Ed Handkins Ministries

The Planning Process

Developing a Spiritual Fitness Program for your church is a six-point process. The process is simple but flexible. It can become as complex as you need it to be. You should be able to apply the same process in most situations. They are called points instead of steps because the process does not necessarily require a linear step-by-step procedure. You may be working on one point in one area of church life while you are implementing another point in another area of the church. Here is the six-point process.

PRAY – Before your even start the process, pray for guidance and direction. You need to pray and you need to have a prayer support network. Pray about how to do the planning and pray for guidance as you develop the plan. Some ways of developing a prayer network will be suggested.

LOOK – You need a clear picture of the current reality if you are going to plan effectively for the future. Several tools will be offered to help you develop an accurate picture of your current situation.

WAIT – A vital part of the planning process is to learn to wait on God to reveal His plan and purpose for your specific situation. This should not be a time of inactivity. You need to wait like a farmer waits for a crop to mature. You wait actively doing what you know to do while you receive what comes next. It can take time for ideas to form and mature. One temptation is to pick the fruit before it is ripe. Give God the time to mold your mind and heart to the point where He wants you to be.

PLAN – As you come to understand what God wants to do in your situation make the necessary plans to make the dream a reality. You need to know your own personality bent. Some people want to move immediately into action and “make it up” as they go. Others want to make sure every detail is planned before they get started. They may have difficulty getting anything done because they want it to be perfect before they do anything. Still others put off planning altogether. Know your tendency and choose to do the necessary work to get things off to a good start but realize adjustments will be needed along the way.

ACT – Once plans are made it is time to act. Set a start date for each action to be taken. Plan the work and then work the plan. This is where the “rubber meets the road” -- the spot that makes movement toward the vision possible.

ADJUST – No plan is perfect. Situations change. Personnel may change or people may act or react in unexpected ways. Some things will be difficult to anticipate. Adjustments will be necessary. Evaluate the effectiveness of each program or activity as you go along and make any adjustments that may be necessary.

This six-point process can be used year after year. Almost any new tool, program or activity can be added to this process. Make the adjustments you believe are necessary to help you accomplish what God has called you to do.