Search results for: preferred future
Quotebook: Arriving at the Preferred Future
I love a great quote. And one of my favorite lines concerns what for me is an essential idea. Arriving at the preferred future. A couple years ago I was listening to an Andy Stanley talk about the principle of the path. So good. The line I’ll never forget happened when he said: “Path, not…
Read MoreIs Your Preferred Future “Grand” Enough?
Have you worked through this exercise? fully diagnose the present; what’s going on in your organization (see my article Diagnosis: Brutal Honest about Your Present), use the present to understand the probable future (what your organization will look like in 10 years if nothing changes), hold a dream session where you consider the possible future…
Read MoreAre We There Yet? Milestones that Lead to the Preferred Future
We’ve talked about the diagram to the left many times. I want to revisit it today to point out one very important item. Way too important to skip past; so much ministry gets missed because of this one profound but simple detail. Wondering what it is? On the diagram it is referred to as “12…
Read MoreWhat Does the Future of Small Group Ministry Look Like?
What Does the Future of Small Group Ministry Look Like? Yesterday I posted 3 Reasons Your Old School Small Group Model Is Failing and as I published it I felt a little pang of regret. Why? I think I realized that I was sharing bad news without pointing you to what I believe is the preferred future.…
Read More3 Clues That Will Help You Design Your Small Group Ministry
All of us have a level of interest in putting our own spin on the design of our small group ministries. Our designs include things like: who can be a group leader (and how they become one) leader expectations how leader development works (i.e., is there training, is there a coach, etc.) how you join…
Read MoreLead Indicators vs Lead Measures (and the Surprising Super Powers Available When You Know What to Look for)
I have written a lot about ideas, practices and tools you might think aren’t really about ministry (and in particular, small group ministry). Things like customers, the preferred future, milestones, lead measures, lead indicators, scorecards and job descriptions. The title for this post is important. “Lead Indicators vs Lead Measures (and the Surprising Super Powers…
Read MoreMy 5 Step Prescription for Rebooting Your Small Group Ministry
There are times when you just need to reboot your small group ministry. It’s hard work. It’s not easy. It’s a thrill ride. But if your small group ministry is stuck, you need to do it. Just like your computer, it won’t get better while you watch it. See also, Top 10 Signs Your Small…
Read MoreIS THIS PRACTICE PART OF YOUR POST-COVID STRATEGY?
Think about this statement: “Every next step that is designed and offered should lead only in the direction of the “individual” preferred future to which you want everyone to go.” Here are three things you should notice about the statement: It assumes you have already developed a clear understanding of your “individual” preferred future. Most…
Read MoreHAVE YOU EVALUATED WHAT YOU’RE OFFERING POST-COVID-19?
One of the practices I wrote about in 10 Practices You Need to Adopt Going Forward (post-COVID-19), is a thorough evaluation of your existing belong and become menu. Note: When you read “belong” think connection or fellowship. When you read “become” think growth or discipleship. Every church already has a menu of fellowship (belong) and…
Read MoreTWO PRACTICES THAT WILL INCREASE ENGAGEMENT
In 10 Practices You Need to Adopt Going Forward (post-COVID-19), I pointed out the obvious: “As churches step into what’s next, some are recognizing that the world changed in 2020 and preexisting engagement pathways were built for a time and place that no longer exists.” If you read that line and said, “Thank you Captain…
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