The Obvious Problem with Church Strategy

The obvious problem- it’s missing altogether! The challenge with church strategy is that many pastors simply don’t have one. They set goals and craft plans to reach them, but lack a cohesive strategy to guide the way. As a result, church members often piece together a vague sense of direction, unsure where their church is headed. Even more concerning, they don’t know how to get there.

This article aims to define strategy as it pertains to the church and to encourage pastors to embrace strategic thinking as a vital step toward fulfilling their mission. While I don’t delve into the specifics of developing a strategy here, I believe understanding its importance is a powerful first step. For those interested in the complexities of strategy and lessons from failures, I recommend watching the movie Moneyball—an inspiring reminder that strategic vision can change everything.

Strategy defined- In its most basic form, strategy is “THE” plan. Notice, I did not say “A” plan. Every church has plans or even “a” plan. And that’s where the obvious problem with strategy comes from. Most pastors confuse “THE” plan with “a” plan. We all have goals and plans to help us accomplish them. Make no mistake… this is not a strategy! With this article, I want to argue that there is no such animal as “strategies”. Either you have one, singular, compelling, overarching strategy that drives everything in the church, or you just have a plan.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with having a plan. In fact, have plans, have 10 plans in case the first 9 don’t work out. But don’t kid yourself, this is not a strategy. If you have anything that competes with your strategy, you don’t really have a strategy. A strategy doesn’t allow for competition.   When a church adopts a strategy, virtually everything goes into pursuing it.

Plans can accomplish big results in a church. Great things can happen when people understand a plan and are committed to it. But plans are always temporary and context dependent. They must be temporary to be effective. A plan, by my definition, is NOT a strategy.

A biblically appropriate, God-honoring strategy will impact the culture of your church and the heart of God’s people.

A biblically appropriate, God-honoring strategy will impact the culture of your church and the heart of God’s people. A strategy must be bigger than your context and last longer than current events. When you’ve pursued a genuine strategy long enough, it will fundamentally change your church’s identity.

By now, you’re probably frustrated with me about the real difference between plans and a strategy. To put it simply- if any aspect of your church competes with THE plan- you don’t have a strategy. You just have a goal and a plan to get there.

Here’s an easy litmus test for your strategy: Does every dollar in your budget go toward it? If you have anything in the budget that doesn’t align with your strategy, you simply have a plan.

Plans are easy. Strategy is a beast. Plans can deliver solid short-term results, but a real strategy demands serious effort and often doesn’t show returns for a long time. Yet when the results of a strong strategy finally start to roll in, hold on—because they usually exceed your wildest dreams.

Still a little bit fuzzy about what a biblically- appropriate, God-honoring strategy looks like? Go back and read John 2:23-25. It’s pretty clear from this passage that Jesus had a strategy so focused and powerful that he wouldn’t even allow those who “believed in his name” to divert him from it.

Ready for the next question? Are you staffed exclusively to execute your strategy? Do their titles and job descriptions clearly explain their role in executing your strategy? Do you run any programs in your church that don’t directly, measurably contribute to executing your strategy? Are the buildings on your campus used at any time, for any purpose other than executing your strategy? If I showed up this Sunday and asked 100 regulars from your church exactly what your strategy is and what their role in executing it is, would any of them have to think for a minute before answering?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you have a plan but not a strategy. That’s why it’s an “obvious” problem in the church. Look at any area of the average church, and you’ll see the strategy is missing. I pray that this article stirs you to pursue God’s strategy for your church and gives you the courage to put it into practice.

Finally, let me try to make this article as practical as possible for you. If you’ve realized that your church has a plan but lacks an all-consuming strategy, let me suggest that you pray and fast for the Holy Spirit to show you THE plan he wants your church to pursue, one that will directly result in accomplishing the Great Commission. Once he has revealed that strategy, begin immediately examining everything and sacrificing anything to accomplish it.