Penetrating Questions

Tim Stevens asked some penetrating question in a recent blog post:
The Pain of Growth
Last week I was asked, “If our church is going to double in the next two years (from 500 to 1000), what will it take?” Here is what I shared…

Some of you won’t have as much access to the senior leader. This has to be okay with you.

Ask: Are you more committed to maintaining the tight-knit staff size and your proximity to the pastor? Or are you more committed to the church growing?

Some of you are doing okay as a leader in a church of 500, but that’s not going to cut it at 1,000. You need to be willing to step aside into another role.

Ask: Are you more committed to keeping your position and title? Or are you more committed to reaching more people?
You will need to anticipate the strain and pressure before you actually feel it. You are the leader–looking ahead, around the corner.

Ask: Are you comfortable? If so, you probably aren’t anticipating growth adequately.

You will have to be as willing to stop stuff as you are to start stuff.
Ask: What are you doing that takes time and energy and diverts your focus? What has God uniquely gifted your team to do where you should put more focus?

You will have to drive up the level of excellence. When people walk up to a fair booth to buy food, they have one expectation of service and quality. At McDonalds, it’s another level. And when they walk into a Houlihan’s, it’s yet another level. As you grow, so will the expectations of your guests.

Ask: What areas of the ministry would not be considered excellent if you were a church of 1000?

What would you add to the list?