In this third part, our focus will shift to using two key technical tools for further refining the strategy:
1: The PE2ST --> SWOT analysis worksheet
2: The BAU vs ALT Strategy Alignment matrix
The rope principle: united strength
The key concept in using such tools to develop an effective strategy is the point that successful strategies:
- are well-fitted to their environments (with due allowance and provision for the unexpected),
- build on strengths, so they can
- make the most of opportunities, while
- countering threats, and
- compensating for-- or if possible correcting -- weaknesses.
The idea here is similar to how a twisted rope is made and how it works:
Wikipedia aptly describes:
. . . Twisted ropes are built up in three steps. First, fibres are gathered and spun to form yarns. A number of these yarns are then twisted together to form strands. The strands are then twisted together to form the rope. The twist of the yarn is opposite to that of the strand, and that in turn is opposite to that of the rope. It is this counter-twist, introduced with each successive operation, which holds the final rope together as a stable, unified object.Each fibre (especially in a natural rope) is likely to be relatively short, thin and weak. But when they are twirled together tightly, each fibre grips the next, and we gain both length and strength. However, a twist tends to untwist itself if left alone. So, the yarns are twisted together in the opposite sense to form a yarn, so that strand twist meets yarn-level counter-twist. Then strands are given the opposite twist to form the overall rope as a unified, stable, long, strong whole:
Just so, a good strategy will allow us to work together using our strengths, and will help us form a team that compensates for our weaknesses, forming a unified whole that can do much more than any one individual. But in so doing, we have to be careful indeed in how we manage forces that could help us unravel the unity that gives us united strength.
One of those challenges is the challenge to change from Business As Usual [BAU] to a better Alternative [ALT] strategy:
A major challenge
One of the major challenges that forces us to change the way we normally would do things is that all across the Caribbean and wider world, the Gospel is under unprecedented attack.
So, as a key step to understanding and responding to the signs of the times, we need to pause and focus on a key strategy issue: confirming the authenticity of the faith and our faithfulness to it in the teeth of a rising tide of skepticism and apostasy.
For, many of the challenges we face grow out of the waves of radical de-Christianisation that increasingly sweep across our shores:
Activities
1 --> Read Part V of the Key Visional Scriptures Study, and answer questions w to y. Share a thought or two in the seminar forum.
2 --> Take a look at the summary of the minimal facts approach here, compare Peter's declaration in 2 Peter 1:16 ff as well as Paul's summary in 1 Cor 15:1 - 11, and -- for just two examples -- contrast Dan Brown's approach to the authenticity of the New Testament as is discussed here, and Tom Harpur's approach as is discussed here and here. (NB: The sort of claims being made by Brown and Harpur et al are increasingly being propagated in our region, not just through Cable TV and the Internet but by some Afrocentrists and the like. These advocates want to tell us that the Jewish and Christian tradition was copied wholesale from pagan Egyptian legends, and that the proof is that the originals are on the walls of the pyramids. They are grossly exaggerating resemblances and are suppressing very obvious differences, but such can be persuasive if we are not alert, are ill-informed or do not fact-check.)
3 --> In light of Peter's remarks in 2 Peter 3, what sort of signs of our times do such things reveal? In light of Matt 24:1 - 14, what does this suggest about our time on God's prophetic clock, and what we are called to do? (Jot down a few thoughts in the seminar forum.)
4 --> Broadening focus, what do you think are some further key political, economic, socio-cultural, spiritual and technological trends -- or even shocks -- affecting Antigua and the wider Caribbean today? How do these facts pose opportunities and challenges or even threats? (Discuss in the forum.)
5 --> Fill out the PE2ST --> SWOT worksheet based on your thoughts and discussions, and identify the top three to five trends or shocks that could affect your ministry opportunities, or could pose major challenges.
6 --> Take up the strategy alignment chart, and list these key opportunities and threats.
7 --> Identify three to five key strengths or weaknesses that affect how you can respond to opportunities and challenges.
8 --> Fill in how you are currently using strengths to respond to opportunities and threats, and how you are currently dealing with how threats may affect your weak points. Also, list what you are doing about weaknesses that may affect your ability to take advantage of opportunities.
9 --> Follow the BAU arrow, and see what the likely outcome would be in about three years or so. Note it down in bullet points. This is your business as usual strategy and your projection of what it is likely to result in.
10 --> Now, on a fresh sheet, fill in the SWOT boxes as above and copy out the projected consequence of BAU. But instead try to consciously build an alternative strategy that would use strengths to make the best of opportunities, counter threats, and compensate for or correct weaknesses.
11 --> Jot down where the ALT strategy would be likely to lead, over the next three or so years.
12 --> Contrast the outcomes, and jot down ideas on how you can change to achieve a better outcome.
13 --> Comment on your findings in the thread.
14 --> Update your VMVEGS sheet based on your findings. (This process of incremental improvement is a key lesson: effective plans are not usually developed all at once, but develop based on repeated thought, study, prayer, discussion and a fair amount of sweat.)
15 --> Could you sum up your findings in several electronic slides for presentation? (PowerPoint will work, or if you do not have that, Open Office Impress will work well and is free for a download.)
16 --> Present your findings in the VFM session.
For next time:
Look at the ADCC action plan development tool.
