Who plans these days?

How important is planning to you?

I struggle with planning.  Because God has often surrounded me with those who are far more accomplished in this regard, I've relied on them to push, cajole, and sometimes shame me into it.  However, even though I know how important it is, I'd much rather do something else - like watch paint dry - or simply solve problems.  But, even the thorniest of problems can require solid planning to ensure they are solved rightly in a timely fashion.

We as a staff are going through an abbreviated process of strategic planning for the year.  We settled on May 28 as the first day, with June 10 as the final discussions regarding what we hope to accomplish as a team and within the ministries for which we are individually responsible.

As we approached the first day, I sensed what felt like spiritual opposition to the event.  I wanted to cancel it several times.  Then, even during the event, Sherry and I had a personal event within the family which I found to be very distracting.

Regardless of all the land-mines on the way and on the day, we got through a pretty successful day.  The team came together with great attitudes and unity - it was awesome!  We laughed.  We ate.  We listened.  We asked questions.  In all that, though, there was a recurrent theme that I noticed - mainly, that there is no way the mission and vision of the church can be over-communicated.  In order to ensure that everyone knows, feels, lives, breathes, and acts within the vision and mission of the church, we must communicate them - again and again and again.

What's the vision and mission?  Check this post first.

The church and each of its ministry and individual or collective goals must be penetrated and supported by the mission and vision of the church.  Thankfully, the draft plans we discussed were nearly completely aligned with the mission and vision.  Now, we can look at our plans in the collective thought of the rest of what we heard and ensure we integrate with one another and achieve the synergy that comes from one helping the other in ministry.

God answered our prayers and continues to bless us with His leading and courage to take the bold actions required of those who aren't satisfied with business as usual but are ready to storm the gates of hell with little more than squirt guns and the enabling power of God Himself. 

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