An Alternative to Strategic Planning: We Can We Do?

Most of us have read Margaret Mead's quote, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Although Mead may have been thinking primarily of a secular context, the idea is certainly central to the work of the Christian church. In the Book of Acts, some Christians were dragged before public officials with the charge, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.” (Acts 17:6b, MEV)

Once we have clarity as believers, we can make an impact in our community and our world. This clarity comes only through a time of collective spiritual discernment with God’s people talking, listening, and praying. They talk about their experiences, hopes, and fears. They listen to each other with love and compassion. They pray seeking the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Our church recently went through a pastoral transition. One of the most empowering parts of the interim time was a series of congregational conversations led by our transitional interim, Dr. Bill Owen. We had four meetings to celebrate our past, clarify our present, and dream about the future. Out of this discernment process came several God-sized dreams that informed our search process and pointed us toward the future.

Churches need to enter into such times of discernment regularly. Although a smaller group may reflect on the information surfaced and craft final statements, the initial work is not done by one person or a committee, but by the congregation at large. In these times, we devout ourselves as the people of God to discovering how we can be the presence of Christ here and now.

Alan Roxburgh says that the Spirit of God is always at work among the people of God. If this is true, let’s set aside time to listen to the what the Spirit is saying to the church.

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