Recently my wife and I purchased our dream home. We had been looking for a couple of years but the timing hadn’t been right. Suddenly things moved quickly----like God often does when things are right: tax incentives for new homes made the market a once in a lifetime opportunity, my father-in-law at nearly 82 expressed a readiness to live with us and then we found the right house at the right price. So we made an offer, negotiated and closed on the loan. We’ve been in the house for a month now. And there are at least two things I have learned through this that can aid churches and their leaders:
The first is when we moved from our old house (we’d lived there nearly eight years) we de-cluttered. As we packed for the move of just four miles, we threw away, gave away and made numerous trips to the city dump. We gave away clothes, toys, sports equipment and a couch. We lightened our load. We got rid of stuff we didn’t need any more. During the moving process I thought churches need to do the same. How many programs and ministries don’t work effectively now? How many are just hanging on? It’s time to bury some things in our churches that don’t work any longer. They consume resources and energy that could be channeled into ministries that reach and disciple people. I am reminded of what Jesus said, “be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16). Where does your church need to de-clutter?
The second lesson learned is that we upgraded. Formica countertops were standard in kitchens fifteen years ago: now granite and custom cabinets are the norm. My wife told me the border in the bathroom needed to go. We also needed an electrician to do some work to make our new home more computer friendly. So we hired a contractor and upgraded our new home. We’re not done yet. In fact we may never be. But we’re off to a good start. Churches need to upgrade facilities, ministries and programs. For several years I visited a couple of hundred churches in west Texas for a Christian publisher and I can say that nearly every church I visited need to upgrade something. Whether it was property related, a struggling ministry or an upgraded ministry approach. At Noble Leadership Ministries we’re taking a fresh look at our ministry, services and products. I’m making my list. What’s on your list? What does your church or ministry need to upgrade? Let me know. Email me at mike@nobleleadershipministries.com. Let the conversation begin!
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