My colleague Jo DeBolt and I recently completed a two-day training program for the national YMCA’s Resource Directors. At one point one of the Directors got up and reported that she had searched the Bible for references to planning.

Here are some of the best she found:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18

“What a shame – yes, how stupid! – to decide before knowing the facts.” Proverbs 18:13

Here is one every capital campaign consultants could use:

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’” Luke 14:28-30

And my favorite:

“A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t, and he even brags about it!” Proverbs 12:16

What image pops into your head when you think of the future and innovation? Do you think of someone young and hip playing with the latest electronic gadget? I can’t help but wonder if in our fast paced drive to look and move into the future that we often discount the important role and function of older Americans as critical participants and creators of that hip future.

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