December 9 & 10, 2006
In this week’s installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I want to communicate a caveat about the risk of overemphasizing our strategy. We are to be strategic, that is, we should plan with the end in mind. There is no problem with carefully considering how to best approach accomplishing our purpose. But, and here is the warning, it is also important to not rely on human ingenuity. Real ministry is empowered by God, and takes place through relationships. I will continue to read books on evangelism, discipleship, management, leadership, and church growth techniques, but the strength to fulfill spiritual goals comes from God. His book, the Bible, is completely different than any other book. It doesn’t just suggest good ideas, it gives us God’s ideas, for the Scriptures are God’s inspired, inerrant, infallible Word. Here’s a verse every church leader should memorize: “’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Zech. 4:6). Slicker methodology pales in comparison with the supreme importance of looking to God in prayer for the strength to accomplish his will.
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