When Things Don’t Go According to Plan

I had written what I thought was a pretty good sermon on the golden calf and idols for this past Sunday, and I’d planned out the service to prepare the congregation for an important upcoming meeting. Just as I was finishing the opening prayer the fire alarm went off and we ended up evacuating. Thankfully there was no fire, but even the fire department couldn’t get the alarm to turn off. We ended up singing a few hymns, collecting the offering and having an extended coffee hour in the hall where it was quieter.

So many times in ministry I’ve thought I had a great plan only for something to crop up and make everything go haywire. Most of the time I’ve been able to bring plans together, but the wrenches in the works do come. And they always give me pause. Is God trying to teach me something here? Could I have foreseen this? Were my plans really not in line with what God wanted that day? Or does stuff just happen?

Looking back, sometimes the change in plans was the best thing that could have happened (which is hard for a Type A person to admit who needs to organize and plan in fine detail). Other times, the challenge could have been avoided and I learned something valuable in the process. Still other times, who knows?

Things are going to go wrong, and it’s how we deal with that reality that will make the difference. Here are some suggestions:

1. Be as proactive as possible
Do you follow your denomination’s safety and protection of children and youth policy? Do you train for what to do in difficult situations? Do you anticipate that a leader or helper may not show up, so you have someone in your back pocket as a last-minute replacement (or you plan for more help than you need)? Do you assume that someone will have a typical allergy and only serve snacks that don’t contain nuts or dairy? Do you walk through your programs and activities in your mind, foreseeing possible problems and hazards? Do qualified people know where first aid kits are? Are emergency contact numbers at telephones? Do you have clear expectations for what people’s roles are? Take the time to talk and think through concerns and issues from previous programs to curtail potential problems.

2. Be a calm presence
So, despite your planning, something goes wrong. People will look to you to communicate what is happening and what they should do. Remind people of procedures in place, because in the moment we can all be a bit hazy. Be aware of anyone who will need additional help or has any special needs and assign someone to assist them. Share realities calmly, aware of the ages of those involved and how people are coping to gauge how much they need to know. Give people things to do to give them a focus, such as corralling the group somewhere or lending an arm to someone unsteady on their feet or leading an activity to keep children busy.

3. Be reflective
Help people to process what has happened as need be. Let them share their feelings and concerns. You may meet with leaders to come up with a plan for future similar situations. You may celebrate that things were handled really well and that people did what was needed to ensure safety or other good outcomes.
Take time to decompress the situation on your own or with a trusted mentor or friend outside the situation. If you find that you keep re-living it or agonizing over choices made or otherwise experience anxiety, find a professional who can help you process and not get stuck. Think through what happened and pray for wisdom on what God may have been trying to show you. Thank God for whatever guidance you received during or after the event.

I think my biggest learning from this past Sunday was just a reminder that even as I was about to preach on idols, my ministry can’t become an idol itself. Remembering that I am not in charge of the universe and the main event is a good thing. I was not alone – other leaders willingly sprang into action. And perhaps, my gifts and background can help with putting together a good plan for evacuations in case this should happen again.

Be grateful for those times when things don’t go as you would have hoped. Thank God for what you have learned when things turned upside down, and for how God remains faithful even when disruptions happen.