OrangeWeekIntegratedStrategyIntegrated strategy. Let’s look at both of these words.

My favorite definition for strategy from dictionary.com is:

“A plan, method, or series of maneuvers or stratagems for obtaining a specific goal or result.”

A strategy is a plan of action with an end in mind. Too often churches fail to take the time to develop strategy. Massive programs and ministries exist to make a difference in a community, but rarely is the question asked, “Are we producing the desired results?” Or even more importantly, “Do the produced results really matter?”

As it relates to you who are reading this post, what do you want students and children to be when they grow up? What traits do you want them to exhibit? What values do they need to posses?  This is the specific goal or result as talked about in strategy. Next is where integration comes in.

If a children’s ministry has a different strategy from the student ministry, both will be frustrated and see limited success. Both will be pushing kids toward different ends. Okay, so maybe the children’s ministry and student ministry come together on the end goal. Unless their methods and plans are in alignment, it’s unlikely they’ll achieve their goal. The bottom line is that children’s ministry and student ministry must work together and be in alignment. This is an integrated strategy.

Once a church has an integrated strategy for children and youth, everything can be evaluated in light of the end goal.

During Orange week others are blogging on the same topic each day and links to their posts will show up in the comments. Be sure to visit their posts to see how the elements of the Orange strategy are being carried out in real-live scenarios. If you want to share your thoughts surrounding this topic you can either by replying in the comments or writing a post on your own blog and linking back to this specific blog post (so the link to your post will show up in the comments).