6 Questions We Should All Be Asking
I love a great question. In fact, I collect them! And I try to remember to ask them all the time and especially when I'm seeking to break free from the status quo and business-as-usual.
NOTE: Our tendency (even me) is to read the question and then promptly forget it, never to think about it again. Can I urge you to set up a meeting with your team and work through these 6 questions thinking about your upcoming launch. There's gold here, but only if you spend the time.
Here are 6 questions we should all be asking:
1. What are the things we are doing that make it difficult for unconnected people to connect to a small group?
If we are truly on a hunt for the best ways to connect the largest number of people to a small group, we'll need to pay careful attention to the things we are doing that make it difficult.
What are some possible examples of barriers to entry we are creating or not removing? For starters, how about offering connecting opportunities more frequently? Or making sure connecting opportunities are at a time when it would be easiest to attend? Or offering childcare?
If we are truly on a hunt for the best ways to connect the largest number of people to a small group, we'll need to pay careful attention to the things we are doing that make it difficult. Click To Tweet
2. What are the activities, attitudes and commitments that prevent unconnected people from connecting to a small group?
A best practice we could all adopt is to spend time on a regular basis listening to unconnected people. Believe me, they each have reasons they have not joined a group or are not currently connected to a group. Until we figure out what those reasons are, we will struggle to make a compelling case for unconnected people to join a group.
A best practice we could all adopt is to spend time on a regular basis listening to unconnected people. Believe me, they each have reasons they have not joined a group or are not currently connected to a group. Click To Tweet
3. What are the ways we are allocating our resources that produce the greatest return on investment?
You may prefer "bear the most fruit" to "produce the greatest return on investment." No matter. If we want to hear "well done," we will all be paying attention to outcomes.
A little explanation might be helpful. For example, we might identify strong attendance/participation as a good return on investment. Another example of a good return on investment might be a high percentage of repeat customers or new customers.
The key to this question is to connect our resource allocation with the results we desire. If we cannot make that connection, we should reallocate our resources.
Remember. Doing the same things again and again, hoping for a different outcome, is more than the definition of insanity. It is poor stewardship.
Remember. Doing the same things again and again, hoping for a different outcome, is more than the definition of insanity. It is poor stewardship. Click To Tweet
4. What are the ways we are allocating our resources that produce the lowest return on investment?
This is obviously the flip side of the previous question, but it is potentially a very productive conversation. Yes, it is a very difficult and challenging pathway, but if we would be good stewards it is a conversation we must have.
Imagine a thoughtful analysis of ministry budgets and/or personnel budgets. How well do your current budget allocations align with your vision and mission?
5. What are we not doing that we should start doing immediately?
This is a game-changing conversation. So often, we know what we should be doing and we just don't do it. It is about good stewardship.
I often say that there are closing windows of opportunity for every unconnected person who attends our church (or is within reach of a neighbor, co-worker or acquaintance). Whose closing windows are we putting off addressing?
I often say that there are closing windows of opportunity for every unconnected person who attends our church (or is within reach of a neighbor, co-worker or acquaintance). Whose closing windows are we putting off addressing? Click To Tweet
6. What are we doing that we should stop doing immediately?
Again, this is a flip side question but an essential conversation. It is about stewardship. It is about allocating resources to the critical growth path.
Most of us have some kind of "to do" list. We should probably all have a "stop doing" list as well.
As you will immediately recognize, some of the programs, events, and ministries that might end up on a stop doing list would not be easy to stop doing. At the same time, since "leaders allocate the finite resources of the organization to the critical growth path (Carl George)," turning blind eyes to obvious misalignments is irresponsible.
Some of the programs, events, and ministries that might end up on a stop doing list would not be easy to stop doing. At the same time, since leaders allocate the finite resources of the organization to the critical growth path (Carl… Click To Tweet
What do you think? Have a question? Want to argue? You can click here to jump into the conversation.
Image by Audio-Luci
Here are some additional posts that might be helpful:
