Loading ...Developing a Growth Calendar
A lot of preachers will go away for a week to develop a yearly plan for preaching. The minister will soak the sermons in prayer and develop a strategy for teaching a congregation. Ministers will put a lot of energy into this work. But minister might not have the habit of developing a growth calendar for a year. The everyday events of ministry will dictate the agenda for the preacher. This is not a bad thing, just the nature of the work, but if a minister does not take the time to strategically plan his agenda to help a congregation move along with growth, the work will not happen. A minister must identity the most important actions that he can take that will lead a congregation to accomplish the mission of the Church of reaching out to the lost. This calendar is larger than what to preach on, but is plans of ministries, meeting, and visions that will promote the agenda of growth. Of course growth is not just about growth, but is obedience to the great commission, if congregations are reaching out, growth will happen, and a congregation must be prepared for it. I am working on this calendar now and I am excited about the direction and the plans. I feel a lot more intentional about my work and passionate about the goals I have. I highly recommend this spiritual practice. You will be a better minister which will lead to a more faithful congregation.
Related posts:
- A Growth Skill Set
- A Few Growth Hints that Work
- The Improper Focus on Growth
- Attitudes for Growth: Names
- Can You Be “Church Growth” and “Missional”
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Does anyone have this practice in their ministry?
m
Matthew, I guess my first comment got messed up! I meant to ask if you would elaborate a little on this in future blogs, or post any resources in which you have found practical tips for this practice.
Thanks
On the email, I got the right comment, sorry about taking a while to comment back, but I have been hiking the last two days. I will certainly help with this request by highlighting what should be on this calendar and how to do it. I will do a post soon.
I see the need for a growth calendar so long as the calendar is fluid enough to be open to God’s adjustments.
Grace and peace,
Rex
I agree with Rex. Also, as long as one keeps a healthy perspective on Who it is that gives the growth. So long as we approach these types of planning events with a mind to how we can power the church to new levels in the new year, things will be all wet.
I certainly didn’t get this idea from your post though. In fact, you mention specifically the need to bathe everything in prayer. This is a necessity. I’m curious, do you preach in an expository manner? I find it helpful to preach in that manner and it makes the planning a bit easier. If not, I can imagine that the week-long planning session might be a bit grueling.