5 supports to put in place before implementing a change
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I began as lead pastor at my current church, West Park Church in London, Ontario four years ago. When I started, I faced a steep learning curve. I not only needed to understand a new church culture, but a new country culture as well.
So, I developed what I called my six-month on-boarding plan to best discern what needed to be done early on.
If you are starting a new ministry role or are simply starting a new ministry project, if you'll put in place these five essentials as you begin, your chances of success will increase. In this post I state those five essentials.
A book that's helped me create my plan and one that I recommend for pastors transitioning to a new church is, The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarterby Michael D. Watkins.
He also has an iPhone app as well. The book is a must-read. He suggests that before you implement a change, you must make sure you have these five supporting pillars in place.
1. Awareness. A critical mass of people aware of the need for change.
2. Diagnosis. You know what needs to be changed and why.
3. Vision. You have a compelling vision and a solid strategy.
4. Plan. You have the expertise to put together a detailed plan.
5. Support. You have developed a sufficiently strong group of supporters to implement your plan.
So the next time you plan a new ministry initiate, consider these five pillars.
 | Charles Stone coaches and equips pastors and teams to effectively navigate the unique challenges ministry brings. By blending biblical principles with cutting-edge brain-based practices he helps them enhance their leadership abilities, elevate their preaching/ teaching skills, and prioritize self-care. A pastor for over 42 years, he has served as a lead pastor, associate pastor, and church planter. He published seven books, and over 300 of his articles have appeared on various Christian leadership websites. He holds four earned academic degrees, including a D.Min. and a Ph.D. Learn More » |
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