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Redo or Rebuild?

By January 18, 2017June 21st, 2017No Comments

It’s no secret that home redecorating and renovation shows are very popular right now. The country seems to love Chip and Johanna Gaines, among others, and are in awe of the transformations they bring to homes.

I don’t know the full history of such shows, but the first big hit I remember was Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The initial shows involved the same kinds of re-dos that the Gaines achieve, but after a few shows, the designers began to tear down the original houses and build brand new ones instead. Apparently it was easier and cheaper than tearing out parts and trying to make what they needed fit the area with its load-bearing walls, etc.

Ministry can be the same way. Sometimes a re-do doesn’t really get us where we want and need to go. Cosmetic changes to the structure may not be enough to move forward, and tearing out walls that easily carry the weight of the old may be unable to handle the weight of new renovations.

This is a great time of year to think ahead to the long-term direction of your ministry—whether you lead a small group, an area of ministry in your church, a para-church ministry, or a local church. (It may even be your own soul that needs work.) Don’t wait until summer to think about the fall. Start now.

Dream with your team or like-minded fellow leaders about God’s vision for your group or ministry area. Then consider what must be done to get there. Are there present leadership structures which can’t support the vision or personnel that create obstacles? Depending on what you learn, determine if you need to completely rebuild or simply make cosmetic changes and tear out a few walls.

Of course you will have push-back. It’s hard to change and let go of what is known and comfortable, and wisdom often means going slowly, but navigating change is a different topic. The first step is to determine where to go and how to get there.

If we at BOW can help you think through this process, please contact us.

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