In working on another project, I just compiled the ten key statements that have shaped my ministry to leaders and churches. It’s possible that everything I write and teach boils down to these key thoughts:
- “It’s possible to do the ministry of God but not the ministry God called you to do.”
- “Great leaders will leave your ministry if you focus on the execution instead of the outcomes.”
- “God’s people don’t do the leader’s work — we equip people to do God’s work.”
- “Mind the gap between your vision and your execution.”
- “Stop promoting programs and events and start developing relationships and environments that lead to life transformation.” (The Giant Inflatable Blue Monkey)
- “Think people before tasks. Think strategy before structure.”
- “Churches continue to use their same systems, but they hope and pray for different results.” (The Leisure Suit Trap)
- “Systems without purpose will keep people busy. Purpose without systems will keep people guessing.”
- “Your message has the potential to shift thinking. Your systems have the potential to shift behaviors.”
- “Leadership isn’t leadership if it isn’t released to others.”
You’ll probably hear and see me repeat these statements over and over again. (And then, just to make sure you heard me, I’ll probably share them again.)
Have you ever tried to capture your personal mission in phrases like this? If so, what would be on your list?
