Thelemic Planning

by Walt Brock

People in America who have grown up on a farm or ranch have a tremendous advantage over the typical “city folk” crowd. Nowhere is that more apparent than in their understanding of some old colloquialisms in the American version of the English language. Phrases like “running around like a chicken with his head cut off” conjure up vivid images in the minds of those who have actually seen it happen. Another such phrase in question form is, “Which comes first—the chicken or the egg?” Anyone growing up on a farm knows for sure that there is no use in going out to the chicken coop to bring in the eggs unless there are actually some laying hens in the coop.

Just as chicken before the egg makes sense to a farm kid, why always being more important than what makes sense to those who have managed a ministry for any length of time. Difficulties come when we don’t believe that why is more important than what; for if that is the case, we will eventually subscribe to “the end justifies the means,” which is concentrating on what without regard for why.

The what of a ministry is best defined as a ministry’s mission or purpose statement. Such a statement broadly defines in biblical terms and in fifty words or less what that ministry is aiming at accomplishing and focuses on how that ministry in its own unique way will achieve God’s thelemic will within its sphere of influence. The accomplishment of this mission statement will be the achievement of the vision for ministry we discussed in the last Thelemic Planning article.

In preparation for writing a paper in 2002 on strategic planning, I conducted a survey among 400 Christian schools in sixteen states within fundamental circles and discovered that while 68.5% had mission statements, only 11% actually used them effectively. Mission statements are a tool of leadership and management; to improve our stewardship we must learn and grow in our use of this ministry-multiplying tool. But failing to have a mission statement is not the greatest danger to ministry; rather, having one without the balancing effect of a sound, well-thought through, biblically-discerning philosophy of ministry is the greatest danger.

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

In writing or compiling a philosophy of ministry, you should incorporate all that has gone on before in establishing your pyramid of Thelemic Planning and Leadership, namely your biblical and doctrinal foundation and your vision of God’s call and direction. There is no set or rigid outline for such a document; just remember that it must always answer why and do so while establishing the ministry’s boundaries (biblical foundations), parameters (policies), and guidelines for actions (principles).

One’s philosophy of ministry can take the form of a comprehensive document or it can be a compilation of a series of documents. (At Ironwood our philosophy of ministry is not entitled “Our Philosophy of Ministry”; rather it is the first chapter of our resident staff manual, entitled “Foundations,” and is eleven pages long.) Regardless of what form it takes, a philosophy of ministry should include, refer to, or incorporate many of the following items. Not every ministry will include all of them, and they are given as suggestions only. Remember, one’s philosophy of ministry should always be aimed at answering the why question.

1. Vision statement of direction and scope of this ministry
2. Doctrinal statement
3. Core values of ministry
4. Foundational principles of the organization, such as—

• Obedience to the Word of God over all other authority
• Spiritual goals and focus
• All done to glorify God
• Issues of separation and fellowship guidelines
• Application of Scripture in areas of key value to the ministry

(These may be different in other ministries, but you can still fellowship with them; yet in this ministry, this is how we do it.)

5. An indication that you have identified and understand your uniqueness in God’s thelemic planning.

• Your ministry’s internal and external context and culture
• Your ministry’s differential advantages and disadvantages
• Your ministry’s fit in God’s overall goal outlined in the Great Commission in Matthew 28

6. Operational principles and polices that are biblical and foundational to your ministry
7. Applications of Scripture regarding your basic goals and objectives (a few examples)

• Biblical basis—where found
• Ministry guidelines—how used
• Specific key verses that guide, limit, and excite your staff team
• Passages dealing with the urgency and importance of what you are doing

8. Unfeigned communication of your dependence on God for wisdom, direction, provision, protection, and timing

Think of a balance scale with a pivot point in the middle and a philosophy of ministry document on one end and a mission or purpose statement on the other end.  Click for diagram. Both are needed to keep the ministry balanced and stable (steadfast and unmovable) while growing and changing (always abounding) and making progress on achieving its mission (the work of the Lord).

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

How Does a Philosophy of Ministry Balance a Mission Statement?

1. Motivation will be fueled by eternity and not the material.
2. We will have a reason (a why) to sacrifice with our labor and resources.
3. Our philosophy of ministry will act as a filter for learning from the business community about tools, tactics, and methods of “successful” management
and leadership.
4. Our philosophy of ministry will protect us from the pressures of pragmatism, because what “works” has a powerful pull.
5. Goal achievement will be redefined. Good goals will not only be serviceable, tangible, accomplishable, and measurable but also permissible— that is, biblically permissible.
6. Priorities of life will be balanced with the priority of achievement.
7. Our philosophy of ministry will limit how we accomplish our mission statement and will establish values that will affect our decisions concerning the following:

• Treatment of people and staff . . . they are eternal.
• Projects and buildings . . . they are temporal.
• Timing and provision for projects . . . best left in God’s hands.
• Testimony of the ministry . . . all to glorify God

8. We add a spiritual dimension to our box of creativity (see Issue 6). Besides the four walls, we have a floor or foundation of biblical wisdom and permissibility and a top or roof of doing all to the glory of God and in obedience to Him.

9. We have a source of wisdom for everything not covered in our philosophy statement—namely, the Word of God. We may need to add to our philosophy statement as the Holy Spirit illumines us to understand the Scriptures and as we grow in wisdom and ability to discern right and wrong.

• For every one that useth milk is unskillfull in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that
  are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:13-14

What happens if you do not have a philosophy of ministry and just concentrate on your mission statement? Well, you are likely to find yourself “jumping around like a chicken with its head cut off”! If you’ve lived on a farm and gone out to the chicken coop on Saturday afternoon to select Sunday afternoon dinner, you know what that old saying means without my explaining it to you. Suffice it to say, why IS more important than what!

Click for diagram.