Barnabas File

When the Apostle Paul came to Philippi, he probably planned to use his usual strategy.   Paul and Barnabas had developed a particular strategy on their “first missionary journey.”   They went to urban centers of influence; they started in synagogues where there might be “low hanging fruit”—people with some background in faith; they were willing to stay in one place if the results were positive (two or three years)—much like Paul and Barnabas’ experience at Antioch; they kept in touch with the resulting congregations.   From the beginning, the second missionary journey was different.  A vision (16:6-10) led them on a different path.  In Philippi, a different strategy came into play.  Listen to Acts 16:9-15: 9  During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  10  After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Maced...

A coaching client was not only a pastor, but a military chaplain.     He had served a period of time on active duty and had taken the opportunity to pursue the training that would complement his experience so that he could advance in rank but also in impact.    What he learned about the difference in tactics and strategy helped me to understand what leaders must do to expand their capacity to lead.   The chaplain who thinks tactically asks questions like, “What am going to do for chapel services next Sunday?” or “Who can I get to lead this group?”  On the other hand, the chaplain who thinks strategically asks, “How can I staff to meet the spiritual needs of the airmen in my squadron?” or “What are the added responsibilities I face if we are deployed?”  One is thinking short term and one is thinking long term.  Short term thinking gets the job done; long term thinking prepares for the next challenge.     Strategic thin...

As individuals and organizations, we are often distracted by the latest “bright, shining object.”  The object may be a new training program, software, or ministry opportunity.  Whatever it is, the new object seems more attractive than what we are presently doing, promising a quick and productive result. In his book Leaders Made Here , Mark Miller reminds us that we should hold our strategies tightly and our tactics loosely. In World War Two, Eisenhower’s strategy was to invade Europe and defeat the German forces.  Various troop and logistical movements were the tactics to accomplish this and were constantly modified. Strategies move us toward our long-term goals or vision while tactics are steps along the way.  Tactics change based on the realities on the ground.  New programs and ideas are tactics, but do they move us toward our ultimate goals or divert us from what we want to achieve?  Perhaps they are simply shortcuts to disaster.  We h...