Yesterday, the entire staff from my church spent the day at a wheat farm. As the granddaughter of an Oklahoma farmer, I was instantly taken back to my childhood as I walked around large combines, irrigation systems, and rows upon rows of growing wheat.
Not only did our team learn more about farming and preparing for harvest, but we spent a significant part of the day considering ministry plans for the upcoming year. There are several correlations between farming and ministry, so it’s no surprise Jesus used these metaphors many times in His teaching. If you’re a long-time student of God’s Word, you can probably rattle off passages where Jesus talked about sowing seeds in the proper soil, the labor of field workers, and the faith of a mustard seed.
If you’re leading the ministry to women in your local church, you might not be thinking about your plans for the rest of the year. But just as a farmer is a careful planner, ministry leaders would be prudent to learn wisdom from farming principles. It’s not too late to begin planning for the fall and even into the spring of next year, so here’s some helpful ways you can take farming formulas and prepare for a bountiful ministry.
Plan Your Calendar in Advance
The first principle that struck me while learning from the farmer was how he planned the entire process from beginning to end. In fact, knowing exact dates was a bit of a science for him. He carefully considered when seeds needed to be sown, when they needed nutrients, and most importantly, when harvest was coming. He shared that everything hinged on the difference of when a harvest started and when it was completed. You, too, must consider when you are planning your ministry calendar from beginning to completion. Most churches have regular rhythms and annual events, so be aware of dates to avoid. If you are a volunteer leader and don’t have easy access to the church calendar, don’t be hesitant to ask. Get approval from those in authority and work through the normal process your church has for placing events on the calendar. Figure out what kind of space you need, what kind of set-up is best, and if there is a process for communication as you’re working on your ministry planning.
If you are looking for event ideas, consider a Lifeway simulcast or attending a live event along with a group from your church. One of the newer simulcast events is Prepare Him Room, and it is an easy and affordable way to offer a Christmas event for the women of your church. Gather women together and encourage them to bring dessert and hear incredible teaching from Lifeway author Jennifer Rothschild.
In addition to planning calendar dates for events, consider the number of weeks you are planning Bible studies. Be mindful of school breaks and other possible conflicts. Secure the space by knowing a start date, an ending date, and the exact time you need the space. Personally, our ministry is planning several studies in the fall, but I’ve already worked with the leaders to make sure they have the proper space they need and the days they need it. I can alert my preschool ministry leaders about childcare needs so they have plenty of time to secure workers. Preparation on the front end alleviates stress on the back end.
Evaluate the Cost
Second, preparing for the future means evaluating the cost. I was amazed at the amount of diesel needed to run farming equipment. One combine uses 300 gallons of diesel a day during harvest! And this is only one of the many costs. The next time I open a package of flour, I will likely think twice about the cost of what went into its production. In the same way, ministry leaders must evaluate the cost of ministry in advance. How much will an event cost? Will you need to pay for Bible studies in advance and then recuperate the cost at a later time? Will there be a cost for printing or supplies? Keep track of all the costs both now and preparing for the future.
Along with evaluating the cost is knowing which resources are needed to carry out the task. Have you spent time praying about which Bible studies you want to offer in the next year? Are there ones that need to be repeated? Take time to look at the different Lifeway Women Bible Studies to examine new studies or choose one that will complement the one you recently completed. Many ministry leaders will offer various studies based on the spiritual maturity of the women they are serving—some may have less homework while others may be more in-depth and require additional time.
Gather Your Team
Third, you need others to accomplish more. A farmer can’t harvest a huge crop on his own. He will need a team that is equipped to complete many tasks. You, too, must consider the team that is coming alongside you to complete the plans you have made. Better yet, the best teams are the ones that make plans with you, not implement plans for you. As you pray about the future, consider new team members, training team members, and building community within your team. Set aside dates to meet with the team and consider various ways you can equip them. The Lifeway Women’s Leadership Forum is an excellent destination event that offers your team the ability to learn, be inspired, and build friendships with each other and other ministry leaders. Another great possibility is the one-day You Lead event. Look for one in your area and take a team and learn how to expand their leadership expertise. Just as a farmer needs the proper tools and people, training builds a stronger and more effective team with the correct tools.
Prepare for the Unexpected
Finally, prepare for the unexpected. A farmer can be the best at planning for all kinds of scenarios, but he can’t control the weather. He can’t control government regulations or the cost of fuel. He can try really hard to predict what might happen, but sometimes things occur that are out of his control. As ministry leaders, it’s not uncommon to experience circumstances beyond your control. It could be an unexpected health issue or crisis that impedes a plan, a financial cost that was unexpected, or a calendar conflict that pops up at the last minute. If you’ve done all you can on the front end of planning, trust that the Lord has not abandoned your desire or your heart for ministry. Allow Him to be the Lord of the harvest, and rest in His purposes for you.
ABOUT KELLY D. KING
Kelly D. King is the women’s minister at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. She is the author of Ministry to Women: The Essential Guide to Leading Women in the Local Church and was the former women’s ministry specialist for Lifeway Christian Resources. You can find her at kellydking.org and subscribe to her free monthly newsletter.
