Think Twice–and Think Again–Before You Approve the New Menu Item
I think it's fair to say that most of us have complained at one time or another about the cluttered belong and become menu that we've inherited. "Whose bright idea was it to let the Precepts class begin in the first place!" "If only they never began approving classroom space for those ABFs back in the day!" "With everything else going on around here, I wish we didn't have to compete with adult Sunday school classes for small group sign-ups!" See also, Small Group Ministry Roadblock #2: A Bloated Belong and Become Menu.
Sound familiar? It should, because if you can't admit to some of these same feelings it may be that you're in denial.
And before you get all worked up, I will readily admit to my share of pent up frustration. We are in this together. But today, I want to get you thinking about the other side of the equation. You see, while you can do something about your bloated belong and become menu, it's easier to become an expert at the skills necessary to only allow the right additions from here on out.
5 Keys to Wisely Limit Additions to the Menu
1. Learn to think steps, not programs.
This is a foundational understanding made clear in 7 Practices of Effective Ministry. Do not miss this. A program (i.e., Precepts, AWANA, Celebrate Recovery, etc.) may be a step, but it may actually be designed or positioned as a destination. If it doesn't foster movement in the direction you want people to go and instead serves as a destination that gathers proponents, fans, and advocates, it is likely a program and not helping to make mature disciples.
If something doesn't foster movement in the direction you want people to go and instead serves as a destination that gathers proponents, fans, and advocates, it is likely a program and not helping to make mature disciples. Share on X
See also, Think Steps, Not Programs.
2. Develop a clear way of articulating your philosophy of ministry.
For example, "We want to provide next steps for every Ridger and first steps for their friends. We want to develop sequential and tailored next steps that are manageable (easy to take), easy to spot (obvious), and only lead in the right direction (strategic). In order to maximize the number of people taking these next steps, we want to make it easy to choose the right one by only featuring the step that is the best way to get from here to there."
In order to maximize the number of people taking these next steps, we want to make it easy to choose the right one by only featuring the step that is the best way to get from here to there. Share on X
See also, How to Design First Steps and Next Steps.
3. Learn to clearly define the win for every step.
This is no small thing. When every step in your strategy is required to have a clearly defined win, it becomes much easier to determine whether it truly is the best way to do what you are claiming it is designed to do.
When every step in your strategy is required to have a clearly defined win, it becomes much easier to determine whether it truly is the best way to do what you are claiming it is designed to do. Share on X
See also, Clue #4 When Designing Your Small Group Ministry.
4. Learn to say "no" with grace and patient determination.
You have acquired an educated opinion about the best way to do help unconnected people become mature disciples. It most likely did not develop overnight. In fact, it may have developed over many years. The people who hear "no" do not yet share your opinion or your philosophy of ministry. Even when they assure you that they too are only interested in the best way to do what they want to do, they will almost always struggle to see it any other way.
The people who hear no do not yet share your opinion or your philosophy of ministry. Even when they assure you that they too are only interested in the best way to do what they want to do, they will almost always struggle to see it any… Share on X
See also, A Smörgåsbord of Destinations vs. Sequential and Tailored Next Steps.
5. Never forget that one day someone will question what you allowed to be added to the menu.
It is always easier to to allow the wrong thing than to say no today or eliminate it tomorrow. Let it be said about you that the things you allowed to be included on the menu were truly the best way to help unconnected people become mature disciples.
It is always easier to to allow the wrong thing than to say no today or eliminate it tomorrow. Let it be said about you that the things you allowed to be included on the menu were truly the best way to help unconnected people become… Share on X
Takeaway:
Here's the thing. To some extent, we get to be architects and stewards of the pathway that leads from crowd to core. I believe that one day, just like in the story Jesus tells in Matthew 25, our efforts will be reviewed by the King. May all of us hear "well done."
Important Note: How to Design NEXT Steps and FIRST Steps was created to help you learn how to do just that! Understanding these concepts and practices is an early and essential steps in developing and editing the belonging and becoming menu at your church.
Image by Basheer Tome