There may be some things that can be put off until later, but there are a number of decisions that are delayed only at great expense. What expense? Oh, first impressions missed, connection misplayed, leadership engagement squandering, etc.

5 decisions that are delayed only at great expense:

1. Launching a good enough first-step-out-of-the-auditorium.

What does delay cost? Total up the number of first time guests in the past 12 month period and use this number to analyze your weekend worship attendance. What percentage of first time guests who return for a second visit would you think would be a healthy target? What percentage of your first time guests should contribute to growth in your weekend worship attendance average? Churches that launch (and continue to perfect) a good enough first step out of the auditorium increase their opportunity to meaningfully connect new attendees.

Churches that launch (and continue to perfect) a good enough first step out of the auditorium increase their opportunity to meaningfully connect new attendees. Click To Tweet

See also, How Would You Rate the First Step out of Your Auditorium?

2. Converting to an always on prioritization of new groups.

The best way to connect unconnected people is to prioritize launching new groups over adding members to existing groups. Referring potential new members to existing groups only occasionally leads to a connection. Groups that have been meeting longer than 3 to 4 months begin to form a nearly impermeable membrane that only the most outgoing and brazenly extroverted candidates can penetrate. Converting to an always on prioritization of new groups leads to more efficient connecting and fewer missed handoffs.

Converting to an always on prioritization of new groups leads to more efficient connecting and fewer missed handoffs. Click To Tweet

See also, Critical Decision: Add Members to Existing Groups vs Start New Groups.

3. Prioritizing the needs of unconnected people.

Conduct an audit on your current menu for adults with an eye for one critical detail. Make a list of what you are offering that prioritizes the needs of unconnected people (outsiders) and another list that actually prioritizes the needs and interests of already connected people (insiders). Because insiders can only rarely remember the worldview of an outsider, you may need the help of a few people with a decidedly neutral bias. Continued delay on this decision is at the heart of the lack of growth for many churches.

See also, Design Your Connection Strategy with Unconnected People in Mind.

4. Trimming your become and belong menu.

There is conclusive evidence in the retail world that a larger menu actually leads to fewer purchases. Buyers confronted with more choices do not buy more. They buy less. The underlying psychology explains the ineffectiveness of bloated become and belong menu (all the options you are currently offering for adults who want to connect relationally or grow spiritually). Delaying trimming this menu is understandable because of the feelings of the many committed volunteers who run the programs that contribute to the glut of offerings. In addition, many alumni of the programs remain passionate advocates long after they've graduated to other endeavors. Still, delaying these decisions leads to fewer purchases and fewer purchases leads to something far less than a satisfying outcome.

See also, Small Group Ministry Roadblock #2: A Bloated Become and Belong Menu.

5. Giving the annual budget a future forward makeover.

One of the most significant hurdles in achieving escape velocity is a nearly inescapable commitment to last year's budget allocations. If you want to break free from the gravitational pull of the commitments and strategies that have gotten you to where you are but will not get you to where you need to go...you must decide to begin the budget conversation with an outside-in perspective. Specifically, you must agree to "temporarily let go of your inside-out perspective and ask the question...'what does the world really want from us?'"¹

One of the most significant hurdles in achieving escape velocity is a nearly inescapable commitment to last year's budget allocations. Click To Tweet

See also, Can You Reach Escape Velocity?

Do you have what it takes to make these decisions? Or will you settle for the status quo?

¹Geoffrey Moore, Escape Velocity

Image by Bryan Rosengrant