Since this spring, when I found out that my wife’s job was going to keep us in the area for another 4 years, I’ve been thinking about what I want the next 4 years of ministry to look like. A little while back I put together a tentative scope and sequence chart that outlines the major topics we’ll cover in our various aspects of ministry. I think it’s a pretty swell plan.
One of my goals is to read at least something from every book in the Bible during high school Sunday school over the next four years. I found myself torn because that meant a lot of good material had to be left out. And then I thought about the kids who were juniors and seniors and who wouldn’t get to experience the “full effect” of this comprehensive plan. I really wanted everyone to be able to experience the whole four years.
And then I realized that in order for anyone to be able to be a part of a plan like this, they have to be here at the beginning and see it through to the end. If they are not freshman, then they miss out. It seemed to me that planning this out made me take an anti-missional stance. The whole idea is predicated on people being here their freshman year. I was working under the assumption that if our group grows and people get involved as sophomores, juniors, or seniors that they won’t get the full benefit of the program. And I didn’t much like thinking that way.
I’m going to probably stick to the rough plan that’s been laid out simply to provide some balance and to make sure that we don’t cover the same things over and over. But what is important is to realize that it’s not the planning or the programs that make our break someone’s faith development. If someone connects with our church and ministry in their senior year, we have to continue to put the impetus of growth and maturity on sustainable relationships that will last beyond and outside of these programs. These structures only serve as a container within which to house and develop some of these relationships.
Or, at least, that’s where I’m at on this whole deal right now.
Does anyone else do comprehensive long-range planning and have the same struggles?
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Help them read the bible for themselves. That should take each student through the Bible.
Aye, that is part of the plan.
Thanks Matt! Some of my clients have struggled with this issue during life coaching sessions. Most of them land at believing that God is working through the plan. If we make no plan, we risk being stagnant and not growing and learning. If we become too committed to the plan, we risk missing the still small voice of God. There is a place to be in the middle of that continuum. I liken it to a mission trip, in which we set our trip details so that it frees us to deal with the unexpected opportunities or crises, knowing that the plan is in place.
Long-term planning is great for helping us do things that..well, take a long time to plan. In your case, going through the Bible with students in the next four years won’t just happen. When we plan well, we set down on paper what we think God is leading us to do during a particular time span. Usually, the farther out we plan, the more hazy the plan will be, but we still have a plan. However, we don’t put the plan above God. When we hear from God about something or circumstances arise that we never could have predicted, what we believe we’re supposed to do might differ from the plan. And in those cases, diverting from the plan is a good thing. It’s good stewardship of time and resources to plan ahead, even a few years out. It’s also good stewardship of time and resources to go where God’s leading, even if we don’t have a lot of notice.
I just read a book about a similar subject. It was called “Rescuing Ambition” & in a similar way it explored how planning, strategy & even ambition can be very God honoring. I understand you’re conundrum & live it everyday as well.
There is a tension in planning/goal setting/strategy while also being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit; keeping an open hand while not leaving your resources un-tapped.
Matt,
I have struggled with similar thoughts. For the past year and a half, we have done semester long series, and in many ways each week all builds on the previous. This past semester we talked about the Body of Christ and had them in several ways reflect on how God has gifted each of them. I think for those who were very consistent they learned a lot about how God has gifted each of them uniquely for work in the Body of Christ. But I also think that those who were less regular still got some great things out of it, they just didn’t see it all connect together.
Maybe giving them some sort of recap day every quarter or whatever might help the less regulars connect the bigger pieces, and even for those who have been there the whole time, they might learn the effort that has gone into what you plan.
Now matter what, I have found that I can be a much better communicator the further out I plan because it is all heading somewhere.