Marty Duren asked an important question in SBC life. Is it important to strategize or not? In this post-modern age we live in many people are fearful of strategy. They will argue that we need to be moved by the Spirit or lets go with the flow. I think this is dangerous. I'm not suggesting that every church copy other churches strategies. In fact, that is very unwise. What works in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and even Greenbow, AL (Forrest Gump's hometown) does not always work in our own area. But we can learn from other successful churches and even business people. We can learn how to strategize and how to minister effectively. I think some businesses and unfortunately many churches use the finger in the air strategy. They lick their finger and follow the way the wind is blowing. When I lived in a certain southern city, there was a church that was a feeding ground for disgruntled Christians. They were the flavor of the month. I lived a block from this church. They were a "Purpose Driven Church" and they were growing. When I came home from church, they were packed out with people. I heard great things about their church. Then for some reason the pastor decided to change their strategy almost overnight. Their staff went to "Weekends @ Northpoint" in Alpharetta, GA and came back to become this city's "Northpoint." They were already running 2000 people at the time. They completely changed their ministry and their attendance dropped significantly. I could tell the dramatic drop in attendance every Sunday by looking at the parking lot. Strategy is valuable. I'm reading Malphurs book on Strategic Planning and found these passages interesting. Exodus 18 Jethro challenged Moses to think strategically. Joshua 6, 8 and 10 are examples of strategic thinking. Nehemiah 3-6. Proverbs 14:15, 22; 15:22; 16:3-4; 19:21 20:18; 21:30. Jesus gave strategy Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15. Acts 13:1 - 21:26 Paul did not wander aimlessly. Strategy is a must. But it must be the strategy that God gives us for our specific ministry.