Plan Your Work

“Plan your work. Work your plan.” Two simple sentences with wise words. But you may ask, “How do I plan my work?” Let’s consider several questions in creating a plan that will define the life and work of our Lord in our congregations.

What?

What do you want to do? Make sure your What fits with your spiritual gifts and the God-possibilities where God has placed you. Pray through your thoughts and desires. Remember, you may be able to prove you are right. The question remains, “Is God convinced?” Your What may be evangelism, or it may involve helping the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives, the prisoners, the grieved, parents, children, singles, married, or a people I have not identified. Your What should stretch you as God works in and through you to accomplish his purposes. A word of caution: planning too many goals can trigger failure. Narrow your focus to fit your vision. State the What you want to do as simply as possible.

Why?

To find the answer to Why, you begin with how you answered What.  Why does God want you to do what you want? Christian leaders exercise wisdom by planning with biblical principles in mind. With over 80 references to the kingdom of God in the gospels, you can find proper support for most of the ministries God wants to design where he has planted you. No doubt, you can find other ministries not mentioned in the gospels yet supported in the Scriptures. Your Why needs to give biblical validity to your What.

Who?

The Who question finds its answer in you, the people you lead, the community, and the world where you live. Each of us is born in a specific time in history, and we serve in a particular place. Every people and place have a history that speaks to the present. We plan because we believe we have a future. How do the past and anticipated future speak to your What? How does your congregation feel about your What? Your ministry may be local or distant, depending on the way your Who engages your What. How has God equipped you and your people to accomplish your What?

How?

The How forms the plan to accomplish your What. 

  • Pray through what you want to do.
  • Define your What.
  • Explain your Why.
  • Identify your Who.
  • List your action plans for your How.
  • Work your How to accomplish your What.

Your process requires communication at every level. Good communication involves listening as well as speaking. Encourage people, empower leaders, and expect the best. Enjoy your success.

Conclusion

You can create a workable plan. I believe you will increase your success by planning and involving your people in working with you. Stop to study your What, Why, Who, and How. Your answers will plan your work so you can work your plan.

We look forward to hearing your comments on helping leaders lead.

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