization. We concluded if you aren’t deliberate about activities you’d be prone to distractions. Not only that, but that you also risk wasting and abusing resources. There are many things we can explore in relation to strategy. A culture of planning in your church or organization is critical for sustained impact.
I Often Wonder
- While there can be many factors to not making progress, are the times we make little or no impact because we haven’t planned?
- Are we more reactive than proactive in execution?
Things we did and didn’t do got us where we are. Of course, God’s hand is in the mix, but I’m talking about the part we have to play as co-laborers.
The Culture of Planning In Your Church Or Organization
Sunday is inevitable. It feels urgent, and that’s where a lot of energy for churches goes. Sadly, as a church we can spend most of our energy there at the expense of the longer future. (Click to Tweet)
‘Seeing how the Spirit will lead’ isn’t a great strategy. I’m not suggesting ignoring to the Spirit. Neither am I suggesting not being prayerful. I’m saying, “See how the Spirit will lead…” is a bad excuse for not taking responsibility where we ought to.
We must follow God’s leading and be faithful to put in the work. (Click to Tweet)
One example comes to mind here. Paul, in his mission trips, planned but allowed for the Holy Spirit to interrupt and redirect him. You can read the story here. I guess this comes from a fear of stepping out of what God wants for and through us. We must never forget that God can and must always be involved in all our dreaming and strategy.
Before The Fact
“Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. Then every plan you make will succeed.” — Proverbs 16:3 (TPT)
First, God. That’s where everything, including setting out roadmaps, starts. I must admit, a lot of the times my order is off. I know what it’s like to labour night developing strategy, and at the end ask God to prosper them. Plan and start with God.
Trust is directed and is focused on a particular outcome. It must have an object. So, we trust God to guide us from planning to execution.
Outro
For all the reasons we ‘fail’ (whatever that means), may planning not be one of them. Of course, we seek God’s guidance. Trust God and plan.
Where are you on the planning side of things?
In case you haven’t already check out these other posts in the planning series:
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