Forward Responsibility

The old saying “Aim at nothing, and you will hit it” is as true for ministry as for anything else in life. I have always been impressed with how people in the Bible planned strategically as they sought to carry out the mission of God. For example:

*Moses appointed officials over the people of Israel and had them serve as judges. *David planned and provided for the building of the temple and left everything needed for Solomon to complete the task. *Nehemiah made careful preparation and plans for the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in order to restore security and self-esteem for the people of Israel after the Babylonian captivity. *As the time approached for Jesus to complete his mission, he set his face like a flint toward Jerusalem. It was as if Christ had orchestrated the events of his final days on earth in order to accomplish God’s divine plan. *The apostle Paul developed a missionary strategy of proclaiming the gospel and establishing churches in centers of commerce from which the gospel could be taken to outlying villages.

Throughout biblical history, godly people have been strategic planners. Prayerful and thoughtful analysis and preparation are keys in designing for success in the work of God. The five phases of effective planning include: 1) analysis, which asks, “Where are we?” 2) visioning, which asks, “Where are we going?” 3) planning, which asks, “How are we going to get there?” 4) funding, “How are we going to pay for it?” and 5) implementation, which asks “How are we doing?”

Strategic planning in the kingdom of God creates a set of priorities that enables us to act courageously and responsibly in the present in order to advance toward the future with a greater expression of God’s work. It is an intentional effort to seek the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, to discern the will of God as we move into the future.

My experience as a preacher is that the Holy Spirit often moves just as well in the quiet of my study as he does in the pulpit; there is no substitute for good planning and preparation. It is one of the key principles for effective preaching — and leadership. As Solomon once wrote, “Without revelation and a vision, the people cast off restraint” (Proverbs 29:18).

—Dr. Peter Barnes, guest devotional writer, is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Boulder, Colorado. To comment on this devotional, e-mail Newsletter@LeadershipJournal.net.