You adopted a new system—or a new model or a new curriculum—and it just doesn’t seem to be taking off. You’re not alone. There are all kinds of ideas available out there: great curriculum, sermon series, church organizational models available. They have been wildly successful in other churches. They contain the heart of what you want to accomplish. Why reinvent the wheel?
However, it’s not catching on or interest has fizzled out. It’s tempting to try another curriculum, series, organizational model that others are raving about. Before you do, remember your people. Even a clean kit that has “everything you need” requires significant work to roll out. At the very least you had to create buy-in, train users, and change habits to adopt that system. That’s a lot. Before you start the process again take some time to troubleshoot. Here are a few things to try.
Troubleshooting Systems
1. Start with a basic 4-box matrix
Create a chart by dividing a sheet of paper into four sections. Then write these questions at the top of each section and then brainstorm away:
- What’s working that you can enhance?
- What’s missing that you need to add?
- What’s broken that you need to fix?
- What’s confused that you need to clarify?
2. Force your perspective
Next, experience the system from the vantage point of the person you’re trying to serve. Ask yourself:
- Where is their first point of contact?
- What are they expected to do?
- What clear on-ramps are there?
- How is the process or system communicated to them?
- To what degree does it meet them where they are at?
Once you’ve seen your new program from this perspective, consider where it might need additional support. People? Training? Communications? Motivation?
3. Give it some time
Often with a new system of some kind, you as a leader have spent months and may years learning about it and planning. Once you roll it out though, it can take twice that amount of time to get buy-in from a congregation. They don’t do this full-time and they haven’t researched the program. And—particularly if you have a history of trying something and then moving on to the next thing, your congregation may be waiting to see if you are serious about this one. What feels like giving something plenty of time to work can feel quite different from the vantage point of your staff, lay leadership, and congregation. Sometimes initiatives just need more time.
4. Schedule reviews
Although sometimes a new system needs more time to gain traction, there is a point when you do need to scrap it. How do you know the difference? Build in periodic reviews. Set aside time—ahead of time—to assess what’s working and what’s not. From there, you can decide on any mid-course corrections that need to be taken. In most cases, it takes at least three cuts to get it right. So if you give it three good attempts, stopping in between to assess and make any needed changes, and it’s still not working, then maybe it’s not the right system or the right time. The key is to do some careful reflection and genuine revisions over time.
Coaching
As a ministry leader, you are juggling a lot. The day-to-day easily becomes a distraction from the vision God placed in you. A coach is someone who comes alongside you to help you find a way to manage the day-to-day AND work toward seeing your vision become reality. Dr. Bob Logan is currently taking on new coaching clients. Schedule a FREE 30-minute conversation to share your vision and context and learn how coaching can help you move forward, email admin@loganleadership.com.
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