church leadership

Ministry Growth: Start Here First with a Solid Foundation

As you turn your focus to ministry growth, take some time to lay a solid foundation and watch your group flourish!

Share in the comments below! What are your thoughts on growth and where is your ministry headed?

Get Clear

Clarify what you mean by growth. First, consider the types of growth that are possible. Often in our churches, we associate growth with numbers. This is one form of growth. Maybe that is the growth your group is primed for.

But, ask yourself and your leaders: What other ways is our group longing to grow?

Perhaps your group needs to grow in vulnerability. Or maybe your group needs to grow in service. Maybe your group needs to grow in biblical literacy.

When we become focused on one form of growth, we lose our ability to see what other invitations to growth are present. And the exciting thing is that one type of growth will affect all the others.

For example, when we grow in numbers, the depth of relationships will be more difficult to maintain. Then, a new form of growth is necessary for finding new ways to connect within a larger group.

You Matter

Often we talk about how our unique gifts prepare and guide us. This is so true. We are equipped with a specific fingerprint, so to speak, that colors our work. Let’s go a step deeper to where your beliefs reside. After all, it is our beliefs that influence the way we use our gifts.

What do you believe and feel about group size? Without any judgment, ask yourself this question. Do this assessment, because whatever you think and feel about group size impacts how you interact with your group’s growth.

For example, imagine that a leader believes a small ministry is better because it’s unique, higher quality, distinctive, and more deeply connected. That belief will limit the possibility of the ministry to get larger.

On the other hand, a leader may see a small ministry as embarrassing, sad, pathetic, and pointless. If numbers start dropping, shame and fear will begin to drive leadership in their decisions. And shame and fear will never lead to health in ministry.

Either/Or

It’s easy to get into an either/or mindset. But, the truth is neither small nor large is better. Lean into the faithfulness of God to be already at work no matter what the numbers are. There is no wrong direction. Large and small ministries both have their value and gifts.

The small ministry, for example, does make for more natural connection in the group. You, as a leader, get to know the families and kids on a more personal level. Coordinating events and trips is often more straightforward with a ministry on the small side.

A larger ministry offers more possibility in terms of programming. The momentum and size give it social currency, especially when kids invite their friends. And kids who want to be a part of something but don’t want to be too noticed can feel more comfortable.

Let Go, Remain Open

What do you believe about your own ability to lead? If your group is currently small and you wish it was bigger, think about this: do you think you have what is necessary within you to lead a larger group of kids? If you don’t think you’ll be able, you will find ways to minimize growth to stay in the safe zone.

Growing a ministry can feel like a big responsibility. And there are a lot of plates to keep spinning, especially in the stage of growth. There are several reasons for this. One, during growth, most churches haven’t yet invested the funding for a larger group. Two, enough leadership is hard to come by when the church is used to doing very little. Three, the ministry head is responsible for doing most everything.

So, wondering if you have what it takes is a good question and one worth asking. If you believe you can’t lead a larger ministry than you have now, an increase in numbers will be difficult. On the other hand, if you think you are prepared and able, growth will happen more easily.

If you find yourself limiting the potential of your ministry because you’re afraid of growth, what would it look like to let go of expectations and fear? How about finding motivation in the purpose of your ministry rather than an external indicator of success, such as numbers.

And if breaking into smaller groups from one larger group is where you’re ministry is at, follow that path. What if we all let go of the fear that change won’t work or that one size of group or another is worse?

Follow the Spirit’s Leading

Without judgment, get still and ask God where your ministry is being called. The Spirit’s leading doesn’t always align with our rational mind, so be open and ready to follow. Where we end up heading isn’t always what we assume. And remember it isn’t either/or.

Size is not the point, to be entirely honest. God is moving always everywhere. Be open to where you’re heading, but stay present to what is. Enjoy the beauty and gifts that are held within your group now. Invest in those, because they will help your group flourish no matter the size.

And don’t forget! We want to hear from you. So, share in the comments below. What are your thoughts on growth and where is your ministry headed?

3 Colossally Simple Spiritual Practices Even You Have Time For

Alissa Ellett 2 Comments

Spiritual practices can be hard to incorporate into a busy life. We’ve made it easy, so this year you can live more abundantly than ever.

Our real journey in life is interior. It is a matter of growth, deepening, and an ever greater surrender to the creative action of love.

Thomas Merton

Where do you find yourself on the journey as you live this present season? And how might God be inviting you onward and inward toward deeper connection?

Spiritual practices are a gift to us all. They can better our overall health and make space for our dance with God’s Spirit. However, we know you’re busy and building yet another thing into the day can seem daunting. So, we’ve included just three simple areas to explore.

We want to hear from you, too! Share with us what spiritual practices are life-giving to you. You may help another ministry leader discover the gift they’ve been hoping for.

Unprepared

So, what if you’re feeling ready for the gift but ill-equipped to unwrap it? Maybe spiritual practices are uncharted territory, and you don’t know what to do. You aren’t alone.

Maybe you’re comfortable reading a story to children and asking them discussion questions. But perhaps you’re not so sure about spending time connecting with God. There’s no shame in this. You probably just weren’t taught.

Perhaps you grew up going to church, or maybe not. Those of us not exposed to a faith tradition growing up knowing little about spiritual formation. And, it isn’t all that different for those of us raised in the Church.

Practices that open space for encounter with the Divine often take backseat to institutional protocol.

As a result, you may know how to lead spiritual formation all the while feeling pretty parched spiritually yourself.

We don’t want this for you! And it doesn’t have to be that way. These three simple practices can help.

God Talk

Take a moment. How do you think about the Divine? A giant human residing in a realm not our own? Maybe nebulous energy that animates all living things? Something like the purest stuff of what we know to be love or wisdom? A watchful parent on the lookout for failures? Maybe some or all of these and more?

We come into adulthood with lots of what we were told as children about the Divine. Somewhere along the way, we learned other stuff. Some of that jives, and some doesn’t.

So, we make sense of it and are left with ideas that have come to the foreground and those that will never be forgotten but have receded.

Not surprisingly, how we think and talk about the Divine impacts the way we engage in spiritual formation.

Consider reflecting on how your thoughts about God influence your feelings about engaging in spiritual practices.

Letting Go of Guilt

God is Love. And love isn’t about guilt. So, stop feeling guilty about your spiritual growth or lack thereof. You’re probably already parched. Why add to the load?

Just start where you are just as you are. That’s all you can do anyway in each given moment. And God asks no more of you. The Divine is always and everywhere no matter our capacity to engage. Therefore, presence and peace may abound.

Isn’t that wonderful? We can merely embrace spiritual practices with intention and presence. God beckons us.

How will you freely, joyfully, guiltlessly respond to the invitation this year?

Spiritual Practices to Explore

Make Some Space

Our minds are saturated. We’re almost always watching a screen, responding to endless messages on various platforms, thinking a mile a minute.

It’s never been harder to clear our minds. And when we’re preoccupied with all that chatter, connection to Spirit is almost impossible. So, just practice clearing a little space in all the clutter.

First, find a quiet place alone. Then, pay attention to your thoughts. Notice each one. Make no judgment about it. Place it on a leaf or cloud and watch it float away until it’s out of sight.

De-clutter. Make space for Spirit connection. That’s it, friend.

Explore Scripture

We believe that holy scriptures are set apart as those that have the power to transform. They are living texts. So, use the life with which they’re infused to enrich yours.

Do you have a favorite verse in scripture? If not, pick one. It doesn’t have to be the “right” choice. Just choose what compels you even if you aren’t sure why.

Work with that scripture somehow and see what happens. Perhaps journal about it, exploring what it means to you. Research its background and context. Or practice lectio divina with it. Speak it in a breath prayer. Write it on your mirror with a dry erase marker. Try any of these.

Get Outside

Manufactured stuff gives us so much. Offices and houses, chairs and couches, computers, phones, cars, trains. They serve us in so many ways. And so do the outdoors. But, sadly, many of us don’t see nearly enough of God’s creation outside.

You may find yourself rejuvenated by getting some sunshine and fresh air at the very least. And perhaps you’ll perceive the Spirit’s work in things like the seemingly effortless way leaves spring up from dormant branches. Maybe you’ll notice a feeling of unity with every atom that’s ever existed.

Sit or walk or run or hike or bike. Listen, look, smell, feel. However you’re compelled, get outside.

Become Still

Wherever you find yourself right at this moment, become still. It is the only moment that’s real and yours. God is ever in the present inviting you without expectation or demand to live abundantly into your whole self this new year and always.

We hope these three areas of spiritual practice can assist you in your quest. And don’t forget to share with us in the comments! What spiritual practices are serving you these days?

Breaking Through the Leader’s Struggle to Find Spiritual Growth

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

Amid the spiritual growth you facilitate for others, have you been saving some of it for yourself? Maybe this is the year you recover your spiritual growth practices. Or maybe even discover them for the first time.

Real Talk About Spiritual Health

If you’re teaching others about a relationship with God, your spiritual life is essential, both for their learning and your thriving. How do you stay connected to God as you walk the journey? Tell us in the comments!

Growth very often happens only when the necessary resources are available. So, your spiritual health is of top priority for you to grow and avoid burnout. If you’re giving of yourself, this is especially true.

Oh, and let me clarify. Spiritual health is all of you. Enjoying physical activity, eating foods that serve you, connecting with God. It’s all related. Think of it this way: Food is, in one category, the stuff we eat and, in another category, everything else that nourishes us. How are you feeding yourself?

Since the Spirit chooses every moment of every day to spend within you, spiritual formation can’t be separated from any of the ways you love and care for your whole self.

I recently saw Glennon Doyle speak and someone in the audience asked her how she takes care of herself amid all the work she does. This person was feeling depleted by the ministry she does. Glennon answered by saying she takes such good care of herself, it’s almost embarrassing. How many of us can say that??

Why is it tough to stay nourished while on this particular journey called church work?

The Leader’s Struggle to Grow Spiritually

It may seem strange, but ministry leaders’ spiritual growth easily gets put on the back burner. And it’s understandable.

First, pouring into others can feel like you’re pouring into yourself…for a while. You’re around all the God stuff. But you’re presenting it and not experiencing it.

Unfortunately, you don’t receive spiritual sustenance by diffusion while working in a church. Given time, you can start feeling tired or parched or beaten up or overwhelmed or hopeless or all of it.

Second, nourishing kids in their faith requires so much of your time, energy, heart and mind. And work doesn’t end when you leave the office. It’s never done, and you take it with you almost everywhere you go. Your spiritual growth can feel like one more thing to add to an already over-crowded list of tasks.

Third, self-sacrifice is highly valued. When we’re doing “the Lord’s work” there’s an invisible line in the job description that many of us sign our names to: “This is my cross to bear. I will give of myself until I can no longer.”

Rock and a Hard Place

Maybe you have felt stuck. Be still, care for yourself, and you’re not sacrificing enough. But, you’re teaching kids about God. So, you know you need to be growing spiritually. Kind of a rock and a hard place, huh?

Let’s be frank. There’s a culture in church work that isn’t good. This is important work. But, maybe it’s time to let go of the self-sacrifice, run yourself into the ground for the cause mentality.

I give you permission, ’cause Jesus gave you permission, to start thinking about your joy, your needs, your soul. Jesus needed the Garden of Gethsemane. What might you need? Get still and listen to your spirit.

Get Some You Time

Spiritual growth is what happens naturally when we encounter the Divine in a way that changes us. It’s not another task to do the right way, but rather a gift for you to relish whenever you’re ready.

We’re all on the journey together, meandering in and out of meaning and connection with God. What trail will you walk this year that will lead you toward some of both?

To start, get still and have some “you time.” In my next post, I’ll give you a few tools to use along the way.

To all that awaits you and yours in 2019!

And don’t forget. We want to hear what helps you stay connected to God as you walk the journey. Share in the comments below.