A Sound Investment
In Patrick Lencioni's latest POV Newsletter, he commented on the "bad economy bandwagon" that is accompanying most media reports and conversations. He humorously suggested that perhaps the next thing we may see is "recession Barbie" all decked out with a frown and carrying a copy of the want ads. While not playing down current economic realities, he acknowledges that most people agree things will rebound and improve. Yet, Lencioni presents an alternative to simply holding on tight and waiting for the storm to pass. Instead, he asserts that now is the perfect time to invest in your organization. But he is talking about investing in the health of the organization – "improving the functioning of the executive team, and their clarification of and recommitment to the organization's values and purposes."
Crisis Choosing
I was asked an interesting question today at the end of 3-hour "futures forum" for a church starting the Vision Pathway. One the wall in front of the group was the work of 30 different subgroups that all presented the "Best of" stories of the church. The retelling of these stories obviously created a sense of enthusiasm among the group. But the last question of the day was, "Will, can you comment on the health of the church from these stories you see?" The question presented the opportunity to shift the tone of our meeting from pure celebration to challenge.
Hopefor09.com: Church Unique Snapshot
It was a thrill to work Sal Sberna and team at a church called the MET in North Houston (Metropolitan Baptist Church). They contracted with Auxano two years ago to do vision clarification and continue to use us for sub-ministry alignment and vision-based stewardship development. Their mission is to connect people each day to the real Jesus in a real way. Recently they began an initiative called HopeFor09.com. Its a way to take a sermon series to the next level by providing a series-based blog, videos, bible resources and e-vite online. Check it out here.
Biggest Ministry Mistakes
Blogger Tony Morgan just asked his twitter followers to write in about their biggest ministry mistakes. In the list below you will see the mistake that fuels our ministry at Auxano: Mistaken Identity
- @gsligon - “trusting a volunteer with too much influence in my ministry. can you say sabotage?”
- @menatpausecoach - “thinking that one would be ‘closer to God’ by leaving secular world for full-time ministry.”
- @teddywinter - “thinking that I can sustain it all. The need for a team is incredibly necessary.”
- @jodyearley - “calling a Jr. High event SNR (Santa’s Not Real) and then promoting in the worship guide for the little kids to see.”
- @michaelharrison - “not delegating or empowering others to serve”
- @chuck_scott - “procrastinating and calling that relying on the Holy Spirit for prompting.”
- @youcanknowgod - “student ministry services that compete with weekend services”
- @jasonsalamun - “Not raising funds prior to launching our church.”
- @kellyadkins - “caring about something less than God does. also, caring about something more than God does.”
- @dale_schaeffer - “Changing who we are as a church to fit the demographics of a community…lesson: just be who you are and watch God work.”
- @kentshaffer - “Trying to take an old school projector down from the ceiling by myself. It broke, and I almost did.”
While some of these are humorous, the idea of "changing who we are as a church" can be very dangerous. When I worked with Max Lucado at Oak Hills Church, I ripped a phrase from his book, The Cure for a Common Life, and use it for churches: "Your church can't be anything you want it to be, but it can be everything God wants it to be."
Growth Challenges Audio
While at Group Publishing today I saw the link to an audio I did with Alan Nelson a few months ago on the topic of growth challenges for the Rev magazine audio resource. In it, I share my philosophy of thinking about growth challenges, and two common systemic challenges: 1) the redemptive passion of the congregation, and 2) centralized leadership development. On the latter topic I share a little bit about the leadership development process of two churches I am close to in Houston- Clear Creek Community Church and Faithbridge UMC.