There is no one local church designed or equipped to do every ministry.
The question then becomes which ministries and how many?
How do you decide?
How many is too many?
It is common for a local church to continue to add ministries. It is also like a local church to resist eliminating a ministry, regardless of its effectiveness.
Far too many churches are so busy doing a large variety of ministries that they experience fatigue greater than fruit. The truth is that more activity doesn’t translate to a vibrant and healthy growing church.
So, what is the best leadership move?
Let me offer a frame of reference for the conversation.
- When your church ministries are allowed to follow their own course, (without evaluation, change and pruning), they will become more complicated and less effective over time.
- The larger a church becomes the ratio of energy to results yields decreasing returns. Fewer ministries allow you to refocus your energy for greater results.
- The more complex a church becomes, the less the leaders believe simplicity can be achieved.
- The larger and/or older a church becomes, increasing pressure is felt from the congregation for the church to provide more ministries.
Assuming we agree that no one local church can or should attempt to do every possible ministry, then the smart approach is one that is spiritually strategic. That is, to pray, seek God on the matter, and choose only the ministries He has in mind for your church.
Why fewer rather than more?
- A lean ministry model helps to create the margin that allows you to get better at the ministries you do offer. Focused effort on fewer ministries increases the impact of each ministry, and that results in more life change.
- A lean ministry model helps to create margin for your congregation to pursue God personally and build healthier families.
By having fewer ministry programs to attend, families can be at home with more time together. Your congregation, in general, will also have more time to meet and invite new friends to church. - A lean ministry model will help you create the margin that increases your ability to respond to Holy Spirit prompts.
A lean ministry model does not subdue the Holy Spirit; it creates more space for Him to move. When you are so busy you can barely catch your breath; it’s hard to listen and respond to God prompts.
Be honest about the tension but champion greater Kingdom results.
It’s true that it doesn’t always “feel” lean, or like there is more margin in most churches who practice a lean model. It’s because they still work very hard, but with a focused intentionality to get better at what they do. And that is how they reach more people and see more life change as disciples mature in their faith. (The mission.)
The tension will never go away.
People are passionate for their chosen ministries, and those ministries are good. That’s why the decisions are difficult. But, when a well-meaning volunteer decides to move on, or change ministries, you now own what they started. You don’t have to do that for many years, or even months, to end up with way too much to do. Much of which is not truly effective. At least not when you compare energy invested to (life change) results.
The concept of Ephesians 4:11-12 hasn’t changed, (equip your people for ministry), but the culture has. Time compression has squeezed out the ability for people to do more. They are already maxed out in their daily lives. Focused intentionality is essential.
I’m not suggesting the solution is to dumb-down the vision of your church. Not at all, but merely to lean out the approach. Less is more. You reach more people by doing less, not more. Get really good at a few things.
How To Change To A Lean Approach
1) Teach the principle of “The Divine Thumbprint.”
No one church can do everything. Therefore, the decisions should not be based on popularity, size of personality, politics or emotion. Be spiritually strategic. Pray to discover the specific ministries God wants your church to offer.
The “Divine Thumbprint” is the unique and specific plan God has for the ministries you offer at your church. Its an invitation to combine natural strategy with supernatural power.
2) Communicate the role of the Holy Spirit.
As already indicated, a lean ministry menu does not limit the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit breathes life and power into the ministries your church prayerfully selects.
It’s important to consistently remind your church that it is God’s power that makes your ministry work – it’s the real force behind true life change.
We are God’s hands and feet, but the power comes from God.
3) Lean into the idea of margin.
As I’ve mentioned, use your time wisely. Lean ministry isn’t about working less it’s about getting better. Work on your ministries. Innovate and improve.
Don’t make your ministries merely different, make them better.
Fewer ministries help you create margin to get better at what you do and ultimately have more time for people. Your calendar will still be full, but its intentionally focused, which enables you to become more effective.
4) Get buy-in with your staff and leaders before you cast vision from the platform.
It’s not wise to read this post and then announce to your church that you will begin leaning out the ministries!
Your leaders will cheer and consider you wise, until you start discussing the elimination of their ministry!
Have the conversations needed to gain buy-in and alignment from your staff and key leaders. This doesn’t mean everyone agrees with everything, but there is solid unity in moving forward.
5) Stop adding any new ministries.
The first bold step is to stop adding new ministries for a lengthy season.
As you teach and discuss the “why” with your leaders and earn buy-in, let them know that for a season you won’t be adding any further ministries. And if you do, for every add, one must be eliminated.
6) Conduct a thorough ministry audit.
Make a list of every ministry you do. No matter how big or small.
The possibilities are nearly endless such as: camp, baby dedication, men’s ministry, divorce care, recovery groups, student leadership, small groups, foreign missions (in detail), pre-marital counseling, a local food co-op, etc. There are dozens of possibilities.
Include every ministry.
Then carefully evaluate the effectiveness of each one. Which ones are working well, and which ones are not?
Yes, this can be subjective, but you will intuitively know right away for most. Begin to think about which ministries are less effective and not needed, and continue to pray about the ministries you believe God has in mind for your church.
7) Identify your irreducible minimums.
List the ministries you believe you must have.
This is the leanest list of ministries, functions, and programs without which your church would not operate.
For example, ushers, nursery, children’s, worship team, production, and tech, etc. Whatever you truly believe you must have for your church to function. Note, the list is surprisingly short. (Consider the vibrancy of a church plant.)
8) Identify the additional ministries that makes your church unique.
This is part of the “Divine Thumbprint” idea.
What ministries are not absolutely needed, but make your church uniquely you? These are the ministries that contribute to and help inspire your vision.
Caution, add slowly and prayerfully.
9) Eliminate ministries slowly.
Now that you know your irreducible minimums, and the ministries that God purposes uniquely for your church, it’s time to make a list of the ministries to eliminate.
Don’t rush the process. Honor the leaders who have served well. Don’t catch the leader in the lobby on a Sunday morning and surprise them. Have the conversation over coffee and give the process the time it needs.
10) Cast vision so your people know they can do any ministry they desire, on their own.
There are dozens of great ministries, and again that does not mean your church should do them all. It can’t. But there is no reason that an individual or a small group of people in your church can’t do a unique ministry on their own, one that does not carry the church’s name.
Years ago, a good leader with a small group had a vision for a prison ministry. We did not own the ministry at all. We encouraged them, offered some ideas, and suggested a certain local prison that might be receptive. We prayed and empowered them to go for it! And they did!!
11) Be prayerfully intentional about adding new ministries.
Let me say this again, of course you can add new ministries. But be tough in your decision-making.
A great rule of thumb is that every time you start one, eliminate one. This is not a law, but it’s a good guideline. It keeps you thinking in the right direction.
12) Continue to cast vision and tell stories of life change.
Coupled with ongoing evaluation, cast vision and tell stories so your congregation often hears about the lives that are changed by your ministry efforts.
SO good!
Thanks Brandon!
Hope you and your team are pumped and prepared for Easter!! Well, getting prepared… 🙂
You are carving a great path for people to find Jesus!