Develop Strategies
Make Plans to Mobilize Your Community
If prayerful relationships are the "power rail" that define who you are, strategy is the rail that defines what you do together. So how do you establish and accomplish your network's purpose?
Create an Action Plan
Your network helps transform teenagers into disciple makers through sharing the love of Christ. This reflects the Great Commission and Great Commandment [Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 12:29-31]. Teenagers are on the front lines, but need adults to come alongside them and give them direction. An action plan clearly defines your network's target. Your plan should be fluid; it can adjust as God leads and needs change.
An Action Plan has three parts:
1) Discover
You can determine God's mission for your network by praying together and asking the question, "What are the needs of youth in our schools and community?" You can do that by gathering hard evidence through giving or finding surveys that assess youth issues and available resources. Also, listen to youth leaders and community leaders who can help you discern the real needs and spiritual opportunities, rather than just the felt needs.
2) Design
From your findings, gather your team together to develop steps that will mobilize the resources in the community to meet the physical and spiritual needs of teenagers. Prayerfully set measurable and attainable goals.
Flapjacks & Jesus
I coach the FCA huddle at Southeast Polk High School, where I also work. Seven years ago, I began praying with a local youth pastor and students for direction, asking 'How can we meet the spiritual and physical needs of students at SEPHS?' God led us to start Flapjacks & Jesus, a weekly outreach led by the FCA club. Some 200 students eat a free breakfast, while students or pastors share the gospel at two different times during the 40-minute period. Pastors mentor the student leaders, and students have met Christ in the past two years through the outreach.
-Barb Tuttle, Network member & Registrar at Southeast Polk High School near Des Moines, Iowa
3) Do
Then put it into action! Mobilize youth and those who work with them to accomplish the vision God has shown you. Afterwards, take time to evaluate what you have done and then rework the plan.