The BIG Idea

Being a leader in today's world has its share of hardships. One of them is getting things done. There are some leaders that have great ideas and large scale imagination, but it takes talent to take those big ideas and set them in motion so they become reality. 

I have worked with leaders who can envision unique actives, programs, or resources that seem really great but when it comes time to get from imagination to reality, many leaders lack patients in creating a path for success. 

In my minuet experience I have a little formula that I use when planning and developing ideas. I hope this can help you too.

What, Who, When, Where, Why and Whom, these (for me) should be first on your agenda when starting the "idea".

What - What will this program do? what makes this program different from the rest? 

Who - Who is benefiting? who should relate? and who needs the program? in short define your audience.

When - when planning an event, program or worship service, the "When" is important to the "Who" and should  be considered if you plan to reach out to the "Who".

Where - next to the "When" the "Where" has complications too. Your "Where" needs to be  relevant and a common ground for the audience. ex. Bringing non-church going folks to your local church might not be the best location for ministry, since they wouldn't be comfortable as to environments that they are used to.

Why - the "Why" will answer your purpose. Why do we have this program? Is it relevant to my audience? 

Whom – Hopefully Jesus Christ is the Point, Reason, and Center of the program or idea.

These basic questions give you a foundation that makes a complete, stable and centered idea from which you can develop and build up on. Once having answered fully the 5 Ws you can now start in making your idea more concrete by the following:

Cause and Effect

Many programs and events are created because of schedule (weekly service, yearly revival, ..etc), or of position and statues (preaching, sermons, teaching, ..etc). Not much though goes into what I call "cause and effect". Cause and Effect differentiates a habitual program with a deviative program. The Cause is based on the What and Why, issues at hand and the reality of life which defines the point of the program, . Effect is the out come of your program, will it change people for the moment or will it drive the motivation of change in total action.

Purpose

Defining your purpose will help in the overall planning and initiating of your program.

Content

I have attended some religious programs that are filled activities and events but no real content. At times speakers or worship planners just add activities just to fill up time and its Cause and Effect isn't taking into consideration.

Focus

A program that isn't focused can get confusing and your participants may not get the full message and Effect that you wanted to portray with your program.

Relevance

Topics should not only be focused but precise to the culture, issues, realty, and generation or the listener. The mediums of both presenter and audience should be compatible so that a connection can be made and the message conveyed clearly.  

Quality

Quality is important not because of perfection, but because of impression. The totally conservative may have their perspective of making impressions, but in reality 1rst impression lasts. Jesus gave powerful impressions, He reacted to the sellers in the temple, He turned water into wine, and He raised the dead! If you want to draw attention to Jesus, i really suggest that you do it in the best way you can.

Conclusion

This is only the tip if ice burg, after you completely understand the basis of your idea or program, you can then start on planing the road map that can lead you to completing your idea to a real functioning program. Great programs start with a idea that have a firm foundation.