Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22As a Christian leader, you want to grow your church or ministry according to God’s plans. Some of us do that by using plans borrowed from our favorite author/expert or coach, convinced by the degree of success and wisdom God has given them. Others, convinced of the uniqueness of their gifts, situation, and calling, blaze a new trail asking for very little outside input. Both thoughts have merit. We want to consider the ideas and information gifted authors and experts to be sure we aren’t missing something important due to the natural limitations and blind spots we all have. We also want to be sure we are hearing from God and carrying out his plans for our ministry, not those of our favorite author/expert or coach.
An expert council can help. A coach helps by asking strategic questions, drawing out and clarifying your strategic plans as the Holy Spirit leads you. It is also important that your coach resists short-circuiting the Spirit’s leadership by telling you what to do. Sometimes, however, you do need more or better ideas. Here is where an expert council is helpful. This is a group of people you have recruited in advance. You can call on them for ideas and advice, which saves time and multiplies your expertise. Most of us could use more time and expertise.
An expert council should include other pastors, planters, and godly leaders with experience and wisdom in the areas which are important to you. This group should probably include some leaders who share your church strategy and general demographic. You may want to mix in a few who would have a unique perspective. Your experts need to agree to take at least 3-5 minutes once or twice a month to answer a specific question from you.
When you need to know something like what are some of the best ways to do small groups or Sunday School, and you don’t know how to find good answers quickly enough, you simply ask your expert council. Maybe you wonder how your experts would handle your difficult worship situation, or what their favorite ideas are for multiplying leaders, reaching unchurched people, or raising money. They may only have time to share a sentence, web link or book title, but in their multitude of council there is wisdom!
How would you feel knowing you had a council like this ready to help? Who could you recruit to be on your council? If you are ready to do it, how soon could you put together your council?
How could it be it be helpful or detrimental to have your coach as one member of your council? Should you offer to serve in this way for someone else?
His peace,
Stephen