The following will take place in 2007 …

You would’ve had to been living somewhere beneath the earth’s surface for the past few years in order to get by without hearing the familiar and ominous beeping sound, along with the phrase, “The following happened between the hours of 6:00 and 7:00 a.m.” That phrase is characteristic of the pop culture explosion 24. (Or if you’re like me, you’ve actually been trying to avoid any mention of the series.)

I have to give credit to the creators of 24 for the brilliant way they cause the viewers to grasp onto the show’s plotline. After hearing that statement spoken at the start of the show, the viewers are left with a sense of suspense and excited anticipation as to what will follow. Similar to that feeling of intrigue and curiosity, it would be such a blessing if, as church leaders, we could experience a sense of eager and watchful expectation for what God is going to do in and through our churches during 2007.

Part of the fun of thinking ahead to your church’s future is not knowing what God is planning, that element of surprise that comes with living by faith in his will. However, with some formulating of a game plan as well as casting a vision for 2007, you can go into the year partnering with God in his plan for ministry at your church.

Pastor Rick has given some suggestions as to how churches and ministries can go into the new year with projected goals:

• Create a new, clearly defined organizational structure.
• Bring alignment of authority with responsibility. 
• Improve channels of communication both up and across the organization.
• Create a review process that allows you to celebrate successes, learn from failures, and experience the satisfaction of reaching goals. 
• Create a path for advancement that sends people out to serve elsewhere.

Using the above strategies as suggestions for the course of action your church may be taking this year will allow you to get charged up for what amazing and unexpected things God is planning. Then, when this year is eventually behind us too, you can look back with gratefulness and wonder and realize, “The following took place in the year 2007 …”