When some Christians hear the word strategy they immediately think, “that’s not spiritual”. They have this idea that the moment you use words like strategy you are dismissing the work of the Holy Spirit; as if the Holy Spirit is not strategic and planned and orderly. The simple truth is that strategy is what takes us from where we are (point A) to where we want to be (point B). It’s like taking a road trip from Calgary to Vancouver. You know where you are (point A) and you know where you want to go (point B). Now you need a strategy to get there. Are you going to take a car? A Bus? What route? How many stops along the way? What snacks will you bring? Etc…. And answering all those questions will create the strategy you will use to get from Calgary to Vancouver.
The same principles apply to ministry.
You start by asking, “where are we now?” You do a deep dive into the churches’ history, financials, spiritual formation, leadership development, discipleship pathway, evangelism fervour, etc. You get an honest sense of where the church is at. You also look at the community that surrounds the church, where are they? What community do you live in? Do a community profile to help you understand this more.
Then you start asking, “where do we want to go?” Who are we called to reach? What do we want to see in our church? What does someone who is a fully devoted to Christ look like? All of these questions begin to answer what the future of your church would look like. The key ingredient on this is to be obedient to the Great Commission. Who are we called to reach will help you determine your destination.
Now you start to build the strategy. If we are called to reach ____________, then what are we going to do to reach them. Three key questions to ask as you move forward is this:
What do we need to start doing? What aren’t we doing that we can start doing to reach the people we are called to reach?
What do we need to stop doing? What are we currently doing that gets in the way of reaching the people we are called to reach?
What do we need to change? What current ministries can we change so that they begin to reach the people we are called to reach?
Just like any road trip, there may be twists and turns along the way but it’s important to keep your eyes on the destination. Your community needs you. May God guide you on your journey.
Jeremiah works as an Effectiveness Coach with the ABNWT District of the PAOC. He is a passionate and creative leader who believes that the church is the hope of the world. He uses collaboration, innovation, and inspiration to challenge churches and their leadership to engage in the only mission Jesus ever sent his church on: making disciples.