STRATEGIC PLANNING BEGINS WITH DISCERNMENT
by RE Ralphetta Aker McClary, Chair, Strategic Planning Committee
By principle and by example, God’s Word establishes strategic planning as one of the ways God works in and through people. Our strategic planning team began our work by asking “What methods can we apply to our process to discern the work God is calling us to?” We have engaged in an envisioning process to develop an authentic model for who and where we are for us to successfully respond to the direction the Spirit is providing for the Presbytery and discuss how this process can be applied to our local congregations.
The Presbytery’s plan will include a vision statement that sets the direction, a mission statement to define our purpose, and values to serve as a moral compass based on a cohesive and actionable plan. God’s plan is what we want, not our own.
Pillars of the faith revealed in scripture who thought and acted strategically define the qualities and attributes necessary to live in a strategic spirit-driven plan. Through scripture we learn of God’s direction to Moses; a man of questions, humble; sensitive to the needs of others, who stuck to a task he knew he wouldn’t complete and prayed like his ministry depended on it. Through his father-in-law, Moses learned the art of delegation and understood that such action does not terminate responsibility. Moses shared the burden of leadership and trained others to take leadership responsibilities.
Joshua was firm in faith and courageous, willing to help others, and a man of prayer Hebrews 4:3, 8-11a. In Joshua 23-24 we see Joshua stay focused on his mission and follow God’s commands to conquer the land God had promised them.
Nehemiah organized well and delegated responsibilities; was a transformative leader; who through prayer persevered; and had a heart of leadership. Nehemiah knew communication between God and the leader was key to a God-directed outcome. Through prayer and obedience, the power of the Spirit was leveraged, and the Vision became plain.
How do we discern the work God is calling us to for and through Central Florida Presbytery? Only through prayer, listening, and responding to God’s direction through obedient implementation.
Understanding God’s purpose is the element in strategic planning for the church that is vastly different from the secular strategic planning process. As Christians, we should be setting our hearts and minds on God a the beginning of the strategic planning process. It is God’s plan, not our own that we want.
An established plan that is pleasing to Him is the plan that will succeed; identifying our presbytery uniqueness and discerning our ongoing responsibilities as leaders to develop a Christ-centered presbytery is what ultimately our team has determined we are called upon to do. Strategic planning is not only a biblical concept but also a biblical mandate. It is God’s chosen means of working to establish how we carry out the Great Commission. We are to be intentional in getting God’s heart and understanding and knowing how we will accomplish God’s mission in our settings through the Holy Spirit.
We are to be discerning the Will of God and the movement of the Holy Spirit during this season of planning. To that end, like the church of the New Testament detailed in the book of Acts, we are entering a season of prayer and waiting. A time of intentional prayer for God’s will, leading, and direction for Central Florida Presbytery, its churches, and its members. A prayer for us to humble ourselves “if those who are called by My Name” that we might hear a word from heaven, and our land might be healed.
During the March 2, 2024, Presbytery an intentional time of prayer was observed.
The Presbytery’s plan will include a vision statement that sets the direction, a mission statement to define our purpose, and values to serve as a moral compass based on a cohesive and actionable plan. God’s plan is what we want, not our own.
Pillars of the faith revealed in scripture who thought and acted strategically define the qualities and attributes necessary to live in a strategic spirit-driven plan. Through scripture we learn of God’s direction to Moses; a man of questions, humble; sensitive to the needs of others, who stuck to a task he knew he wouldn’t complete and prayed like his ministry depended on it. Through his father-in-law, Moses learned the art of delegation and understood that such action does not terminate responsibility. Moses shared the burden of leadership and trained others to take leadership responsibilities.
Joshua was firm in faith and courageous, willing to help others, and a man of prayer Hebrews 4:3, 8-11a. In Joshua 23-24 we see Joshua stay focused on his mission and follow God’s commands to conquer the land God had promised them.
Nehemiah organized well and delegated responsibilities; was a transformative leader; who through prayer persevered; and had a heart of leadership. Nehemiah knew communication between God and the leader was key to a God-directed outcome. Through prayer and obedience, the power of the Spirit was leveraged, and the Vision became plain.
How do we discern the work God is calling us to for and through Central Florida Presbytery? Only through prayer, listening, and responding to God’s direction through obedient implementation.
Understanding God’s purpose is the element in strategic planning for the church that is vastly different from the secular strategic planning process. As Christians, we should be setting our hearts and minds on God a the beginning of the strategic planning process. It is God’s plan, not our own that we want.
An established plan that is pleasing to Him is the plan that will succeed; identifying our presbytery uniqueness and discerning our ongoing responsibilities as leaders to develop a Christ-centered presbytery is what ultimately our team has determined we are called upon to do. Strategic planning is not only a biblical concept but also a biblical mandate. It is God’s chosen means of working to establish how we carry out the Great Commission. We are to be intentional in getting God’s heart and understanding and knowing how we will accomplish God’s mission in our settings through the Holy Spirit.
We are to be discerning the Will of God and the movement of the Holy Spirit during this season of planning. To that end, like the church of the New Testament detailed in the book of Acts, we are entering a season of prayer and waiting. A time of intentional prayer for God’s will, leading, and direction for Central Florida Presbytery, its churches, and its members. A prayer for us to humble ourselves “if those who are called by My Name” that we might hear a word from heaven, and our land might be healed.
During the March 2, 2024, Presbytery an intentional time of prayer was observed.