Plan Your Ministry 1

Judges 7:2-6

I used to watch the painter Bob Ross on Saturday morning television. He was one of those who taught painting and could finish a picture within thirty minutes. It always fascinated me how a painting could emerge from the mess that he started with. The first half of the show usually involved colors and shapes that made no sense to me but eventually evolved into something nice. It became evident that the work which at first seemed random was actually following a plan.

If we will place ourselves where God can use us, pray that God will help us, and picture what God wants, then we must plan out what we will do to make our ministry a reality. God gave Gideon a plan when he was facing the Midianites.

What was the problem? What was God’s solution? Why did God want fewer men?

As an armchair general, someone who enjoys examining military tactics and historical battles, this story has always set my teeth on edge. When facing an opponent in combat a leader wants as many soldiers under his control as possible. Yet God had a different plan for Gideon.

If you finish the story of Gideon and the Midianites (Judges 7:17-21) you will see that only three-hundred men were needed to fulfill God’s plan. Rather than confront the enemy in battle the Israelites under Gideon used psychology, tricking the enemy into believing they were outnumbered and surrounded.

The battle was a success because Gideon followed the plan that God gave him. God outlined what needed to be done and Gideon, rather than rush into battle without thought, obeyed God and followed the plan.

Our ministry ideas and desires may at first appear to be haphazard and messy. To achieve success we will need to plan our ministry, and yet also avoid the pitfall of becoming mired in so much planning that we are bogged down in indecision and fear.

As we face the challenges of ministry and of doing the work of God we will need to rely on God’s guidance. But we will also need to take some time and decide the best way to go about that ministry. Successful ministry follows well-planned organization.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you develop a plan for ministry?