Thelemic Planning (Part 2)

by Walt Brock

On a number of occasions in the early days of our ministry at Ironwood, I remember my excitement over the prospect of a new venture. The energy and emotion were almost thick enough to slice into pieces. First, because I really wanted to do this project and had somehow convinced myself it was the right thing to do; and second, because I thought it would aid the ministry. The trouble was . . . I was dead wrong! Through a series of trials and errors (sometimes called rabbit trails), I slowly learned the most important thing in leadership: I learned to ask the first question first—not last.

There is a perfect example of this in 1 Chronicles 13:1–14; 15:1–2, 13–14 where King David is moving the ark of God to its proper location. He began the process without asking God how it should be done. God is interested not only in what we do but also in our doing what we do the right way (His way) and not our own way. As leaders and managers, we must remember God desires to be involved not only in the product but also in the process. After making this huge mistake with everyone watching, David finally asks the first question in verse 12, “How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?” The problem was that he was asking this first question last!

As you study this passage of Scripture, you will find that David did almost everything right. First, he had a worthy and spiritual goal consistent with God’s will. Next, he sought and received the advice of many in leadership and those on his staff. Then, as he presented his plan to the whole congregation, they were all excited and approved of this spiritual goal and the reasonable plan presented to them to carry it out. Notice also that all of this activity drew a big crowd; and, of course, that must have meant it was a good idea. Right?

In verse 3 we see that this move was something that the previous leadership had let slide (so it was not only important but also urgent), and in verse 4 everyone overwhelmingly voted for it. After that we see David setting a good example by being personally involved, as he also challenged the people to become active in the worthy project. Verse 7 shows us this was not done in a slipshod manner, for they used a brand new moving vehicle with two experienced drivers. Verse 8 shows us how the bandwagon effect was bringing all the people to a high pitch of excitement as they sought to do this work for their God.

Then tragedy hit when Uzzah, acting to protect the ark, was struck dead for touching the ark.

Suddenly everything went quiet. David was displeased and chagrined at what had happened. How could God do this when they were trying to do right by God? They now realized something was really wrong, but what? They had the right purpose and goal, they had sought advice of many, their motives were right, everyone was in agreement, they were doing it the best they knew how, but still God was obviously displeased. Why? Can you imagine, as a leader, how heavily this must have lain on David’s heart? Someone else had paid a big price for his mistake; what should he do?

David did what we all must do when we find ourselves in this situation: ask God how He wants us to do what He wants us to do! He and the other leaders repented, sanctified themselves before the Lord, and asked God, “How shall I bring this ark?” This question was prompted by David as he was learning through this event what it means to fear the Lord, and God answered 1 Chronicles 15:1-2, 13-14, “For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.” We must be willing to wait and study Scripture about how God would want us to carry out what is obviously His will for our ministries. If we want God’s blessing, we need to, like David, go to the His Word for process as well as product.

In part 1 of this series, there was a triangular diagram that illustrates the leadership and management work performed in any ministry. (Click here for diagram.) The material above illustrates how important the bottom section of that triangle is to the success (pleasing God) of our ministries. I fear that many see this stuff of biblical and doctrinal foundation as a ho-hum token nod to the fact that we are, “after all,” in a ministry. I cannot stress too strongly the necessity of doing our homework in this matter, for it will affect and guide all we do in our ministries. We must know the biblical what, why, and how of what God has called us to do. There are no shortcuts; doing it the way someone else has done it (the Philistines moved the ark in a cart) can get us in serious trouble with God. This biblical and doctrinal foundation is what we refer to when we talk about the philosophical basis or foundational principles for one’s ministry.

When we speak of our philosophy, we are speaking of the biblical reasons for our existence, the underlying foundation for all we do, which is the truth of the Scriptures wisely applied to our ministry. The principles of a ministry must then proceed out of our philosophy (biblical foundation); those principles, in turn, become the source or origin of all of our decision making and then our actions.