Many people say, “Look at the forest, not just the tree.” When I searched this expression again, I found several explanations, but they all pointed to the same idea: look at the whole picture. When we observe or do something, we need to broaden our vision through insight and observation. We should not think too small, become so concerned about small things that we lose sight of the big things, or become trapped in details while missing the greater purpose.
Although it is not exactly the same concept, there is a similar principle in our ministry that Rev. Melvin used: SIB.KIS—See It Big, Keep It Simple.
I think this is a very useful way to understand ministry.
SIB means knowing the whole first. KIS means making it practical and simple.
From my own experience, I would describe it this way: Have a system for the whole church (SIB), but give people a simple way to participate in that system (KIS).
In our ministry, Lay Pastors Ministry (LPM) represents the big picture and the overall system—SIB. Within that system, PACE—Prayer, Availability, Contact, and Example— provides a simple way for individual members to practice caring ministry—KIS.
Therefore, ministry needs both the forest and the tree. We cannot choose one over the other. We need to know how the two fit together.
Rev. Melvin wrote two important books. His first book can be compared to the tree because it deals with a specific ministry and gives practical guidance for individual ministry. His second book can be compared to the forest because it asks what kind of system is necessary for those individual ministries to work together and create synergy throughout the church.
This distinction is important.
A church should not have many individuals doing separate ministries without connection. It should become a common ministry in which individual ministries work together within a larger system. When that happens, the church can experience greater effectiveness, greater energy, and a greater vision because a whole culture of ministry is created.
In other words, each church member can work like a missionary, but the pastor must create the system in which those missionaries can work together.
That is why a church member may primarily see the tree, while a pastor must see both the tree and the forest.
It is like looking at two related pictures on the wall at the same time. Or it is like reading two related books simultaneously: one explains what an individual should do, while the other explains how everything works together.
Usually, churches are good at talking about the big picture—SIB: See It Big. The vision can be impressive. The vision can be inspiring. The vision can even be fantastic.
But if there is no specific KIS: Keep It Simple for each member to practice, the vision may remain only a vision.
People may hear a great sermon about loving one another, making disciples, caring for people, and becoming missionaries. But when they leave the church, they may still ask:
“What exactly should I do?”
That is where KIS becomes essential.
A big vision without a simple practice is difficult to implement. SIB gives direction; KIS gives action. SIB shows where we are going; KIS shows what we do today.
Therefore, these two things are equally important.
In any ministry, the pastor needs to know both.
First, the pastor must See It Big (SIB)—understand the whole church, the system, the culture, and the direction.
Second, the pastor must Keep It Simple (KIS)—know what each person can actually do and make that ministry simple enough to practice.
The basic mission of the pastor is therefore not simply to choose between the forest and the tree.
The pastor must see both.
The church needs the forest, because without the big picture there is no direction.
The church needs the tree, because without specific action there is no fruit.
SIB without KIS becomes a beautiful vision without practice.
KIS without SIB becomes busy activity without direction.
But when SIB and KIS work together, the church can move from vision to practice, from individuals to a system, and from separate ministries to a ministry culture.
That is why SIB.KIS is important.
See It Big. Keep It Simple.
See the forest. Care for the tree. Build the system. Practice the ministry.