Conjunction Change
Do you remember the cartoon with the song… “Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?” (Sorry to date myself like that.)
I’m going to offer one conjunction change that could drastically improve your ministry (or marriage, or family, or school, or whatever).
- Most people say “AND” most of the time.
- We should learn to say “OR” most of the time.
Instead of…
We can do a singles ministry, ANDÂ counseling ministry, AND a sports ministry, AND missions, AND Divorce Care, AND a puppet ministry, AND a quilting ministry, AND a ministry for people with more than five pets…
You can say…
We can do this… OR that… and do it well. We probably can’t do it all. Let’s focus on what God is calling us to do.
The same is true in our families. Many families say “AND” so often they rarely see each other.
Think about your family, your ministry, your schedule, your relationship with God…
Where have you been saying “AND” when you should be saying “OR?”
Visit 
Who knew two little letters could do so much. AND causes us to dilute our effectiveness because we just keep adding, but OR allows us to focus and be more effective because we are narrowing our focus. Great insight Craig.
What a great question! That really makes me think…I’ll be evaluating my schedule and my obligations through that lens.
Thanks!
Great Topic to Blog about! I love “School House Rocks”:) I struggle with the “and” thing as well. There are so many things that I love to do and so many people I want to invest in. With so little time and so much to do as an individual, mother, wife and servant… at times I find myself overextended and tired with my schedule. Lately God has called me to rest and step back and pray about where to invest and allow Him to show me and let go of the wheel. I do not want to be busy and tired but fruitful and intensional for His kingdom. I want to concentrate on “OR” not “More”. Thanks for the great challenge! …..”I’m only a Bill….on Capital Hill…”
Clif and Heather, Glad you are thinking on this…
Jenn, Thanks for reminding me of the title “School House Rocks…” I couldn’t remember it!
I know God will bless your prayer time. (Now I’m stuck singing this stupid song!)
My son’s are taking swimming lessons and playing football and playing soccer and having practice and games are on Saturday and I have church on Saturday…..
I try to implement a “Not to do list” as often as possible, it really helps.
I am in the process RIGHT NOW of changing my “and” to “or”. Not only did your “would you do it if you had 30 days to live” comment hit me hard, but a dear friend of mine is challenging me on spreading myself too thin. I’m thin, alright, but unfortunately it’s on the emotional/spiritual level and not the physical one
I’ve narrowed my life down to what I think is healthy:
Jesus
Husband
Kiddos
Mentoring women
If only I made sure it was always in that order. I’m getting there.
Oh, and the Conjunction Junction cartoon was my ABSOLUTE favorite. Not sure why grammar amazed me at such a young age, but it did.
I believe the title is “Schoolhouse Rock” (singular). I am surprised you didn’t take one of your famous jabs. Instead of “a ministry for people with more than five pets” I expected “a ministry for people with more than five CATS (aka, a deliverance ministry).”
Good thoughts. Enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work.
(On the road–currently in Alabama)
Tom
That darn “AND” word that gets us all in trouble.
Great challenge! Jim Collins wrote an article along these lines that has be a great encouragement to me.
I’ve found there’s another word that has to go with “and” or “or,” it’s no. I’ve had to learn to say no to things that don’t fall in line with who God has specifially called our church to be. It’s a hard lesson to learn but learning to say no, even to good ideas because they don’t fit the vision, has been one of my hardest ministry lessons. In my personal experience saying no never really get’s any easier, it just hurts less than saying yes to something I know I should have said no to.
WOW! Huge implications for church and individuals. I am very impressed with Cindy’s list - maybe she can help me with mine.
I have been looking for a simplistic and powerful way to illustrate this in a world where activity and busyness is worn as a badge of honor. Who knew it could be done with two little words.
thanks
You totally looked at our worship guide, didn’t you?
Here is the address for that Jim Collins article.
http://www.jimcollins.com/lib/articles.html#
The article is “Best New Year’s Resolution? A ’stop doing’ list”
Life is busy, but what we don’t acknowledge is the fact that we are responsible for the majority of that busyness. This is a profound and yet simplistic way to slow things down a bit, and become more productive in life.
Great thoughts. I needed this to help put things in perspective.
Thanks.
I like the idea of simple and narrowing the focus- I’ve read alot of Stanley books that take a business concept and apply it to church.
The trouble I find though is trying to make the ideal a reality. We have a large church in DC and minister to a true melting pot of people who have complex job and live complex lives. My goal is “OR” but “And” seems to be the only way to get the job done.
I’d appreciate any thoughts on that.
Thanks for making us reflect, Craig. Those “and” ministries are inherently good but they can become the “stuff” that can ultimately burn you out. I’m sure Maxwell and other leadership gurus would agree with this idea, especially as it relates to prioritization.
At the same time, though, it’s so hard to say OR or NO!! Gotta learn sometime, huh?
If we don’t adopt the “or” we may end up in the “or” (operating room). I once got a word for my sister, “If you don’t take a break God will give you a break.” Sure enough she couldn’t stop and got laid up for a while. One way I got in a mess was not realizing how resentful my husband was of how much ministry I did that didn’t include him. Its good to give couples in church something to do together.
In Built to Last, James Collins and Jerry Porras explain that successful companies make it a habit to “avoid the tyranny of the OR” and “embrace the genius of the AND.”
Unfortunately, I work for a company that embraces the “AND” concept and therefore don’t do too many things well.
Craig, I subscribe to your theory completely!
Yes, good point. It shows how much we can be influenced by language. Do we make language or does language make us. do we control the conversiation or does the coveration control us. I recently preached on metonymy and how it influences our thoughts and behaviour.
[...] Can one small church lead a community to change in all of these areas? Is it better for these things to be church planned or individually encouraged? If we try and do everything, do we actually do anything? How do we pick just one area and not feel guilty about the areas that God obviously cares about that we have decided to not get involved in? As Craig Groeschel puts it, is it “AND” or “OR”? [...]
Is there a ministry for people with more than 5 pets?
I am doing exactly what you’re asking us to, Craig - challenge where we spend most of our energy and discovering whether or not it is worthwhile. Thanks again for the reminder.
WOW…thanks for the insight…now, if we could just grab the church, people, our families by the shoulders and tell them that!
I love what John A said…I’ve found there’s another word that has to go with “andâ€? or “or,â€? it’s no. I’ve had to learn to say no to things that don’t fall in line with who God has specifially called our church to be…
I would have to agree…these last 6 weeks for me have been a time of great spiritual growth and renewal and one of the biggest lessons God has taught me in this time is when to say NO and now how to change an “AND” to an “OR”.
Thanks,
Melissa
Oh, btw…Conjunction Junction was absolutely one of my favorites and that song is stuck in my head all morning now…
What about the one “today I am still just a bill”…
Hum…Melissa
[...] Can one small church lead a community to change in all of these areas? Is it better for these things to be church planned or individually encouraged? If we try and do everything, do we actually do anything? How do we pick just one area and not feel guilty about the areas that God obviously cares about that we have decided to not get involved in? As Craig Groeschel puts it, is it “AND” or “OR”? [...]