The primary objective of a strategic review, as highlighted in the video, is to ask: Are we making real progress? This isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about ensuring your organisation is advancing its God-given mission. A review helps you discern where you’re seeing fruit (e.g., lives changed, communities served) and where you’re falling short. This reflective process aligns with biblical stewardship (Luke 16:10), ensuring the talents and resources entrusted to you are being used effectively for Kingdom purposes.
A companion objective is to pinpoint areas of struggle: Where are we behind? Jim suggests that struggling priorities may need more attention, resources, or even a shift in focus. As leaders, this is an opportunity to prayerfully evaluate whether to double down on a challenging area—like funding or outreach—or to adapt if something else has become more pressing in God’s plan. It’s about wise allocation of effort, ensuring your work reflects both practical needs and priorities.
Jim underscores the value of asking, What have we been learning?—a question often posed by donors or funders. As leaders, this objective reflects humility and a willingness to grow (Proverbs 1:5: “Let the wise hear and increase in learning”). A strategic review isn’t just about sticking to a rigid plan; it’s about embracing lessons from execution—whether they lead to tweaks in approach or entirely new directions—and sharing that growth with partners who support your ministry.
Another key objective is to assess: Are our strategic priorities still right? Jim advises keeping priorities focused (ideally 3-5, not 15) and checking if they remain relevant. This means ensuring your efforts align with your long-term vision of what God has called you to achieve—whether it’s reaching new communities, improving operations, or deepening spiritual impact. A review allows you to intentionally shift focus if new opportunities arise or if current priorities no longer serve your mission.
The review process also asks: Do we have the right people working on the right things? Drawing from organisational health concepts (e.g., Jim Collins’ “right people on the bus”), this objective ensures your team’s skills and capacity match your strategic goals. As leaders, this is about building a unified body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), where each member’s gifts are deployed effectively to advance the mission, adapting roles or resources as needed.
The video introduces the “Tyranny of the Urgent” matrix (popularised by Stephen Covey) as a tool for review, asking: Are we distracted by urgent but unimportant tasks? As leaders, this objective helps you distinguish between firefighting (Quadrant 3: urgent, not important) and investing in vital, long-term goals (Quadrant 2: important, not urgent). It’s a call to discipline—saying “no” to distractions so you can focus on what truly advances God’s work through your organisation.
By assessing progress, addressing struggles, learning from experience, validating priorities, aligning your team, and managing distractions, you ensure your organisation stays true to its calling. These insights equip you to lead with discernment, balancing the immediate demands of ministry with the eternal impact God has placed on your heart. A strategic review isn’t just a management exercise—it’s a spiritual discipline that positions your ministry to thrive in His service.