So you want to jump-start your ministry?

Do you know what you should do first? Meetings.

Yes, I know, we have death by meetings, but this is the key thing to jump-start anything in ministry to make sure the change is healthy and will last without losing people along the way. If you don’t get buy-in from your leaders and they don’t follow you, are you really leading anyone?

Do we really need more meetings? Most of the time things get stagnant because we stopped paying attention, got complacent (into a rhythm) and stopped listening.

What kinds of meetings?

Before any re-start, I would spend a month meeting with: God, your leaders, and core students. When we do this – when we listen – we bring people along in the process. When people feel like they are a part of the process, the change that needs to happen to reach goals won’t be met with as much resistance because they have been with you in the process. Then the re-start and jump-start can begin.

  • God: We don’t want to go where God is not leading. Take (at least) 1 full day alone, phone off, to pray and be with God asking for direction.
  • Leaders: They are your boots on the ground. They are in groups with students. They have some great insight and could be your biggest catalyst or biggest hurdle.
  • Core students: You are there to serve them. Lots of times we plan what we plan because we think it will be cool, not because it’s what is best for students.

So what should you ask in these meetings if we are to first listen before we strategize a plan?

Meeting with God:

  • How is my heart?
  • What do I need to work on to be a better follower of you?
  • Am I loving what I am doing? Am I still called to this?
  • Am I using the gifts You have given me to really further Your Kingdom?
  • Are my values aligned with Your Values?
  • Where do You want us to go?

Meeting with leaders:

  • What is the best thing in our ministry right now?
  • If you had the power to change something, what would it be?
  • On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate our service?
  • On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate us at outreach/reaching new students?
  • On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate our teaching/small group curriculum right now?
  • How do you follow up with new students?
  • What is one thing you can bring to the table to benefit our ministry?
  • What is the biggest thing you need from me as the leader of this ministry?

Meeting with core students:

  • What do you think about….(insert event, series, etc)?
  • On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate our student services?
  • Is the service we put on worth being invited to? Why or why not?
  • On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable are you inviting a friend? Why?
  • Are the events we are throwing worth being invited to? Why or why not?
  • On a scale of 1-10, how are the leaders we have serving in our group? Explain.

Doing this sets the groundwork for change. What happens now is you can come up with a strategy that makes your people like they have been heard and takes in their consideration, feelings, and opinions; but allows you as the leader to make decisions. Everyone has been brought in before change even happens.

Is everyone going to be on board for every change? Probably not. But people will know you care about them and their opinions. It’s not a quick fix, but it’s a smart and strategic move. A jump-start in ministry can be explosive when people are in the know and are on board in the process.

 

@justinknowles3