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Why Should We Care?

An old adage goes, “Plan your work and work your plan.”  Planning is important but follow-through is, too.

In visiting with a friend recently, we talked about the strategic plan that his judicatory had developed with the assistance of a consultant.  His evaluation was that the plan was good but those charged with implementing it had little enthusiasm and were inclined toward deferring to executive leadership to take care of it.

As individuals and organizations, we need to have a clear direction for the future.  Whether we call it long-range planning, strategic planning, vision casting or something else, we need clarity about where we will invest ourselves and our resources.  At the same time, we need the motivation and enthusiasm to move forward without plans.

Developing a plan is the easy part.  The hard part is implementation.  This requires motivation.  I have found that this is true whether I am coaching an individual to identify and pursue his or her goals or working with a congregation to develop and accomplish a plan of action.

Although my approach is influenced by my training as a coach, the same principles apply to organizations as well as individuals.  I suggest several steps to assure follow-through on plans.

First, start with a spiritual and relational foundation.  Working with others in the church or organization, consider these questions:
  • “What resources has God provided for us?” 
  • “What do we do well?”
  • “What do we perceive that God is calling us to do in this time and place?”
  • “What can we do that no one else can do or is doing?”


Second, identify your values.  Ask these questions:
  • “What is really important to us as a group?”
  • “What is distinctive about our church or organization?”
  • “What are the non-negotiable values that we embrace?”


Third, once the plan is implemented, keep the answers to these questions front and center.  Return to them on a regular basis, reminding participants what they have identified as important for them and the church or organization.  As Bill Hybels says, “Vision leaks.”  We must come back to our reason for existence on a continuing basis.

Whatever our plan may be, we need to be reminded on a regular basis why we do what we do and why we should care.





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