Yesterday I spent the day with the BCFS Leadership and Karen Waddell in the second phase of our growth planning process. About half way through the experience Karen distributed a hole filled ladle to each of the leaders. She explained that as we were pouring over mounds of data to determine the path of our national expansion that it would feel like we were using a ladle to scoop out water from the ocean. Scooping out a lone would feel like we were not getting anywhere. But if we were to double up our ladles we could fill the holes and actually make some progress.
Guess what? It worked. The point was that when we looked at the data together we made progress. We had fun with the concept the rest of the day. We looked at the second mound of data related to six first-tier states from among a list of twelve states we are considering for national expansion of our ministry networks. We considered the number of children at risk in those states, the number of child-focused social ministry, families at risk, children waiting for adoption, children in foster care, Baptist churches, associations, conventions, colleges and universities, seminaries; Christian colleges and universities, bible colleges, Christian ministries, social services, Buckner presence, Shoes for Orphan Souls, ISAAC, and the list went on and on.
We developed a set of criteria of the kinds of things we need in place to go to those states such as resources, relationships, and so on. Once we zoomed in on those states and started the process it was amazing how easy it was to build a case for “why” we should go to those places. Then when we began to look at relationships among the five of us, we were all very encouraged. We began to see the pathway of divine appointment and provision. This became very exciting.
In our next planning session, we will sharpen our case for each state and look at international growth strategies as well. We will look at an economic development strategy, succession planning and asset mapping among our BCFS staff. We realize that if we are going to grow as it appears we will need to prepare leadership from within to step up to the plate. The whole experience was very encouraging and exciting to me.
What seemed to be a near impossible task almost became easy once we began to work together. We scooped up all the data we needed and move directly to the point of decision making. The decisions were pretty obvious and we found ourselves in almost 100% unity. It was pretty incredible. I saw the power of the team, the power of focus, the power of working together. We were missing one valuable team member and we were still hitting on all eight cylinders. I don’t believe there is a task to high, an obstacle too big, or a challenge to deep that our team is not able to handle when we work together. That is the Buckner Spirit. We get things done when we work together. We get them done, now!
The future is starting to come into sharper focus. We are moving into a posture that will bless the children in our country and around the world. We already have the organization set up for growth, we are filling strategic staff positions (check out our website for listings under Buckner Children and Family Services), and we are doing everything in our power to experience growth. As I have said before, the Lord causes things to grow not us. We are merely instruments in his hands. The Lord provides growth and protection.
The Psalmist said it this way:
“For the Lord is a sun and a shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.” Psalm 84:11-12 NIV
We need the Sun for photo-synthesis. The Sun makes things grow. That is what God is to us. He is the growth agent. We are the other factors needed for growth but the agent is the Lord. The Lord also protects us. He is a shield against any force that would seek to stop our movement to his purposes. The Lord freely provides favor and honor. This comes from him. He will not hold back one single good thing from us as long as we are meeting him in his purposes and walking circumspectly before him. We are blessed because we trust in God. It is a faith journey.
Let’s do the journey together. Let’s run and play in the playground of his redemptive purposes in history. Let’s go the margins together to help the poor, the blind, the prisoner, and the oppressed ones in our circle of influence to preach the acceptable year of our Lord. Check out our website at www.buckner.org to find ways to connect with children and families who need you. Oh yeah, almost forgot. Bring your hole-filled ladle so we can scoop together.
Comments