Moving into a new year can involve as much anxiety as excitement. You are excited about a new year with new possibilities. You trust in God. So you are ready to dig in, keep trying and remain faithful. Good. Yet the new year may also bring anxiety because in the past you haven’t seen many changes. Persistent pain points are not improving and unintentional decline continues.
It can be discouraging.
So what is your pain point? Do you experience less attendance in worship? Less in Bible class? The same volunteers and no new leaders and really less leaders? Maybe your pain point is increasing financial problems. So what is it for you?
What are you noticing?
Finally admitting those pain points can be deeply discouraging. You are facing your cognitive dissonance and admitting how bad something is. In the busyness of Sunday worship and weekly meetings and pastoral care feels productive. Yet when one sits back and looks at the measurements of key metrics it can be demoralizing and it can sap your strength and resolve to keep going. You’re admitting the problems.
So what do you do?
Two more things to admit: First, there is only so much time, energy, opportunities and skills and even allies to help. Secondly, you can’t just throw in a new sermon series, the latest ministry or book or hot topic. Just saying a few words at a Bible study you lead or sharing some thoughts with the leaders isn’t going to cut it. It’s going to require something more. So the thought of moving the needle is daunting if not impossible.
So where do you start?
Pick the one thing to deal with first. Pick something that you can actually influence and accomplish. Ask, If one thing improved, what would make a difference? What one thing would become a template for healthy change that would carry over to other things?
If you are new at exerting your influence for change and getting your hands dirty with the fix, perhaps you want to pick something small. Maybe it’s getting volunteers to fix the sound system or the bathroom. Maybe it’s finally organizing the altar guild or cleaning up the front entrance. Perhaps it’s starting a welcome team or a couple to write get well cards. Yet whatever it is, you’ll want to model what is desired: teamwork, inviting and involving inactive people, being careful to provide mutual Christian care along the way and celebrating the results at the end…values that can be replicated everywhere.
So it’s not about fixing the big things, let alone everything. Pick a small project that is achievable and can be seen and celebrated by the whole church. Then pick something else as you see the appetite for improvement grow. It will require your involvement, not so much to do the work, but to guide and help them to do it in a way that will be a model for the next project.
Your discouragement will diminish, your people will experience a sense of joy in serving God and fixing a problem and your church will celebrate and praise God.
Are these things game changers? Not likely. However, if there haven’t been any “wins” lately, then picking something to actually improve will get the ball rolling. But remember, it’s not about the thing you change. It is about inviting, involving, empowering and caring for people to get involved in making a difference. Now that, on the other hand, can be a real game changer!
So, where do you want to “move the needle” in 2024?
Rev. Scott Gress is believes in Growing People for Ministry by focussing on leadership, discipleship and teamwork. Contact Scott if you are interested in him working with you or your church. A free 30 minutes sample session is available to explore how you might work best together. The Coaching Leader Podcast is also available on iTunes and his YouTube page. You can contact Scott through email scottgress@me.com or his blog page scottgress.com or at 561-542-4472
Growing People for Ministry" Leadership + Discipleship + Teamwork
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