Two years ago, the most creative and ultra-exciting ministry (or program) was growing on the inside of me.
Coming from a competitive environment in journalism, I learned a few principles.
- Never stop being creative and thinking outside the box.
- Never settle on one method—even if it’s working.
- When you think you made it—you haven’t.
- Be flexible in all situations.
Naturally, as a student pastor at the time, I explored to apply those principles. I identified a problem and was determined to solve it in the youth ministry. We lacked any type of practical learning for students, so we started the Deeper Bible study. This Bible study had a focus and desire to equip students and send them out to change the world.
Fast forward to today: When that very name of the random program is mentioned, our students laugh as if it’s a riveting joke.
Deeper Bible study failed and was super ineffective.
After noticing the downward slope of this program, its vision and direction, I quickly canned it and acted like it never happened. One year ago, Kayla took over as student pastor and developed the Ignite Leadership Class. From the exterior, it looked similar to the horrifically ineffective Bible study.
However, it took Deeper failing to know what would work in the future.
Kayla revamped this discipleship program—added vision, excitement and growth—and many students later, Ignite has turned into the most fruitful and rewarding program we’ve developed.
Chances are, in any avenue of leadership, you’ve had a Deeper moment, like myself. Let’s focus on what a dead program looks like and what’s needed to turn it around. Take lessons learned from that hideous Bible study I once thought was a divine idea.
What does a dead program look like?
1. A dead program lacks vision.
If you have no idea where God’s taking you and your program—no one else will. Many programs lack this very component: They have solid leaders and a few nice things taking place, but there’s little vision associated with it.
At the local church level, the vision should definitely reflect the general vision of the church, but there must be personal vision for what God’s equipping you to do.
As a leader, or program leader, pray for guidance and develop vision for your program. What is the No. 1 impact you want the program to have?
2. A dead program lacks excitement.
Are people attending … talking about it … tweeting … sharing … and inviting friends?
If not, chances are your program lacks excitement. Excitement breeds attendance and an atmosphere of expectation. Deeper lacked this—students were bored, they didn’t care, and it failed.
A great counteract to generate excitement are relaunch events, special events and/or vision casting meetings.
