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Is Strategic Planning Biblical?
Looking at leaders from scripture.
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David David was a strategic thinker from boyhood. He did not defeat Goliath with his might or strong armor. He defeated Goliath using a God-given strategy that pinpointed the weakness of his enemy. Later, as a leader of soldiers, David used strategy in battle. David needed men who could think and plan strategically, and God gave him the men of Issachar (1 Chron. 12:32). Jesus The Old Testament is filled with examples of leaders who established strategic plans and carried them through. What about the New Testament? We can point to Jesus Christ as a great example of one who had a strategy. He began by recruiting His leadership, developing them, then sending them "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8, NIV).His strategy included some public teaching and miracle working. Ultimately, His strategy took Him all the way to the cross, the grave, and the resurrection. Jesus Christ knew the plan to provide redemption for all of mankind long before leaving heaven to carry it through. Paul The apostle Paul, a key player in establishing the early church, had a strategy. It is obvious in reading the accounts of his missionary journeys that Paul chose key cities in which to establish beachheads for ministry. He chose cities where he might have the greatest influence on the largest number of people. Ephesus, for example, was the gateway to Asia Minor. Accomplish God's purposes through strategic planning. Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." God's purpose is the element in strategic planning for the church that is vastly different from the secular strategic planning models. We see setting our hearts and minds on God as the beginning of the strategic planning process. Without question, it is God's plan we want, not our own. God obviously expects us to plan. He has given to us a number of clear principles along with some great examples. He makes it clear that we are not to trust our own plans and strategies and ignore the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is only after we seek the heart of God and His direction that we can establish plans that are pleasing to Him and plans that will succeed. Strategic planning is not only a biblical concept, it is a biblical mandate. It is God's chosen method of working to establish how you and your church intend to carry out the Great Commission. Don't just repeat last year. Be intentional in getting God's heart and knowing how you will accomplish His mission in your setting. Proverbs Speaks The book of Proverbs has a number of clear practical principles regarding strategy and planning.
Mark Marshall is regional manager for Georgia and Florida with LifeWay Church Resources in Nashville, Tennessee. Unless otherwise indicated Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, copyright © 1973,1978,1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. This article was adapted from the Fall 2002 issue of Church Administration. www.lifeway.com |             |
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