The five Synergies we propose can viewed as ‘handles for the revolution.’ Based on missional values straight from the heart of God, we believe they represent emerging areas of strategic development needed to transition to further levels of understanding. We offer them not as a program-in-a-box approach, but as broad avenues for framing plans and integrating solutions. For much of the last 30 years, ministry planning has typically taken a linear, step-by-step, formulaic approach that looks something like this:


Problem is, there is only one place you can start, and once you've arrived at the goal (usually something rather artificial) you tend to never go back and culturalize what you've just zipped through. Our paradigms remain unchanged, and all we’ve gained is to have been a part of (and completed with some degree of success) another church program.

This diagram (which starts at the bottom and moves up) shows a more flexible approach which allows for creativity and culturalization. Beginning with any one of the Synergies (the small circles) as God leads, you can expand and incorporate the other 'synergies' in a somewhat cyclical or crosslinking way. The strategy processes to carry them out would develop naturally as well, according to your unique culture, vision, and challenges.

> Next | Begin Where You Are.