Reflections after watching Greg Hawkins on The Power of a Strategic Plan…
It has been suggested that we as human beings are today simply no more than the products of all our yesterdays. I have found this to be a concept which I have wished to reason away, for there is something about it which frustrates me. It feels too limiting, and yet it is hard to deny.
When it comes to consulting with churches, particularly in the arena of strategy and vision, it can be very tempting to want to view this as an ‘inconvenient truth’ and simply look to the future and proceed with whatever activities and actions may enable a church to progress toward the future horizon. However I have found that there is significance and value to be gained in paying due attention to the ‘yesterdays’ of a church’s story. In particular there is one significant event in the life of a local church that has risen to the surface in my experience….the day she was ‘born’.
Many of the churches I consult with in Northern Ireland have incredible histories dating back over hundreds of years. In such scenarios I ask those within the church today to take a few moments to reflect on their history and consider what it would be like for us to be able to interview the ‘founders’ of their church, those first leaders, and to hear them explain certain things in the language of their day. I ask that we suggest answers to one particular question we could ask them, ‘Why…why did you plant this church?’ The answers suggested are often in alignment with our current understanding as to why the church exists and the difference she is to make to those around her. In helping today’s church connect with ‘yesterdays’, there is often an incredible sense that in looking to the future we are honouring the spirit of the past and that we are building on the foundations they laid. I often encourage us to pray and give thanks at that point too.
However it would also be accurate to say that if we could allow those ‘entrepreneurs’ from years ago to ask today’s church a few questions, well then we might have a very interesting discussion. I am sure much could be said about means and methods, but this, might I suggest, would not be the key point of the discussion. I suspect that there would be something about the level of passion and intention which might be a challenge issued from the past. The cry may well come from the founders to serve the Lord we profess with total commitment and dedication and not to be ensnared by other pursuits that are perhaps more readily available to us today. It is the difference ( as highlighted so well by John Ortberg) between being admirers of Jesus to followers of Jesus….and that is actually some distance!*
So our yesterdays matter and should not be denied. Instead both the memories and the motives are to be recognised, to aid those who have been passed the mantle of leadership to take the church into tomorrow. As one old Indian proverb sates, “If you have no stories then what do you tell your children around the fire at night?”
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
*The REVEAL Spiritual Life Survey has highlighted this ‘gap’ and is proving of tremendous help in considering how to help keep people moving on a journey toward Christ centeredness in every aspect of life. Please speak to me for more details regarding this.
