What is the ONE thing that could change everything? This question is very much appropriate for any of us, no matter what, where, or how you lead.
But I want to pose this question primarily to anyone in ministry leadership.
If you’re a pastor, executive pastor, student or children ministry director, groups pastor, elder, or anywhere in between, take a second and answer this question:
What is ONE thing that, if you could figure out, implement, or fund, would positively change everything about your church?
Do you have something in mind? If not, give this question a moment before moving on.
An Attitude of Platitudes
I’ve spent roughly 22 years in ministry leadership. First, as a lead volunteer and deacon/elder before transitioning out of the marketplace into church staff leadership. My last 13 years were spent as a lead pastor.
As a pastor, I perpetually worked to make our church better. I believed (and still do!) the church’s mission is the world’s most important mission in the world. If there was anything we could do to make our church better, reach more people, and grow more disciples, I would do it. We’d often joke that we’d do anything short of sin to lead more people to Jesus.
I’d often ask our staff and key volunteers the question I asked you above: What is ONE thing that, if you could figure out, implement, or fund, would positively change everything about your church?
I was frequently taken aback by their answers. They meant well. And they wanted to be helpful. They wanted their church to be better. They wanted to reach more people and grow more disciples. But church people tend to suggest platitudes, not plans. Things like:
- If we just had more Jesus.
- I wish our church had a heart for worship.
- We need to be more in the Word.
- We need “deeper” teaching (I heard this a LOT! And I eventually learned how to answer without sarcasm).
You’ve heard all of this before, too. You may have suggested it all the same.
I once interviewed to become the senior pastor for a large, multisite church in leadership disarray. During a site visit with the Elders, I asked our question: What is ONE thing that, if you could figure out, implement, or fund, would positively change everything about your church?
An elder quickly said, “We need to become a house of prayer.”
What? What does that even mean?
I actually asked him that question. “What does that mean?” He platitude’ed his way around his answer like most church people do.
I get it.
No church goes wrong by elevating more of Jesus. Prayer helps. A heart of worship through time, talent, and resources, not just music, can change a community through the church.
Platitudes don’t happen by accident. Platitudes are destinations, not directions.
