Chapter 3

Creating a realistic and actionable plan is a critical part of any project or ministry. This chapter is about evaluating the opportunity a ministry is undertaking and then generating ideas as solutions to meet these goals established in the define statement. If a ministry's define statement is about determining direction, Analyze is about building toward an actionable plan by generating ideas, identifying the best ideas, and then researching these ideas as solutions for the ministry.

In the previous chapter, we created a definition of a good ministry define statement as one that gave us direction, goals, and scope-but where do we go from here? In the course of building a healthy ministry or project, the next step is to begin to develop a ministry plan that remains true to the define statement of the ministry. Great ministries are typically not built on the first plan that is assembled or with the first ideas that are generated. Good planning and good idea generation is hard work, and the best ideas that lead to the best solutions often take some digging below the surface of the obvious. This chapter in the book is about building great ministry and project plans starting with the generating of great ideas, shaping those ideas, and moving toward action. We know where we want to go, but how do we get there?

The first place to begin in building toward a plan is by gathering and generating ideas that help a ministry meet the goals that it has established.

Generating Ideas

Where do great ideas come from? I recall one leader at General Electric remark that some of their best ideas came from the people on the factory floor, not from the managers, leaders, or executives of the company. How can this be? I have also known project leaders in a church to ask the youngest/newest members what their ideas were surrounding a very important leadership issue. Why would they do that?

The fact is that great ideas are not about position, years of experience (though that may help), or intellectual prowess. Great ideas are built. In churches and Christian organizations, I believe there are three excellent places to go look for ideas; they are outlined below.

Gathering Ideas from the "New Guy"

Over time, churches and organizations can become a single-minded entity. While this is good for many reasons (especially with regard to the vision and direction), this single-mindedness can become an issue when problems occur or when the organization is looking for new solutions. The reason for this is that the cohesiveness of the group tends to include similar thinking surrounding ideas and methods. It can be difficult to diagnose problems because people in the organization can become too close to the problem. It often takes an outside perspective to analyze the situation and present new and fresh ideas.

I remember a young intern telling me about the first day of his internship. He said that when he arrived, his manager gave him his assignments for the summer, but then his manager said that he was not going to tell him what his own thoughts were about these assignments. He wanted a genuine, new perspective and fresh ideas and solutions. The manger felt he was too close to the problem and that new point of view was needed. This organization recognized that fresh people meant fresh ideas.

I would encourage you to analyze your ministry or project to see if there is an opportunity to use the "new person" to generate new and fresh ideas.