Resolving to Pursue Your Goals: Keeping Your Ministry Focus
LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished, you have done for us. Isaiah 26:12 (emphasis mine)
It's the New Year, and people around the globe are wondering about resolutions. So let me ask you this: What is your ministry resolving to accomplish?
Isaiah 26:12 reminds us that it is appropriate, and even faithful, to think about future accomplishments, provided we rightly acknowledge that they are ultimately the work of God. As you enter this year, I encourage such purpose-driven thinking, whether individually as leaders or collectively as a board/leadership team. Being intentional about the future is often equated with “strategic planning,” a term that can imply a highly structured, multi-month process involving numerous stakeholders.
Such a process may seem heavy and laborious – but let me settle your nerves. Formal Strategic Planning processes are important, but there are other ways to ensure your church, charity, or school maintains focus on future-leaning, purpose-driven organizational traction in between formal 'Strat Planning.' Such efforts can happen in ways that may sustain you until you are ready for a full-on Strat Plan process (usually every 3-5 years). So, here's 3 things you can do this year:
1. Consider holding a weekend strategic retreat for senior leaders. Such a retreat not only strengthens team cohesion but also helps bring shared focus and alignment among those most responsible for carrying out the organization’s mission and vision. A few key considerations: a. ensure the board is appropriately engaged—this may include inviting select board members to participate; b. plan for the outcomes of the retreat to be brought to the board for discussion and discernment; and, c. where capacity allows, gather input from a range of stakeholders in advance to inform and enrich the conversation. For example, a school might survey its teachers on a key issue prior to a retreat involving the principal and vice-principals.
2. Set aside a one-hour slot in consecutive board meetings. Use the first meeting to engage in thoughtful, constructive critique of the current strategic plan. Use the second meeting to discuss potential changes and adaptations in light of that critique. This intentional, two-step process will help clarify how much effort is truly required for the organization to realign around its core goals and purposes. From there, the board will be better positioned (both confident and informed) to decide whether a more robust, months-long strategic planning process is necessary.
3. Engage your stakeholders through simple, easy-to-create online surveys: ask them directly for their input. If, for example, you have previously communicated that improving athletic facilities is a key priority for your school, invite stakeholders to share how well they believe you are progressing toward that goal. Feedback can be gathered through online newsletters, broad email distribution, or even traditional paper responses. What matters most is taking the time to listen carefully to how others perceive your efforts. Tip: Present the survey results to the board in order to build awareness and thoughtful follow-up where organizational adjustments or course corrections may be needed.
These are just three of the ways we have seen, practiced, or supported organizations in their efforts to organize thoughtfully and faithfully. The central aim is this: do not lose your commitment to your primary work of leadership – discerning and accomplishing God’s future for your organization. Take time to plan and to try some of these simple approaches, or feel free to reach out to Shepherd Consulting for a conversation. We would be glad to share additional effective and creative ways to support your next steps.
SHEPHERD'S SPOTLIGHT: The CRC Extension Fund
Recently, a long-standing organization that has served Christian churches and schools well for many, many years reached out to Shepherd: The CRC Extension Fund.
What is the CRC Extension Fund? Essentially, it is an investment arm of the Christian Reformed Church within Canada that helps schools and churches with loans to support ministry efforts of those places for building projects.
Passed by a Christian school or a CRC church in Canada? Likely a place in which they have left their organizational fingerprints.
As Organizational Systems Theory will tell you, environments change. And a board's responsibility is to ensure that it adapts to that environment in order to keep delivering the expected and desired purpose of the charity. Well, the environment around th CRC Ext Fund has changed. And their board is being wise to ask and discern, "How do we adapt accordingly?" Shepherd is happy to walk this journey with them.
If you, like The Extension Fund leaders, are finding that things are changing around you, don't hesitate to reach out for support.
Whether in mission to the church, a school, or a charity….Darren and the staff at Shepherd Consulting are celebrating the growth of God's work through their organizational leadership efforts as Shepherd Consulting moves into its third year! We are grateful for the steady growth and consistent grace that we have experienced from God and through our clients. If you have needs for strategic planning, coaching, mediation, senior leader evaluations or more, we'd love to serve you.
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