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In ministry, we strive to be faithful to God’s calling. We pray, we listen, we act. But in a rapidly changing world, sometimes that is not enough. Today, it’s not only important to serve — but to serve wisely, responsibly, and with a vision for the future.

Just as Easter renews our understanding of life and gives it new meaning, a strategy can become a new way of seeing the development of a community — not as an external obligation, but as an internal step toward a deeper understanding of our calling. It is not merely a planning tool, but a form of spiritual and organisational responsibility. A way to live out our calling — consciously, today and tomorrow.

Why does Christian ministry need a strategy?

Jesus often spoke about prudence: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28)

Planning is not a sign of distrust in God’s grace. It is a way to be faithful stewards of the gifts entrusted to us: people, time, resources, community. It is also a way to pause and ask ourselves:
Where is the Lord leading us?
What should we do with the gifts we’ve already received?

It all begins with prayer, listening, and an honest look at the present. Strategy is the bridge between where we are today and where God is calling us in the future. It allows us to pause, see clearly, weigh our choices, and act in light of our mission.

Strategy as a response to God’s gift

A religious community is a living organism. If we neglect its vitality, we avoid responsibility. As good stewards, we are called to multiply the gifts entrusted to us. A strategy is a response to the question: “What are we doing with what we’ve been given?” Without a clear vision, it’s easy to fall into survival mode instead of conscious ministry.

We celebrate the Resurrection, but we must also live as those who have risen — with faith expressed through action, openness to change, and responsibility before the community.

Challenges faced by religious communities

Today’s religious communities face difficult but inevitable questions:

• How can we engage young people and invite them into the community?

• How can we serve modern society without losing our spiritual identity?

• How can we ensure financial sustainability without turning into a commercial structure?

No strategy provides all the answers at once. But it allows us to ask the right questions, choose a direction together, and move forward with unity and trust.

Inspiring examples

Youth-focused orientation
One community decided to shift its focus to youth. They developed a spiritual mentorship program, created new gathering spaces, and trained sisters and brothers to work with teenagers.

Financial sustainability through partnerships
Another community, facing financial challenges, opened a craft workshop, established partnerships with social enterprises, and built a self-sustaining model.

In each case, strategy became a tool to fulfill God’s calling in new circumstances.

What is a development strategy?

It’s a plan of action agreed upon within the community, answering three key questions:

• Who are we? — our mission and calling.

• Where are we going? — our vision for the future: what our ministry will look like in 5–10 years.

• How will we get there? — concrete steps, resources, responsibilities, and indicators of success.

These three levels — spiritual, visionary, and practical — must be in harmony. Strategy doesn’t replace grace. It helps grace act through order, discipline, and intentional decisions.

What is the strength of a strategic approach?

• Clarity of calling. Strategy helps us stay focused on what is truly ours.

• Ability to act in crisis. Declining vocations, new needs among the faithful, societal changes — all of these demand foresight.

• Unity in the community. A shared vision and agreed-upon plan reduce misunderstandings and build internal cohesion.

• Sustainability of ministry. Resource planning, financial strategy, and evaluation of results are essential to keep the mission alive and vibrant.

Planning is not doubt — it’s trust

Monastic life is a path of faith. But faith does not exclude prudence. Just as a good sower prepares the soil, we must prepare the community for a new season of ministry. Strategy is our way of showing that we are ready to embrace challenges while remaining faithful to our mission.

Perhaps your community is now sensing a call to renewal. Perhaps you are facing difficult decisions. During the Easter season, we feel especially that life is not only a gift but also a task. Resurrection is the beginning of a new path. And strategy is the way to walk that path together — with trust, with hope, with responsibility before God and the community.

So that what God has begun in our communities may live, grow, and bear fruit — even in uncertain times.