1. Core Question
Is strategic planning a spiritual practice? There’s tension — both sides have biblical support.
2. For Strategic Planning
- Moses sent spies (Num. 13); Jesus taught counting the cost (Luke 14:28).
- Shows good stewardship and use of God-given gifts.
- Brings clarity, focus, and faithful use of opportunities.
3. Against Strategic Planning
- Can rely too much on human wisdom.
- Risks arrogance, oversimplification, or missing God’s leading.
- May show a lack of faith or openness to direction.
4. Scriptural Tension
- Proverbs 21:5 – planning brings profit.
- Psalm 33:10 – God overrules plans.
- Both diligence and surrender are needed.
5. Paul’s Strategic Approach
- Focus: Gentiles; strategy: church planting.
- Used urban centres (Corinth, Ephesus, Rome).
- Vision: reach the ends of the earth (Spain).
- Developed leaders, stayed values-driven, contextual, and flexible (Acts 16).
6. Conclusion
- Strategic planning is both spiritual and practical.
- Hold plans with diligence and humility.
- Be good stewards yet open to the Spirit’s redirection.