{"id":4092,"date":"2017-03-20T08:00:43","date_gmt":"2017-03-20T12:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/?p=4092"},"modified":"2025-05-24T15:02:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T19:02:13","slug":"core-strategic-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/core-strategic-planning.htm","title":{"rendered":"At the Core of Strategic Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the core of all we do as a Church should be our love for God and people — the greatest commandments according to Jesus (Matt. 22:37-40). Hence, at the core of strategic planning should be helping people fulfill that purpose to love God with all of who we are and to love others. All processes we develop should both reflect and promote that love. All steps we propose and decisions we make should align with and lead to such love.<\/p>\n

“Strategically plan to help people love God and others?” you might ask.<\/h2>\n

In Scripture we find many commands to love. If loving God and people came naturally, we wouldn’t need commandments telling us to love. Let’s look at just one of the commands to love. — Follow God\u2019s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us … (Eph. 5:1-2)<\/em><\/p>\n

When we walk, we intentionally place one foot in front of the other with a destination in mind. We don’t come into this world walking as babies. We learn to walk, usually under the guidance of adults in our lives. And so, as church leaders, we strategically plan to help people love God and others.<\/p>\n

\"Strategic<\/p>\n

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And, Scripture tells us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24). Two phrases in this verse suggest strategic planning:<\/p>\n

“consider how”<\/em> – Strategic planning begins with assessment. We need a thorough understanding of how to get to our destination, in this case to “love and good deeds”, which requires that we observe and discover what is needed to get there.<\/p>\n

“spur on”<\/em> – Strategic planning points the way to accomplish our objective. The Greek word for spur suggests incitement or provocation. Think of how animals are prodded with a stick to get them on the right path. Similarly, we put structures in place that lead people to loving God and others.<\/p>\n

In addition to the content on this page, the Steering the Church Toward God’s Purposes Leadership Guide<\/strong><\/a> also help you think through implications of having love at the core of strategic planning.<\/p>\n

Also Read:<\/p>\n