Love Without a Plan: The Quiet Revolution of Presence in Ministry

In a world obsessed with strategy, metrics, and measurable outcomes, we often overlook the simple, profound power of just being present. Ministry, at its core, isn’t about grand designs or carefully crafted models—it’s about love. It’s about showing up, being there for those who need it, and doing so without an agenda. The quiet revolution of presence may not make headlines, but it changes lives in ways that no strategy ever could.

A Personal Story: The Power of Presence

I learned this lesson firsthand during my university years. At a time when I was ready to leave the church for good—disillusioned by the hollow promises of attractional ministry models—I found solace in a place that wasn’t trying to be anything other than what it was. Our chaplain, a woman who gathered together a group of people that the world often labeled as outsiders, created a space where we could simply be. Every Wednesday, she opened the doors of the chaplaincy, inviting us in without expectation, without pressure. She didn’t strategize about how to make us stay; she just turned up. And in that simple act of showing up, she demonstrated a quiet, genuine love that kept me anchored in my faith when I was ready to walk away.

There was no discipleship model at work here, no meticulously crafted plan to draw us in or keep us engaged. There was only the steady, unwavering presence of someone who cared. And that was enough. More than enough, actually. It was in those moments of quiet acceptance that I began to understand the true power of love—love that doesn’t need a strategy to be effective, love that doesn’t seek to convert or convince, but simply to be there.

The Problem with Over-Strategizing

This stands in stark contrast to the modern obsession with ministry strategies like the Missional Community (MC) model. These models, though well-intentioned, often become more about the framework than the people they’re meant to serve. We become so focused on the process that we lose sight of the very essence of ministry: to love, to serve, to be present. We construct elaborate systems to reach people, all the while missing the simple truth that real ministry happens when we show up without a plan.

Love Without a Plan in a Time of Crisis

In a time where the world seems increasingly disconnected—where digital distractions pull us away from genuine human interaction—we face a mental health crisis that demands our attention. The state’s support systems are failing, and people are left adrift, searching for connection, for someone who will listen, for someone who will simply be there. This is where “love without a plan” comes into play. It’s not about creating another program or rolling out another initiative; it’s about looking around, seeing the needs in our communities, and responding with presence and compassion.

Imagine what it would look like if we, as the church, embraced this unstructured, responsive approach. What if, instead of asking how we can build better systems, we asked our neighbors what they need? What if we turned off our phones, closed our laptops, and simply sat with those who are hurting? What if we focused less on crafting the perfect sermon and more on being a shoulder to lean on?

The Quiet Revolution of Presence

The vicar who visits a housebound parishioner every two weeks to deliver communion isn’t following a strategic plan. He isn’t trying to build a model or grow a movement. He’s just showing up. And in that simple act, he’s living out the gospel in a way that no model could replicate. He’s demonstrating that love, in its purest form, doesn’t need a plan. It just needs to be present.

This is the quiet revolution that the church desperately needs—a shift away from strategies and back to the basics of what it means to follow Christ. Jesus didn’t build models; He built relationships. He didn’t focus on attracting crowds; He focused on loving individuals. And it’s this kind of ministry—personal, present, and unplanned—that we must return to if we are to truly reflect the heart of God.

Conclusion: A Call to Presence

The call to love without a plan is not an easy one. It requires us to let go of our need for control, to step into situations without knowing the outcome, to be vulnerable in our simplicity. But it’s in this vulnerability that we find strength. It’s in this simplicity that we find the profound. And it’s in this presence that we find the power to transform lives, one quiet act of love at a time.

So let’s put aside our strategies for a moment. Let’s step away from the models and the plans. Let’s just show up. Let’s love, without a plan, and watch as that quiet revolution of presence begins to change the world around us.