Don’t be afraid of innovation…

Some even call it change…

If you keep doing the same things…you’ll get the same results…

Duh…

Did you know?

The can opener came almost 50 years after the tin can…

It was years before someone thought to cut a hole in the bottom of a basketball goal…

Plastic was invented years before someone thought to mass produce it…

It makes me wonder…

Maybe your church or organization isn’t dying….

Or at least isn’t dead…

Perhaps you simply need to do something different…

What’s one thing you could do that no one else is doing?

What’s one thing you could change that would improve everything?

I think there is value in unstructured growth. (I wrote about that HERE) As the organization grows, additions in structure have to be added. We are currently experiencing that at Grace Community Church. (I’ve written more about it HERE.) Adding structure, however, can be a painful and disruptive process if not handled carefully.

Here are 5 thoughts I have about adding structure to an existing organization:

The change should make sense with the organizational make-up and DNA - We have to be careful altering something in a way that disrupts the fiber, core, or root foundation of the organization.

The structure added should not impede progress - Structure should further enable the completion of the vision, not detract from it.

It should accommodate or encourage continued growth – Structure should not curtail growth. It’s purpose should be to help the organization continue to grow.

Hit the center of acceptance – Not everyone will agree with any change, but if the structure is universally opposed then it may need to be considered more closely before being implemented. (Read about how different our staff is HERE.)

Make sure everyone understands the why - People are more likely to accept structure when they can identify the value to them and their area of responsibility, but at least the value to the overall organization.

Have you ever had to add structure to an existing organization?

How did you do it?

What would you add to my list?

Leaders create capacity in an organization so the organization and people can grow…

That’s what leaders do…

Great leaders:

Paint the void – Allow others to see what could be accomplished…

Empower the team – Give the tools, resources and power to accomplish the task…

Release – Let go of the control so others can lead…

Repeat - As often as possible…

If you are always the doer and never the enabler then you are not a leader. More than likely you are simply an obstacle of all your team could accomplish if you got out of the way.

When the leader leads the way for others to lead, the organization and the people in the organization increase their capacity to grow.

Are you leading or are you in the way?

Determining when to make change and when to leave things the same is one of the most delicate decisions of leadership, but I know one thing for sure:

“It’s working” should never be the primary reason to avoid change.

It could be a reason. Not everything needs changing. Some things are timeless. Change for change sake sounds good but isn’t always the best idea. (I wrote about it HERE.)

But organizations and teams need change…

Change keeps momentum going. It builds a culture of change. It keeps leaders on the team motivated. And, sometimes, you discover something wonderful you would have never discovered without change. (I wrote more about that concept HERE.)

So while change isn’t always necessary, “it’s working” shouldn’t keep you from considering change either.

Which makes the decision of when to change that much more difficult…doesn’t it?

One rule of thumb for me…

If there hasn’t been any change recently…

Chances are it’s time…

I am always reminded that leaders want to be in environments of change. Leaders are most comfortable when they can explore, take risks, and keep things stirring. There’s a reason marketers are always changing things…it’s not just leaders who want change…people tend to like change too.

Sometimes leaders need to create change before change is needed…even though things are working.

Are you a fan of change, or do you resist it?

What change do you need to make just because you can?

What’s important in leadership has changed these days, because organizations and people have changed. Have you noticed?

The fact is that many leaders who are in the highest positions these days developed their leadership style in another generation. This has produced a plethora of what I call antiquated leaders. That creates tension in many organizations, including many churches today.

Perhaps you’ve worked for (or even been) an antiquated leader.

Here are some characteristics:

Keeps people in a box…People won’t stick around in a box these days…they demand opportunities for growth…There was once a day you could control an employee’s actions, but not anymore.

Controls information…Information is king, and these days people are used to having information available to them…Today’s leaders must be free with current information, including what’s stirring in the leader’s mind and where the organization is going.

Enforces a waiting period on young leaders…Young leaders today want an opportunity to explore, take risks, and make an impact in the world…NOW…Successful leaders learn to tap into this energy.

Assumes a paycheck is enough motivation…Today’s workforce demands to know they are doing good work, making a difference, and valued on the team…This has always been important, but it’s a necessity these days.

Makes the work environment strictly business...The generation entering the new organizational world mixes business with pleasure. They want to enjoy their workplace environment…Today’s leaders must learn to celebrate along the way to success.

Now, take a minute and improve this post with your thoughts…

Have you realized a change in today’s workplace?

What would you add to my list?

On which side of the organizational change do you find yourself? Have you lived in both worlds? Share your story…

The current thought process for most of us these days is about what’s new…

It’s important to be current…which means often we are making decisions quicker…

It makes the word “moment” more important than ever…

We are to enjoy the moment…

We all want to “live in the moment” as much as possible, and culture is demanding it these days…

I want to join the party, but I’m reminded of an important principle…

Living in the moment can be dangerous…

It’s great in theory, but some moments can get you off track…

Unless it’s lived within the purview of a planned future…

My son Nate says, “You have to consider your now in the context of your then“. He’s so smart…

The Bible continually encourages us to think about the days ahead, our eternity, and plan our life accordingly…

(Hebrews 12:1-2, Philippians 3:12-17, Romans 8:18)…

We are warned about the moments (Ecclesiastes 10:1)

Have fun in the moment…be timely….act quickly…

Don’t miss an opportunity…

Enjoy the ride….

But make sure your moment is properly grounded in your future…

At least the future you say you want to realize some day…

Do you understand the power of a moment…for good and for bad?

We are all different. Yesterday I posted about whether a pastor could serve in political office…as expected…I got different opinions. (Read them HERE…and add your own.)

I’m learning to embrace diversity…not to run from it…

Throughout the year I’m going to ask some questions to see a difference of opinion. Here are this week’s questions:

Please comment on this post with your first and best answer out of the two choices…if you could only choose one:

• Would you rather have sunshine or a rainy day?
• Do you prefer indoors or outdoors?
• Would you rather watch a sporting event or a go to the movies?
• Are you closer to friends or family?
• Do you see God more as a Father or as a Judge?

I would love your honest answers…the more the better the post.

You may want to copy and paste the questions in a comment and then add your answers.

Help me out with this post…

Go!

I am frequently asked when is the right time to leave a leadership position.  I once wrote 8 Ways to Know It’s Time to Quit.  It’s still one of my most requested blog topics.  This is a hard decision for many leaders.  Thankfully, there are still leaders with a sense of loyalty, who want to do the right thing, and they simply do not know how or when they should leave.

I love hearing how one leader’s tenure carried the organization from infancy to maturity….

I am always impressed to hear of a long term pastorate…

The healthiest way, organizationally speaking, is to have a long-term leader, one who goes through seasons with the organizations, who carries the vision forward over a long span of time.

It should be noted, however, that sometimes a leader is just for a season….

• Some leaders get things started…
• Some leaders guide the organization through transition…
• Some leaders only handle the tough times…
• Some leaders help organizations start again…
• Some leaders close things out graciously….

And then they move on…

If a leader does what he or she has been called to do, there is no shame in doing ONLY what the leader was called to do…

Have you ever been the leader for a season?

What other example would you list?

Yesterday we began a new series at Grace Community Church called Horizons.  Every year offers new opportunities…the question is are we prepared for what lies beyond the horizon?

I closed the message by asking these questions for consideration of what we need to leave behind as we move into a new year.

• What do you need to leave behind this year?
• What changes do you need to make?
• What failures do you need to forget?  (Or at least let them work for you rather than against you?)
• What disciplines do you need to take on?
• Whom do you need to forgive?
• What grudge do you need to release?
• What burden do you need to give back to God?
• Do you need to trust Him more this year
• Do you need to serve Him…or serve others more this year?

What you won’t see in this message is the closing challenge.  It was more difficult to capture this for recording, but people were encouraged to write on an index card what they most need to leave behind in 2010…and not take with them into 2011.  It could be an answer to one of these questions or perhaps a secret sin, a worry, burden, anger, or fear…

What would you need to write on that card?