We’re in a training series on strategy and how to get the most out of next year. If you missed the last post, be sure to go back and read that first. It gives a great overview of the entire strategy and planning process so that next year can be the most effective year of ministry you’ve ever had.

The first step to planning next year is actually to look back over this past year. I realize at this point that the year isn’t yet complete. However, you can dissect what has transpired thus far.

NOTE: THIS IS CRITICAL!!! Never enter into the planning process for next year until you’ve critiqued the current year. Otherwise, you risk making the exact same mistakes and you may miss out on some great opportunities!

Here’s what I want you to do. Take your giant Post-It notes and begin to answer the following four questions. Write everything down! Later in the strategy process, you may begin to see recurring themes. Here are your 4 questions to ask with some bullets to help get you heading the right direction under each…

1. What went WELL?

What was your favorite event this year? Why?

What was your favorite message series? Why?

What did you get the most feedback on?

2. What did NOT go well?

What was your least favorite event this year? Why?

What was your least favorite message series? Why?

What did you receive negative feedback on?

3. What was MISSING?

Were you missing a key staff person?

Were there topics that should have been taught?

Were you missing a critical ministry team?

4. What was CONFUSING?

Did you have a staff person who didn’t produce?

Were there any message series that didn’t translate?

Were there dysfunctional ministry teams? Why?

You may have heard those 4 questions before, or variations of them. It’s become one of the standard procedure’s for critiquing in the local church, but it’s incredibly effective. Here’s the key, though…

YOU CAN’T WEAR YOUR FEELINGS ON YOUR SHOULDERS!!!

To have a proper critique, everything must be on the table. If there’s one person on your team who cannot be honest and vulnerable, it will throw the entire process off balance and you won’t get accurate results.

This is the very first step to planning out effective ministry for next year. Get your team together. Get your giant Post-It notes and begin dissecting this previous year and what went well, not so well, what was missing, and what was confusing.

Be Blessed,

Scott

www.ChurchCulture.Guru

PS. I pray you have an incredibly blessed Thanksgiving on Thursday!