Reflections after watching Greg Hawkins on The Power of a Strategic Plan…
Bill Hybels’ axiom, ‘facts are your friends’, has been the one which I hear repeated perhaps more than any other by those familiar with Bill’s book, ‘Axiom’, in which he lists 75 others alongside. I wonder why it is has ‘stuck’ in the minds of those who have read this book?
One leader that I have the privilege of coaching will often cite this axiom, almost like a ‘mantra’ (although he does say it with a wry smile on his face on occasion!). He really does believe and accept that it is important to have facts to hand upon which to base an informed decision. And yet just recently he and I were discussing one particular aspect in relation to the church’s future growth, and he quoted a figure that they would hope to see in attendance in the next 12 to 18 months. It was an ambitious figure and I asked him as to how the church’s leadership had arrived at such. His answer portrayed an absence of facts and I reminded of what he would often be heard to quote himself!
Why then, even when we believe in the benefit of data and information, is it hard to keep this principle in mind when considering the future? Let me put forward four reasons and I ask that you ‘test them’ in your environment to see if they may be right.
- There is confusion around ‘faith and facts’. I have said to some leaders that I admire their ambition and ‘faith’, but that their faith seems….well… a bit too much like a leap into the dark. To help gain some clarity I have asked that they show me the facts upon which their faith is established and it is that this point that there may be some hesitation. Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and it is established upon a firm foundation of facts. But if the foundation is shaky and uncertain, then our faith may be misdirected, albeit well intentioned.
- It is hard work to collect the facts. There is no doubt that it is far easier to dream and envision the future. Dreaming is a natural default position for many of us when we allow our minds to wander from the task in front of us, especially when that task seems uninspiring and difficult. There are many church leaders who believe they are visionaries and enjoy the challenge of the ‘new’ and they would state that the ‘number crunching’ process is perhaps not quite so fulfilling. To therefore have to think about ‘today’ and to gather information and data that will help to name the truth of the present is something which goes against the grain of such leaders. In order to do so requires discipline and a plan, simply to acquire what is needed. In some churches where there is a larger staff there are usually others that actually enjoy the collecting and processing of data and it to these people this task should be given.
- Don’t know how and what. Gathering appropriate information is a strategic skill and there are some in positions of leadership who lack the experience and instruction in how to do so and just what is available to help. There are a number of excellent resources that now exist to help in this task, e.g. The Natural Church Development survey and the REVEAL survey, to name two and there are also a few consultants on hand in the UK who can provide guidance on this matter. So help is available.
- Fear of what may be seen. There is no doubt that in some leader’s minds there is a fear in that when the ‘stone is lifted’ all manner of nasty creepy crawlies will be seen that will have to be dealt with if there is to be progress. Therefore in believing that to be the case, why lift the stone at all…cannot it simply just be ignored? The fear of what may be evidenced is a very real and limiting factor. Some of this emanates from a leader’s own fear of failure…what will people think about me if they don’t like what they see? They may think I am not doing a good job? But these are very negative views regarding the defining of the current reality. The more positive aspects should far outweigh the negative and yet regrettably I have known some to falter at the first hurdle.
As a brief, but relevant aside, I advise churches regarding governance and staffing structures and I particularly favour the position known as an ‘Executive Pastor’. The person in this role has the ability to not only fully grasp the church’s vision, but also the capacity to implement and oversee the strategic processes that will enable the fulfilment of the vision. They are currently a rarity in the UK church, but they are growing in number as churches realise the incredible worth of such a role.
So are we just too nice to name the truth of the present or is there more to it? I would argue that there is, but no matter what the answer to that may be, I have little doubt that it will only be those who apply evaluation and research with a regular and rigorous intent who will see their churches become what they need to be for the benefit of those who will enjoy life in the tomorrow.
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Chris Hollies is a Church Development Consultant and Trainer based in Belfast who works across the denominational spectrum. He is one of the recognised consultants appointed by the WCA UK & Ireland to assist churches who wish to make the most of the REVEAL survey. See www.leadershipfirst.co.uk for more details.
The Series
- Strategy Part 1: Yesterday Matters – Chris Hollies
- Strategy Part 2: Naming the truth of the present – are we too nice to do it? – Chris Hollies
- Strategy Part 3: Envisioning the Future – Chris Hollies
- Strategy Part 4: Implementing Your Plan – Chris Hollies
- The Power of a Strategic Plan Part 1 – Greg Hawkins
Related Resources
Defining Moments – Developing a Strategic Plan
Defining Moments Audio Journal - Inside REVEAL
REVEAL Books
REVEAL Further Learning Page
REVEAL Online Conference
REVEAL Spiritual Life Survey
