When has your ministry finally reached success?  Is it when you hit a certain attendance milestone or you raise a certain amount of money?  Is there a point when your ministry has finally arrived?

Your youth ministry should constantly be growing and not just bigger but deeper too.  But, it’s important to note that growth doesn’t just happen it needs a plan, which starts with the question:  

WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?

To answer that question it means:

GATHERING A TEAM OF BIG THINKERS

Your next step should be a big one.  And to make it a successful step you need a team to:

  • Encourage you through the doubt.
  • Brainstorm through the obstacles.
  • Challenge you to think outside the box.
  • Constantly trust in God.

Where do you find this team?  It should be your core team; however, if that’s not already in place start looking for people in your church who THINK BIG.  Ask God to introduce you to the right people.  Look for men and women who have started businesses or lead change.

PUTTING IN THE TIME TO CONSULT GOD

God’s the one who is asking you to grow so you might as well make it a priority to seek His wisdom.  Before you start planning meetings or goals make it a priority to have time where you just listen to Him.

Keep a journal, study scripture and make sure you spend time listening to Him.  He knows what needs to be done and how it should go.  Don’t be afraid to lean into Him because He has you right where He wants you.

STAYING FOCUSED ON THE ONE AREA YOU NEED TO GROW

Early on there is a lot of motivation towards making the changes we want.  Sometimes that motivation can blur the focus and have us spread too thin.

Keep the focus on one area of growth by writing it down and making it visible.  Develop it into a mantra or vision statement. Share it with others, get them excited and keep the enthusiasm moving throughout the journey.

PUTTING TOGETHER MILE MARKERS TO HELP YOU CREATE A PACE

To help you stay focused on the one area of growth you need to make sure you set mile markers.  Smaller goals that lead to the big one are reminders of what’s important.  They’ll give you the opportunity to make adjustments and tweaks.  Most importantly they help you create a pace so that you don’t wear yourself too thin and lose hope.

CELEBRATING EACH MILESTONE ALONG THE WAY

As you hit each mile markers make sure you take time with your team to celebrate.  The time you take to celebrate is going to help the team stay together when the journey gets tough.

Celebrate by throwing a party, sending your team thank you cards or just doing some shout outs at the next meeting.  Celebrate the journey and you’ll keep your team tight.

Never stop growing.  Even if it means pain your ministry can’t afford to put it into cruise control.  As you get ready for the new year be sure to ask that question, “What’s next?” And see what God does.

What tips for success would you add to making changes or growing your ministry?

For more about change read Justin Knowles post Things to Know About Making Changes to your Program