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Practical-Sounding Excuses to Bypass the Planning Process

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Planning is prudent
Despite God’s Word telling us that “the wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways” (Prov. 14:8), some may still bypass the planning process citing the need for expediency. They justify themselves with practical-sounding excuses.

The Excuses Given for Bypassing the Planning Process

The remainder of Proverbs 14:8 links folly and deception to a lack of planning. — “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.” — We must therefore consider that though our reasons seem practical, they may in the long run hinder rather than advance God’s work in our midst. “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death (destruction).” (Prov. 14:12)

Excuse #1: Time is short. We can’t waste time in planning.

To the contrary, shortness of time gives us even more reason for planning. Planning helps us keep on track with God’s desires. If we rush ahead without carefully considering what needs to be done, we might do a lot but possibly not what we should be doing. — “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.” (Prov. 19:2)

Excuse #2: The end result is what matters, not how we get there.

Perhaps the end result is all that matters to us, but process also matters to God. When we bypass planning, we skip a process God uses to get others involved. — “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Prov. 15:22) — Though it sometimes may take longer seeking input from others, and the result may not always be what we think, we must remember God’s design for the Body to operate interdependently. We work together to accomplish God’s purposes, even in the planning stages, because the process matters to God.

Bible Verses Pointing to How It’s More Practical to Plan

God wants us to make “the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16). This is preceded by being “very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise” (Eph. 5:15). It’s followed with “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Eph. 5:17). To make the most of every opportunity therefore requires discernment, wisdom, and perspective, which we gain by giving thought to our ways (Prov. 14:8). For more, read the following posts:

God also wants us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24). One of the best ways to spur people on to get involved is to include them in the planning process. If we bypass planning and merely expect people to go along with our “off-the-cuff” endeavors, we do little to motivate them.

Also read: Leadership Skill: Strategic Planning

Trying to Make a Good Impression for People’s Good?

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Our motivation matters when it comes to making good impressions on others. Based on 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, whatever we do should first and foremost be to the glory of God. When we care about the glory of God, we will also care about the good of people. Remember the greatest commandments, first of which is to love God. The second is to love people. Love for God spills over into love for people and would make us want to seek their good for the glory of God.

Seeking to Impress for the Right Reasons

When we’re trying to make a good impression on people to reflect God and His glory, it becomes about helping them come to know God better. For that to happen we must guard against two things.

1) not causing anyone to stumble (1 Cor. 10:32)

Sometimes we may have good intentions but what we’re doing isn’t always for people’s good. We may be sending out mixed messages, confusing people by what we’re doing to impress them. People may not actually see the Lord but rather just the non-essentials. We may end up watering down truth to make it more appealing, yet truth is what sets people free. It’s possible we’re robbing people of God’s best by focusing on making them happy when He wants to make them holy.

2) not seeking my own good (1 Cor. 10:33)

We may say what we’re doing is for people’s good, to draw them in and lead them to the Lord. Sometimes, however, if we’re honest, we may have to admit that it becomes about us. We boast about our programs, about numbers, and all that makes us look like a growing church. Can we honestly say, like the Apostle Paul said, “I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” (1 Cor. 10:33)

Discerning if Motivation for Making a Good Impression is Truly for People’s Good

We need God to search our hearts (Ps. 139:23-24) to honestly answer these questions.

Are we seeking to make a good impression on others to help them or to help ourselves?

If we’re hoping to personally gain from it, our motivation isn’t pure.

Do we want to make ourselves feel good or lead others to the One who is good?

When it becomes about feeling like we’re making a difference, the focus has turned inward rather than upward.

If we try to impress others for self-centered reasons, it becomes people-pleasing that leads to manipulation in order to get the reaction we want from them. When it’s no longer for the purpose of helping others (Rom. 15:2), trying to make a good impression fails to glorify God.

We walk a motivational tightrope. When we start to slip, we need to quickly refocus our steps so we stay securely on doing whatever we do for God’s glory and the good of others.

Trying to Make a Good Impression for God’s Glory?

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

We previously looked at whether trying to make a good impression is biblical. Using 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, we concluded that it’s biblical if done for God’s glory and people’s good. That speaks to our motivations. Anything we do to the glory of God will also end up being for people’s good. We should therefore make God’s glory the top priority.

The Primary Reason for Seeking to Impress People

We can come up with all sorts of good-sounding reasons for trying to impress people. First and foremost, however, it should be about glorifying God. That removes any motivation related to boasting about our efforts.

Think about it: God doesn’t need us to draw people to Himself. He often displays His grace and power through our weaknesses so there’s no room for boasting. — “Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'” (1 Cor. 1:26-31)

Discerning if Motivation for Making a Good Impression is for the Glory of God

We would do well to pray, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24) To help us make sure there aren’t any offensive ways in us, we should ask ourselves questions from different angles.

Are we keeping the spotlight on God?

When making a good impression becomes about us, and how we look to others, we’re crossing the line in our motivation. We need to keep putting the focus on God. He’s the one to be lifted up.

Are we sure to give God the credit?

If we get upset when people fail to acknowledge what we’ve done, we’re probably trying to impress them for personal applause. We need to be most concerned about God being praised. He’s the one to be honored.

Are we careful to stay true to, and align with, God and His Word?

Compromising to draw people in does not glorify God. We need to always do that which aligns to the character and ways of God for Him to be glorified. He’s the one to be reflected.

Is Desiring to Make Good Impressions Biblical?

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Should Christians, and our churches, be concerned with making good impressions on others? As in all we do, let’s turn to God’s Word for an answer.

Bible Verses that Seem to Be Against Seeking to Impress People

We can find a number of Scripture verses that suggest we should be against trying to impress people. Here are some verses against seeking to make good impressions:

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Gal. 1:10)

Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Gal. 6:12-14)

On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. (1 Thess. 2:4)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Col. 3:23-24)

At first glance, the above verses do seem to suggest that we should not seek to impress people, that their opinions of us and what we do shouldn’t matter. God is the One to whom we stand accountable. God is the One whom we should seek to please.

Scripture that Seems to Suggest that We Should be Concerned About What Other People Think

Following are some verses that seem to indicate that what people think and feel matter in order to best reach and teach them. Scripture does appear to suggest benefit in making good impressions.

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. (1 Cor. 9:19)

so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive (Titus 2:10)

Reconciling Scripture Gives Us Biblical Grounds for Desiring to Make Good Impressions

As always, we must look at the full counsel of God. We must reconcile Scripture with Scripture. Here are verses that help us do that:

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. (1 Cor. 10:31-33)

Two issues must be in place when seeking to impress others, always in this order:

1) God’s glory

2) People’s good

Click on the above links to read about this criteria for trying to make good impressions on people.

Stuck in the Present

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

When we’re caught up in the needs of the moment without giving thought to the future, we might be stuck in the present. We may feel we have so much to do in the short term that we don’t have time to even think about the future. We then flounder about, seeming to have little purpose and direction.

The Problem with Being Stuck in the Present

Ministry tends to be shortsighted when we’re stuck in the present. We lack vision of what can be and of who people can become, if we don’t look past the needs of the moment. We consequently fail to build people and our ministries up in a way that prevents future issues. We aren’t preparing or equipping for the next stage of growth. Growth, then, rarely happens. If there is a spurt, it tends to be short-lived because we weren’t ready for it.

Churches and ministries stuck in the present tend to basically move from one crisis to another. When we’re constantly putting out fires, we lack the time and energy to do much more.

What It Takes to Get Unstuck

We must understand that moving forward doesn’t mean we neglect the present. Look at Philippians 3:14-16.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

To be sure, pressing on is important. There’s more to the Christian life and ministry than we see and experience in the present. Having goals and pursing them is biblical. Notice, however, that it doesn’t mean we neglect where we are currently. Right now, we take care to live up to “what we have already attained”. We’re accountable for what we do in the present.

We must keep our eye on “the prize” or we will be stuck in the present. And, we must take steps, even if they’re baby steps, to keep moving. We must “press on” despite the needs of the moment. — “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Heb. 12:1-2)

Stuck in the Past

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

When we’re stuck in the past, we tend to be governed by tradition. We adhere to what have been called the famous last seven words of the church, — “but we’ve always done it this way”. Past hurts or mistakes can also keep us stuck. Maybe we had a bad church experience and don’t want to get hurt again. Perhaps we made mistakes and feel disqualified to go on.

The Problem with Being Stuck in the Past

Tradition isn’t wrong in and of itself. Throughout Scripture we read of God establishing various offerings and festivities for His people as a reminder of His work in their lives. The problem comes when we can’t see past our traditions and they become an end in themselves. Too often we then simply go through the motions rather than experiencing the reality and abundance of life Jesus came to give us. What worked in the past may not be God’s direction for the present. Stuck in the past, in the way we’ve always done it, we may find it hard to see how something else could work better. We’ll be quick to throw up the red flags — “but we’ve never done it that way” — and halt progress.

Mistakes, even obvious sin, don’t have to define us for “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn. 1:9) Think of the people in Scripture with tainted past whom God used nonetheless. When we let our past keep us from pressing on, it’s like saying the work of Christ on the cross wasn’t enough.

What It Takes to Get Unstuck

Before becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, Saul at the time, was steeped in Jewish traditions, so much so that he actively persecuted Jesus’ disciples. As a follower of Jesus, however, he said, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on …” (Phil. 3:13-14). He wasn’t about to let the past hold him back … neither the habitual comfort of tradition or the guilt of how he treated Christians. We can learn from his example so we don’t stay stuck in the past.

We must first ask this question: Is our desire to “press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold” of us (Phil. 3:12) stronger than our need to hold on to the past? If so, then we must be willing to do two things so we’re not stuck in the past.

1) We must forget what is behind, both the good and the bad. That doesn’t necessarily mean we obliterate it from our memory. Rather, we don’t hold onto it, nurturing our hurts or accomplishments to the extent that they keep us from pressing on.

2) We strain toward what is ahead. Just as physically stretching may be a bit uncomfortable but in the end develops stronger muscles, so when we “press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold” of us (Phil. 3:12), God develops within us the strength we need to go the next mile, and then the next.