So far, we have answered the following questions about strategy:

What is a strategy?
Why do we need one?
What makes for a good one?

(Go to Parts 1 and 2 below to review.)

Now it’s time to ask, “How do we craft a strategy for our congregation?”

Good question! Let’s check it out.

Not long ago, I was invited to work with a congregation who needed to craft a strategy statement. They had their poetry: A pithy, memorable mission statement. It was biblical, inspiring, and pointed to the transformative difference they could make in the community with Jesus and his love. What they needed now was a strategy so the people of the congregation would know how to participate in what the poetry inspired and promised.

In other words, “How will our congregation intentionally and consistently make, mentor, and send out disciples who know how to join Jesus on his mission?”

In advance, I asked the pastor to gather leaders of the congregation who were living a life of mission. To get started, I met with these leaders and talked about what a strategy is and what makes for a good one. I then divided them into working groups and asked them to write down their congregation’s mission statement. This they did with ease. They knew their poetry well and were clearly inspired by it.

Next, I pointed out that the congregation obviously had components of an effective strategy scattered throughout its ministry options since the leaders had somehow become excited participants in the mission themselves. The question was, “What are the components that caused this transformation?”

Or to put the question another way, why were some members transformed into excited mission-participants and others not. What were some members participating in and others not?

In order to tease out these answers, I asked the leaders to write down all the congregational activities, classes, and programs which had inspired and prepared them to live a life of mission. The groups got to work. When they were done, I asked them to identify and write down why they had experienced transformation by participating in these activities?

When they had completed this part of the exercise, I invited them to review everything they had written down and circle common words or phrases that emerged. What pattern, pathway, or progression did the words reveal for how the congregation was making, mentoring, and sending out disciples to join Jesus on his mission?

Once they had clarified which components were the cause of the transformation, they had essentially discerned their strategy. All that was left was to brainstorm pithy ways to communicate it.

In time, because of their newfound clarity, it would be much simpler to evaluate which ministry activities served the congregational strategy best, which ones needed to be reformed so they could serve the strategy better, and which ones needed to eventually be phased out because they actually distracted or diverted people from the strategy.

Likewise, when they were ready to create new activities and programs, their strategic clarity would enable them to intentionally include the components necessary to consistently make, mentor, and send disciples to join Jesus on his mission as a daily lifestyle.

Are you and your leaders ready to start crafting the congregation’s strategy statement?

Invite leaders who themselves are participating regularly in accomplishing the congregation’s mission to help craft the strategy.
Have them write down the congregation’s mission statement and pose the following question: “How will our congregation intentionally and consistently make, mentor, and send out disciples who know how to accomplish this mission?”
Explain what a strategy is, why one is needed, and what makes for a good one.
Have them list all the activities, classes, and programs the congregation currently offers which inspired and prepared them to live a life of mission.
Next, ask them to identify why participation in these ministries resulted in their transformation.
Now review everything written down and circle common words or phrases that emerge.
What pattern, pathway, or progression do the words or phrases reveal for how disciples are being made, mentored, and sent out to join Jesus on his mission? This is the essence of your strategy.
Brainstorm pithy words or phrases to communicate the strategy.

If your congregation needs help with this process, Rev. Greg Finke and Dwelling 1:14 are ready and available. Contact us at finkeonthemove@gmail.com.