Is Your Ministry Broken?

Ever host an event and was disappointed by the turnout?  Maybe it was a meeting and no one came prepared?  It happens to everyone, but why it happens isn’t always clear.

You might want to assign blame (5 Excuses Youth Ministers Need To Avoid Making), but before you do take a look at your systems.  If the systems you have in place are broken, your programs, projects and events will fail.  To determine if they are broken consider these 7 questions:

HOW ARE WE MEASURING THIS?

It’s difficult to tell if something is broken if you don’t have a system to review and analyze it.  Before you plan anything set goals and create a path.

Create miles markers so that you can take a moment to answer the question, “Are we on the right path?”  If you measure what you do then you’ll be able to clearly answer whether or not your program is broken.

IS THIS A COMPETING SYSTEM?

Everything that you do should flow and compliment one another.  A competing system is when you have two programs that fight over resources, environments, times and people where both prove ineffective.

Eliminate competing systems by making a few of the following changes or tweaks:

• Finding different leadership.

• Alternating the time they are held.

• Moving their location.

• Eliminating them all together.

The more your systems compete the more it will slow you down and distract you from your goals.

DOES THE LABOR OUTWEIGH THE FRUIT?

There are projects and programs that yield results, but the amount of time, energy and resources say otherwise.  If you are feeling drained and depleted instead of refreshed and rejuvenated chances are you need to take another look at what you are doing.

HAS THE SYSTEM LOST RELEVANCE?

You might have a program because it’s what the church has done for decades.  Originally it was a huge success, but overtime it’s lost it’s relevance.  In fact the only reason you do it is because that’s what you’ve always done.

Tradition isn’t always a reason to continue a program.  It might have hit it’s expiration date.  If that’s the case it’s time to take steps towards eliminating it.

IS THE SYSTEM ALIGNED WITH THE OVERALL VISION?

Have you ever wondered why you are running a certain program or system?  It could be for a variety of reasons:

• Tradition
• Every other ministry is doing it
• It was once popular
• You got a great deal on the curriculum

No matter the reason if it doesn’t align with your vision it needs to go away.  Anything that competes against the vision will cause more work and more unnecessary conflict.

DO WE HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE AT THE TABLE?

If you don’t have the right people on your team then you will find all your efforts strenuous and painful.  You not only need a team, but the right people who are:

• Taking ownership
• Solving problems
• Expanding your capacity

The right people are individuals you can trust to give you the brutal facts.  They are people who care about you personally and professionally because they want you to succeed.

AM I PLAYING TO MY STRENGTHS OR WEAKNESSES?

The success of a ministry will rise and fall on your leadership.  The programs and projects you take on need to be a reflection of your leadership.  Are you taking on a program because everyone else is doing it or because God has called you to lead in that space?

Granted their are some projects we have to take on because of the job.  That’s when you find the right people who are strong where you are weak.  Ask them to take ownership and support them the best you can.

People are difficult and ministry can get messy.  But, if you want to increase your success and yield the results you aim for then you need to make sure you have healthy systems.