Lazy People Don’t Need Vision to be Lazy

Churches who decide to go multi-site often do so by adding campuses in nearby cities. Sometimes, churches will promote these new locations to their attendees as a convenience: “Now you can get to church in half the time!” Those same churches are somewhat surprised when the evangelism temperature for reaching the lost doesn’t seem to be the same at the new locations.

When that happens, it’s a good idea to step back and look at the vision that was cast for the new approach. If you focus on the fact that it’s easier now to get to church, you’ll attract people who want attending church to be easy.

But let’s face it, lazy people don’t usually need more instructions on being lazy :) In fact, people who are lazy are pretty good at finding more ways to be lazy.

When launching a new location, convenience isn’t the most effective vision to cast. Instead, how about…

“This is a part of our community that we’re really excited about reaching.”

“You get to be on the ground floor of something big.”

Can you share some great examples of casting vision for new locations?

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New Seasons Mean New People

When a ministry enters a new season, we must open the door for new leaders.

The “old guard” often resents new seasons. I’m a big believer in working hard to lead the tenured believers toward new life. Sometimes, though, they refuse to move forward.

In those times, we have to help people grow. If we can’t help people grow with the new direction, we need to be willing to allow some people to move on.

During these transitional seasons, I’m always looking for new leaders. Often they arise from right in front of you. There could be faithful people that were serving under others who seem to rise from nowhere when there is a new chance to lead.

When the current changes, keep your eyes open to new people God will raise up.

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What the Church Should Learn from Google (3 of many)

3. They haven’t arrived.

Most of us would say Google is pretty big. Just 11 years after they launched their search engine, they are one of the top ten most well known brands in the world. But despite how big they’ve become, they continue to think bigger. Instead of looking back at what they’ve accomplished, they look outward and to the future.

For example, with Google Translate they are aiming to break down language barriers across the globe. That’s a pretty ambitious goal, but it’s just the kind of big vision that helps propel organizations to go further.

As churches, it’s really easy to look at what God’s done–our history, heritage, or recent success–and become more focused on that instead of the big opportunities for what could be.

Is your church as big as Google?

No? Great, there are a lot more opportunities for your church to reach this world.

Yes? Great, there are a lot more opportunities for your church to reach this world.

Tags: Google

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Making It “Their” Church

When I meet people from our church, they often tell me more with their words than they realize.

They almost always say one of two things:

• “I go to your church.”
• “I love our church.”

When they say, “I go to your church,” I know this person is not likely very engaged in the life of the church. In most cases, they aren’t serving, participating, or giving. They are simply attending a church that is not yet “theirs.”

When they say, “I love our church,” they are usually very involved. The church doesn’t belong to someone else. It is “their” church.

I’m asking God to empower me to move people from “going to church” to “being the church.” When they stop going and start being, the church goes from yours to mine.

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The Church’s Vision is Too Small

For years, I wondered why some people seemed more excited about parachurch ministries than church ministries. Perhaps it is because our vision for the church has been too small.

Almost daily, I hear great church members excited about their “outside the church” ministry. Instead of whining about why they don’t give, serve, or care about the ministry of the local church, I’ve made two commitments:

1. I’m going to cast such a compelling vision for the power of the local church that the vision would draw their hearts back to the local church.
2. I’m going to celebrate and embrace whatever they are doing to make a difference.

Not surprisingly, God is turning many hearts back to loving his church!

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How to Change the Culture, Part 2

After acknowledging what you’d like to change, preach toward the new vision. Cast vision, not for what is, but for what could be.

Many churches program toward the vision. People generally don’t get excited about programs. They want to be a part of a movement or a mission.

Preach toward the desired outcome and let the activities be an overflow of passion, not a program or class.

As you preach toward the change, model it personally.

• If you’d like to lead a more generous church, become more generous personally.
• If you’d like to lead a more evangelistic church, step up your own personal evangelism.
• If you’d like to lead toward a more worshipful church, worship more on your own.

I believe whatever you do personally (and often in secret), God will reward. As you change, so will those who follow you.

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Think Ahead

Successful people are often great at anticipating.

• If you want to be promoted as an assistant, anticipate how you can better serve your boss.
• If you want to be successful in business, anticipate what the market will do.
• If you want to be successful in church, prayerfully anticipate. What new thing is God going to bless?

I try to think ahead by asking questions like these:

• How are people relating differently? What will relationships and community look like in two years?
• How are people going to communicate in the future?
• What future technology/innovation can help spread the gospel?
• What trends (business, entertainment, philanthropy, etc.) will affect the church?

Think ahead.

I’d love to hear your theories or ideas about what is coming in the church.

Tags: thinking

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Think Big!

My good friend and church consultant, Dr. Chand, sent me an email. At the bottom by his signature, he listed 5 ways to think. This week, I’ll expand on his five thoughts.

Think BIG!

Someone once said, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.”

I believe one of the biggest ministry challenges in our day is small vision.

When I started our church in 1996, I dreamed of leading a church of 2000 people. My vision was way too small.

This morning I’m presenting a few ideas to our directional leaders about ways we can possibly reach a lot more people. (I’m not ready to write about these ideas. They are still in the prayer and discussion phase.)

Without intentional effort, most people tend to think small, play it safe, and avoid risks.

With God’s help, I’m going to Think BIG!

Is God honored by the size of your vision?

Tags: thinking

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