f the things I’ve really enjoyed over the past twenty plus years is doing planning meetings for Churches. This ministry is one that was born out of my desire to use some of the skills God had allowed me to learn to further the work and mission of local Churches. The concept is really quite simple. The leaders of the Church assemble together and we work through a series of exercises and techniques to help them agree on what they should be doing and what they should do to improve what they are doing.I’ve done some forty of these types of facilitated workshops. I come with a blank easel pad and they come with their hopes, ideas, thoughts, and dre
ams for their local fellowship of believers. We work through a process that helps focus attention on placing priorities on those things that are most important. I’ve been privileged to work with small groups such as music or youth ministries. I’ve done sessions for Church staff only with six to eight participants. I’ve conducted Church wide sessions with as many as sixty leaders and workers or more involved. Each session has been unique because God has made us all different with some of us being more different than the rest.
ams for their local fellowship of believers. We work through a process that helps focus attention on placing priorities on those things that are most important. I’ve been privileged to work with small groups such as music or youth ministries. I’ve done sessions for Church staff only with six to eight participants. I’ve conducted Church wide sessions with as many as sixty leaders and workers or more involved. Each session has been unique because God has made us all different with some of us being more different than the rest.Many of the techniques I use in these sessions were those I observed in 
the business world. The challenge for me was to design a ministry program that mirrored biblical planning principles as opposed to transporting business concepts into the Church. Of course all concepts that are biblical come from God regardless of where they are used. But this is an important distinction and a fine line which concerned me greatly since so many Churches today tend to focus on operations and administration, more than on outreach and sharing Jesus’ love with those who are hard to love.
the business world. The challenge for me was to design a ministry program that mirrored biblical planning principles as opposed to transporting business concepts into the Church. Of course all concepts that are biblical come from God regardless of where they are used. But this is an important distinction and a fine line which concerned me greatly since so many Churches today tend to focus on operations and administration, more than on outreach and sharing Jesus’ love with those who are hard to love.At any rate, I have had a blast doing these sessions over the years. It is gratifying to h
ave had so many testimonials and endorsements of the workshop approach I have followed. However, the real result comes when people actually quit talking about doing things for the cause of Christ, and they get up, get to work, and they utilize all their God given power and potential to serve the calling God has given to their local Church. That’s when great things happen as God blesses and opens more and more doors.
ave had so many testimonials and endorsements of the workshop approach I have followed. However, the real result comes when people actually quit talking about doing things for the cause of Christ, and they get up, get to work, and they utilize all their God given power and potential to serve the calling God has given to their local Church. That’s when great things happen as God blesses and opens more and more doors.Like I said I’ve been in many different sessions in many different place
s and believe me I’ve dealt with many different thoughts, ideas, and even challenges to what we were trying to accomplish. Based on my experiences, I do have some 
general advice. Please don’t put the word “friendship” in your Church name if your people are basically unfriendly. The same could be said for using words like “harmony” and “unity” in the Church name where people basically are contentious and argumentative.
s and believe me I’ve dealt with many different thoughts, ideas, and even challenges to what we were trying to accomplish. Based on my experiences, I do have some 
general advice. Please don’t put the word “friendship” in your Church name if your people are basically unfriendly. The same could be said for using words like “harmony” and “unity” in the Church name where people basically are contentious and argumentative.I’ve seen all of the above including much contention between the senior pastor and the rest of the leadership, arguments over trivial matters, and conflicts regarding what should be done going forward. The vast majority, however, have worked hard, typically on a Friday evening and most of the day Saturday, to come up with plans designed to serve God and to demonstrate their love for God by reaching out and serving others. When it’s all said and done after ten to
twelve hours of doing work most of us rarely do, that is applying our hearts and minds to consideration, contemplation, and compilation of defined efforts that will further Kingdom work here on earth, we leave totally drained and typically exhausted. And, it was likely the best “tired” that many had experienced in a very long time.
twelve hours of doing work most of us rarely do, that is applying our hearts and minds to consideration, contemplation, and compilation of defined efforts that will further Kingdom work here on earth, we leave totally drained and typically exhausted. And, it was likely the best “tired” that many had experienced in a very long time.This reminds me of a Ray Boltz song which puts all of this into a big picture perspective. The name of the song is “What If I Give All?”, here’s the lyrics:
He heard the preacher say
A single dime can feed
A hungry boy or girl
With nothing to eat
So he pulled a dollar
From the pocket of his jeans
And he asked his mama
How many will this feed?
She just smiled
And when she told him ten
He reached back again
CHORUS:
What if I give all I have?
What if I give all I have?
What will that gift do?
My child, a gift like that
Could change the world
It could feed a multitude
He didnt close his eyes
Or turn away
I can see him standing tall
He saw the need
And I can hear him say
What if I give all?
Three birthday dollars
Could have bought a special toy
But he reminds me
Of another little boy
Who gave to Jesus
A gift of fish and bread
I wonder if he said
CHORUS
What if I give all I have?
What if I give all I have?
What will that gift do?
My child, a gift like that
Could change the world
It could feed a multitude
He didnt close his eyes
Or turn away
I can see him standing tall
He saw the need
And I can hear him say
What if I give all?
And long ago a Father and a Son
Saw the children lost in sin
Can you see the tears
In the Fathers eyes
As Jesus says to him
What if I gave all I have?
What will that gift do?
My Son, that gift
Will change the world
It will free the multitudes
Final Chorus
What if I give all I have?
What if I give all I have?
What will that gift do?
My child a gift like that
Could change the world
It could feed a multitude
We cannot close our eyes
And turn away
When we hear His Spirit call
We see the need
Now let Him hear us say
What if I give all?
What if I give all?
…More later.
…More later.
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