If we are honest, most strategic planning sessions end up being long meetings where we drink too much coffee, fill up whiteboards with fancy words, and create documents that collect digital dust in our Google Drives. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
But here’s the thing – strategic planning doesn’t have to be that way. And if we’re serious about reaching people for Jesus in 2025, it absolutely shouldn’t be.
What Strategic Planning IS NOT
Before we dive into what works, let’s clear the air about what strategic planning isn’t:
- It’s not a magical formula that will solve all your church’s problems (I wish!)
- It’s not about copying what Elevation or Life.Church is doing (though we can learn from them)
- It’s not creating a 50-page document that nobody will ever read
- It’s not about using buzzwords to sound smart
- It’s not a substitute for prayer and seeking God’s direction
What Strategic Planning IS
Now, here’s what real, effective strategic planning looks like in the context of ministry:
It’s asking three simple but powerful questions:
- Where are we now? (Brutal honesty required)
- Where is God calling us to go? (Spirit-led vision)
- How do we get there? (Practical steps)
Think of it like GPS navigation. You need your current location, your destination, and the route to get there. Simple, right?
Best Practices That Actually Work
1. Start with Prayer (Like, Actually)
I know this sounds super-spiritual, but hear me out. Too often, we treat prayer like the appetizer before the “real meal” of planning. Flip that script. Make it the main course. Get your team together and spend serious time seeking God’s direction. And by serious, I mean more than a 2-minute opening prayer.
2. Know Your Numbers (But Don’t Worship Them)
You need to know:
- Your current attendance patterns
- Your giving trends
- Your community demographics
- Your volunteer engagement
- Your digital reach
But remember: these are indicators, not the whole story. Jesus talked about leaving the 99 for the 1. Sometimes, the most important metrics can’t be put in a spreadsheet.
3. Focus on Fewer Things
Here’s a hill I’m willing to die on: You can’t do 10 things well. You just can’t. Pick 2-3 major initiatives for 2025 and go all in. At my first church plant, we tried to launch six ministries simultaneously. Spoiler alert: it was a train wreck.
4. Build in Reality Checks
Calendar quarterly review dates NOW. Not because you don’t trust God, but because you want to be a good steward of the vision He’s given you. Set clear milestones and measurable outcomes that tell you whether you’re moving in the right direction.
5. Plan for Failure
This might sound negative, but it’s actually super freeing. What will you do when (not if) something doesn’t work? Having a contingency plan isn’t lacking faith – it’s wisdom. Remember: failure isn’t fatal, but failing to learn from it is.
Making It Stick
Here’s the real key to strategic planning: ruthless implementation. The best plan on paper means nothing without execution. Some practical tips:
- Break your big goals into 90-day sprints
- Assign clear owners to each initiative
- Create a rhythm of short, focused check-ins
- Celebrate small wins publicly
- Keep your plans visible (literally – put them on the wall)
The Bottom Line
Strategic planning for 2025 isn’t about creating the perfect plan. It’s about getting clear on where God is leading you and creating a flexible framework to get there. It’s about being intentional with the resources and people God has entrusted to you.
Remember: Moses had a strategy for crossing the Red Sea. David had a strategy for facing Goliath. Paul had a strategy for reaching the Gentiles. Having a strategy isn’t unspiritual – it’s good stewardship.
Let’s make 2025 the year we stop just talking about reaching people and start doing it with purpose and clarity.
