Not long ago, our congregation began a two-year process of strategic planning. We began to discuss our strengths, challenges, opportunities and vision. Afterward, we took steps to create a plan that would be pressing and attainable—a plan that would be defined by specific tasks and assignments that would carry us into a new era.
Having a strategy for ministry is an important step. One might ask: Who are we trying to reach? What resources do we have for this work? When do we want to begin or end certain tasks? Where can we go? How are we going to do this?
Having a plan is important.
One of the most satisfying ingredients in any strategic plan, however, is persistence. Follow-through is important. Specifics are important. Energy counts.
In one classic “Peanuts” comic strip, Charlie Brown is standing on the pitcher’s mound, ready to throw when Linus and the other characters approach and begin to debate the meaning of their bad play. Everyone has an opinion. Charlie Brown responds by saying, “I don’t have a baseball team, I have a theological seminary.”
Without a strategic plan for youth ministry, we often can become bogged down in debates, varying ideas, and far too many needs to meet any single one. A plan helps us focus on where we want to go, and our persistence in those plans helps us to realize the dream.
Yes, persistence pays off. Don’t give up. Keep planning your work and working your plan.
