Execution!

I've discovered a new definition for execution from a book I read entitled; "Execution" by Larry Bossidy, former Chairman and CEO of Honeywell International. The book is geared towards corporate America but it caused me to think more about the church. Larry defines execution as the discipline of getting things done. Here's a quote from his book that made me think about the church:

People think of execution as the tactical side of business. That's the first big mistake. Tactics are central to execution, but execution is not tactics. Execution is fundamental to strategy and has to shape it. No worthwhile strategy can be planned without taking into account the organization's ability to execute it (p. 21).

When I read this paragraph and continued through the rest of the book, I started thinking of how many times in the church do we plan, strategize, plan, and strategize but we do not execute. The reasons are many for not executing our plans in the church. But, my question is can our minstry plan be executed in the church?

I started writing some things that I've applied to my own work as a Christian that has helped me to juggle all the various responsibilities I have to face on a daily basis. Let me share them with you.

1. Write out the plan - "Now go, write it before them on a tablet, And note it on a scroll, That it may be for time to come, Forever and ever" (Isaiah 30:8). One of the biggest mistakes we make in ministry is not transferring our goals for ministry to paper. Some people think it's not important. But I disagree. When I first arrived at FGMBC, I sat down with God, a pen, and some paper to write a 5, 10, and 15 year ministry plan. It took much prayer and seeking God for direction but as of today I have a plan. When we seriously started considering our Restore The Land Project this year, we didn't just start talking about in 2008. Actually, it was in our ministry plan in 2003 and then 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. I believe it's important to write out a plan for clear focus and direction. I also wrote a 5 year preaching plan that is rotating every year to keep clear focus and direction. However, keep in mind that writing a plan is good but always leave room for God to come and change it when necessary. This is His church that we're privileged to be a part of.

2. Take your time - "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it" (Luke 14:28). Don't rush to complete your planning without first considering the resources available to you. Every church has resource limitations but there are so many avenues available to the church to think outside the box while not compromising biblical positions to accomplish your goals.

3. Be confident about the plan - "...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ"(Philippians 1:6). This text in my opinion explains this point very well. So we'll move on.

4. Wait on God - There's so many verse related to waiting on God, you pick one yourself. I wrestle with this particular point because taking your time and waiting on God seem to be partners in effective execution. However, taking your time deals with you doing your part while waiting on God is God doing His part. We can never forget about God in our planning, this is His church not ours.

5. Pray about the plan - Again, get a concordance and select your own verse here. There is no order of priority in these suggestions to execute a minstry plan and/or life plan. But if I had to place priority, pray is at the top of the list. Remember, this is God's church and the only way to know what God wants to do in His church is to talk to Him about His church. Prayer starts your plan and prayer will complete your plan. Never get too busy to pray in planning!

6. Communicate your plan - Effective communication about where God is taken the church is vital to the success of executing a ministry plan. Don't force the plan on anyone, communicate it. People are more apt to go with you when they know where you're going.

7. Select the right people for the right position - If you've ever played the game Perfection where you match shape with shape within a 1 minute. You will find that a square will fit into a triangle space. Over time, if you don't place all the pieces in the corresponding space shape the game explodes and you lose. I've discovered in church that many people are working in the wrong spaces. We're more interested in filling positions for the sake of filling positions in church rather than encouraging people in areas of giftedness and what we have is an explosion, boom! Encourage areas of giftedness.

8. Don't be afraid to fail - It has been said that failure is not option. Wrong! Failure is an option. Failure is not the problem, it's how we respond to failure that's the problem. Peter is a real good example of failure. He followed Christ for 3 years and denied Christ 3 times in one day. However, Jesus restored His relationship with Peter and Peter became one of the best preaching apostles of the New Testament (read The Book of Acts). Here's the final analysis, we're all one big mistake away from being used by God!

Let's strive for excellence by commitment to executing our God desired goals for His church.

Ministry is a joy when done the right way which is the Lord's way.

Grace and peace be yours through Jesus Christ.