The Plan

When I was in seminary studying for my Master's, my theology professor walked straight to the chalk board as he entered class one day and started writing. He wrote, "Plan your work: work your plan,” Then he turned to the class and quoted what he had just written. He paused and let it soak in. His emphasis was, "Life and ministry does not just happen. You have to make plans."

In an effort to revisit our ministry plans, I have spoken with Andy Hale, who in turn, has spoken with others, about the best plan for our work. In an effort to help fledgling missions grow in the Cooperative Baptist family, our leadership has birthed a "plan of action" to help missions. This plan is longer and more detailed than the original plan that our Leadership Team voted to participate in through the Dawnings project. To give you an idea, the email that I received from Andy outlining the program being offered to us is twenty eight pages outlining eight sessions. This also involves the mission pastor attending a three day workshop for orientation/training. These twenty eight pages will be visited at our next Leadership Team meeting.

Of course, we don’t want to work a plan just to be working a plan. We want to focus on a way to connect and build relationships with the non-churched. When we look in the book of Acts, we read that the first century disciples went from house to house talking to people about Jesus. In other words, they planned their work and they worked their plan.

Finding ways to connect with others in a gospel-hardened culture is difficult; but where there is a will, there is a way. We will find a way to” make disciples" (Matthew 28:19) as Jesus commanded.

As we ponder our future, I am encouraged by Jeremiah 32:26-27. The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me?"

Trusting in Him,

Ron