When we look at strategic planning biblically, we keep God’s purposes at the core and use processes that follow His design. Certainly, then, when we do that, we should arrive at an outcome near to the heart of God.
Outcomes Important to God
The following verses clearly show what God considers most important:
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Cor. 13:1-3)
And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. (Mk. 12:33)
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hos. 6:6)
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isa. 58:5-7)
From these verses we must conclude that the outcome of our strategic planning must go beyond the activities themselves to people expressing love for God and one another. If our planning efforts merely result in great programs and events but leave people’s hearts unchanged, we must question what we’re doing.
Jesus’ Great Commission Brings Us to This Same Outcome of Strategic Planning
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matt. 28:19-20)
We “go” … the activity part … but that going results in making disciples — people who identify with Him through baptism and who are learning to obey everything He commanded. What are the greatest commandments Jesus taught? We are to love God with all of who we are and to love people as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-40).
Consequently our strategic planning should lead to the fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. If the outcome of our strategic planning fails to lead to fully devoted followers in love with Jesus who in turn love others, then we need to question if we are on track.
The Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide includes this content as well as three tips to get on track, and stay on track, with God’s desired outcome in strategic planning.
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