Develop Strategies
Do you ever feel like you have great plans in your ministry network but are never able to get them off the ground?
In creating your action plan The step of "Do" is where the rubber meets the road. Working to execute our plan is what brings dreams into reality.
Rebuild
We see this vital step lived out in the Bible through Nehemiah. Nehemiah was able to organize the citizens of Jerusalem to rebuild the broken down walls of their city in 52 days. As you follow his story in the first six chapters of Nehemiah, you find that he prayed, assessed the situation, and designed a plan where each family rebuilt the walls in front of their own home. Despite threats from the opposition, they prevailed. This is still a terrific model for us today!
Get 'er done!
With his straightforward style, Peter Drucker sums up what should happen when we work together for a common goal. (emphasis added).
- "Work is done when it is done."
- "Done by people."
- "By people who are properly informed, assigned, and equipped."
- "People with a deadline."
- "People who are developed and evaluated."
"The best plan is only a plan - a set of good intentions - unless there is communication, action, appraisal, and the continuous allocation of resources to getting results." (Peter Drucker: The Drucker Foundation Self-assessment Tool, page 59.)
Keep focused
Here are some other helpful thoughts to keep your network focused on accomplishing your plans.
- Delegate responsibility with clear expectations.
- Set a timeline with some deadlines.
- Overcommunicate to ensure people understand the purpose and direction.
- Evaluate along the way and celebrate when things go well.
Plan for the unplanned
Remember, working together to accomplish something important rarely goes exactly as planned. It can be messy. It will take hard work. Even so, be diligent and keep focused on the ONE who calls us to serve and share the gospel.
As you move forward by faith, perhaps this verse will be an encouragement to you.
"Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
Also remember Proverb 16:1 : "We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God's hands.'
Putting it into action
These are days of challenge and opportunity as we choose to allow God's Spirit to help us discover, design, and do what God has prepared for us to accomplish in His name as we work together.
So what are some steps you can take to Discover, Design and Do what God intends for youth in your community? Take a look at this "Interactive" to help plan your course of action. If you want a coach for this process, then feel free to contact NNYM.
Do - Action Plan
An Action Plan is not effective unless it is put into practice. Here are some questions to help you think through how to implement your action plan.
- How effective is your network in discovering, designing and doing an action plan?
- What can you learn from this article that can help your ministry network more effectively implement your action plan?
- How is your plan coming together for meeting the physical and spiritual needs of youth in your community?
- What are the challenges and opportunities you are facing in putting your plan into action?