While Christ-likeness involves so much more than simply modeling Jesus’ behavior, like also maintaining His attitudes and perspective, following His example certainly provides the patterns we need for all we do. Even in leadership tasks like strategic planning, we can learn much from Him. Let’s not merely study and conform to the ways of the world but rather maintain a Christ-like pattern for strategic planning.
An Example from Jesus That Provides a Christ-like Pattern for Strategic Planning
In both the feeding of the 4000 (Matt. 14:14-21) and the 5000 (Matt. 15:32-39) we can learn from Jesus as He engaged in strategic planning.
- Jesus observed a need.
- Motivated by compassion for the people (Matt. 14:14; 15:32), He set a goal to meet that need, which required a plan for how to do it.
- Jesus then led His disciples in making an assessment, or analysis, of available resources
- Jesus built a framework for implementing that goal, not inhibited by physical limitations.
- Jesus monitored the outcome.
May we do nothing in vain but always make the most of every opportunity (Eph. 5:15-16; Col. 4:5), seeking eternal good through His power (Jn. 15:5) as we strategically plan to meet the needs around us.
Order the Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide for some input about each of the above points. In addition to strategic planning, this resource looks at Christlikeness in 23 other leadership tasks and responsibilities.
For More on Being Christ-like, Go To: Resources about Christlikeness in the Church
All Posts about Strategic Planning:
- Strategic Planning Biblically Defined
- At the Core of Strategic Planning
- Trust God Yet Consult with Others?
- Outcome of Strategic Planning
- A Christ-like Pattern for Strategic Planning
- A Christ-like Perspective in Strategic Planning
- Power Struggles in Planning
- God’s Big Strategic Plan
- More Lessons about Strategic Planning from the Gospel
- Where Prayer Takes Our Strategic Planning
- Where the Holy Spirit Takes Our Strategic Planning
- Help in Forming a Strategic Planning Team
- Test Plans Against God’s Word
- How the Resurrection Affects Strategic Planning
- Strategic Planning That’s Not Rooted in Pride
- Leader Qualities that Positively Affect Strategic Planning
- Lies That Thwart Spiritually Successful Strategic Planning