(an excerpt from our book, Leaning Forward) As a former pastor, I remember the faces of people who were visiting for the first time. They were always a If I told one of my children, "I have a plan for you." Their first question would be, "What is it?" But therein lies the problem. As a pastor for 20 years, I would say the most common issue is that the congregation is still searching for this illusive plan and purpose. They believe they have one (because God gave it to them), but they go to conferences and read books and listen intently every Sunday, hoping they will uncover the details of this plan and purpose. This lostness keeps them in a state of perpetual shame and makes them vulnerable.