Following Through with change...

Wow, I know one of the hardest things in ministry is following through. I wanted to write this post as more of an encouragement to ministry leaders to remind them that we need to be obedient to God first and foremost. When God gives you a vision it is very important that we choose to do what God has planned. God is Holy, God is Perfect, and God knows what is best so we should always remember when He shows us what we are to do if we want the best for our lives we need to follow through. Oftentimes, following through with something means that either it is going to be a lot of work or it is going to be a change that some people won't like. How many times have you seen an area in ministry that is not as effective as it can be and you see the reasons why? How many times do we not make it more effective because we are afraid of the consequences of changing something? Sometimes we are worried that if we make a change and someone is upset then it will be worse than continuing to do what we do.

I have heard many times the quote that Albert Einstein said, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." If this is true then why do we keep doing the same things and expect things to get better?

Remember, if you are a leader in a ministry there are people who are looking for you to lead. Leaders will always be the frontrunners in change. We have to get better at communicating why we are changing something. But in order to improve anything we have to change it at least a little bit. The more there is a need to improve something the more we have to change it. People will tolerate but will not be satisfied when things remain the same.

Ask those working with you if they like change. Most will probably say no. Then ask them if they would like change if it paid them 1 million dollars. I will tell you right now those percentages go up quickly. People don't like change if they don't think it benefits them. People love change if it benefits them. It is a simple concept that we oftentimes overlook. How many times do you hear people say, "I just don't like change?" Well, the next time someone says that to you say, well, I guess I won't have to buy you a Christmas present anymore, because it would be different than what you already have. I am sure they would say...oh no. Please understand me when I say this again, we are creatures of habit and even though we struggle with the idea of change it is always very easy to accept if the world around us is better for us. Do people want world peace? Yes, that is change. Do people want to win the lottery? Yes, that is a huge change.

I want to end with this idea that change is only as bad as the result. If you believe God is showing you how to be more effective in reaching more people and making an impact for His Kingdom. Don't let people's fear of change keep you from doing the right thing. Communicate what that change is to your people. Communicate why this is the best. Then do what God has for you to do. Follow through with it or you will burn out and go insane in ministry. Don't keep doing the same thing again and again and expect different results. If it is working then tweak it to make it better, if it is broke then change it!

I hope this helps!~

In Christ,

Kevin Deming